Final Fantasy XIII backlash begins
Final Fantasy XIII is the latest in the long-running RPG series from Square Enix. Recently released on PS3 in Japan, it’s due for release on both the PS3 and Xbox 360 in the U.S. and beyond in March. However, despite a near-perfect score from Famitsu, the game seems to be coming in for some harsh criticisms from fans of the series.
There was actually controversy when Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu scored Final Fantasy XIII 39/40. Not because it was such a high score but because it wasn’t 40/40. However, the game is now in the hands of more than a million Japanese gamers, and some aren’t happy with the title.
The main criticism seems to be that Final Fantasy XIII is far too linear. But others, as noted by Sankaku Complex, include repetitive gameplay, too many cut-scenes, a lack of strategy, and no leveling-up. With the exception of the last one, I’d suggest these are all complaints that could be made about other games in the series.
Whether this backlash is justified or just the petty grievances of die-hard fans with too much time on their hands isn’t clear, and probably won’t be until the game is released worldwide.
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68 Responses to “Final Fantasy XIII backlash begins”
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December 20th, 2009
no leveling up?
December 20th, 2009
There’s no levelling up??
December 20th, 2009
@ roca,
spooky….
December 20th, 2009
lol yeah I know
December 20th, 2009
Wait what? No leveling up?!? I don’t know if I should be horrified or happy…
December 20th, 2009
when you start the game you are at level 1
by the time you are fighting the final boss your level will be at…..(guess what)….still at level 1.
December 20th, 2009
Sounds like fun
December 20th, 2009
As far as I can tell it’s similar to the sphere grid from Final Fantasy X. Which is fine by me because I enjoyed working my way round that.
December 20th, 2009
I posted a entire walk-through see it if you want to know everything about the damn game. Is here look at previous post.
December 21st, 2009
Roca,
I know you really like role playing games including Final Fantasy games. What do you think about this?
December 21st, 2009
@Twilight
from looking at it (before getting any playtime, I can honestly say I feel a bit disappointed by it. but then again I felt the same way when Square Enix made a drastic change with FF12 and that game turned out to be one of my favorite RPGs of all time.
December 21st, 2009
Roca,
I thought you would be disappointed initially. I just hope it ends up being better then you think it is going to be. There is nothing worse then being hyped up about a game that falls short of your expectations.
December 21st, 2009
I hope it’ll be a great game. are you into RPGs twilight?
December 21st, 2009
Lack of strategy? That I can’t tolerate. I really hope it doesn’t play like a button mashing JRPG (Star Ocean, Tales of Vesperia). If so.. I’ll be passing.
December 21st, 2009
“too many cut-scenes” …but… but… these are in 1080p on PS3 right? I mean… they’ve got to use the blu-ray for something right?
December 21st, 2009
This is the FF game that suits me more since i like cut scenes especially if they are in 1080p HD graphics.
December 21st, 2009
Final Fantasy XIII Includes PS3 Final Fantasy XIV Beta Application
siliconera.com/2009/12/21/final-fantasy-xiii-includes-ps3-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-application/
December 21st, 2009
Is there anyone that can actually give us a better explanation of this “No leveling up” thing? Now I really wanna know about this.
Too many cut-scenes? I wonder if the people who said that about FFXIII also said that about MGS4? That game had so many cut scenes in it, but It was still awsome.
December 21st, 2009
Congrats on your FTOTT award Carlb!!
December 21st, 2009
If the Japanese are whinging about it, something is not right …..
December 21st, 2009
LoL i bet we all going to love and adore this PS3 game.
December 21st, 2009
“too many cut-scenes†…but… but… these are in 1080p on PS3 right? I mean… they’ve got to use the blu-ray for something right?”
yes they have got to use bluray, in fact all PS3 games use bluray…..is there any problem with cut scenes or bluray? please feel free to let us know
December 21st, 2009
All the English reviews I’ve read have been very positive, only really complaining that the game is linear until a mid-way point. Maybe these guys just haven’t got very far…
I’d like to say sphere grid was awesome.
What I do want to know is if it is as jammed packed with as many secrets as previous games. I understand you get Gold trophies for ‘finding all things’, so I hope it takes as long as long as it could on FFX.
