Final Fantasy XIII: Difference between revisions
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By contrast, reviews such as those by [[GamesRadar]] and [[Computer and Video Games|CVG]] greatly appreciated its linear nature, the former stating that "the streamlined, focused structure eliminates potential tedium without dumbing anything down",<ref name="gradar_review">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesradar.com/ps3/final-fantasy-xiii/review/final-fantasy-xiii/a-201003031765695085/g-20060508175846527007 | title = Final Fantasy XIII Review | publisher = Games Radar}}</ref> while the latter felt it "a clever move",<ref name="cvg_review" /> the player not being "[bogged] down with mundane number crunching, finicky and repetitive levelling-up" and game-controlled party members keeping the game "fresh".<ref name="cvg_review">{{cite web | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=237078 | title = Review: Final Fantasy XIII Review | publisher = CVG}}</ref> Many also noted the gradual unfurling of the player's abilities over this first part of the game, from battle gameplay to selecting the party leader;<ref name="eurog_review" /><ref name="1up_review" /> combined with its linear nature, some reviews went as far as to describe these chapters as "boring" until the world of Gran Pulse was revealed.<ref name="edge_review" /><ref name="wired_review">{{cite web | url = http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/03/final-fantasy-xiii-review/ | title = Review: Beautiful, Boring Final Fantasy XIII Loses RPG Magic | publisher = Wired}}</ref><ref name="joystiq_review" /> Reviewers such as VideoGamer felt that this was due to the production team's stated influence by Western games, such as the FPS genre,<ref name="vg_review">{{cite web | url = http://www.videogamer.com/ps3/final_fantasy_xiii/review-3.html | title = Final Fantasy XIII Review for PS3 | publisher = VideoGamer.com}}</ref> while others felt this was an attempt to appeal to a wider audience than the traditional RPG.<ref name="gamepro_review" /> |
By contrast, reviews such as those by [[GamesRadar]] and [[Computer and Video Games|CVG]] greatly appreciated its linear nature, the former stating that "the streamlined, focused structure eliminates potential tedium without dumbing anything down",<ref name="gradar_review">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesradar.com/ps3/final-fantasy-xiii/review/final-fantasy-xiii/a-201003031765695085/g-20060508175846527007 | title = Final Fantasy XIII Review | publisher = Games Radar}}</ref> while the latter felt it "a clever move",<ref name="cvg_review" /> the player not being "[bogged] down with mundane number crunching, finicky and repetitive levelling-up" and game-controlled party members keeping the game "fresh".<ref name="cvg_review">{{cite web | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=237078 | title = Review: Final Fantasy XIII Review | publisher = CVG}}</ref> Many also noted the gradual unfurling of the player's abilities over this first part of the game, from battle gameplay to selecting the party leader;<ref name="eurog_review" /><ref name="1up_review" /> combined with its linear nature, some reviews went as far as to describe these chapters as "boring" until the world of Gran Pulse was revealed.<ref name="edge_review" /><ref name="wired_review">{{cite web | url = http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/03/final-fantasy-xiii-review/ | title = Review: Beautiful, Boring Final Fantasy XIII Loses RPG Magic | publisher = Wired}}</ref><ref name="joystiq_review" /> Reviewers such as VideoGamer felt that this was due to the production team's stated influence by Western games, such as the FPS genre,<ref name="vg_review">{{cite web | url = http://www.videogamer.com/ps3/final_fantasy_xiii/review-3.html | title = Final Fantasy XIII Review for PS3 | publisher = VideoGamer.com}}</ref> while others felt this was an attempt to appeal to a wider audience than the traditional RPG.<ref name="gamepro_review" /> |
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===Technical issues=== |
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Freezing and disc read issues have begun surfacing. After initially experiencing the aforementioned in-game "freezing" the game will be rendered unplayable from any save file or even starting a new game. Reports have documented this issue is also potentially damaging video game consoles causing a number of different disc read problems. These vary from only Blu-ray discs to all disc technologies becoming unplayable. This freezing issue appears to be affecting PS3 models as Xbox 360 models are appearing to be affected as well. Although it is a serious issue, it is not widespread currently. <ref name ="playstation_thread">{{cite web | url = http://boardsus.playstation.com/t5/Final-Fantasy-Series/Final-Fantasy-XIII-Freezing/td-p/45382189 | title = PlayStation.com Forums - Freezing Thread | publisher = PlayStation.com}}</ref><ref name="playstation_europe_thread">{{cite web | url = http://community.eu.playstation.com/t5/Technical-Help/Final-Fantasy-XIII-problems/td-p/10379629 | title = PlayStation.com Europe Forums - Freezing Thread | publisher = PlayStation.com Europe}}</ref><ref name="gamespot_thread">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/rpg/finalfantasy13/show_msgs.php?topic_id=m-1-53841505&pid=928790&page=0 | title = GameSpot Forums - Freezing Thread | publisher = GameSpot}}</ref><ref name="ardamis_360_freezing">{{cite web | url = http://www.ardamis.com/2010/03/12/final-fantasy-xiii-freezing-xbox-360/ | title = Ardamis Boards - Xbox 360 Freezing Entry | publisher = Ardamis}}</ref><ref name="kotaku_freezing_article">{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5494326/rumor-final-fantasy-xiii-ps3-has-freezing-issues | title = Kotaku Freezing Article | publisher = Kotaku}}</ref><ref name="gamesradar_freezing_article">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesradar.com/ps3/final-fantasy-xiii/news/potentially-major-final-fantasy-xiii-freezing-issue-emerges/a-20100316104130477028/g-20060508175846527007 | title = GamesRadar Freezing Article | publisher = GamesRadar}}</ref><ref name="youtube_video_evidence_1">{{cite web | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_t83unH_p0 | title = YouTube Freezing Evidence 1 | publisher = YouTube}}</ref><ref name="youtube_video_evidence_2">{{cite web | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEqFtw2vrt8&feature=related | title = YouTube Freezing Evidence 2 | publisher = YouTube}}</ref><ref name="youtube_video_evidence_3">{{cite web | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxc3OCNQ1fU | title = YouTube Freezing Evidence 3 | publisher = YouTube}}</ref><ref name="facebook_freezing_group">{{cite web | url = http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10150124516095707 | title = Facebook FFXIII Freeze Group | publisher = Facebook}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
Revision as of 22:17, 23 March 2010
Final Fantasy XIII | |
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![]() European Final Fantasy XIII box art featuring Lightning | |
