FFXIII length speculation

[Final Ultima]

I'm thinking this game will be close or near to 150+ hours. What do you think?

[doeman]

base story? 150 hours? hell no. at max, 90.
with side quests and everything else added, over 200.

[Final Ultima]

base story? 150 hours? hell no. at max, 90.
with side quests and everything else added, over 200.
it's a blu-ray disc and ff12 (DVD) was around 95

[doeman]

it's a blu-ray disc and ff12 (DVD) was around 95 when i said "base story", i meant plowing through it just for that. no exploration and all that other crap. 12 could be beaten in like 60 hours.

it personally took me 85 to reach the last mission, but i had already done some side quests. in total though, i complete about 95% of the game at 170 hours.

i think 13's base story will max out at 90 though.

[mercy0001]

Looooooooooooong...
At least for me, I want to see and enjoy every little detail

[Tidusisasissy]

it's a blu-ray disc and ff12 (DVD) was around 95

I also think that 95 hrs for 12 is pushing it. I could have had it beat in 60hr or so, easy if I hadn't done a crap-load of extra stuff. As for the length of 13, just because it's on a Blu-Ray disc doesn't mean that it will be sooo incredibly longer. You also have to take into account that 13 is on the PS3 this time instead of the PS2 which also means that the visual quality is WAY better than 12 was and thus requires more disc space.

[Final Twilight]

I also think that 95 hrs for 12 is pushing it. I could have had it beat in 60hr or so easy if I hadn't done a crap-load of extra stuff. As for the length of 13, just because it's on a Blu-Ray disc doesn't mean that it will be sooo incredibly longer. You also have to take into account that 13 is on the PS3 this time instead of the PS2 which also means that the visual quality is WAY better than 12 was and that requires more disc space.

This is true, but I doubt Square Enix would do something like that.

In my opinion it could be well over 90 hrs.
With side quests and other "activities" it would be maybe 150 or more

[Tidusisasissy]

This is true, but I doubt Square Enix would do something like that.

In my opinion it could be well over 90 hrs.
With side quests and other "activities" it would be maybe 150 or more

I could agree with 90 or 100 hours but I do think that 150 hours (as stated by the original poster) to finish the main story is probably a bit high.

Square-Enix always adds a ton of extras though into their games and I also agree that it could be over 150 hours to complete everything (Hell, I think I was pushing that by the time I was completely done with 12, my first time around!).

[Xion]

Around FFX length

To go straight through the game probably around 30/40/50 hours, depending on skill levels...to complete everything can vary greatly from player to player but hopefully will be over 100 in average. This is a basic expectation.

[Falsate]

Looooooooooooong...
At least for me, I want to see and enjoy every little detail

I agree with you there especially on a New Final fantasy series. Have to scope out every bit and understand the story. I feel it will be pretty long at about 60.

[boomiko]

just wondering your opinions. you say around 90-110 hours for basic storyline. now this wil have new stages and dialogue and cutscenes along the way. now the demo was 5gb in size for roughly 30-45 minutes of gameplay and its still lacking the finishing touches. even if you round that up to 5gb an hour it still puts the disc size required at... (calculates) 450gb with the average bluray covering 50gb, thats a 9 disc set. now i know that some blurays will hold more(some company made a 16 layer, 400gb bluray[just saw that while surfing]) but that would be financially impractical. the average 360 disc holds 4.7 gb (up to twice that if they dual layer) which would mean you would have to change discs every hour or two at a 90 disc set. that is impractical.

my questions are:

1. how will they shrink the size of the game (via bigger disks or a more efficient way to run the crystal tools engine)?

2. the 360 version, will they downgrade the game to fit or will microsoft bundle it with a dvd/book shelf for all the disc cases it would need?

3. is there something majorly wrong with the way i figured this?

4. would you prefer a multi disc set if it meant a better quality game(ie. story, gameplay, graphics, etc.)

[Lady~Vengeance]

Just to get through the basic story could take about 60+/- hours

Now if you want to go over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house
then obviously it's going to end up being well over 90 hours of gameplay

[Falsate]

just wondering your opinions. you say around 90-110 hours for basic storyline. now this wil have new stages and dialogue and cutscenes along the way. now the demo was 5gb in size for roughly 30-45 minutes of gameplay and its still lacking the finishing touches. even if you round that up to 5gb an hour it still puts the disc size required at... (calculates) 450gb with the average bluray covering 50gb, thats a 9 disc set. now i know that some blurays will hold more(some company made a 16 layer, 400gb bluray[just saw that while surfing]) but that would be financially impractical. the average 360 disc holds 4.7 gb (up to twice that if they dual layer) which would mean you would have to change discs every hour or two at a 90 disc set. that is impractical.

my questions are:

1. how will they shrink the size of the game (via bigger disks or a more efficient way to run the crystal tools engine)?

2. the 360 version, will they downgrade the game to fit or will microsoft bundle it with a dvd/book shelf for all the disc cases it would need?

3. is there something majorly wrong with the way i figured this?

4. would you prefer a multi disc set if it meant a better quality game(ie. story, gameplay, graphics, etc.)

First and foremost, it shouldn't determined incrementally by and based on the demo.Just because the demo was approximately 1 Hour and consumed 5 GB, doesn't nessecarily mean that you multiply it by the total number of hours were speculating. There plenty of reasons why it was 5 GB and could have been much less.

It will likely be on one double layer Blu-ray Disc. I've been thinking they'll alter the tools for the 360 Version, perhaps they'll have it be an installation on the XBOX HDD over 4 discs. Maybe it won't even be installation perchance.

My first paragraph already deals with this question about doing the math incorrectly.

I have a PS3 so I don't know if it will be multi-disc. It's likely it won't be multi-disc.

[stalemate666]

you guys are way off for XII, if you knew what you were doing and went as fast as you could you would probably beat it in 15-20 hours, most of your time in that game goes to hunts

anyways I think X13 will probably be about 60 hours on a normal playthrough without any exploration, and like 10 if you go to fastest possible, and about 160 after side quests, over 200 for maxing out all your characters

[Zezlar]

I believe the story of the game will take just about the same amount of time as the other Final Fantasys. Which is about a standard of 50 hours flat. I believe that if you try do everything, get all summons, weapons, magic, side quests, extra bosses, etc.. etc... I think it will be about 120-130 hours total.

BTW I hope they release a Collectors Edition like they did with FFXII. That metal case is awesome, beats the hell out of the NA Box Art one.

[Ikkin]

Wow, everyone seems to want a really long game. XD

I'd actually prefer the main quest to be highly focused and lacking in filler, and not overly long for the sake of being long. I'd much rather the gameplay in the main portion to be proportional to the story being told at the expense of a shorter main quest.

The extra material should be where the majority of the gameplay comes from - preferably set after the end of the main game rather than during it, so I don't have to stop going forward in the story to enjoy it. TWEWY is a good example of this - the whole game opens up after the ending, and there's tons of extra gameplay for those who want it.

So, my preference would be a fast-paced 25-30 hour main quest with 100+ hours of endgame material, at least some of which includes optional plot elements.

[stalemate666]

Wow, everyone seems to want a really long game. XD

I'd actually prefer the main quest to be highly focused and lacking in filler, and not overly long for the sake of being long. I'd much rather the gameplay in the main portion to be proportional to the story being told at the expense of a shorter main quest.

