
This week we witness the unveiling of one of the most vastly anticipated games of the decade; Final Fantasy XIII. This game was really first teased at way back in 2006, so the lengthy journey to launch has been staggering. Well, that wait is at last over and we can all sit down to surely what’s going to be the videogame event of the last few years.
Launched in December over in Japan, Final Fantasy XIII has truly amassed a little controversy since its unveling, and the opinions acquired for the title have not quite been the straight aces developers Square Enix have been hoping for. The main reason for this is that Final Fantasy XIII has quite considerably revised the basic gameplay associated with the series, and indeed the RPG genre as a whole. Gone are NPCs, interactive cities and an immediately open world.
As an alternative, Final Fantasy XIII is much more linear and story driven. Gamers observe quite a tightly set path for the first 25 hours or so of gaming. Succeeding this, the gameplay opens up and gamers are free to observe their own decisions a little more. This has been a serious gripe for some, yet others welcome the more focussed and cinematic method. It actually does depend on your inclination.
One element which has been vastly commended is the fighting system, which comprises an innovative mesh of X and XII. Gamers are now able to ’stack’ actions, and the more you can stack increases as you level up. Furthermore, in Final Fantasy XIII there are numerous different roles your heroes can command, such as healer and tank, and users are free to swap these roles during combat.
It’s a forgone conclusion that the graphics on this title are wonderful. Presentation has at all times been Square Enix’s strongpoint, and the series has always supplied high range graphics. Being the first of the franchise to hit the next gen consoles, Final Fantasy XIII is, no doubt, the prettiest looking title ever. The cut scenes are so detailed and attractive you’ll wish to stare at them for hours, and the in-game visuals are enough to compete with the FMVs of lesser titles.
Add an undoubtedly grand story, and you’ve got the most important title of the year. It might be a bit different to what you are used to, but overall Final Fantasy XIII is simply what everybody’s been ready for. Masterful fighting, achingly beautiful visuals and a promised 60+ hours of gameplay mean Final Fantasy has returned with a vengeance. Let the adventure commence.
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