Developer(s) | Square Enix |
Publisher(s) | Square Enix |
Producer(s) | Yoshinori Kitase |
Designer(s) | Motomu Toriyama Toshiro Tsuchida Yoshinori Kitase |
Artist(s) | Tetsuya Nomura Nao Ikeda Isamu Kamikokuryou |
Writer(s) | Motomu Toriyama Daisuke Watanabe Yukie Hirano Harunori Sakemi |
Composer(s) | Masashi Hamauzu |
Series | Final Fantasy Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII |
Engine | Crystal Tools |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
Release | |
Genre(s) | Console role-playing game |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Template:Nihongo title is a console role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix and is the thirteenth installment in the Final Fantasy series. It was released for the PlayStation 3 entertainment system in Japan on December 17, 2009 and in North America and PAL regions on March 9, 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
First appearing at E3 2006, Final Fantasy XIII is the flagship title of the Fabula Nova Crystallis collection of Final Fantasy games and is the first game to utilize Square-Enix's Crystal Tools engine. The game features both futuristic and natural elements; it is set between a land of wilderness and the high-tech world above it. Square Enix describes the theme of the game as "those who resist the world".[6] Final Fantasy XIII was generally well received on release, with a Metacritic aggregate score of 83 for both consoles.[7][8]
Gameplay
Battle system
The concept for Final Fantasy XIII's battle system is to maintain the strategic nature of command-based battles. The system stemmed from a desire to create battles similar to those found in Final Fantasy VII Advent Children.[9] Like those in Final Fantasy XII, enemies are integrated into the world environment, but by contrast, battles do not take place in the same field. Instead, there is a short transition and players are transported to a new battle screen, separate from the main playing world.[10] The Active Time Battle (ATB) system returns, but works differently from its predecessors. Users are able to chain large numbers of commands together in order to achieve attack bonuses.[11]
The first battle system was shown during the E3 2006, but it was only a prototype. A new interface was shown in September 2009 by Square Enix in various Japanese magazines and trailers (depicted in the image adjacent). In battle, the player can only control one character at a time out of a party of up to three.
Multiple commands can be stacked into slots per turn and released at the same time to form a combo. The number of command slots increases as the characters grow in strength.[11] These commands include series staples such as Attack, Fire, Blizzard and Cure, as well as new ones such as the non-elemental Ruin and Ruinaga.[12][13] The difference between XIII's battle system and the ATB gauge is that these commands can still be placed in the slots even though the bar has run out, and the actions will be executed once the required slots are filled up. The game does not make use of MP but introduces "cost points" for each command, which determine how many times the commands can be used per turn. Because magic cannot be used outside of battle, the Hit Point (HP) of the party is completely restored after each battle.[11]
When engaging an enemy, the camera moves to another position and the battle menu appears, making the battle transitions nearly seamless.[14] The after-battle victory screen in XIII holds information such as the time it took to finish the battle, the highest number of combos executed, the number of break attacks and the quality of battle which is determined by a ranking of one to five stars. The party will be able to purchase new weapons in the game for use in battle.[15]
A "Stagger State" is one of the new features of the Final Fantasy XIII battle system. The enemy becomes staggered when a chain combo has been maintained for a certain period of time on an enemy, filling its stagger bar to maximum. When a high level combo has been achieved, the enemy will glow orange and enter this state for a limited time, during which the player will be able to inflict high amounts of damage and, if the Launch ability has been learned, may knock enemies high into the air, disabling the enemy's moves. The chain bar will gradually deplete during this period; when it becomes empty, the break state ends.
Roles and Paradigms
The "Role" system exists in order to control what abilities are available to characters in battle. Rather than having all abilities available to characters as they are learned, abilities are restricted to certain Roles, similar to the Job system of previous installments. The Japanese version's Roles are Attacker, Blaster, Defender, Enhancer, Jammer, and Healer, while the English localization calls them Commando, Ravager, Sentinel, Synergist, Saboteur and Medic, respectively. Commandos use physical attacks, slowing the rate of stagger decay and striking for high damage, especially with a high stagger percentage, while Ravagers use elemental abilities like Blizzard and Thundaga, greatly increasing the stagger bar. Synergists use buffs like Shell and Brave to enhance the party's characters, while Saboteurs use debuffs like DeShell and Bio to hinder the enemy. Sentinels provoke enemies, absorb enemy attacks and counterattack, while Medics exclusively heal, using abilities like Cura, Raise, and Esuna. Roles, with a specific purpose in mind for each, are the only means by which to direct ally AI.
Each character may only take on one role at a time, and each combination of three Roles for a given party is called a Paradigm (pronounced "Paradigm").[16] Up to six Paradigm combinations may be stored in a Paradigm Deck at any one time. During battle, players may switch between them on-the-fly, called a Paradigm Shift.[17][18] Timing Paradigm Shifts correctly can fill the ATB gauges, making switching frequently in battle an advantage.
The Crystarium
The leveling system for the game is called the Crystarium system which resembles the Sphere Grid in Final Fantasy X.[19] Instead of gaining experience points after winning a battle, characters gain Crystogen Points (CP) which can then be spent in order to unlock abilities and increase attributes such as maximum HP. Every character has a Crystarium, and within it, different sections corresponding to each Role the character has available.
The Crystarium is not initially available within the game, and only becomes available through story sequences. After that point, levels in the Crystarium become unlocked as the story progresses, essentially capping the amount of growth that can be achieved in the middle of the game. Every character initially specializes in up to three Roles, and the other Roles are not available in their Crystariums until much later in the game; the Roles that the character does not specialize in have much smaller upgrade paths, providing fewer strength, magic and HP upgrade points, as well as fewer abilities than a specialist has access to.