The extra material should be where the majority of the gameplay comes from - preferably set after the end of the main game rather than during it, so I don't have to stop going forward in the story to enjoy it. TWEWY is a good example of this - the whole game opens up after the ending, and there's tons of extra gameplay for those who want it.

So, my preference would be a fast-paced 25-30 hour main quest with 100+ hours of endgame material, at least some of which includes optional plot elements.

well I think we want more story clips then that, but at the same time I know what your saying, I think the best thing would be a short main story with side quests all over that you don't have to go that out of your way for, and with decent breaks in the story where you can fool around and not feel like your letting a ton of ppl die by doing nothing (FFVII, VIII, X were really bad at that) I really hated that, oh let's go kill sin were about to save the world, but we kinda just got the airship so I want to explore a bit

[Astrozombie]

now the demo was 5gb in size for roughly 30-45 minutes of gameplay and its still lacking the finishing touches. even if you round that up to 5gb an hour it still puts the disc size required at... (calculates) 450gb with the average bluray covering 50gb, thats a 9 disc set.

That's not how it works, buddy. Every hour of the game will not equal 5GB.

[DrStein]

ff12 20hr if i speed play it 50 if u take it asually and 100 to finish the game completly

im really hoping that 13 will be atleast double the size of 12

and as for the multi disk ... i herd a rumor back at the start of the year that they were going to have it on 2 dual layer bluray disks for ps3 and for xbox 10000000000000000000000000000000000 disks xD(your screwed)

[Astrozombie]

Stfu fanboy. People like you ruin topics.

If you really care that much about which console uses less disks, you're bound to still be a when you hit 40.

ON TOPIC.

I want my game to be atleast 100 hours. 200 with all the sidequests would be ideal.

[DrStein]

Stfu fanboy. People like you ruin topics..


whos fanboy??
if its me ... im sorry xD

[chaosblade77]

I'd like it to be long enough to tell the story they want to tell, but not include a lot of filler and not get boring due to repetitive gameplay. That could mean a 20 hour main story, a 60 hour main story, or whatever. It just depends.

For an example, Valkyria Chronicles seemed to end a bit abruptly at about 35 hours, and there was more that could have been done and it would have stayed interesting. On the other hand, FFVII was about the same length, but at times it really seemed to drag on. I think it would have benefited from being a bit shorter and cutting out some of the filler.

[Astrozombie]

FF7 did not drag on. Every moment was the best moment in videogame history.

Aside from Ocarina of Time.

[Zezlar]

FF7 did not drag on. Every moment was the best moment in videogame history.

Aside from Ocarina of Time.

I disagree with both of those. Although while both good games, they are both extremely over exaggerated games.

Also I doubt SE would give us a 20-30 hour Final Fantasy. It just will not happen, so don't get your hopes up. And it does not take up 5 GB for 1 hour people, jesus. >.>

[Astrozombie]

If by exaggerated games you mean best games ever, I agree.

[Zezlar]

If by exaggerated games you mean best games ever, I agree.

No, I do mean over exaggerated games. Don't twist my words.

[DrStein]

i love zelda :D and FF7 but ill tell u one point in ff7 that draged on .... BREADING THOSE DAMN CHOCOBOS fark that was annoying

[Zezlar]

^ That was optional, you didn't have to do that. That is in no way shape or form dragging on the story. Unless you litterally think that Cloud and his team had to take a break from saving the world to have some chocobos fuck each other.

[Ikkin]

well I think we want more story clips then that, but at the same time I know what your saying, I think the best thing would be a short main story with side quests all over that you don't have to go that out of your way for, and with decent breaks in the story where you can fool around and not feel like your letting a ton of ppl die by doing nothing (FFVII, VIII, X were really bad at that) I really hated that, oh let's go kill sin were about to save the world, but we kinda just got the airship so I want to explore a bit

Well, I wasn't suggesting that the story should be cut to shorten the game up. Anything important should be kept, of course. It's just that the last FF game I played (FFIV DS) had some parts that felt like they were added just to increase the game clock - like that 12-floor final dungeon with one save point halfway down and powerful random encounters everywhere, and XII's story took forever to advance because of all the travel in between short little cutscenes.

I'd be perfectly happy with FFXIII being 60 hrs long as long as it has pacing like the demo, since there's a nice feeling of progression there. I just don't want to spend an hour running to the other side of the world without anything much happening plotwise. I just kind of doubt that Squenix can keep the story going for long enough to pace it properly over that long.

[iv4nsbc]

I want a long game ... a game that consumes about 50-60hrs in the main quest and another 50-60hrs to the sidequests ...

No, the game has to be long, long enough to live up to the name ...

[stalemate666]

Well, I wasn't suggesting that the story should be cut to shorten the game up. Anything important should be kept, of course. It's just that the last FF game I played (FFIV DS) had some parts that felt like they were added just to increase the game clock - like that 12-floor final dungeon with one save point halfway down and powerful random encounters everywhere, and XII's story took forever to advance because of all the travel in between short little cutscenes.

I'd be perfectly happy with FFXIII being 60 hrs long as long as it has pacing like the demo, since there's a nice feeling of progression there. I just don't want to spend an hour running to the other side of the world without anything much happening plotwise. I just kind of doubt that Squenix can keep the story going for long enough to pace it properly over that long.

well it all depends, I mean you can't really gauge the time it takes for a game, I mean Mirror's Edge can technically be beaten in under an hour but other ppl take 15 hours to beat the story they averaged it to about 6-10 hours and same with FFIX you could beat it in 10 hours but playing normally it'd probably be about 40-60

I think the reason XII had so little of a story was because they were trying to keep it on one disk, but since XIII has no such problem (at least it didn't, stupid Xbox port, I garrenty were going to lose some intended scenes) we can have a much longer story, and they also need to balance the mini games, you don't want to not be able to play them unless your at a specific place but at the same time you don't want it to be available in a disaster situation but we'll see, anyways I want it so if you rush as fast as you can it's 16-18 hours which would translate into about 60-80 normally and side quests and stuff should make it break at least 150, it might sound like I'm demanding a bit much, but they've been keeping us waiting too long not to demand alot

[cheesepizza]

Seeing as I never just plow through the game.... I'd want the thing to be 150hr+ (Main story 60-70hr sounds good :D So long as the story is actually interesting....)..... Not including "getting lost" time.... Hopefully you won't REALLY get lost in the massive world as Square says but that would be awesome all the same :D

[Falsate]

If by exaggerated games you mean best games ever, I agree.

Go Astro!! Those hours were pretty kickass and it was really fun. The story of FF7 was above average and turned out to be the climax of FFs. For me, that's the climax right there. Good game, good game..

[CeruleanGriever]

i say that storyline will roughly be around 90 - 95 hours maybe
and with the sidequests and everything like a good 150 hours

[doeman]

I disagree with both of those. Although while both good games, they are both extremely over exaggerated games.

