260°
8.4

NowGamer: Final Fantasy XIII (360) Review

If you have any sort of interest in videogames, you will no doubt, at some point, have played or at the very least seen a Final Fantasy game. For many, Final Fantasy VII remains the pinnacle of what Square Enix has achieved with this venerable series and yet, in reality, the games have progressed tenfold since the PSone classic. Each iteration has taken strides in almost every department, from art design to story, and yet it's still remained a JRPG through and through.

Read Full Story >>
xbox-360.nowgamer.com
RadientFlux5168d ago

Interesting, how on both the PS3 and X360 reviews were posted at the same time. Yet the PS3 version was approved so much faster then this review.

Mr_Bun5168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

Why would that be interesting? In fact, it is exactly the opposite. Every site using preorder statistics is calling for the PS3 version to outsell the 360 version...which reflects more PS3 owners being interested

Montrealien5168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

well, if you think the FF13 will sell better on the 360, you have a few screws loose, our pre orders in my store alone are 30-2 in favore of the PS3. What`s important here is that people that don`t have a PS3 will also be able to enjoy this great game.

As for the game, I have tried both versions on good TVs and although the ingame graphics have no huge differences, the cut scenes are the reason you want it on the PS3. The 360 cutscenes are actually a little grainy. Then again, people who don`t have the luxury of choice will still have a great experience on either versions.

No one will ever convince me that the game was gimped as a whole because of the 360 though since the only sacrifice the 360 seems to have had is the gimped resolution, and not the content. We would have had the same game if this was a PS3 exclussive.

Tricksy5168d ago

that they came out at the same time and the 360 version is supposedly .1 better then the PS3... lol

that's interesting.

RadientFlux5168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

My comment had nothing to do with how well the game is going sell or which version is better.

I just noticed that during the n4g approval process, there was a time difference in approval time for the PS3 and X360 review.

Ryuha1234h5168d ago

I said it in the begining that this game was gonna flop like DMC4, RE5, and Tekken 6 and look what happen thanks to the Microsoft. All those games should have stayed as a PS3 exclusive. I just hope Square Enix, Capcom, and Namco doesn't do same mistake with DMC5, Tekken 7, and FFvs13. DMC is one of my favorite game franchise. I was really disapointed with DMC4, just imagine what DMC4 would have been like if it it was still a PS3 exclusive, Just look it GOW3 and Uncharted 2 for god sake.

Montrealien5168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

There are more PS3 fanpeople on N4G radiantflux, so that should not be suprising at all. It`s actually pretty typical.

And Ryuha1234h, RE5 flopped on the 360? wow, I guess it is safe to say that you have no idea what you are talking about. Fact of the matter is that toSquare, Konami, Capcom and Namco, its just more sales and if you don`t understand this simple fact, you should refrain from commenting imho.

Jinxstar5168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

"There are more PS3 fanpeople on N4G radiantflux, so that should not be suprising at all. It`s actually pretty typical. "

Ahhh thats what was being inferred... Had no idea... Why does it matter what was approved first? Does that make it more newsworthy or something? I still don't see the relevance. Is it like "First post!!!!" on youtube or something?

This is totally off topic however.

On topic. I haven't liked a square game in a long time... I didn't have high hopes for this and I have not been let down as such. Might get it one day when it's in the bargain bin. Or at the very least used so as not to support square. They haven't been doing a good job this gen imo. They need to start doing a better job imo... Western RPG's are stomping most Asain ones anymore (Demons souls being the exception)

Sayai jin5168d ago

@Jinxstar- I'm with you on the RPG's as of late. I used to be heavily into JRPG's, but with the explosion of some really good WRPG's. A lot of them are more open world and non linear. Thats my type of game play. Not putting down JRPG's at all, just my opinion. I may get this one, not sure.