December 21st, 2009
fanal fantasy games has always been a liniar game…whats the problem now?
I hated the grid system on FFX….I liked more the board system on FFXII or the Materia system on FF7
December 21st, 2009
Roca,
I do play role playing games but not too often. I do intend on getting Final Fantasy when it comes out though. I generally like shooters and games like God of War, Devil May Cry, and Uncharted 2 the best. I will occasionally play a sports title (basketball and soccer) but I’m not really into sports titles too much.
December 21st, 2009
I into all kinds of genres (as long as the game is good) I’m not into shooter but I will play them only with friends. right now im playing Ratchet & Clank :ACIT (awesome game btw, this game was overlooked because of Uncharted 2), Dragon Age, AC2 and PixelJunk Shooters
whats your PSN name twilight?
December 21st, 2009
how is pixeljunk shooter?
I received a $20 code from Amazon for psn titles through the site. I was thinking of getting Braid and Shatter.
Is PJS any good?
December 21st, 2009
dont get Braid….idk how that game is averaging above the 90s
I dont like to recommend games because we might have different taste but I can name some good games so you can do a reseach on them to see which one you will be more interested in. btw Shatter is really good and im loving PJS
but Here are my options
Trine
PixelJunk Shooters
Shatter
Call of Duty Classic (its has PS3 graphics and trophies)
Super Stardust HD
or you can wait on “Blue Toad Murder Files” which is a murder-solving mystery game developed and published by Relentless Software (makers of Buzz)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Toad_Murder_Files
December 21st, 2009
Roca,
You forgot I’m not hooked up on line at home yet. You would have to reach me through email or wait until I get my system hooked up on line.
December 21st, 2009
Didn’t really care for the demo of Trine.
COD classic isn’t available on Amazon yet, and I own Super stardust HD with the expansion.
December 21st, 2009
Yeah I thought the Trine demo was just ok. I wasn’t very impressed with it though.
Roca, how is Borderlands?
December 21st, 2009
@Twilight
“I’m not hooked up on line at home yet”
have you seen the PSN comercial? lol
@Phranctoast
there you options are Shatter and PJS. Burn Zombie Burn! is a good game too.
December 21st, 2009
@BJ,
I love Trine
Borderlad is more of a FPS than a RPG but it is a great game, I havent played that much because I have been into R+C: ACIT lately but if you get the game I will definitely co-op with you. and dont worry there is not level limitation for co-op, I can join your game anytime or vise versa
December 21st, 2009
I might get it. I like the idea of co-oping quests.
December 21st, 2009
No, I don’t watch commercials. I only game or watch blu rays. I’m generally not interested in much of the crap that is on t.v.
December 21st, 2009
@ Twilight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCBfqG40p2Y
@BJ
let me know when you get it. ohh forgot to mention the best thing about Borderlands….no black phantoms lol
December 21st, 2009
“is there any problem with cut scenes or bluray? please feel free to let us know”
Calm down roca, no need to get all SDF on me. I was just mentioning that if there are a lot of cutscenes, their relative quality would probably be the main (if not only) area the media could shine with this title.
December 21st, 2009
how so? ever since FF7 all FF games are full of cut-scene.
December 21st, 2009
media – “A means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information”
In this case, blu-ray disc.
December 21st, 2009
The
“…..but…….but…… ”
Is what earned you your award
“I was just mentioning that if there are a lot of cutscenes, their relative quality would probably be the main (if not only) area the media could shine with this title”
If that was truly the intention and it wasn’t the trolling I initially thought I’ll take it back.
December 21st, 2009
““too many cut-scenes†…but… but… these are in 1080p on PS3 right? I mean… they’ve got to use the blu-ray for something right?”
this is pretty much straight-foward. btw since “in this case” we are talking about “bluray disc” you should have said “too many uncompress cut-scences” instad
December 21st, 2009
“Is what earned you your award”
I know, I was thinking of giving it to myself in the post, but that just wouldn’t be right. Thanks for the honor though!