Summons
The classic summoned creatures called Eidolons (as they were named in Final Fantasy IV DS and Final Fantasy IX) return in Final Fantasy XIII. Each character possesses only one Eidolon that is summoned from a crystal that sprouts from the character's mark of l'Cie.[11] The Eidolons include series staples Odin, Shiva, Alexander, and Bahamut, and newcomers Hecatoncheir and Brynhildr.[20] When summoned, the Eidolon stay in battle while the characters accompanying the summoner leaves the party.[21] There is also a new feature called "Gestalt Mode" (known as "Driving Mode" in Japan), which when activated joins the summoned and its summoner; Snow can ride and steer the combined Shiva Sisters which is a motorcycle, Vanille's Hecatoncheir can transform into a bipedal mech with machine gun turrets in which she can control, and Sazh can ride and steer Brynhildr as a race car. This changes the pace of the combat significantly. Not all summons turn into mechanical vehicles: Odin's Gestalt Mode changes him into a horse for Lightning to ride, Bahamut's Gestalt Mode is a flight mode for Fang, while Alexander's Gestalt Mode changes him into a large tower which surrounds the enemy and fires lasers at them from all sides.[22] The summons play a major role in the game's storyline as well, much like Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy IX and Final Fantasy X.[23]
Plot
Setting
The plot of Final Fantasy XIII takes place in a world known as Pulse and revolves around the story of the fal'Cie (ファルシ, farushi) (Template:Pron-en), mechanical beings with godlike power created by a being called the Maker. Each fal'Cie has crystals residing inside them.[11] People who are marked by the fal'Cie are called l'Cie (ルシ, rushi).[24] Each l'Cie has a Focus, a goal the fal'Cie wants him or her to fulfill within a certain amount of time; however, the fal'Cie do not explicitly say what the goal is: l'Cie learn what their Focus is by interpreting visions that are given to them. L'Cie may also gain the ability to summon an Eidolon, monsters who fight with the l'Cie. However, if a l'Cie dies before completing his or her Focus, fails to tame his or her Eidolon, or fails to complete his or her Focus within a set period of time, he or she becomes a monster known as a Cie'th (シ骸, shigai, Cie Corpse in the Japanese version).[25] If a l'Cie does complete his or her Focus, the reward is not much better: permanent transformation into a crystal. For this reason, being chosen as a l'Cie is seen as a curse.
Story
Some 1,300 years ago, a group fal'Cie constructed a paradise for humanity: the shell-like city of Cocoon, which floats high above the surface of Pulse under the power of the Cocoon fal'Cie Orphan. Then, the Cocoon fal'Cie created life forms and machines for Cocoon's inhabitants to use, and humanity flourished. A war was fought between the fal'Cie of Pulse and the Cocoon fal'Cie, and Cocoon prevailed in what was eventually known as the War of Transgressions. However, fear lingered in the hearts of the people of Cocoon, for the day another invasion might come from the world beneath again.
Although most Cocoon citizens have never seen Pulse with their own eyes, they have been told that it is a dangerous place that has strange effects on those who venture down to its surface. Consequently, anyone who is discovered to have been in contact with anything from Pulse is immediately subjected to quarantine and exile by the theocratic government of Cocoon, known as the Sanctum.[26] The Sanctum enforces this policy with its strongest military branch, PSICOM.
As Snow leads the resistance group, NORA, in an attempt to stop the purging of civilians, the mysterious Lightning fights her way past PSICOM soldiers with the aid of Sazh to find a Pulse fal'Cie, Anima, who turned her sister, Serah (who is also Snow's fiancée), into a l'Cie. Through a chain of events, these three, along with two exiles, Vanille and Hope, are forced by the fal'Cie of Pulse to become l'Cie, and with that became enemies of humanity with the Focus of bringing about the downfall of the renegarde fal'Cie Orphan, who intends to use Vanille and Fang to summon the Eidolon Ragnarok and destroy the world.
Characters
Playable characters
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bc/Final_Fantasy_XIII_Cast.png/256px-Final_Fantasy_XIII_Cast.png)
- Lightning (ライトニング, Raitoningu)
Former sergeant of the Guardian Corps, Lightning sought the Pulse fal'Cie, Anima, in order to ask it to save her sister Serah, whom the fal'Cie had turned into a l'Cie. However, much to her dismay, Lightning was turned into a l'Cie herself. Her l'Cie mark is in the center of her chest. Lightning has long pink hair and is 178 cm tall (5'10").[27] Originally named Claire Farron (エクレール・ファロン, Ekurēru Faron),[28] (Éclair Farron in the Original release) she discarded her birth name after her parents died in an attempt to emotionally reinforce herself so that she could protect Serah, although this only caused tensions to rise between them. Lightning is very independent and determined, but she is also shown to have a compassionate side. Lightning's visual design was influenced by Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII, as Tetsuya Nomura was asked to design a female version of him to be the protagonist of Final Fantasy XIII. However, Yoshinori Kitase has contradicted this, saying the only similarities between the two are their pasts as soldiers, as Lightning has a more fragile side to her that Cloud does not.