@RadientFlux- It's cool man, I would not sweat it. Game on.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 5168d ago
i3eyond the Circle5168d ago

"Prior to reading this, we’re sure that many of you may have been browsing the web and will have come across any number of sites proclaiming the PS3 version’s superiority over the 360’s. In reality, what they’re arguing over is storage space, the high capacity of Blu-ray obviously being better-suited to the masses of information that Square Enix has crammed onto three DVDs in this version, but this is a matter of hairs and the splitting of them. It is still the same game, irrelevant of simplified geometry, or a lower operating resolution."

"In fact, it’s safe to say that we’re suitably floored with the visuals, but as we all know, in a Final Fantasy game, that’s less than half the battle: the story has to take priority."

My feelings exactly...

This game is a 9 for me so far...it is better than most of the JRPGs this generation and is probably the best I've played this gen. Don't become an Auto Battle whore play with some skill. - i3

commodore645168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

I have to agree.

While I am obviously a fan of the 360, I do own both consoles, but many more games on the 360 than the ps3, for various reasons.

It is also quite disappointing that ps3 gamers are willing to put up with 20fps and pretty hair, while 360 owners get 576p and smooth framerates.

At the end of the day, which does one prefer?
720p at 20 fps?
576p at 30 fps?

I am still waiting on other definitive metrics, such as loading times and frame-tear comparisons, before I make a purchase.

Based on still screenshots, the ps3 version does look sharper.
However, since when do still screenshots equal superior gameplay?
On my PC, I have always preferred to reduced the graphical fidelity to get smooth framerate. That does say a lot about what is essentially a 'gameplay' criterion, all else being equal.

It's all quite subjective, in the end.

i3eyond the Circle5168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

The ps3 boys are flaunting this as some huge victory because they can see a hardly visible crevice in an enemies pelvic area it seems.

All I've been reading on these boards are non sensed backed by nothing.

I have the game and cannot possibly understand why some people think that 360 owners are getting the short end of the stick.

Simpletons always get stuck on specs written down instead of experiencing first hand.

The differences you will not even notice when "playing the game".

I can understand that if when you buy the game you're going to sit very close in front of your HDTV deteriorating your vision to experience these minuscule differences.

So funny these guys are...I see why multiplatforms outsell their exclusives.

More talk and speculation instead of actually playing games and having fun.

Now that I have the game lol....I'm glad I bought it on my 360.

Custom Soundtrack while grinding ftw....

godofwar3335168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

it drops to 20fps sometimes during cutscenes which are rendered at 1080p sometimes

so which do u prefer

ps3 version
720p gameplay
720p cutscenes
1080p FMV

or x360 version
576p gameplay
576p cutscenes
576p FMVs

also 3 DVDS vs 1
compressed video vs uncompressed one

clearly ps3 version is the one to get

@tricksty

FMS is same during gameplay for both versions

however ps3 version runs at 1080p 30 fps during FMVS which can drop to 20 fps sometimes

x360 version runs at 576p 30 fps during fmvs but can drop to 26 fps sometimes

which do u prefer

1080p FMVs

or 576p FMVs

Tricksy5168d ago

The framrates are not going to be noticable, but the graphics will be.

Obviously SE does a decent port. The PS3 is better. The biggest issue is the content taken out of the game to fit it on the DVD and the flow of the game modified for the same reason.

Why FF13 was ever put on the 360, a machine for Halo and Gears, is beyond me.

snp5168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

Trouble is when the shoes on the other foot, and digital foundry - or whatever the h-ll they're called - are pointing out differences in zoomed-in-to-ten-times-size shots of textures under footbridges in this or that game, the same folk who are 'indifferent' to a couple of hundred lines of resolution etc here and screaming at the top of the lungs '360 victory' this and 'ps3 dudded again' that.

Commodore has actually been one the worst for that sort of behaviour. Which makes his post completely insincere (and that's putting aside this fps bit he's pulled out of god knows where, and his highly questionable 'i own a ps3' posturing).

