1020°
8.9

IGN: Final Fantasy XIII Review

For years, the Final Fantasy series has stood as a seemingly timeless pillar of Japanese role-playing games. With fantastic characters, intricate stories and complex battle systems, Final Fantasy is one of the most recognizable names in the videogame world -- and for good reason. Surprisingly, Final Fantasy XIII abandons a number of well-loved series traditions in favor of a more straight-forward approach. While fans might be concerned by this, the two most important aspects of the series -- the battle system and the narrative -- remain just as strong as they always have.

LordMarius5154d ago (Edited 5154d ago )

not AAA?

"My Hands, Your Hands, no they will not let me go"

Shang-Long5154d ago

I really don't understand this. How can the game be the same when it was saId countless times EVEN by IGN themself thst they don't look the same. So why are they givin out the same score. ... It's sad it is. But none the less it's a good score and if u want it play it

blitz06235154d ago (Edited 5154d ago )

Graphics:
PS3 - 9.0
360 - 8.5

Final score for both: 8.9

presto7175154d ago (Edited 5154d ago )

Oh yeah this is IGN we are talking about. They conveniently forgot to include that the 360 version of the game runs smoothly on ps2.

Anyways, I'll just wait for versus...

chaosatom5154d ago (Edited 5154d ago )

but nonetheless, people should enjoy what they get.

I'll probably get FF13 after God of war 3

slayorofgods5154d ago (Edited 5154d ago )

good find! Someone forgot how to do math over at igm.

360 should be = (9.5+8.5+9+8.5+8.5)/5 = 8.8
PS3 Should be = (9.5+8.5+9+9+8.5)/5 = 8.9

It might only be .1 point but it shows a refusal to acknowledge that the PS3 version is slightly better.

@ below. At this point I am questioning igm as a trustworthy source. I know FF13 is still fun for people that don't own a PS3. But the simple fact that IGM tried to make these games look equal when they clearly have graphics differences brings questions? Why?

AAACE55154d ago

It's a shame that the fanboys are waiting for some review to say the 360 version is very choppy, the graphics look like a Xbox 1 game and overall the game is unplayable. But for some reason... that's just not happening! And its funny as hell to see them get pissed off about this!

Oh my look at the time... gotta get to that midnight launch... Have fun people!

rdgneoz35154d ago (Edited 5154d ago )

That gap in the difference in graphics shouldn't be that small. Any sane reviewer wouldn't give the 360 version over an 7.5 in graphics.

For the 360 version on graphics, "Character models are excellent and some of the in-game environments are breathtaking. Occasional slowdown isn't enough to detract from the visuals overall." I want what they're smoking.

5154d ago
gta28005154d ago

Nice. Makes me wonder if Microsoft is paying reviewers hush money. One reviewer giving out the same score to both could have been questionable but more than one reviewer doing it, after poor PS3 ports get separate lower reviews....makes me really wonder if Micro has anything to do with these reviews. I mean after all, they are tying to advertise this game as if it was theirs...

Game13a13y5154d ago

this game is at most a 7.8 for me. anyone who've finished the japanese version will probably tell you that. this game does not receive good scores in Asia, only in america...

5154d ago
Rush5154d ago

Lol seriously you guys and your conspiracy theory's are pathetic. It's clear as day the PS3 version is the superior version of the game, and its the version I myself will be picking up.

But come on... Are you so butt hurt by the "misjustice" against your beloved electronics company, that your so set on seeing such an incredible game being reviewed down?

Seriously Final Fantasy 13 is a dying breed of game in a world where nothing but FPS's and WRPG's make big sales. Company's all over Japan will be watching FF13's sales very carefully considering if to make a new JRPG.

Are you really so deluded that you want to see a game which we all know and love from are childhood destroyed. Simply because of your blind loyalty to an electronics company?

Sony like Microsoft would take every penny from your pocket if they could. You owe them nothing, Square on the other hand have given me many a great memory from my childhood playing amazing games like Final Fantasy 7. The only reason I even like JRPG's is down to FF7.

Seriously just quit stop with the pathetic melodramatics. And lets all just go out buy and enjoy this incredible game.

SOAD5154d ago

No wonder you only have 2 bubbles.

The 360 version of FF XIII is graphically inferior and runs on 3 discs. All of that is true.

