quick mobile update on how awesome FFXIII is
FFXIII = Greatness of Epic proportions!
Well, I am not quite far enough into the game to make the awesome personified call yet. So far, I really love it!
Character development doesn't really begin until chapter 3 (which I reached late Tuesday night). The battle system finally develops at this point as well. The first few chapters its pretty much the basics, and you spend most of the time letting the AI do the work for you by selecting auto-battle. Down the road, once you learn abilities, you have more control over your command line-up. Instead of selecting one command per turn as we have seen in the past you are allowed to select a command chain. Each command has a different value attached to the ATB bar. Since you only control the leader, the other party members are controlled by their AI. You do however have control over how that AI functions. You can select from predetermined paradigms or create your own. This allows you control over who heal, who defends, who is melee, and who uses magic. The intuitiveness of this new command base style takes it even a step farther and allows you to change your paradigm even in the heat of battle. FFXII has done away with the monotony of leveling up because there is no EXP. You unlock new abilities as you progress through the story line and they also provide ample monsters without needless side tracking to attain CP points. CP points are similar to FFX were you have a grid based system for attaining new abilities that cost CP points. There is also a point later in the game were you can upgrade weapons using materials you collect.
If the battle system seems like a mouthful, never fear because they introduce one major concept at a time. Each time they introduce a new factor it comes with a basic tutorial.
There is also a rating system based on multiple factors as you battle. The main factor is time. Your rating effects the spoils you receive for the battle.
The story line is fairly linear as we have seen with FFX. You go from point A to point B. You won't spend hours wandering around aimlessly about a huge world map with a million places to get lost. I happen to be equally thrilled with both methods. This was a disappointment to some online ranters, but as Liz so graciously pointed out to me...we are very spoiled with mmorpgs and the concept of an open world.
I will leave the story line for you all to find on your own. Basic FF save the world scene, except the lead is a butt-kicking female.
Small advancements the FF fans will notice: there is no difference between cut scenes and game play as far as graphics are concerned. Also, most characters will talk to you upon approach without the need to use of a command. They actually talk, in place of the beloved text box we have grown accustomed to. There isn't an infinite amount of currency in the game either. Since you don't receive any from battles, you much plan you purchases wisely. No more stocking 99 potions, phoenix downs, and tents just for the sake of having them. Also, HP regenerates after each battle chrono cross style.
Well those are my initial reactions to the game. I have only logged about 5 hours.....I could go on and on about it, but I had to stop myself.
Well, I am not quite far enough into the game to make the awesome personified call yet. So far, I really love it!
Character development doesn't really begin until chapter 3 (which I reached late Tuesday night). The battle system finally develops at this point as well. The first few chapters its pretty much the basics, and you spend most of the time letting the AI do the work for you by selecting auto-battle. Down the road, once you learn abilities, you have more control over your command line-up. Instead of selecting one command per turn as we have seen in the past you are allowed to select a command chain. Each command has a different value attached to the ATB bar. Since you only control the leader, the other party members are controlled by their AI. You do however have control over how that AI functions. You can select from predetermined paradigms or create your own. This allows you control over who heal, who defends, who is melee, and who uses magic. The intuitiveness of this new command base style takes it even a step farther and allows you to change your paradigm even in the heat of battle. FFXII has done away with the monotony of leveling up because there is no EXP. You unlock new abilities as you progress through the story line and they also provide ample monsters without needless side tracking to attain CP points. CP points are similar to FFX were you have a grid based system for attaining new abilities that cost CP points. There is also a point later in the game were you can upgrade weapons using materials you collect.
If the battle system seems like a mouthful, never fear because they introduce one major concept at a time. Each time they introduce a new factor it comes with a basic tutorial.
There is also a rating system based on multiple factors as you battle. The main factor is time. Your rating effects the spoils you receive for the battle.
The story line is fairly linear as we have seen with FFX. You go from point A to point B. You won't spend hours wandering around aimlessly about a huge world map with a million places to get lost. I happen to be equally thrilled with both methods. This was a disappointment to some online ranters, but as Liz so graciously pointed out to me...we are very spoiled with mmorpgs and the concept of an open world.
I will leave the story line for you all to find on your own. Basic FF save the world scene, except the lead is a butt-kicking female.
Small advancements the FF fans will notice: there is no difference between cut scenes and game play as far as graphics are concerned. Also, most characters will talk to you upon approach without the need to use of a command. They actually talk, in place of the beloved text box we have grown accustomed to. There isn't an infinite amount of currency in the game either. Since you don't receive any from battles, you much plan you purchases wisely. No more stocking 99 potions, phoenix downs, and tents just for the sake of having them. Also, HP regenerates after each battle chrono cross style.
Well those are my initial reactions to the game. I have only logged about 5 hours.....I could go on and on about it, but I had to stop myself.