Lightning wields a gunblade called the Blaze Edge which is a combination of a gun and a sword (one collapsing into the other), similar to the one wielded by Squall in Final Fantasy VIII. She can also manipulate gravity with a device on her thumb (though due to Sazh's interference, this device becomes damaged).[29] In battle, Lightning is very agile and uses acrobatic moves. As a l'Cie, she can summon the Eidolon Odin to fight by her side in battle, who can assume a horse-like form that she can ride on.[30] While riding, Lightning dual wields Odin's detachable sword. Her strongest unique special attack is called Scene Drive in the Japanese version [31] and Army of One in the North American version.[32]
- Snow Villiers (スノウ・ヴィリアース, Sunō Viriāsu)
Prior to becoming a l'Cie, Snow is the head of Team Nora, a resistance group fighting against the government of Cocoon.[33] He stands at a tall 200 cm (6'5")[27], and has light blonde hair under a black beanie.[34] He was nicknamed "Mr. 33 cm" by the development team of Final Fantasy XIII in reference to his shoe size.[35] He uses his fists to take down opponents, focusing on brute force compared to the fast and agile Lightning.[36] Snow bears the mark of the l'Cie on his lower left arm, through which he has the power to summon the twin Shiva Sister (シバシスター, Shiba Sisutā) Eidolons, Nix (二クス, Nikusu) and Stiria (スティリア, Sutiria), who can combine into a motorcycle form for Snow to ride while toting a large gun. Unlike most grapplers, Snow changes his runes on his coat rather than buying new gloves.[15]
- Oerba Dia Vanille (ヲルバ=ダイア・ヴァニラ, Oruba-Daia Vanira)
Vanille is a mysterious but upbeat young girl with red-brown hair worn in pigtails. Originally residing from Oerba Village located on Gran Pulse, Vanille is among those being exiled from Cocoon at the start of the game and is subsequently rescued by Team Nora. She has a childlike innocence and is shown to be very compassionate, but at times she can also be very stubborn. Vanille also serves as the game's narrator.[24] Her weapon is a form of foldable fishing rod with multiple lines that can be reeled and used to attack enemies.[37][38] She has been a l'Cie for a long time, one of two l'Cie given the Focus to summon the Eidolon Ragnarok, and her l'Cie mark is located on her upper left thigh. In battle, Vanille excels at using magic based attacks from a distance. Her Eidolon is Hecatoncheir, a multiple-limbed, earth-elemental summon who can transform into a bipedal mech armed with machine guns that she can pilot.[39][40]
- Sazh Katzroy (サッズ・カッツロイ, Sazzu Kattsuroi)
A former airship pilot of the Military, Sazh wields dual pistols (which can be combined to form a collapsible rifle), and his strong point is striking enemies from a distance. His l'Cie mark is at the base of his neck. He has a six-year-old son named Dajh with whom he is very close. When Dajh inadvertently became a l'Cie and was taken by Sanctum, saving him became Sazh's main motivation.[41] Sazh has a pet baby chocobo that lives inside his afro. Sazh is described as having good judgment and moral discernment. He has a gentle personality and is easily moved to tears, and joins the party early in the game. His Eidolon is Brynhildr,[42] a female fire-elemental knight who can transform into a race car.[43] Tetsuya Nomura based Sazh's appearance on Lionel Richie.[44]
- Hope Estheim (ホープ・エストハイム, Hōpu Esutohaimu)[25]
Hope is a fourteen-year-old boy with silvery-blonde hair and orange, yellow, and green clothing. He uses collapsible boomerangs in battle. During the Purge, his mother offers to help Snow and Team Nora fight off PSICOM. She dies during the battle, and though Snow honors her final request to protect her son, Hope nonetheless hates Snow in a grief-induced rage for his connection to his mother's death. His Eidolon is the holy-elemental summon Alexander,[45] which transforms into a fortress in Gestalt Mode, and is able to blast enemies from afar with multiple cannons.[46]
- Oerba Yun Fang (ヲルバ=ユン・ファング, Oruba-Yun Fangu)
A raven-haired woman who comes from Oerba Village, donning clothing resembling the traditional Indian Sari adorned with tribal accessories, and bearing the mark of a l'Cie on her right shoulder. Though she is a l'Cie from Pulse, she originally works for the Cocoon Sanctum under Cid. It later turns out she is one of the two l'Cie given the focus to summon Ragnarok. She wields a spear that can transform into a sansetsukon in battle, and her Eidolon is Bahamut, who can take flight in his Gestalt-mode. As revealed by Tetsuya Nomura in an interview, during the early stages of development she was originally scripted to be a male character.[47]
Antagonists
- Jihl Nabaat (ジル・ナバート, Jiru Nabāto): An intelligent but cruel Lietenant Colonel of PSICOM with knee-length blonde hair and glasses. Nabaat is first seen in the trailers interrogating the captive Vanille and Sazh. She sees the l'Cie as subhuman and is bent on exterminating them. As the henchwoman of Galenth Dysley, Nabaat is the final obstacle between the main party and Galenth; however, she is killed by Galenth when he decides she has outlived her usefulness.[48]
- Yaag Rosch (ヤーグ・ロッシュ, Yāgu Rosshu): An intimidating-looking man with a scar on his forehead and silver hair that is tied back in a ponytail. Rosch is a PSICOM Director who questions his orders from the Sanctum, though he feels he must follow his orders for the sake of the people of Cocoon. He is mortally wounded after fighting the main party in Proud Clad; after begging them to save Cocoon, Rosch sacrifices himself to ensure the main party is not pursued.[49]
- Cid Raines (シド・レインズ, Shido Reinzu): An Air Force Brigadier from the Sanctum who commands the warship Lindblum and uses a Blaze Edge.[50] Like Rosch, Cid doubts the government in its current state and believes that Cocoon should be run by its people instead of the fal'Cie. However, he himself had been turned into a l'Cie with the Focus of helping Lightning's group to overcome various trials. As he wanted to save Cocoon from destruction (which is the Focus of Lightning's group), he decided to abandon his Focus and fight Lightning's group, becoming a Cie'th in the process. Upon his defeat, he became a trial that Lightning's group overcame, thus fulfilling his Focus and becoming crystallized. However, Cid is revived by Galenth to create chaos in Eden, which he does until he realizes he is just a tool/slave of the fal'Cie, after which Rygdea fulfills his wish and puts him out of his misery.[51][52]
- Galenth Dysley (ガレンス・ダイスリー, Garensu Daisurī): The main antagonist of the game and Primarch of the Sanctum, the Cocoon Government. In reality, he is actually the Cocoon fal'Cie Barthandelus (バルトアンデルス, Barutoanderusu, Baldanders in Japanese version), intending to use Ragnarok in order to destroy Orphan and Cocoon so the Maker would return to this world. He is ultimately defeated by Lightning's group, and assimilated into Orphan.
- Orphan (オーファン, Ōfan): A wheel-like, sun-elemental fal'Cie who is the power source of Cocoon. Orphan's defeat is the Focus of Lightning's group. Orphan desires nothing more than its own destruction above all else so that the Maker will return to the world with Cocoon's demise.
Other characters
- Serah Farron (セラ・ファロン, Sera Faron): Though mentioned by her given name in earlier news, Yoshinori Kitase confirmed her appearance and full name during Gamescom 2009. Serah is Lightning's younger sister and engaged to Snow - a relationship of which Lightning does not approve. Serah is the first Pulse l'Cie in Cocoon by the Fal'Cie Anima, and her mark is located in her left arm and also given the Focus to lure most potential l'Cie to the ruins where Anima resides. She crystallizes after unknowingly fulfilling the Focus through Lightning and Snow as they attempt to find a means to save her in the fal'Cie's place. After Orphan's defeat, Serah returns to normal and is reunited with her sister and Snow.