Personally i think people with only a 360 would and should be perfectly happy with their version (though duel console owners would be better served with the ps3 version this time round, obviously, just as they'd be better served buying Bayonetta on the 360 where it shines more).

ed: ah, thanks, was wondering where Commodore pulled the fps bit from. Sort of shows, right there, the duplicitiousness of his (mock) sincerity in the rest of the post. Just feigning temporary even-handedness to spread some fud about ps3 version. Gorgeous.

Montrealien5168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

I think it is much funner to spread some fud about the people who think consoles are big robots fighting in the sky. They are the real joke here. And the easiest to troll no less.

hawtness.

snp5168d ago

I think it is much funner to spread some fud about the people who think consoles are big robots fighting in the sky. They are the real joke here.
----

If you're genuinely standing above it. Otherwise you're just demonstrating how hardcore you are.

I'd love to think Commodore is tongue-in-cheek. Sadly, i doubt it.

Montrealien5168d ago

Having read commodore for quite a while now, I just think he is normal, which speaks volumes here on N4G in my books.

Antan5168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

"It is also quite disappointing that ps3 gamers are willing to put up with 20fps and pretty hair, while 360 owners get 576p and smooth framerates."

The thing you are talking about was based on ONE non gameplay cutscene in the DF article when the PS3 version dropped to 26fps. However, this is a completely different matter (as the DF article also states) where the gameplay portions are concerned. Pity you failed to mention this in your post. Its also common knowledge the the 360 version is lacking in self shadowing and "some" slightly lower rez textures. But hey, if you only have one console, then these issues are not er, issues.

"it drops to 20fps sometimes during cutscenes which are rendered at 1080p sometimes "

Incorrect. All non FMV cutscenes are still outputting @720p, same as the actual game proper.

Bathyj5168d ago

You'se two are acting like you've never heard a bunch of Xbox fanatics claiming they have the superior version of a game over minute difference like a shadow here or a wall texture there.

Most comparisons are so close you could NEVER tell the difference without the 2 versions lined up side by side, and even then its usually nothing. That doesnt stop Xbox from shouting from the mountain tops that 90% of multiplats are better on their system.

Now a big game with real differences comes out and you guys dont want to know about it, why is that not a surprise.

And all the talk about BluRay not being needed? Sure its not essential, but it certainly is handy to have. Its meant the difference between a standard def game and a high def game in this case, not to mention the design choices made during the developement.

Dont you realise these is vindication for BluRay? Quit acting like people reactions is such a surprise. Its toally justified and if you didnt see it coming you're not half as clever as you'se like to think you are.

Gue15168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

it obvious why the game sustain a better frame-rate on the X360. I mean 576p? Lower resolution = easier to render.

beside, the drop in frame rate on the PS3 it's just during close ups in cut-scenes and that's a flaw from the engine itself. I recommend to you to read the eurogamer article again...

BTW 1080p, 20FPS > 576p, 30 FPS

it is not like the frame rate is that important for a game like FF and there's no screen tearing either nor loadings, installation or multiple discs.

OmegaSlayer5168d ago

LOL @ 360ers that are not able to read, to understand and to see well.
The PS3 has frame drops during close ups, and PS3 would have 60 fps if it were subHD

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 5168d ago
green5168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

Is it as good or better than Lost Odyssey?

@ Bearthur: Then i will be happy with FF13

BeaArthur5168d ago

Wasn't a big fan of Lost Odyssey, I would assume better.

i3eyond the Circle5168d ago

The soundtrack is amazing and the tension in the game is more engaging.

Lost Odysseys characters really didn't make a name for themselves and the whole immortal/mortal thing really separated character development and purpose to me.

Lost Odyssey was epic don't get me wrong, but the story fell short.

FF13 has cool characters each very unique, each with a key part in the games development.

Topped off with STUNNING Cgi even on the proclaimed "inferior version" makes the games story and critical parts potray better than LO.