Also I doubt SE would give us a 20-30 hour Final Fantasy. It just will not happen, so don't get your hopes up. And it does not take up 5 GB for 1 hour people, jesus. >.> lol? for its time, oot was definitely NOT "exaggerated". i can't say the same about ff7 because i haven't played it, but i wouldn't doubt its awesomeness.

well it all depends, I mean you can't really gauge the time it takes for a game, I mean Mirror's Edge can technically be beaten in under an hour but other ppl take 15 hours to beat the story they averaged it to about 6-10 hours and same with FFIX you could beat it in 10 hours but playing normally it'd probably be about 40-60

I think the reason XII had so little of a story was because they were trying to keep it on one disk, but since XIII has no such problem (at least it didn't, stupid Xbox port, I garrenty were going to lose some intended scenes) we can have a much longer story, and they also need to balance the mini games, you don't want to not be able to play them unless your at a specific place but at the same time you don't want it to be available in a disaster situation but we'll see, anyways I want it so if you rush as fast as you can it's 16-18 hours which would translate into about 60-80 normally and side quests and stuff should make it break at least 150, it might sound like I'm demanding a bit much, but they've been keeping us waiting too long not to demand alot i see what you're trying to say, but about that little comment regarding mirror's edge. that game can't be beaten in under an hour. show me proof first.

Seeing as I never just plow through the game.... I'd want the thing to be 150hr+ (Main story 60-70hr sounds good :D So long as the story is actually interesting....)..... Not including "getting lost" time.... Hopefully you won't REALLY get lost in the massive world as Square says but that would be awesome all the same :D i never plow through games either. sucks for people that feel the need to do so though.

[Hitoshura]

i say that storyline will roughly be around 90 - 95 hours maybe


You got to be joking, we will NEVER EVER see an RPG have that length story wise.

[Astrozombie]

No, I do mean over exaggerated games. Don't twist my words.

"Over exaggerated" is redundant and grammatically incorrect. Stop saying it.

Also, anyone who says those games aren't great obviously was too young to remember when they came out.

[Aurelia]

It's going to be 40+ hours just like any other major JRPG. :wtf:

[Ikkin]

well it all depends, I mean you can't really gauge the time it takes for a game, I mean Mirror's Edge can technically be beaten in under an hour but other ppl take 15 hours to beat the story they averaged it to about 6-10 hours and same with FFIX you could beat it in 10 hours but playing normally it'd probably be about 40-60

Yeah, that's true. Mirror's Edge might not be the best example since from what I've heard, it's a lot of trial and error, but FFIX is a better one (even if I think that the people who did that have to be crazy xD; ).


I think the reason XII had so little of a story was because they were trying to keep it on one disk, but since XIII has no such problem (at least it didn't, stupid Xbox port, I garrenty were going to lose some intended scenes) we can have a much longer story,

Actually, I think that disk space was a lot less of an issue with FFXII than other things, like Matsuno leaving. Story stretches well across multiple discs, since it only ever needs to be available at one point in the game, too, so I doubt the 360 will affect that much. =P The port probably just means that there'll be some places in the world that can't be returned to later (or, require a disc change to return to later).


and they also need to balance the mini games, you don't want to not be able to play them unless your at a specific place but at the same time you don't want it to be available in a disaster situation but we'll see,

I think an interesting way of handling this might be to do something to show that the characters aren't actually participating in the mini-game while the world is in peril, while still having them available at any point. If you keep mini-game playing "non-canon," you don't have to wonder why Lightning is willing to play cards when she's got a mission to do.

Battle sidequests are a bit more problematic because it's clearly the characters themselves who are doing them, which is why I think they should mostly be saved for the endgame once the world is already saved. It'd also allow for more accurate prediction of the player's levels at any particular point, and therefore better difficulty balancing, which is always good. It annoyed me that XII expected me to have been doing hunts while there were more important things to do plotwise.

[Falsate]

90 Hours+ is outrageous, and unnessecary unless it's some type of universal thing. I could see a game like KH being that long because it just makes sense to me with all the different worlds.

[DrStein]

300hrs for the storyline :P i want to still be playing this game when im 50 xD lol jks

[doeman]

90 Hours+ is outrageous, and unnessecary unless it's some type of universal thing. I could see a game like KH being that long because it just makes sense to me with all the different worlds. REALLY??? you think a game like kh could stretch out to 90+ hours (story wise)? i hope you're not forgetting that its an action rpg. you can plow through those allot faster than a standard rpg.

and btw, your idea on a game being long because you get to visit a bunch of different worlds... is.... well, i don't think it makes much sense =/
sure it would help prolong the game, but i believe it all comes down to the actual plot and how long it takes you to complete certain tasks.

[Falsate]

REALLY??? you think a game like kh could stretch out to 90+ hours (story wise)? i hope you're not forgetting that its an action rpg. you can plow through those allot faster than a standard rpg.

and btw, your idea on a game being long because you get to visit a bunch of different worlds... is.... well, i don't think it makes much sense =/
sure it would help prolong the game, but i believe it all comes down to the actual plot and how long it takes you to complete certain tasks.

Actually it makes much sense to me. Each world can contain ALOT of content. That is more logical and makes much sense than what you're thinking. There are plenty of worlds on KH and I feel it could have been expanded much longer. As a side note, the 90+ Hours is obviously hypothetical incase you didn't notice. My statement was: unless it's some type of universal thing
In my view, I see all the worlds as being worth about 6-7 Hours each and then you have it blending in with the main story. Since it's an action RPG, it could involve mastering many different weapons and in the case of KH, have many characters to incorporate especially with Disney.

I think it does make sense. :S

[doeman]

Actually it makes much sense to me. Each world can contain ALOT of content. That is more logical and makes much sense than what you're thinking. There are plenty of worlds on KH and I feel it could have been expanded much longer. As a side note, the 90+ Hours is obviously hypothetical incase you didn't notice. My statement was:
In my view, I see all the worlds as being worth about 6-7 Hours each and then you have it blending in with the main story. Since it's an action RPG, it could involve mastering many different weapons and in the case of KH, have many characters to incorporate especially with Disney.

I think it does make sense. :S
now you're just repeating what i said!!

me - "but i believe it all comes down to the actual plot and how long it takes you to complete certain tasks."

you - "Each world can contain ALOT of content."

in your first post, you said it mattered on the amount of places you visited. the majority of the worlds in kh 1 took like 3-4 hours. kh2, 4-5 hours. that's it.
if there is a game that has lots of places to visit, with lots of things to do, THEN we can have a game that will last over 90+ hours story wise.

ff12 is the longest game that i've played story wise. if i didn't do any sidequest on my play through, i probably would've beaten the game in 65-70ish hours. (i like to take my time and explore)

[Lady~Vengeance]

90+/- hours JUST TO COMPLETE THE STORY is going a little overboard
I've never heard of an RPG storyline lasting that long....ever

[stalemate666]

i see what you're trying to say, but about that little comment regarding mirror's edge. that game can't be beaten in under an hour. show me proof first.
the world records for the speed runs are
1:53
4:30
7:53
5:32
5:48
6:30
3:52
5:02
4:06
4:13
so all together that's
43:19 so yea it's possible at about an hour once you put in elevator rides and scenes but really no1 is going to match all the world records in story mode

I think an interesting way of handling this might be to do something to show that the characters aren't actually participating in the mini-game while the world is in peril, while still having them available at any point. If you keep mini-game playing "non-canon," you don't have to wonder why Lightning is willing to play cards when she's got a mission to do.