- Rygdea (リグディ, Rigudi): A captain working under Cid Raines's command, who later puts him out of his misery. He later heads to Orphan's Cradle along with the Cavalry to bring an end to Orphan. However, Dysley turns him into a Cie'th before he can reach Orphan.
- Dajh Katzroy (ドッジ・カッツロイ, Dojji Kattsuroi): Sazh's son, whose mother died when he was three. The baby Chocobo that rides around in Sazh's afro actually belongs to Dajh, who bought it at a gift shop during their travels. When Dajh unexpectedly becomes an l'Cie, he is taken from Sazh by Jihl Nabaat as a martyr for Cocoon to use his power of sensing "Pulse" to track down other l'Cie. He is turned into a crystal after completing his Focus.[53] Like Serah, Dajh returns to normal after Orphan's defeat, and is reunited with his father.
- NORA (ノラ, Nora): In the Jump Festa 2009 and the official global trailer[54] The four known members of NORA are featured in the first Final Fantasy XIII demo. The members of the resistance group, NORA, are seen participating in the hijack of the captives' train and the resulting battles, though Maqui does not participate in the fighting. Gadot, Lebreau, and Maqui were designed by Nao Ikeda, who based their clothing on the athletic clothing styles of basketball, beach volleyball, and snowboarding, respectively.[55] The four known members of NORA are featured in the first Final Fantasy XIII demo.[13]
- Gadot (ガドー, Gadō): a man with orange hair. He uses a machine gun in battle, providing quick assistance when it comes to executing combos.
- Lebreau (レブロ, Reburo): a black-haired woman with a butterfly tattoo on her shoulder and a sense of invincibility. She uses a shotgun in combat and acts as the team healer. Gadot and Lebreau are said to be childhood friends of Snow.[56]
- Maqui (マーキー, Mākī): a relatively younger, blond-haired, worrisome man with goggles on his head. He was friends with Serah prior to meeting Snow, whom he idolizes to the point of dressing himself in an attire similar to his.
- Yuj (ユージュ, Yūju): another member of the group who is assigned to protect the Pulse exiles by Snow.
Cast
Development
Final Fantasy XIII was first shown at the 2006 E3 convention.[60] Along with Final Fantasy Versus XIII and the PlayStation Portable game Final Fantasy Agito XIII, Final Fantasy XIII is part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII project,[61] but is not a prequel or sequel to any of the other installments. Square Enix explained that although all three games take place in the same universe, they are not directly related in terms of story.[62] The game runs on the Crystal Tools engine, a seventh generation multiplatform game engine built by Square Enix for its future games. The engine and the game were originally slated to be used with the PlayStation 2 but were later moved to the PlayStation 3.[34]
Final Fantasy XIII is developed by Square Enix's Product Development Division 1 (led by Yoshinori Kitase). As such, the development team resembles that of Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2, rather than Final Fantasy XII. Several of the game's developers have worked on previous installments of the series. Yoshinori Kitase, director of Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII and producer of Final Fantasy X and Dissidia: Final Fantasy among others, once again returned as producer for the game. Motomu Toriyama, director of Final Fantasy X-2 and director and scenario writer of Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, directed the game and wrote the story. Eiji Fujii, previously the movie director of Final Fantasy XII, returned in this position. Isamu Kamikokuryō, previously the co-art director of Final Fantasy XII, returned as well, with Tetsu Tsukamoto designing the weapons. The main programmers will be Kazumi Kobayashi and Yoshiki Kashitani. Occasionally, developers from Final Fantasy Versus XIII assisted with the development of Final Fantasy XIII.[63] Final Fantasy X's battle director Toshiro Tsuchida returned as the battle system director for the game.[64]
According to art director Isamu Kamikokuryou, many additional areas that were functioning in an unreleased build, from Team Nora's secret base, to Lightning's home and even a zoo, were cut from the game owing to concerns about the game's length and volume.[65] Kamikokuryou additionally remarked that the volume of content cut was, in itself, enough to make another game.[65]
In an interview in Famitsu, Square Enix said the audio and video in Final Fantasy XIII will be compressed onto 3 DVDs in the Xbox 360 version while the PS3 version will be uncompressed and be on one 50Gb Blu-ray Disc.[66][67]
Initial screenshots of the Xbox 360 version released by Square Enix to compare to the PlayStation 3 version were revealed shortly after to be screenshots from the PlayStation 3 version, with the Xbox 360 control icons pasted on top.[68] Square Enix apologized, claiming there would be no need to enhance the Xbox 360 screenshots and that a mistake was made,[69] and later released screenshots that did come from the Xbox 360 version.[68] Though the screenshots were of low quality, including one with a mouse pointer over it,[70] analysis of the new screenshots and later technical analysis by DigitalFoundry of both versions of the game revealed that the Xbox 360 version runs at 576p, as opposed to the PlayStation 3's native resolution of 720p.[5] Both versions can be upscaled to 1080p.