However, the game is very playable, and performs on parity with the PS3 version in terms of framerate. So the game is not unplayable, as AAACE5 will say.

evrfighter5154d ago (Edited 5154d ago )

LOL @ the ignoring of the review and all the focus at the graphics comparison. LOL's all around for the tin foil hat conspiracy theories. It truly is entertaining watching the ps3 fanboys raging because reviewers aren't making a big deal of the graphics.

i feel bad for the kids that started gaming this gen. Know that it didn't use to be this way. Way back when gamers used to buy a console and their friends would buy the other console.

When they got together for sleepovers all consoles would be played and good times were talked about for years.

Rampant5154d ago

1. The final score is not an average
2. They gave the 360 version a lower score in graphics. Is this because they are biased? Why didn't they give the two games the same score?
3. Could it be that the slight difference in graphics didn't have an impact on the overall fun of the game?
4. The 360 is one year older. It is only natural for the graphics to be slightly less impressive.

Eamon5154d ago

You little kids look so insecure only caring about whether the score is higher than 360 version.

Quick, run along to school. Before you get detention.

hagla5154d ago

and the PS3 version at 82...

Lol it is a bit irritating that an inferiour version is averaging more

moegooner885154d ago

The low score reviews (Edge:5, wired :6, teletext game central :6), are posted under the PS3 version only in metacritic, despite being assigned for both consoles.

Pika-pie5154d ago (Edited 5154d ago )

Really Clements, this is your review you kept us waiting all weekend for. Two pages and an 8.9

Im 6 Hours into this game, was up till 3am last night playing it and this game is no more linear than FFX.

The graphics are absolutly amazing on the PS3, deff one of the best looking games out there and havent witnessed any of the slow down yet.

Story has me hooked.. The in game codex is essential for getting the full background as to whats going on as some cutscenes leave you guessing. So do your reading.

Battle system is amazing, encounters are a pleasure not a chore. Takes a bit to come together though as for the first few hours you are just pressing attack as you mash your way through the prologue. I certainly dont miss random encounters. Best battle system yet.

Levelling up system is alot like the sphere grid in FFX.

Its a shame there is no mini games but to be honest, I never bothered in them in the past. I sucked at blitzball! Anyway, minigames dont seem to fit into the world if you ask me.

I love it so far, really really love it.

And how the hell does lasting appeal of 60hours earn an 8.5.. Come on Clements!

Edit - Oh and press select and turn the mini map off!! Then the game doesnt seem like such a straight path. Cant advise that enough

tinybigman5154d ago

so im not gonna get all up in arms because they dont want to score them differently. journalism started its decline the minute this generation began.

personally im disappointed that FF13 doesnt have major towns or NPCs to talk to. ill still play it but i dont see myself loving it like i do the others in the series.

Black Maverick5154d ago

Anyone remember this gem from IGN about Bayonetta (360 version): "The 360 version is vastly superior to the PS3 version on a technical level, so PS3 owners 'fortunate' enough to own a 360 should absolutely avoid the PS3 copy."

How fortunate! Funny we don't see the same language about the PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIII over the 360 version.

And I know whine about fake conspiracy theories and whatever but seriously, you can see it for yourself. They're not hiding it. It's in black and white for all to see for themselve and the simple truth is this: There are simply different standards when it comes to reviewing PS3 vs. Xbox 360 or PS3 vs. Multiplatform for that matter.

nveenio5154d ago

I know it's hard for 360 owners to understand why PS3 fans are a little put off by these reviews. It has nothing to do with loyalty. In fact, I'm more ticked off that SE botched the 360 version than I am about the review scores. (Releasing something so inferior, just like they did with Bayonetta, and selling it at the same price is a crime.) It's the principle of the matter that's on trial here. Any PS3 game that is multiplat is ALWAYS given the shaft.

BUT, that's what's so great here. When you really think about it, the fact that a multiplat scored the same on both systems is really a win for the PS3--especially since it won out in graphics. We can at least be proud that the PS3 version was so much better that they absolutely couldn't say it was worse, and that the 360 version was so bad that they absolutely couldn't NOT mention how bad it is.

So, while I'm still waiting for an unbiased multiplat review, I have to say that this is probably the closest we've ever come. Remember Oblivion? It was FAR superior on the PS3, with better load times, better graphics and smoother framerates, but it scores LOWER than the 360 version.

So, let's call this a win, shall we? It's a little like civil rights (of course that's a strange comparison)...progress is better than nothing.

ChozenWoan5154d ago (Edited 5154d ago )

and FF13 should be called FF lite.

The game is as straight as an arrow, even FFX had minor exploration even in the early stages. Items are giant orbs floating so you can't miss them, not that they give you much that is useful at this point anyway. Combat has been reduced to the point that the game is a button masher, 90% of battles all I do is hit "X" repeatedly. And I must admit I'm only 10% into the game , but the story seems too transparent.