Battle sidequests are a bit more problematic because it's clearly the characters themselves who are doing them, which is why I think they should mostly be saved for the endgame once the world is already saved. It'd also allow for more accurate prediction of the player's levels at any particular point, and therefore better difficulty balancing, which is always good. It annoyed me that XII expected me to have been doing hunts while there were more important things to do plotwise.

I'd just rather the characters had some down time, like they know where they need to go, but no rush man, it's all good as opposed to kinda feeling forced to just keep going through the story, maybe even have a part in a big town where you can't trigger the story for like an hour, like everyone has something to do and meet here later, and it actually is later, not just after an event, but I doubt anyone at square would think of that

[cheesepizza]

the world records for the speed runs are
1:53
4:30
7:53
5:32
5:48
6:30
3:52
5:02
4:06
4:13
so all together that's
43:19 so yea it's possible at about an hour once you put in elevator rides and scenes but really no1 is going to match all the world records in story mode



I'd just rather the characters had some down time, like they know where they need to go, but no rush man, it's all good as opposed to kinda feeling forced to just keep going through the story, maybe even have a part in a big town where you can't trigger the story for like an hour, like everyone has something to do and meet here later, and it actually is later, not just after an event, but I doubt anyone at square would think of that

1 hour game = scary as hell...

Anyway... They better have thought of stuff like that! Events being timed or suchsuch (they already had it in FFs from.. I can't remember O_O). Other than that, I agree with the rushed thing... It would make the story so linear and well.. boring I guess...
I love to explore every corner and press X at anything that looks shiny (Which killed me in XII at one point coz DAM THAT EFFING DESERT (I go magpie on my gate crystals too ._.))... Well we were unhappy with linear gameplay and this is the result I guess... Exploring takes me forever but it's all fun :D They spent like what 4 years? getting all the details in... won't let those years of waiting and development go wasted heh

Off topic: In CC.. anyone who played CC... When Zack had escape with Cloud out of Nibelheim and fight off troops who were dragging Cloud away from him, did anyone else go make him fail on purpose? And get "Escape failed. Try Again? -Yes -No"... Yea I thought hat was hilarious XD

[stalemate666]

1 hour game = scary as hell...

Anyway... They better have thought of stuff like that! Events being timed or suchsuch (they already had it in FFs from.. I can't remember O_O). Other than that, I agree with the rushed thing... It would make the story so linear and well.. boring I guess...
I love to explore every corner and press X at anything that looks shiny (Which killed me in XII at one point coz DAM THAT EFFING DESERT (I go magpie on my gate crystals too ._.))... Well we were unhappy with linear gameplay and this is the result I guess... Exploring takes me forever but it's all fun :D They spent like what 4 years? getting all the details in... won't let those years of waiting and development go wasted heh

Off topic: In CC.. anyone who played CC... When Zack had escape with Cloud out of Nibelheim and fight off troops who were dragging Cloud away from him, did anyone else go make him fail on purpose? And get "Escape failed. Try Again? -Yes -No"... Yea I thought hat was hilarious XD

it's not a one hour game, you'd have to master it to beat it in one hour, but it is possible, and I do hope they have timed events and stuff, while i have to go do some stuff meet back here in an hour, then you can go shop, play some mini games, maybe even a side quest in a nearby cave that you have to do alone that would be cool and if you don't show up in time get chewed out for being late

[doeman]

the world records for the speed runs are
1:53
4:30
7:53
5:32
5:48
6:30
3:52
5:02
4:06
4:13
so all together that's
43:19 so yea it's possible at about an hour once you put in elevator rides and scenes but really no1 is going to match all the world records in story mode hrrrmmmmm. ok then. when you put it like that, its possible.

I'd just rather the characters had some down time, like they know where they need to go, but no rush man, it's all good as opposed to kinda feeling forced to just keep going through the story, maybe even have a part in a big town where you can't trigger the story for like an hour, like everyone has something to do and meet here later, and it actually is later, not just after an event, but I doubt anyone at square would think of that. (and what ikkin said) sorry, but i think leaving side quests for the end of the game is a dumb idea =/
however, it definitely makes sense to not be able to start a side quest when you're in the middle of a critical story mission.

ex: lets say you're next mission is to save a princess from the clutches of an enemy who plans on killing her because she is the key to peace between 2 opposing countries (w/e, just roll with my story here..). it would be pretty unrealistic to embark on a serious "side" quest now, wouldn't it? at times like this, if the player starts straying off from the story too much, there are always plenty of ways to stop you from doing so. like, if you start traveling to another area where you're not supposed to be, the character will actually stop and say (in a text bubble over their head), "No, I should be *insert story quest here*"

then, there are regular story missions that are simple like, "go and retrieve object A". there's no rush, nobody is in panic mode, blah blah blah.
it's in situations like this, that i think side quests are ok to go on. i can't imagine the feedback from people if side quests were only allowed at the end of the game. people do those for several reasons ya know! =/
leveling up, extra back story for your own personal benefit, sometimes the side quest actually has something to do with the main story, yada yada.

[cheesepizza]

it's not a one hour game, you'd have to master it to beat it in one hour, but it is possible, and I do hope they have timed events and stuff, while i have to go do some stuff meet back here in an hour, then you can go shop, play some mini games, maybe even a side quest in a nearby cave that you have to do alone that would be cool and if you don't show up in time get chewed out for being late

Yea I know, I meant laying a game like that in 1 hour (and a bit lol)... still scary

Yes and I hope they didn't spend years just making the CG look awesome ._. Add different scenes for different (small) paths you may take such as, as you said, being late to gathering, or... having to set a bomb a certain way and you didn't do it right and nothing happens and you all moan over having to do it again... well it sounds simple but I want fully voiced/well animated sequences that would depict these... not the short lil things we got before...

That would drag the game like hell if it was extremely difficult to do w/e and get i right lol

[stalemate666]

hrrrmmmmm. ok then. when you put it like that, its possible.

sorry, but i think leaving side quests for the end of the game is a dumb idea =/
however, it definitely makes sense to not be able to start a side quest when you're in the middle of a critical story mission.

ex: lets say you're next mission is to save a princess from the clutches of an enemy who plans on killing her because she is the key to peace between 2 opposing countries (w/e, just roll with my story here..). it would be pretty unrealistic to embark on a serious "side" quest now, wouldn't it? at times like this, if the player starts straying off from the story too much, there are always plenty of ways to stop you from doing so. like, if you start traveling to another area where you're not supposed to be, the character will actually stop and say (in a text bubble over their head), "No, I should be *insert story quest here*"

then, there are regular story missions that are simple like, "go and retrieve object A". there's no rush, nobody is in panic mode, blah blah blah.
it's in situations like this, that i think side quests are ok to go on. i can't imagine the feedback from people if side quests were only allowed at the end of the game. people do those for several reasons ya know! =/
leveling up, extra back story for your own personal benefit, sometimes the side quest actually has something to do with the main story, yada yada.

