DISCLAIMER: This post is a reply to an entry made by booni3 on his blog. I have downsized nothing, and tried to keep my thoughts directed solely to his post. Before you read mine, you better read his. The entry can be found here: http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...
Link doesn't work, but I did find your post. It was informative, to say the least. I understand where you're coming from. I found the linear nature to be quite surprising as well. However, I did not hate it. I found the linear environments pretty open in fact. There were multiple paths you could take to get to the same destination, which included bonuses exclusive to that particular path. While this didn't change the story much at all, the point is despite the linear nature, I was overwhelmed by thoughts of where to go. I still felt like I was wandering.
The game did a good job of impressing the idea that I was being hunted by the Sanctum. When you're on the run, are you really going to go to just any random town? Seriously? When you're on Cocoon, you are forced down a very linear path. Their, the creators, hope was to recreate the feeling of being in pursuit, which I felt they did a good job of conveying. Once you hit Pulse, everything changes. You're no longer hunted, and you get these big open areas to explore. So massive, that I didn't even bother staying, I jumped right back to Cocoon, cause I missed the adrenaline rush I experienced in the fight at Palumpolum. Hopefully, you made it that far.
When you take on that big airship, epic doesn't begin to describe it. Watching all those numbers flying off back and forth, 1,000 damage here, 2,000 there, 3,000 scrunched between the two, all in a bold grey font (attack damage), and then at the same time accounting for the green numbers, 500 here, 700 there. On top of the yellow numbers for critical. All those numbers! Again, I was overwhelmed. My party's HP was constantly going down. And then up. And then down. And then up. All in the matter of three seconds. My mind was fucked. There was no way I could keep track of all that. I counted my blessings there was an Auto feature, but not even that could save me. There was no stopping. Each part was attacking once per second. I had to do something; I was getting owned. Quickly I changed my paradigm, I observed the stat screen, and adjusted my tactics to prey upon the enemy's weakness. Constant role changes. Just as one skill deactivated, another popped up. I had to keep changing constantly. I made use of the L1 button a lot more than I ever did X. Also the directional buttons helped a lot when I needed to queue Esuna.
Finally, after ten minutes, I finally brought down the first body part. I felt relieved, and then depressed, knowing that I had five more to go. The battle hadn't even begun. That right there was one of the best moments in gaming I've ever experienced. Nothing can take that moment away. That is why I'll always disagree with your comment on the battle system. When you make it to Palumpolum, that is when the game really tests you. You're forced to adapt, to learn the battle system, or get left behind. It is the hardest Final Fantasy I've ever played, and by far the best.
I'm also a fan of the story and characters. The allegory to the human struggle was immense. It really opened my eyes to the ideas of multiple perspectives. In a way, it makes me sad. FFXIII has had much the same effect as Battlestar Galactica has had. I'm a pacifist, through and through. This only helped solidify my standing. So much so that I now empathize for others more so than I ever have. No matter their transgressions, I feel for them: everyone, from all walks of life. Being human is enough encouragement for me to know that everyone else is going through the same thing. FFXIII merely dressed up this complex symbolism into a fantastical world full of political intrigue and internal strife. If that doesn't get your blood pumping, I don't know what does.
Honestly, I didn't feel like FFXIII was a chore. In fact, I felt the exact opposite. I couldn't get enough, I was coming back cause I wanted more. Of course it helps to know the creator's intentions. I knew going in how linear it would be (okay, I was a little surprised, but not much). I knew about the two halves of the game. I knew the human struggles they were going for and the characters that exemplified them. They're talk at GDC was very informative. It made me appreciate the game more. There is so much depth to this game it's not even funny.
For instance, many people forget this game is an entry under the Fabula Nova Crystallis compilation. Also known as "the New Tale of the Crystal." What do you think the crystal was about in FFXIII? What do you think it meant? See, that's depth. That's what I love in my RPGs. It's why I love Persona, Suikoden, Xenosaga, the whole lot. I need meaning in my games or they'll end up as chores. To me, there is no meaning in Super Street Fighter 4.
That is why I'll never hold it as dearly as I do Persona 3 for example. It's just the way it is. I do like fighting games, they're fun. But it takes something like BlazBlue to really make me fall in love with them. I hold the same philosophy as you regarding chores in video games, but we apply them differently. I understand you find games like Super Street Fighter fun, but I have a different take on what makes a game fun. Just my opinion of course. That is why I'm a mad proponent for FFXIII. People like me, I believe, will appreciate the experience XIII has to offer.
NE: "Kirby's been on more than a handful of adventures, and we've gathered a list of 10 of the best Kirby games here."
WTMG's Aaron Price: "Overall, Sker Ritual was a lot more of what I wanted and way more than I could have expected from it. Is this going to be a Call of Duty: Zombies killer? Maybe not as of now, but it’s clearly a really good step in the right direction, as that series simply doesn’t care about having to improve anymore. Even though it’s completely different from its predecessor, Sker Ritual is a pleasant surprise, a well-polished game, and something I definitely plan to continue returning to often, especially if there are any big content updates in the future."
It seems Ghost of Tsushima on PC will have the same PSN purchasing restrictions that caused massive backlash to Helldivers 2.
I thoroughly understand your position, while wholeheartedly disagreeing. I am now, and have always been a huge fan of the final fantasy franchise. What you say makes sense because everything gameplay related has taken an identifiable backseat to the story and characters of FF13. I dont like the streamlined hand holding and the lack of content. The side missions add seemingly nothing. i found the upgrade system paled in comparison to say, the one that appears in FF12. there is no new game plus. The pulse out world can be ridiculously confusing and irritating to navigate, and as i pointed out in my posting, very few fights were optional. Now because you mentioned SSFIV, i have to add that it feels nothing like a chore. Deep and simple combat punishes the feeble and rewards the diligent. the only aspect i'd liken to the chore feeling are the challenges and training to get better, but hey. like i said, you have your opinion and i have mine and because were gamers there both just fine. God bless america.
Meaningful games FTW!!!
I agree. F13 s amaizng!