I must say, the 1080p cut scenes and environment do look great. The sound effects and music is true to the FF brand. But the pacing of the game is off. People complained about MGS4's use of cutscenes but this game feels more like watching Ardent Children with 5 min gameplay moments in between the different scenes.

Ohh and maybe it's just because I've been playing it at night, which I doubt cause I'm a night owl anyway, but something about this game is putting me to sleep. My cousin (who bought the game) and my homeboy came over to enjoy this game, but for some reason everyone got sleepy real quick.

I don't know, maybe it will seem better after a few hours of sleep, but this FF feels like it's coming up short. Feels like the game was dumbed down for the sake of "western" gamers.

8thnightvolley5153d ago

i do believe the reason this game is so linear is coz of the 360 version... waiittttt b4 u bit my head off.. jap developers are not the best when is comings to managing data compared to western developers.. final fantasy an exploratory game and if it was to be an open game it would make disc changing so numerous the 360 version of the game would be pointless so linearity would be the best way so they can carefully place all data in each disc and be sure one does not need to go back to disc 1 or 2 after u are done with it, secondly the data that was cut out would have taking this game for an extra 30 hrs at least( it was said the amount of data cut out was enough to make another game) ...

so in other words ..i believe..

the length, graphics, linearity of this game is due to the 360 DVD constraints.. the dvd tech is just outdated at the time and age... and it making the 360 crack under pressure ..

Lightsaber5153d ago

ChozenWoan You havent played the game enough. Once you get far enough in to the game you have to change your roles a lot to defeat the enemies. Also you cnat just selecting auto attack doesnt work very well later in the game. As the reviewer said is start simple but gets very complexed. The items you get also become useful later on as they are used in a very cool system that allows you to level up your weapons (still like the FF7 system better).

I wont say much on the plot cause dont want to spoil anything for anyone plus I havent finished the game yet. However so far I'm really enjoying it.

8thnightvolley you fanboys are really sad and pathetic. 1st FF13 is a good game (maybe even great). Trying to hate on it just cause its multi plat is stupid. Not only that but blame it being linear on the 360 is even more stupid. The whole its cause DVD cant handle it bs is just that BS cause the ps3 version of the game take up 40GB. So SE did use the extra blu ray space. If they had of made it open world then more then likely it take at least 2 blu ray disk and we all know how much ps3 owns hat to get off their fat ass and do anything . Even something as simple as changing a disk.

8thnightvolley5153d ago

8thnightvolley you fanboys are really sad and pathetic. 1st FF13 is a good game (maybe even great). Trying to hate on it just cause its multi plat is stupid. Not only that but blame it being linear on the 360 is even more stupid. The whole its cause DVD cant handle it bs is just that BS cause the ps3 version of the game take up 40GB. So SE did use the extra blu ray space. If they had of made it open world then more then likely it take at least 2 blu ray disk and we all know how much ps3 owns hat to get off their fat ass and do anything . Even something as simple as changing a disk.

reply: firstly... i am more or less a 360 fan more than a ps3 fan read my older post and u see its clear, heck look at my gametag and its even more clear..but one thing is i will tell the truth as it is .. no matter how bad it hurts..
and the future goes the DVD format is NOT THE WAY... simple, no one said final fantasy wasnt a good game but it could have been better.. and secondly.. the 3dvd vs blu ray thing it terms of just containing the data yes the 3 dvds can do it.. but coupling that with and open explorative world? that is alot of juggling of data and that is alot of HARD HARD work coz the more freedom u want to give to the playing the more similiar data u want to put on each disc so they dont change as often and if u dont do that ppl would be changing disc up to 4 times in the space of an hour ... (e.g i want to go from world A to B and go bk to A to get something and bk to B and C and then A) if u get my little analogy ... that freedom is not easy to make on 3dvd without making it uncomfortable for the player.. if i am changing disc 3 times in the whole play thru that is fine... but a game like final fantasy that its cutsense are over 30 GB.. ther is no space so which even makes it harder ...and if the 40GB data on the ps3 is generally uncompressed mind u ther is an extra 10 GB of free data so i dont see ur silly point of making it 2 blu ray(wht the heck are u smoking), worst come to worse they compresses it and it will still contain more.. and space also affect quality and graphics, the more space a disc has the more polygons can be pushed out since space is not an issue that is why FF13 is not doing hd ON 360..