I think it should be more like random character #1 "okay so where's our next stop random character #2 "insert location" random blond character #3 "hey isn't that near that legendary cave thingy"

so basically just off handly mention some side quests while your going to some place for some unimportant reason

[Xion]

Did this spin off into a Mirrors Edge discussion...lol

[Falsate]

now you're just repeating what i said!!

me - "but i believe it all comes down to the actual plot and how long it takes you to complete certain tasks."

you - "Each world can contain ALOT of content."

in your first post, you said it mattered on the amount of places you visited. the majority of the worlds in kh 1 took like 3-4 hours. kh2, 4-5 hours. that's it.
if there is a game that has lots of places to visit, with lots of things to do, THEN we can have a game that will last over 90+ hours story wise.

ff12 is the longest game that i've played story wise. if i didn't do any sidequest on my play through, i probably would've beaten the game in 65-70ish hours. (i like to take my time and explore)

The difference between what i said and you said is that you were disagreeing with me. I was actually defending what I said. Bottom line thats what I feel KH can be. Keyword: I.

Not to mention I didn't say anything about the KH1 and KH2, I expressed "hypothetically" KH could be a longer game because they have many worlds that can be loaded with content. basically what I'm saying is due to the worlds, they could (IF they wanted) add alot of detail and depth into the worlds to make it a long game. I never said anything about a game ACTUALLY being 90 Hours. :\

[doeman]

I think it should be more like random character #1 "okay so where's our next stop random character #2 "insert location" random blond character #3 "hey isn't that near that legendary cave thingy"

so basically just off handly mention some side quests while your going to some place for some unimportant reason you ever play a "tales" game before? they have little mini-skits between the characters ever-so-often. the dialogue is used to show the relationship between the characters and what they have to say about certain events in the game. its something that i kinda wish SE would implement into a ff game and improve upon at the same time. the "tales" version of mini-skits has some flaws.

The difference between what i said and you said is that you were disagreeing with me. I was actually defending what I said. Bottom line thats what I feel KH can be. Keyword: I.

Not to mention I didn't say anything about the KH1 and KH2, I expressed "hypothetically" KH could be a longer game because they have many worlds that can be loaded with content. basically what I'm saying is due to the worlds, they could (IF they wanted) add alot of detail and depth into the worlds to make it a long game. I never said anything about a game ACTUALLY being 90 Hours. :\ yea, you lost me, but i see what you're saying now.

[Zeromous99]

I hope its at least 100 hours with base storyline ,sidequests and anything else, if so ill be happy.

[Ikkin]

I think it should be more like random character #1 "okay so where's our next stop random character #2 "insert location" random blond character #3 "hey isn't that near that legendary cave thingy"

so basically just off handly mention some side quests while your going to some place for some unimportant reason

Hmm, that would be a good way to do it, too, since it would keep the sidequests tied into the story.

But, again, there's always the balance issue to worry about - it's annoying if the game expects me to do sidequests that I don't want to do in order to be powerful enough to beat the next boss, but it's also annoying if doing sidequests means that I'll be overleveled. And considering the style of encounters in XIII, balance seems like it could be an even bigger issue than usual.

[doeman]

Hmm, that would be a good way to do it, too, since it would keep the sidequests tied into the story.

But, again, there's always the balance issue to worry about - it's annoying if the game expects me to do sidequests that I don't want to do in order to be powerful enough to beat the next boss, but it's also annoying if doing sidequests means that I'll be overleveled. And considering the style of encounters in XIII, balance seems like it could be an even bigger issue than usual. then don't do the side quests. simple. if you can't beat an enemy with the amount of xp you've earned from story quests, then just go and level grind.
seriously, it's like its never perfect for you. it's either too much or too little. come on man...

[Fenryr]

Well, considering the length of XII seemed so short to me (I tried the side-quests, sucked at them and couldn't really be assed to go through the whole system) I really would prefer a 40 hour main story running up to 100 or perhaps more hours overall.

That being said, I'd love the main story to be extremely long, yet wouldn't want that to comprimise the actual plot. Oh well, in a perfect world perhaps.

[Ikkin]

then don't do the side quests. simple. if you can't beat an enemy with the amount of xp you've earned from story quests, then just go and level grind.
seriously, it's like its never perfect for you. it's either too much or too little. come on man...

Level grinding and forced side-quests are just two sides of the same problem, though - I'm not able to do what I really want, which is to see the next part of the story. ;)

Though I have to admit, I never found it an issue in FFIII and IV that I would have needed to grind if I hadn't been completing the maps. Having convenient sidequests with immediate rewards would probably make the issue moot.

[Darkangel-XI]

I'd say 30 hours, that's the length for most FFs. Side quests and minigames could bring it up to like 70 though.

[Thunder]

I'd say 50 for sotryline + minimun amount of side quest.

[ExodusVII]

I didn't read every post but am I the only one who thinks the game is going to be shorter than previous titles? Every next gen title so far has been shorter than previous outputs in the same franchises. It takes longer to develop anything on this generation than ever before. Just look at RE5, it's like half the length of RE4 despite having more money and time invested into it. Same can be said for GTAIV, Halo 3, Ninja Gaiden II and just about every title I can think of with the possible exception of MGS4.

And as for people equating the size of previous gen titles to next gen titles, lol at that logic. Just because FFX is 4.5 gigs, it does not mean that FFXIII - at 50 gigs is going to be 10 times longer.... the demo was bigger than 5 gigs, and it's not even close to the length of X... Got to factor in High Def video, higher pixel counts, more complex engines and improved sound quality. Why do I even need to point this out to anyone!?

[Falsate]

Sometimes I'm thinking in my head it will be a shorter game because of the capacity. That was what I thought a long time ago, now I'm thinking it will touch on just 50 Hours. It will be one of those high quality, but short in length games.

[Sanji]

Why do I even need to point this out to anyone!?

Actually no one asked you to do it.

[Aurelia]

sorry, but i think leaving side quests for the end of the game is a dumb idea =/
however, it definitely makes sense to not be able to start a side quest when you're in the middle of a critical story mission.

You mean you've NEVER done that in FFXII? That entire game was a fucking tangent. Sure I was SUPPOSED to go an explore the Draklor laboratory, but there's this crazy bitch with big boobs asking me to kill her pet, and that's exactly what I'm gonna do... after I help a Viera kill this ginormous wyvern and have race with Rikken and Elza.

[Wandering Hands]

Vayne? Fuck Vayne. RARE HUNT CLUB PLZ.

Hate for FFXII is more regular than my period.

[chaosblade77]

I didn't read every post but am I the only one who thinks the game is going to be shorter than previous titles? Every next gen title so far has been shorter than previous outputs in the same franchises. It takes longer to develop anything on this generation than ever before. Just look at RE5, it's like half the length of RE4 despite having more money and time invested into it. Same can be said for GTAIV, Halo 3, Ninja Gaiden II and just about every title I can think of with the possible exception of MGS4.

And as for people equating the size of previous gen titles to next gen titles, lol at that logic. Just because FFX is 4.5 gigs, it does not mean that FFXIII - at 50 gigs is going to be 10 times longer.... the demo was bigger than 5 gigs, and it's not even close to the length of X... Got to factor in High Def video, higher pixel counts, more complex engines and improved sound quality. Why do I even need to point this out to anyone!?
I agree that it's ridiculous to associate the size of the media to the length of the game - we were getting 40 hour games on the SNES which had 2MB-6MB cartridges.

I'm not sure it's safe to say the game will be shorter just because other games are shorter too. I also don't believe it will be much longer, if any longer, than recent FF games. If I'm not mistaken mainline FF games average something like 30-40 hours for the main story on the first playthrough, maybe longer depending on how you play (exploring/minigames/screwing around could make it longer), so I expect it to fall in that range. I haven't played the PS2 games though, admittedly, so I don't know if that average reflects them.