Music
Final Fantasy X's co-composer and Dirge of Cerberus's composer Masashi Hamauzu scored the game.[71] The score features orchestral recordings by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra,[72] (which were orchestrated by Yoshihisa Hirano) though there is also synthetic tracks implemented by Keiji Kawamori.[73] A single featuring the game's theme songs, "Because You're Here" (君がいるから, Kimi ga Iru kara) and error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help), was released on December 2, 2009 and features vocals by Sayuri Sugawara.[74] Although the game's main theme was originally announced to be composed by Nobuo Uematsu, Hamauzu was assigned to it after Uematsu was selected as the composer for Final Fantasy XIV, making XIII the first entry in the numbered Final Fantasy series without Uematsu involved.[75] The game's soundtrack was released in Japan on January 27, 2010, along with a limited edition. The standard version will have four discs, while the limited edition will contain a bonus "drama CD" written by scenario writer Motomu Toriyama.[76]
On November 13, 2009, it was announced that the song "My Hands," from British singer Leona Lewis' second album Echo, was chosen to replace Final Fantasy XIII's original theme song, "Kimi ga Iru kara," by Sayuri Sugawara for the game's North American and European release.[77] Yoichi Wada has stated that it would have been better if the American branch of Square Enix had produced a theme song from scratch, but the lack of staff led to the decision of licencing an existing song instead.[78]
The album sold 16,000 copies the day of its release.[79]
Tracklist
No. | Title | Japanese title | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Prelude to Final Fantasy XIII" | FINAL FANTASY XIII プレリュード FINAL FANTASY XIII Preryūdo | 2:55 |
2. | "Final Fantasy XIII - The Promise" | FINAL FANTASY XIII ~誓い~ FINAL FANTASY XIII ~Chikai~ | 1:33 |
3. | "The Thirteenth Day" | 第13日 Daijūsannichi | 0:54 |
4. | "Defiers of Fate" | 運命への反逆 Unmei e no Hangyaku | 2:24 |
5. | "Saber's Edge" | ブレイズエッジ Bureizu Ejji | 3:14 |
6. | "The Hanging Edge" | 封鎖区画ハングドエッジ Fūsa Kukaku Hangudo Ejji | 3:26 |
7. | "Those For the Purge" | パージされる者たち Pājisareru Mono-tachi | 3:05 |
8. | "The Warpath Home" | 帰るための戦い Kaeru tame no Tatakai | 3:32 |
9. | "The Pulse Fal'Cie" | 下界のファルシ Parusu no Farushi | 1:13 |
10. | "Face It Later" | 逃げてもいいの Nigete mo Ī no | 0:55 |
11. | "Snow's Theme" | スノウのテーマ Sunō no Tēma | 3:48 |
12. | "The Vestige" | 異跡 Iseki | 2:48 |
13. | "Ragnarok" | ラグナロク Ragunaroku | 3:47 |
14. | "In the Sky That Night" | あの日の空 Ano Hi no Sora | 1:24 |
15. | "Promised Eternity" | 永遠の誓い Eien no Chikai | 2:24 |
16. | "Eternal Love (Short Version)" | Eternal Love (Short Version) | 3:27 |
17. | "Lake Bresha" | ビルジ湖 Biruji Mizūmi | 4:11 |
18. | "The Pulse L'Cie" | 下界のルシたち Parusu no Rushi-tachi | 1:37 |
19. | "Eidolons" | 召喚獣 Shōkanjū | 2:50 |
No. | Title | Japanese title | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Blinded By Light" | 閃光 Senkō | 2:55 |
2. | "Glory's Fanfare" | 栄光のファンファーレ Eikō no Fanfāre | 0:08 |
3. | "Battle Results" | バトルリザルト Batoru Rizaruto | 1:15 |
4. | "A Brief Respite" | つかのまの安息 Tsukanoma no Ansoku | 2:08 |
5. | "Cavalry Theme" | 騎兵隊のテーマ Kiheitai no Tēma | 2:38 |
6. | "Escape" | 脱出 Dasshutsu | 1:59 |
7. | "Crash Landing" | 撃墜 Gekitsui | 1:04 |
8. | "Daddy's Got the Blues" | アフロブルース Afuro Burūsu | 4:28 |
9. | "The Vile Peaks" | 遺棄領域ヴァイルピークス Iki Ryōiki Vairu Pīkusu | 3:02 |
10. | "Lightning's Theme" | ライトニングのテーマ Raitoningu no Tēma | 2:26 |
11. | "Sazh's Theme" | サッズのテーマ Sazzu no Tēma | 3:25 |
12. | "March of the Dreadnoughts" | ドレッドノート大爆進! Doreddonōto Daibakushin! | 2:31 |
13. | "The Gapra Whitewood" | ガプラ樹林 Gapura Jurin | 2:45 |
14. | "Tension in the Air" | 緊迫 Kinpaku | 3:28 |
15. | "Forever Fugitives" | 果てなき疾走 Hatenaki Shissō | 1:50 |
16. | "The Sunleth Waterscape" | サンレス水郷 Sanresu Suigō | 3:46 |
17. | "Lost Hope" | 見失った希望 Miushinatta Kibō | 2:58 |
18. | "To Hunt L'Cie" | ルシ狩り作戦 Rushi Kari Sakusen | 2:40 |
19. | "No Way to Live" | 希望なき闘争 Kibōnaki Tōsō | 2:04 |
20. | "Sustained by Hate" | 恩讐の果て Onshū no Hate | 2:38 |
21. | "The Pulse L'Cie" | グラン=パルスのルシ Guran-Parusu no Rushi | 4:12 |
22. | "Serah's Theme" | セラのテーマ Sera no Tēma | 1:30 |
No. | Title | Japanese title | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Can't Catch A Break" | 父ちゃん奮闘だぁ! Tō-chan Funtō dā! | 5:20 |
2. | "PSICOM" | PSICOM | 1:02 |
3. | "Hope's Theme" | ホープのテーマ Hōpu no Tēma | 3:30 |
4. | "This is Your Home" | おまえの家はここだ Omae no Ie wa Koko da | 2:16 |
5. | "Atonement" | 償い Tsugunai | 4:24 |
6. | "Vanille's Theme" | ヴァニラのテーマ Vanira no Tēma | 3:00 |
7. | "The Final Stage" | 刻限 Kokugen | 0:42 |
8. | "The Pompa Sancta" | ポンパ・サンクタ Ponpa Sankuta | 2:12 |
9. | "Nautilus" | 歓楽都市ノーチラス Kanraku Toshi Nōchirasu | 4:58 |
10. | "Chocobos of Cocoon - Chasing Dreams" | コクーンdeチョコボ~夢をみようよ~ Cokūn de Chokobo ~Yume o Miyō yo~ | 2:57 |
11. | "Feast of Betrayal" | 偽りの饗宴 Itsuwari no Kyōen | 3:17 |
12. | "Eidolons on Parade" | 夢の終わり Yume no Owari | 3:36 |
13. | "Test of the L'Cie" | ルシの試練 Rushi no Shiren | 2:23 |
14. | "All the World Against Us" | 世界の敵 Sekai no Teki | 1:16 |
15. | "Game Over" | ゲームオーバー Gēmu Ōbā | 1:15 |
16. | "Primarch Dysley" | 聖府代表ダイスリー Seifu Daihyō Daisurī | 3:03 |
17. | "Fighting Fate" | 宿命への抗い Unmei e no Arai | 2:28 |
18. | "Separate Paths" | ルシたちの想い Rushi-tachi no Omoi | 2:42 |
19. | "Setting You Free" | 継ぎゆく意志 Tsugiyuku Ishi | 2:17 |
20. | "Desperate Struggle" | 死闘 Shitō | 3:49 |
21. | "Mysteries Abound" | 神秘 Shinpi | 2:41 |
22. | "Will to Fight" | Choose to Fight | 4:20 |