(sorry for the rant)
but dude i aint a fanboy i am a realist and this game is not just ment for 360 imo... but truthfully i will probably getting it on 360 only coz i am an achievement pro gamer than a trophy but if anything else its ps3 all the way on this game..

ChozenWoan5153d ago

True, as you go further the combat opens up a bit. But that is really just so you can change to a healing Paradigm, hit autocombat, and then back again. It is still more of a button masher.

Add to that the fact that when you lose you just end up right before the last battle makes the game a little too easy. If they at least too you back to your last save then it would make death a little more meaningful.

Also, the fact that the scoring system of each battle doesn't take into account how much damage your party received, or didn't, feels kind of weaksauce. but I'll save that rant for another day.

Lightsaber5152d ago

ChozenWoan I agree with its a bit to easy and you do more or lese just hit the same buttom over and over again. However that how all the FF games are played. I dont know if you are a fan or played any of the others. If you have you do that the FF games have always basically used 2 buttoms. One to select something and another to deselect. FF13 is a lot fast peaced game this is probably why it feels more like a button masher game.

Then again I kind of like those games. Was a big fan of the old beat up arcades. Golden Axe, Final Fight, Capcoms D&D and all thoses.

+ Show (25) more repliesLast reply 5152d ago
Final_Rpg5154d ago

Couldn't spare that last .1 of a mark, could you?

JonnyBigBoss5154d ago

Glad to see it get a little bit of love. Can't wait to finish this game and tell you guys what I think.

happy_gilmore5154d ago (Edited 5154d ago )

they gave it a n 8.5 for graphics. that's it.

yeah, the gaming media sure isn't biased.

@below
how can anyone be threatened by a 30-year old virgin troll like bungie? ign must be a total wussy pu$$y to give in to that f@g's demands.

LordMarius5154d ago (Edited 5154d ago )

Actually the real reason why they didnt was because they got hate mail from Bungie/MGR/TheTruth/GEC/etc, saying they were going to spam the site with porn.

These bots should be ashamed of themselves

/insidesource

chidori6665154d ago

damn you 360 you ruined the best j-rpg of family of ps3!!!!

thank you m$.. :(

chrisulloa5154d ago

"God of War III is beautiful. It's bloody. It's brilliant. But it's not perfect." -PSM Review for God of War 3

100/100
"But it's not perfect."
100/100
"But it's not perfect."

Sure is biased media in here.

nycredude5154d ago

@chris

When are you people going to understand that 100 , 10/10 does NOT mean perfect!? it only means it is amongst the best of the best. We all know there is and will never be a perfect game as there is all types of people with all types of tastes, however why have a 10/10 review system if 10 is never achievable? Why not stop it at 9.8? Use some freaking common sense!

BTW I bought the game yesterday and played about an hour. while the CGI is good looking I wasn't blown away. it could be cause I have been spoiled with the likes of UC1 and UC2, Killzone 2, MGS4 and many other good looking games. When in the gameplay mode it is very clear this games isn't what it could have been if exclusive. However it is still a very good game nonetheless.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5154d ago
ClownBelt5154d ago

Like IGN can change my mind.

This game is AAA for me so screw you guys.

MrMiyagi5154d ago

I agree with you whole heartedly, no matter which platform it is on. I'v been tracking this game since day 1 of E3. Sorry Sony guys, as much as i am of a ps3 fan. I'm more of a Square Enix fan, from the getgo. IGN or any of these review sites, can never persuade me not to buy a Final Fantasy game. Can't wait for the definitive version to play in Full High Definition.

Baba19065154d ago

im only a few hours in but i love it =D. awesome story, great characters and amazing graphics. its ff never dissaopints me and im glad they tryed something new. hope the do the same next time.

Show all comments (110)
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."

Einhander1972117d 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.

Nyxus117d ago

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

Shane Kim116d ago (Edited 116d ago )

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

Elda116d 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_B115d ago

*One of the 3 equally bad FF's

DivineHand125116d ago (Edited 116d 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.

FinalFantasyFanatic116d ago (Edited 116d 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.

FinalFantasyFanatic116d ago (Edited 116d 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.

Gamingsince1981116d ago

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

-Foxtrot116d 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.

Elda115d 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.

-Foxtrot115d ago

Elda

Not just mine mate

A large majority

So….

Traecy115d ago

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

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 115d ago
+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 115d ago
gold_drake117d ago (Edited 117d 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

Eonjay116d ago

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

Snookies12117d 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!

Eonjay116d ago

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

shinoff2183117d ago (Edited 117d 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

KillerB116d 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