Auto Battle combat is the worst tho. Strategically picking moves even when not needed makes this game feel like FF.

Montrealien5168d ago

I would say its better then Lost Oddyssey, then again, considering that game came out just over 2 years ago here in NA, I am not suprised. Playing Lost oddysey 2 years ago was well worth it and a great experience at the time. And my first 4 hours of FF13 on the PS3 last night, was also a great I canbt wait for the weekend to start so I can really dig into it.

divideby05168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

"spliting hairs" between the 2 console versions..
guess this author is not playing on a HDTV or have 7.x audio capability..sure than its not splitting hairs.
author needs to invest into new audio/video than the hair splitting will appear as scalping

BeaArthur5168d ago

So he needs to go out and spend over a $1000 so he can write a review that suits you?

divideby05168d ago (Edited 5168d ago )

No he is not reviewing for ME, he is reviewing for the internet, which many do have what he should have used to give an honest unbiased review.

heck all these games will look similar if I play on my old CRT with 2 PC speakers.

guess you havent read the diff. or looked at the compares between the console versions of multplatform ports over the years...

see its easy to make games look similar...lol...guess he didnt want to give an honest review of the difference between the versions....

yea...I see the single 360 console owners are out with their blind DAs....lol...cant handle the truth for once

BeaArthur5168d ago

divideby0...your comment was implying that you think he is not playing on an HDTV or using some high quality sound system because he didn't see massive differences between both versions. Maybe to him those differences don't seem all that different. I have looked at the comparisons (both screen shot and video) and yes the PS3 version does look better but I haven't seen anything to make me believe that the 360 version is so much worse. But I guess you have played both versions already so you must be the expert. Oh and own a PS3 and will be picking it up on the PS3, don't presume that you know anything about me.

digoutyoursoul85168d ago

i'll be getting the PS3 version myself and my cousin the 360 version as he doesnt own both systems, I doubt he'll be bothered what some fat spotty angry little geek fart with a sony t-shirt on will think of his choice of purchase.

wazzim5168d ago

"I doubt he'll be bothered what some fat spotty angry little geek fart with a sony t-shirt on will think of his choice of purchase."
Well many people on N4Fanboy will think otherwise ;D

But I really think that the reviewer nailed it, a FF game is about the story and the characters, not about playing it on a 7.1 sound system.

Leave that to your FPS games, Hack and slash etc. Jrpg's gamers care more about the game itself than about the packaging...

Show all comments (38)
70°

The 7 Best Final Fantasy Characters: Unveiling the Legends

While FFVII ranks highly, there's more to the series than one game. Here's Chit Hot's picks for the seven best Final Fantasy characters.

220°

The older it gets, the more I respect Final Fantasy XIII

Alex Donaldson: "Hindsight is a hell of a thing, however, and in the years since Final Fantasy XIII, my respect for the decisions its developers made has skyrocketed. In the two Final Fantasy titles since we see both the brilliance and the folly in alternative approaches - and in Final Fantasy VII Remake, we get a more nuanced understanding of what FF13 was trying to accomplish from many of the same development leads."

Einhander1972128d ago

FFXIII is actually one of the best Final Fantasy games.

I also sort of was disappointed at the time, never as much as the bandwagon. But really all the fantastic 3D rendered cutscenes and I actually liked the characters and the story though convoluted was actually fantastic and the ending was extremely emotional. So much budget and time were put into that game Square had such big plans, I actually have always felt kind of bad for how things played out.

I have been thinking for years how great it would be to get all three games on one disk for PS4 or 5.

Nyxus128d ago

I always liked this game, and I agree, a rerelease for current gen would be nice.

Shane Kim127d ago (Edited 127d ago )

Gotta take off the nostalgia glasses. It's the worst FF. Shiva as a bike, I mean come on.

Elda127d ago

Shiva as a bike is strange but saying FFXIII is the worst FF is not at all a fact, that's simply your opinion.