No. | Title | Japanese title | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Fang's Theme" | ファングのテーマ Fangu no Tēma | 3:38 |
2. | "Terra Incognita" | 異境大陸グラン=パルス Iki Tairiku Guran-Parusu | 2:18 |
3. | "The Archylte Steppe" | アルカキルティ大平原 Arukakiruti Daiheigen | 4:25 |
4. | "Chocobos of Pulse" | パルスdeチョコボ Parusu de Chokobo | 4:18 |
5. | "The Yaschas Massif" | ヤシャス山 Yashasu San | 2:11 |
6. | "Memories of Happier Days" | 優しい思い出 Yasashī Omoide | 3:13 |
7. | "Sulyya Springs" | スーリヤ湖 Sūriya Mizūmi | 3:25 |
8. | "Taejin's Tower" | テージンタワー Tējin Tawā | 3:08 |
9. | "Dust to Dust" | 色のない世界 Iro no nai Sekai | 3:49 |
10. | "The Road Home" | 帰郷 Kikyō | 1:07 |
11. | "Start Your Engines" | カウントダウン Kauntodaun | 3:23 |
12. | "Eden Under Siege" | 動乱のエデン Dōran no Eden | 2:33 |
13. | "The Cradle Will Fall" | 終焉の揺籃 Shūen no Yōran | 3:58 |
14. | "Born Anew" | 降誕 Kōtan | 2:59 |
15. | "Sinful Hope" | 罪深き希望 Tsumibukaki Kibō | 3:44 |
16. | "Fabula Nova Crystallis" | ファブラ・ノヴァ・クリスタリス Fabura Nova Kurisutarisu | 2:40 |
17. | "FINAL FANTASY XIII - Miracles" | FINAL FANTASY XIII ~奇跡~ FINAL FANTASY XIII ~Kiseki~ | 2:49 |
18. | "Focus" | 使命 Shimei | 2:21 |
19. | "Nascent Requiem" | 生誕のレクイエム Seitan no Rekuiemu | 5:03 |
20. | "Determination" | 決意 Ketsui | 3:22 |
21. | "Kimi ga Iru kara (Long Version)" | 君がいるから (Long Version) | 6:22 |
22. | "Ending Credits" | エンディングロール Endingu Rōru | 4:42 |
Release and post-release
During Sony's media briefing at the 2008 E3, Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy XIII would have downloadable content available for North America, Europe, and Japan. A playable demo of Final Fantasy XIII is included in Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete (released on April 16 in Japan and June 2 for North America[80]) on Blu-ray Disc for PlayStation 3, along with new trailers of Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII.[81] The demo, however, was only released in Japan and is not reflective of the actual game as it was created using an old build of the game.[82]
Square Enix confirmed at a Japanese press event that Final Fantasy XIII would be released on December 17, 2009 in Japan. Suntory also plans to release the Final Fantasy XIII Elixir to promote the game's release.[83] At the same press event, Square Enix also announced that it would be bundling Final Fantasy XIII in Japan with a limited edition white 250GB PlayStation 3 Slim with a pink colour print of Lightning on the surface of the console, which will release on the same day.[84] On the same day the game released in Japan, a Final Fantasy XIII PlayStation Home personal space, called "Eden - Primarch's Vigilarium", was made available for free in the Japan Home until January 13, 2010 along with a costume and personal space furnishings.[85] This space and the furnishings were released to the Asian, European, and North American versions of PlayStation Home on March 11, 2010.[86]
Producer Yoshinori Kitase, along with other creators of the game, put together a video with interviews and new footage on November 13, 2009. The conclusion of the video announced that the game is to be released on March 9, 2010, for both Europe and North America.[1] An international trailer for the game showing both gameplay and pre-rendered scenes was released on January 14, 2010 featuring the game's theme song for Europe and North America, "My Hands", by Leona Lewis. One month prior to the game's release, Square Enix had begun promoting the game via a tour bus where gamers could preview and play the game.[87]
Collector's edition for PAL territories get a limited collector's edition for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It includes the Final Fantasy XIII Original Sound Selection, a soundtrack CD that includes a selection of music tracks from the game that are especially chosen for this Limited Collector’s Edition by composer Masashi Hamauzu. The CD is presented inside a slipcase featuring artwork from Final Fantasy XIII, and also liner notes that are written by the composer. The Collector's Edition also includes The World of Final Fantasy XIII, a hardback book featuring character artwork, CG-rendered artwork and environments from across the game production. It also includes exclusive art prints—3 highly collectable art prints showing artwork of the Eidolons, powerful summoned allies of the lead playable characters in Final Fantasy XIII. Finally, the Collector's Edition includes unique "Brand of the l’Cie" decal, a collectible decal featuring the symbol from the game's storyline.
While the game will be released on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in western regions, the game will remain a PlayStation 3 exclusive in Asian territories.[88] Final Fantasy XIII is also the first game in the Final Fantasy series to receive its official release in Chinese language. The localization is handled by Sony Computer Entertainment Asia division and using the original Japanese audio with Traditional Chinese subtitles.[89]
Both consoles have special limited editions based on the game. A special Playstation 3 Slim version was launched in Japan with a pink colour print of Lightning on the white surface of the console, by the time of its release. For the western release, a special Xbox 360 Elite with the silver strip on the hard drive emblazoned with the Final Fantasy XIII logo, and a limited quantity of themed faceplates, created by designer Tetsuya Nomura, will be available through a few retailers in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Both editions have a 250 GB hard drive and come with a copy of the game.