“btw since ‘in this case’ we are talking about ‘bluray disc’ you should have said ‘too many uncompress cut-scences’”
Sorry, I’ll do better next time to meet the high standards you have already set here on Blorge in past roca
December 21st, 2009
lol
December 21st, 2009
nice to hear.. you have been getting alot of awards lately. make sure to keep the streak
December 21st, 2009
Don’t get worried Roca, I think you still are either tied or right behind Ivan as the PS3 side’s TotY. Congrats.
December 21st, 2009
your whole team (HH, Kev, CON, CAD, CarlB) is the clear winner on the 360 side. nice group effort they couldnt have won it without you.
December 21st, 2009
Oops, looks like I didn’t get my “ONLY PRAISE FOR PS3″ quota up high enough for you this month roca… uhmm, here’s a rehash just for you… God of War Collection was great, loved it. Uncharted 2 was good, but I thought Infamous (and even UC1) was even more fun. Borderlands, which is also on PS3, is a great gaming experience… let’s see, what else… I know… PS3 ANNIHILATES 360 in JAPAN… YEAH SDF!!!
December 21st, 2009
“PS3 ANNIHILATES 360 in JAPAN… YEAH SDF!!!”
hahahaahahahahahaha. SDF is a funny little website. I remember when FFXIII was announced for 360 in every territory except Japan they put up a post similar to;
‘FFXIII PS3 EXCLUSIVE!!!*
* In Japan’
December 21st, 2009
SDF is great.
This gif from them had be rolling…no pun intended.
h**p://www.sonydefenseforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/fm3235.gif
December 21st, 2009
followed by this.
h**p://www.sonydefenseforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/fm3dog4381.gif
December 21st, 2009
I bet if the Xbots had a website similar to Sony defense Force like Xbots DF they will worship it like they do Halo.
December 21st, 2009
SDF is a tongue in cheek website. Unfortunately not many people get it.
December 21st, 2009
I loved this.
“Neither Activision or Infinity Ward could possibly imagine the true impact of The Slim Effectâ„¢ until they released Modern Warfare 2 for the PS3. The amount of gamers playing MW2 on PSN has been so great that it’s bringing Activision’s servers to its knees. Many have speculated that the PS3 version has actually outsold the notably inferior 360 version in many countries.”
December 21st, 2009
phranctoast:
Activision now better cared more about PS3 owners. Hopefully for the next Call Of Duty game they will advertise on PS3 also not just Xbox 360.
December 21st, 2009
@Ivan.
MS probably paid for those commercials. It happens both ways.
Strangely odd thing happens. Look.. Batman sold more on the ps3 as it was advertised for it instead of the 360 while MW2 sold more on the 360 and the same thing happened for it with the adverts.
December 21st, 2009
@harry.
I found a person that doesn’t “get it”
December 21st, 2009
SDF is classic, let alone the stuff that it spawns:
“Basically, you will find two types of members on the forum. First, we have the obsessive Sony fan who preaches tolerance, but has the terms “X-Bot” and “Nintenfag” on a holster. These two words comprise 78% of the Sony Defense Force’s cumulative vocabulary.”
encyclopediadramatica.com/Sony_Defense_Force
December 21st, 2009
CarlB:
You might as well make the Xbot version you can be the owner along with harry sachz CON CAD happyhockum and some others.
December 22nd, 2009
Ivan, try reading a book… without pictures.
December 22nd, 2009
hahahaha
December 22nd, 2009
LMFAO Xbots are dying inside
December 22nd, 2009
“LMFAO Xbots are dying inside”
Ivan expanding his vocabulary, one word beyond “XBots” at a time every day. Maybe in a year he’ll be able to read comic books… lol.
December 22nd, 2009
Bitter LoL hahah Xbots are dying inside from the killing PS3 is causing them.
December 22nd, 2009
Where the F is celebrity Death Match?
I’d totally “pay per view” the Ivan vs Kev showdown…..
Me may all be a little dumber for viewing…… but…..I feel it would be worth it…
December 22nd, 2009
Get a life
December 22nd, 2009
So says Ivan, MR. “Books are for FAGS”… lol.
December 22nd, 2009
CarlB:
Do you have a life besides dick riding Microsoft, you the one in need of a girl and any life for that matter. Get your own PS3.
December 22nd, 2009
Don’t be bitter Ivan. Take a look. It’s in a book.