[stalemate666]

Hmm, that would be a good way to do it, too, since it would keep the sidequests tied into the story.

But, again, there's always the balance issue to worry about - it's annoying if the game expects me to do sidequests that I don't want to do in order to be powerful enough to beat the next boss, but it's also annoying if doing sidequests means that I'll be overleveled. And considering the style of encounters in XIII, balance seems like it could be an even bigger issue than usual.

you know you could just skip the side quest and go to your destination, it's just hinting at where it is

I agree that it's ridiculous to associate the size of the media to the length of the game - we were getting 40 hour games on the SNES which had 2MB-6MB cartridges.

I'm not sure it's safe to say the game will be shorter just because other games are shorter too. I also don't believe it will be much longer, if any longer, than recent FF games. If I'm not mistaken mainline FF games average something like 30-40 hours for the main story on the first playthrough, maybe longer depending on how you play (exploring/minigames/screwing around could make it longer), so I expect it to fall in that range. I haven't played the PS2 games though, admittedly, so I don't know if that average reflects them.

Personally I think it will be a little shorter then XII was for most ppl, but most of the time in XII was running around trying to find something, so it will be way faster paced then XII even though it's not seamless battle but I mean they spent like 5 years on it, so it's going to have a ton of maps as for the size, it's probably going to be 25-35 gigs but the demo is no indication of the length, but the main 2 size takers are clips and maps so I think it's safe to assume we'll have alot of maps which will effect the length

[ExodusVII]

Actually no one asked you to do it.

O, I forgot we are working on the basis that all posts must first be asked for. Correcting something which is clearly a fallacy is definitely something I should request permission for, particularly from you. And replying to rhetorical questions only serves to alleviate any intelligence in a thread...

[Lady~Vengeance]

I agree that it's ridiculous to associate the size of the media to the length of the game - we were getting 40 hour games on the SNES which had 2MB-6MB cartridges.

That's true, what if S-E told us the demo took up 5 gigs (or what ever it was) just to throw us off? It's highly probable in my opinion. I mean they make us wait a thousand years for the game to release, why not f*ck with the fan base and make them assume things that are totally extraneous ^_^

[Ikkin]

That's true, what if S-E told us the demo took up 5 gigs (or what ever it was) just to throw us off? It's highly probable in my opinion. I mean they make us wait a thousand years for the game to release, why not f*ck with the fan base and make them assume things that are totally extraneous ^_^

Squenix didn't tell anyone how much size the demo took up. =P That was done by some people with Blu-ray computer drives (or PS3 Linux) and way too much time on their hands.

The demo's size says basically nothing about the final game, though, since the demo's so limited in terms of gameplay assets and most of its size comes from the massive uncompressed 1080p video. The enemies and NPCs are the best example of this. There's maybe ten distinct NPC models, three unique enemy models, and three bosses - compare that to the number of enemies and NPCs you can expect in the full game.

[Lady~Vengeance]

The demo's size says basically nothing about the final game, though, since the demo's so limited in terms of gameplay assets and most of its size comes from the massive uncompressed 1080p video. The enemies and NPCs are the best example of this. There's maybe ten distinct NPC models, three unique enemy models, and three bosses - compare that to the number of enemies and NPCs you can expect in the full game.

exactly my point, we cannot judge the final game's capacity space wise until it actually hits shores.

[Falsate]

I've been saying that forever.

[doeman]

I didn't read every post but am I the only one who thinks the game is going to be shorter than previous titles? Every next gen title so far has been shorter than previous outputs in the same franchises. It takes longer to develop anything on this generation than ever before. Just look at RE5, it's like half the length of RE4 despite having more money and time invested into it. Same can be said for GTAIV, Halo 3, Ninja Gaiden II and just about every title I can think of with the possible exception of MGS4.

And as for people equating the size of previous gen titles to next gen titles, lol at that logic. Just because FFX is 4.5 gigs, it does not mean that FFXIII - at 50 gigs is going to be 10 times longer.... the demo was bigger than 5 gigs, and it's not even close to the length of X... Got to factor in High Def video, higher pixel counts, more complex engines and improved sound quality. Why do I even need to point this out to anyone!?
i agree with you 100%. games today are shorter, so lets hope that ff13 ends up as one of those "exceptions". it does take more effort to make these new gen games, so sadly, sacrifices are made one way or the other.

i believe in SE and i don't think they'll screw this up. shit, they HAVE been working on the game for how many years now? since the ps2 days? yea..

[Jay_Z]

Also, anyone who says those games aren't great obviously was too young to remember when they came out.

Or perhaps they don't look upon them with the same rose-tinted glasses you do?

Anyway, I'll be reasonable and say I want about 50 hours for just the main story content but 100+ for extras n' such.

[Falsate]

Or perhaps they don't look upon them with the same rose-tinted glasses you do?

Anyway, I'll be reasonable and say I want about 50 hours for just the main story content but 100+ for extras n' such.

Agreed, I don't think we'll expect an extraordinary story length. 100 Extra Hours of gameplay would be bomb though.

[stalemate666]

Agreed, I don't think we'll expect an extraordinary story length. 100 Extra Hours of gameplay would be bomb though.

As long as side quests and mini games are available before the end of the game it's fine, I hate it when there's nothing but story for the majority of the game then in the end when things are getting the most intense storywise everything else becomes available

[Falsate]

As long as side quests and mini games are available before the end of the game it's fine, I hate it when there's nothing but story for the majority of the game then in the end when things are getting the most intense storywise everything else becomes available


Oh I hate that as well. It's like, I could have had those weapons and not struggle with an earlier boss in the game. I personally like the freedom of being able to accomplish any sidequests and minigames before the end. Plus it seems like everything is just "missing" in the end.

A good example that like always happens in FFs is the last boss battle. They always have it ready so you can finish the game but to me it feels like "empty". Ehh..can't explain.

[doeman]

As long as side quests and mini games are available before the end of the game it's fine, I hate it when there's nothing but story for the majority of the game then in the end when things are getting the most intense storywise everything else becomes available

Oh I hate that as well. It's like, I could have had those weapons and not struggle with an earlier boss in the game. I personally like the freedom of being able to accomplish any sidequests and minigames before the end. Plus it seems like everything is just "missing" in the end.

A good example that like always happens in FFs is the last boss battle. They always have it ready so you can finish the game but to me it feels like "empty". Ehh..can't explain.
by golly, there are others out there like me!!!! hah, where's YOU'RE possy ikkin?? yeaaaaaaa... where's you're possy?

[Falsate]

Like in the end of the game I start questioning, is that really it? Can't believe the game is about to be over so soon.

[Zezlar]

I like that there are side-quests and other extras that are available over the course in the game. But I still hope that SE maintains a strong amount of extras towards the end of the game like they did with Final Fantasy XII. I spent countless hours working on those extras, and I had alot of fun.

[Xion]

Im sure FFXIII will be long enough, and hopefully meaty. Probably not as long and meaty as my dick but good enough by current standards. :wtf:

[Zezlar]

Im sure FFXIII will be long enough, and hopefully meaty. Probably not as long and meaty as my dick but good enough by current standards. :wtf:

Lol that was quite odd Xion.