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
GameRankings | 85% (PS3)[90] 84% (360)[91] |
Metacritic | 83/100 (PS3)[7] 84/100 (360)[8] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
1Up.com | A-[106] |
Edge | 5/10[94] |
Eurogamer | 8/10[93] |
Famitsu | 39/40[92] |
Game Informer | 9.25/10[7] |
GameSpot | 8.5/10[96] |
GameSpy | 4.5/5[97] |
GamesRadar+ | 10/10[103] |
GameTrailers | 8.6/10[98] |
GameZone | 8.5/10[95] |
IGN | 8.9/10[99] |
PlayStation Official Magazine – UK | 9/10[100] |
Play | 7.9/10[101] |
PSM3 | 70%[102] |
VideoGamer.com | 7/10[104] |
X-Play | 4/5[105] |
Dengeki | 120/100[107] |
IGN UK | 8.3/10[108] |
Final Fantasy XIII sold in excess of one million units on its first day of sale in Japan,[109] and had sold 1,698,256 copies in Japan at the end of 2009.[110] Square Enix had anticipated high sales for the game and shipped close to two million units for its launch.[111] The game has sold more than 1 million copies in North America and became the fastest selling title in the UK of 2010. In March 2010, Square Enix stated that Final Fantasy XIII became the fastest selling title in the franchise's history.[112] Famitsu rated the game at 39/40, with three reviewers giving the maximum 10/10 and one reviewer giving 9/10.[92] Worldwide the game has shipped 5 million copies.[113] Dengeki praised especially the battle system, stating that the battles are by far the most exciting in the series, and concluded Final Fantasy XIII deserved a score of 120, and that 100 would not be enough.[107] The game was voted as the second best game of 2009 in Dengeki online's reader poll,[114] and in January 2010, was voted the best game ever in Famitsu's reader poll.[115]
The game's Metacritic aggregates score stands at 83 for the PlayStation 3 version and 84 for the Xbox 360 version of the game, signifying "generally favorable" reviews.[7][8] Universal praise was given to the technical milestone for the series achieved by the game's graphics and presentation. Electronic Theatre remarked that "there are very few moments when the visual and aural superiority fails to astound",[116] and Edge Magazine felt that Cocoon in particular was an "inspired setting [...] blessed with a vibrancy and vivid colour that often leaves you open-mouthed".[94] Art design also added to the positive reception of the graphics, being described as "magnificent".[96] Further praise was given to the CGI cutscenes,[104][117][118] and the almost seamless transition of visual quality between these and the realtime gameplay.[104] Many also appreciated the game's soundtrack,[96][118] with Masashi Hamauzu providing "a score with catchy hooks and blood-pumping battle melodies"[117], though some felt the replacement of the game's theme with one from Leona Lewis was unfortunate.[118]
The game's new battle system received widespread praise. The increased pace of battles was appreciated, several reviews describing it as "thrilling";[93][118] Edge Magazine's description of the battle system summarised it as "among the genre's finest".[94] The roles provided by the Paradigm Shift feature also added depth to the battle system and contributed to the fast pace,[93] and having the AI automate the other two party members' actions meant battles in the game "may be the most involving the series has ever seen".[106] The story, characters and voice acting were mostly received well. Wired remarked that the story was "a little more human and less esoteric than in previous games".[117] 1UP felt that the story was "hardly world-class writing", but that the writers clearly knew the medium well and had attempted to avoid clichés.[106] Reviewers felt that the characters worked well together,[96][106] and that the interactions among them as the game progressed made up for shortcomings in the story.[93] Many praised the main character, Lightning, described by GameSpot as "a likeable, strong-willed beauty",[96] while minor criticism was reserved by some reviews for certain characters in particular, with several commenting on Snow's personality.[106]
While critics generally praised Square Enix's attempt to revitalise the Final Fantasy series formula, many reacted negatively to the linear nature of the game, compounded by the removal of towns and non-player characters.[119] Some reviewers criticised the first eleven chapters in Cocoon lasting around fifteen to twenty-five hours.[120][106] Play Magazine remarked that the environment, "while greatly detailed, feels flat and lifeless [...] little more than wallpaper thrown over a tunnel that players walk through."[101] GamePro described gameplay as "a long hallway toward an orange target symbol on your mini-map that triggers a cutscene, a boss fight, or both."[119] 1UP criticised the linear aspect as the game's "biggest shortcoming", rendering the first section "superficial."[106] EuroGamer felt the lack of any distraction or exploration makes the game "the RPG equivalent of a corridor shooter" but also remarked, among other reviewers, that every entry in the Final Fantasy series is linear to an extent, and suggested the series' games only offer the "illusion of choice and exploration."[93] Eurogamer indicated the removal of this illusion means the game "[loses] a measure of excitement and romance."[93] Nevertheless, reviewers at Edge Magazine and elsewhere, who awarded the game lower scores as a result of these aspects, also remarked positively that, after the lengthy opening chapters, the game "hits a sweet spot," and, in addition to the singular narrative, the game offers "hunting side-quests and the simple joy of exploring to see what visual marvel is around the next corner."[94]
By contrast, reviews such as those by GamesRadar and CVG greatly appreciated its linear nature, the former stating that "the streamlined, focused structure eliminates potential tedium without dumbing anything down",[103] while the latter felt it "a clever move",[118] the player not being "[bogged] down with mundane number crunching, finicky and repetitive levelling-up" and game-controlled party members keeping the game "fresh".[118] Many also noted the gradual unfurling of the player's abilities over this first part of the game, from battle gameplay to selecting the party leader;[93][106] combined with its linear nature, some reviews went as far as to describe these chapters as "boring" until the world of Gran Pulse was revealed.[94][117][120] Reviewers such as VideoGamer felt that this was due to the production team's stated influence by Western games, such as the FPS genre,[104] while others felt this was an attempt to appeal to a wider audience than the traditional RPG.[119]
See also
References
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{{cite journal}}
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ignored (help) - ^ "Electronic Theatre Import Review: Final Fantasy XIII". Electronictheatre.co.uk. 2009-12-18. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
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External links
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