Terry_B126d ago

*One of the 3 equally bad FF's

DivineHand125126d ago (Edited 126d ago )

When I got my series X a year ago, I bought FF13 for nostalgia reasons but ended up being disappointed. When I first played it around the time it launched, I didn't have a lot of experience with final fantasy games, so I enjoyed it. Fast forward to when I played it again, I found that the game had many unnecessary filler moments instead of just giving us meaningful content.

The game is also very linear and a quote on the article said it best. "It is like a sewage pipe that leads to the ocean until it opens up on Grand Pulse."

The story didn't make much sense either and I believe it is my mistake as I played the FF7 remake on PS5 prior which is a night and day difference in terms of pacing, storytelling and likeable characters even though cloud is aloof.

FinalFantasyFanatic126d ago (Edited 126d ago )

Probably was a mistake to play any of the golden era FFs first (e.g. FF6 through FF10), it makes it harder to enjoy some of the FFs that aren't as good. I think FF12 was where major issues with the series started becoming apparent, and it just got worse from there.

FinalFantasyFanatic126d ago (Edited 126d ago )

I didn't really care for it that much, the only saving grace was that it had a better story than 15 (overall it was better than 15) and possibly 12, and even then, you had to read some of it through primers, like reading a book. Plus the battle system was reasonably fun for what it was, even if it was more the spectacle that was exciting for me (e.g. summoning). And to be fair, the 13 trilogy got better with every games, I still don't like Snow though.

Gamingsince1981126d ago

Ff13 is only good if you haven't played a ff before, or any other games that are decent for that matter.

-Foxtrot126d ago

It is in fact no way the best Final Fantasy game, it's one of the worst

Linear corridors, Cutscene, Fight, Cutscene...rinse and repeat

Dialogue and characters are pretty bad, especially Lightning as the main FF hero, they literally said they tried to make a "Female Cloud" and they failed.

Story was pretty awful

I could go on

I think the only alright thing that came from the game was the music.

Elda126d ago

That's not a fact that's your personal opinion. The game sold 11 million copies between its 2009 release up until 2014 including critically reviewed as an 8 out of 10 or an 80 out of 100. The game does have some issues but it's not at all a fact as one of the worst FF games.

-Foxtrot126d ago

Elda

Not just mine mate

A large majority

So….

Traecy125d ago

N4G commenters such as yourself aren't the majority. The game was well received.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 125d ago
+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 125d ago
gold_drake128d ago (Edited 128d ago )

i liked the game alot but i didnt like how they handled the terminology.

i dont mind reading data logs but it had soo many.

but i always loved the music and how it looked. the battle system wasnt too bad either.

but i like 13-2 more :)

i still dont understand why we never got a remaster of the trilogy

Eonjay126d ago

Xbox kinda did. Besides the video files of course which are still best on PS3 due to bluray.

Snookies12128d ago

XIII is a pretty solid game, but XIII-2 is WAY better. XIII-2 was one of the few games I decided to go for a Platinum trophy in, early on. Had so much fun the entire way through getting it too!

Eonjay126d ago

Totally agree. FF 13 was okay but 13-2 is my favorite FF game ever.

shinoff2183128d ago (Edited 128d ago )

I hated this to when it released. I haven't much liked a ff game since ff10 as much , aside from ff7remake. I decided to give it another shot on my series x since it's not on a current ps and was liking it quite a bit(just takes me some time to get over things ) until star ocean 2 remake came out I was all over that.

Square should definitely remaster it or something for ps4 ps5

KillerB127d ago

my favorite jrpg trilogy ever

Show all comments (44)
70°

Interview: Making music with Masashi Hamauzu

Square Enix Blog: "How do you compose iconic songs that help define a legacy? We speak to legendary composer Masashi Hamauzu about his work on Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy XIII, and Final Fantasy VII Remake, and how to make unforgettable music."

Read Full Story >>
square-enix-games.com