[Falsate]

FFXII was pure fun at the end. Alot of Mark Hunting and getting ultimate weapons. Loved getting the Tournesol. What really kept me puzzled though was getting into Gangarvan whatever. I was playing for hours lost lol! YIAZMAT KICKED ASS. It was fun times..

[Xion]

FFXII was pure fun at the end. Alot of Mark Hunting and getting ultimate weapons. Loved getting the Tournesol. What really kept me puzzled though was getting into Gangarvan whatever. I was playing for hours lost lol! YIAZMAT KICKED ASS. It was fun times..

If it includes things swith names like Tournesol and Yiazmat .. im going to have to play FFXII :awesome:

[Zezlar]

FFXII was pure fun at the end. Alot of Mark Hunting and getting ultimate weapons. Loved getting the Tournesol. What really kept me puzzled though was getting into Gangarvan whatever. I was playing for hours lost lol! YIAZMAT KICKED ASS. It was fun times..

Yiazmat took me like 5 hours to take down. I could take out like 10 Million HP an hour. I had to save at about 25 Million to take a break. He was pretty hard to kill, but if you knew what you were doing it wasn't that bad. Omega Weapon from FF8 is still more of a pain in the ass I think.

[Xion]

Omega Weapon from FF8 is still more of a pain in the ass I think.


ugh! dont remind me of that..my ass is still sore :V

[Falsate]

I screed myself like twice fighting Yiazmat when it got down to like 10M i accidently went behind the stadium and it regenrated to like 20M

[doeman]

FFXII was pure fun at the end. Alot of Mark Hunting and getting ultimate weapons. Loved getting the Tournesol. What really kept me puzzled though was getting into Gangarvan whatever. I was playing for hours lost lol! YIAZMAT KICKED ASS. It was fun times..
lol, yea the ultima weapons and yiazmat sure were fun.... or not?

screw the ultima weapons. i gave up searching for their ingredients 4 hours in because i didn't come across ONE piece. and i actually found the fomalhaut in a chest/vase, but i reloaded the game for some reason that i can't remember, so when i went back for it, it wasn't there. so yea, fuck that.

and yiazmat just takes too long. i think it took me 15 minutes to take off 20% of one of the 30+ health bars. on youtube it shows you how to do it faster, but too lazy.

[Kokayi]

I hope it's long. Other than FFs and Tales games, most RPGs are becoming as short as action/RPGs and action adventure games which usually clock in at about 30-40 hours. I want 100. And I don't think, with them saying it's "massive" that that's farfetched. I also want that for V13 and A13. All of which are said to break the bank when it comes to world size and things to do.

[stalemate666]

lol, yea the ultima weapons and yiazmat sure were fun.... or not?

screw the ultima weapons. i gave up searching for their ingredients 4 hours in because i didn't come across ONE piece. and i actually found the fomalhaut in a chest/vase, but i reloaded the game for some reason that i can't remember, so when i went back for it, it wasn't there. so yea, fuck that.

and yiazmat just takes too long. i think it took me 15 minutes to take off 20% of one of the 30+ health bars. on youtube it shows you how to do it faster, but too lazy.

I hate it when they do stuff like that, I mean atleast put a mini story in as a reward for defeating it or a really good clip, instead of stuff you no longer need cuz you just beat the hardest thing in the game, but then again this game will have trophies but I'd still prefer a good clip of character interaction, atleast like 5-10 mins for something that like

[Kokayi]

I agree. It's pointless unless weapons are transfered over into a new game + or some such distraction. I like Tales of Legendia's continue + the best. It allowed you to play 50 more hours at least of story drive game play all about the supporting cast and their past since the main game was all about Senel and Shirley. KHrCOM was good for a nice continue + too. Playing as Riku, un heard of until the end of KH2. And with BBS, you get to play any of the 3 leads and then play the next one all the way until you played all three. You can even switch between them mid game.

The only fun short game that comes to mind for me is KH1, Musashi 2, Chrono Cross and Phantasy Star Portable.

I've hear people started hating movie scenes in RPGs ever since FF9 and Xenosage 1. They say they're just glits and galmore to, as one forum gamer stated "get fangirl's dicks wet for graphics". Shameless. ... And nonsensical. But no matter, in the end I think that FF13 will be at ver least of a satisfying length we can all enjoy.

[Ikkin]

by golly, there are others out there like me!!!! hah, where's YOU'RE possy ikkin?? yeaaaaaaa... where's you're possy?

Calling me out? XD

Honestly, though, that's not really what I asked for. I don't want everything to become available at the end, when I should be going after the main boss. I want the majority of sidequests to become available after the end, to avoid the possibility of completely breaking the game. ;)

Though I never intended to say that there should be no opportunity to go off the path during the game. Just that it should be kept reasonable, both within the story and in relation to game balance.


I've hear people started hating movie scenes in RPGs ever since FF9 and Xenosage 1. They say they're just glits and galmore to, as one forum gamer stated "get fangirl's dicks wet for graphics". Shameless. ... And nonsensical. But no matter, in the end I think that FF13 will be at ver least of a satisfying length we can all enjoy.

That quote doesn't make sense at all. XD

I really wish that people would stop complaining that JRPGs are JRPGs. People who don't like cutscenes ought to go find themselves a genre that doesn't have them - say, Rogue-likes or WRPGs - and stop insisting that the things that we enjoy should be wiped out.

[Xion]

The only Genre that doesnt have cutscenes per-se is Racing simulator....Cars dont talk. But even an Intro movie is a cutscene soo..technically every game has cutscenes

err w/e, stupid thing to say

[stalemate666]

Calling me out? XD

Honestly, though, that's not really what I asked for. I don't want everything to become available at the end, when I should be going after the main boss. I want the majority of sidequests to become available after the end, to avoid the possibility of completely breaking the game. ;)

Though I never intended to say that there should be no opportunity to go off the path during the game. Just that it should be kept reasonable, both within the story and in relation to game balance.




That quote doesn't make sense at all. XD

I really wish that people would stop complaining that JRPGs are JRPGs. People who don't like cutscenes ought to go find themselves a genre that doesn't have them - say, Rogue-likes or WRPGs - and stop insisting that the things that we enjoy should be wiped out.
especially since there's a skip option

[Falsate]

I was just thinking of getting a racing game too just because the cars look so smooth and cool. Which reminds me, so there are still airships in FFXIII? I wonder if they'll make a little airship battles minigame.

[Hopang]

I say it will be 30-50 hours first time depending on how quickly you wanna progress throughout the game....

Now with 100% secret, items, ect ect.... I would say around 90-100 hours.

those were my average times I spent on playing ff7-12. So I'm assuming it will be the same.

[doeman]

Though I never intended to say that there should be no opportunity to go off the path during the game. Just that it should be kept reasonable, both within the story and in relation to game balance. wait, let's say there's a "side quest" that has something to do with the story k? how is it possible to stay within the "game balance" if you complete it? side quests are usually meant for extra xp/better items. by doing it, you'd be over the game balance would you not?

I was just thinking of getting a racing game too just because the cars look so smooth and cool. Which reminds me, so there are still airships in FFXIII? I wonder if they'll make a little airship battles minigame.
ya know what'd be great? free control of an airship, though i think that would be very hard to accomplish in ff13. i don't think se is making this game like the old school ff's, where you have an over world map to fly on. if its like ff12, i don't think the ps3 has the power to handle an airship flying over it's massive world. possible? maybe. gta4 does it. but the graphics aren't on par with ff13. not even close, so it's easier to process the images on screen quicker. (or something like that)

^anyone wanna help me out here?

[Astrozombie]

wait, let's say there's a "side quest" that has something to do with the story k? how is it possible to stay within the "game balance" if you complete it? side quests are usually meant for extra xp/better items. by doing it, you'd be over the game balance would you not?

You've never played FF7 have you?

[doeman]

You've never played FF7 have you? i mentioned in my own thread that i haven't gotten to it yet. after i beat tales of the abyss i'll get to it.

why? there are story-type side quests with no rewards in that game?

[DrStein]

Yiazmat took me like 5 hours to take down. I could take out like 10 Million HP an hour. I had to save at about 25 Million to take a break. He was pretty hard to kill, but if you knew what you were doing it wasn't that bad. Omega Weapon from FF8 is still more of a pain in the ass I think.

omega wasnt a pain in the arse .. he was a giant black man u bent over and a bottle of chilli sauce

[Sadistic]

I somehow managed to get 290+ hours out of FFXII, around 160 from FFX, and something like 380 hours out of GotY edition Oblivion (PS3).
I want Final Fantasy XIII to dwarf those playtimes. It would be satisfactory if the main story is about 120 hours, with over 300 hours of sidequests, not including 'secret' ones and mini-games. 10+ incredible super bosses would be nice, too.
I find that the majority of games this generation aren't worth the $120 they're sold for. Maybe FFXIII will be different.

[cheesepizza]

FFXII was pure fun at the end. Alot of Mark Hunting and getting ultimate weapons. Loved getting the Tournesol. What really kept me puzzled though was getting into Gangarvan whatever. I was playing for hours lost lol! YIAZMAT KICKED ASS. It was fun times..

If you're talking about Giruvagen (sp?), I got totally screwed over in there... was stuck at the shiny place with the dam riddle in the rock for ages o gawd....

Yea and Yiazmat XD God if it was turn based I think I would have been bored to death...

On topic: Again I must say, I hope they didn't spend years making pretty graphics... yes I do complain about crap graphics but STORY PLEASE OMG THE STORY D: Years of development should be proportional to the amount of time a typical gamer has to spend on the game :wtf:
And I agree with IBeatSephiroth

Anyway.... if Famitsu gives it a 41/40 then it should be a good sign.... hopefully lolz

[Falsate]

If you're talking about Giruvagen (sp?), I got totally screwed over in there... was stuck at the shiny place with the dam riddle in the rock for ages o gawd....

Yea and Yiazmat XD God if it was turn based I think I would have been bored to death...

On topic: Again I must say, I hope they didn't spend years making pretty graphics... yes I do complain about crap graphics but STORY PLEASE OMG THE STORY D: Years of development should be proportional to the amount of time a typical gamer has to spend on the game :wtf:
And I agree with IBeatSephiroth

Anyway.... if Famitsu gives it a 41/40 then it should be a good sign.... hopefully lolz

There we go Giruvegan... I actually loved with they did with the Giant Crystal. That place was awesome and had you trying to figure out the Zodiac pattern for hours. I did it all by myself even though it was a bit hard at first to survive. All my characters were at least 90+ before I ventured back for Ultima and Omega Mark.

[ExodusVII]

I don't even want the game to be 'unjustifiably' long. At 200 or more hours, no matter how good the game, keeping it fresh is close to impossible and pursuing it further can stagnate the experience. Don't get me wrong, a long and enticing game would be great, but long and enticing are compromises that expend each other too easily...

[Lady~Vengeance]

Just as long as I can get a good run out of playing the game, I'll be one happy camper. ^_^

[Rideru]

i just want the game in total, story plus all the extras, to be no less than 150 hours. i'll be happy then.

[BlizzarddeX]

i just want the game in total, story plus all the extras, to be no less than 150 hours. i'll be happy then.

Well, 50-60 hour game play, main story.

Side quest + extra (depending on how much you want to do) ~20-30 hours.

I refuse to believe a game can take more than 100 hours or like >4 days of your life unless someone is really slow gamer and back tracks within the game a lot or does a lot of sight seeing.

In the end it depends on the gamers level.

[ExodusVII]

Well, 50-60 hour game play, main story.

Side quest + extra (depending on how much you want to do) ~20-30 hours.

I refuse to believe a game can take more than 100 hours or like >4 days of your life unless someone is really slow gamer and back tracks within the game a lot or does a lot of sight seeing.

In the end it depends on the gamers level.

Not to mention grinding. Some people like to level their characters to the point where the games AI doesn't stand a chance. When I finished VII for the first time, my characters walked over Sephiroth, Emerald and Ruby.

[TheKyleWins]

I would really want it to be about 75+ hours of story gameplay (so long as it is relevent to your current situation in that particular part of the game) and at least 160 hours for 100% playthrough. However, so long as it has an amazing storyline and extremely fun battle system as most FF's do, then I'll be happy just playing it over and over and over.

[Falsate]

Not to mention grinding. Some people like to level their characters to the point where the games AI doesn't stand a chance. When I finished VII for the first time, my characters walked over Sephiroth, Emerald and Ruby.

That's exactly what I like to do, level my characters so I have no future problems. :P

[stalemate666]

That's exactly what I like to do, level my characters so I have no future problems. :P

That's why I think more sidequests should be available at lower levels so you can do them and gain a main edge with the story mode but not have to go to far out of your way to do it, kinda like that payable summon in X, what was his name again, anyways, I think that was a really good side quest with good placing and everything albeit a little short but you see my point, story aspects in the side quest, not technically part of main story mode, but relatively easy to go through it and not interrupt the story mode

and another thing, it's really hard to pin point the length of a game, especially one of this nature, because a lot of ppl felt that FF9 had like a 60 hour story, but it was possible to do it in 10, an experienced player could probably do it in 30 and a novice might take as much as 100 to complete it, and the mini games are impossible to tell, take blitzball for example you only have to play that one game you don't even have to win, but you can spend like 10-25 maybe even 50+ hours (if you really really like it) even though the rewards in it were minimal(ppl would consider a 100% play through getting wakka's overdrives, nothing more)

[Zezlar]

That's why I think more sidequests should be available at lower levels so you can do them and gain a main edge with the story mode but not have to go to far out of your way to do it, kinda like that payable summon in X, what was his name again, anyways, I think that was a really good side quest with good placing and everything albeit a little short but you see my point, story aspects in the side quest, not technically part of main story mode, but relatively easy to go through it and not interrupt the story mode

and another thing, it's really hard to pin point the length of a game, especially one of this nature, because a lot of ppl felt that FF9 had like a 60 hour story, but it was possible to do it in 10, an experienced player could probably do it in 30 and a novice might take as much as 100 to complete it, and the mini games are impossible to tell, take blitzball for example you only have to play that one game you don't even have to win, but you can spend like 10-25 maybe even 50+ hours (if you really really like it) even though the rewards in it were minimal(ppl would consider a 100% play through getting wakka's overdrives, nothing more)

His name was Yojimbo, and he was quite useless.

[stalemate666]

His name was Yojimbo, and he was quite useless.

are you kidding, he could kill every enemy on the screen in one attack right after you got him and had a high dodge rate, he was very useful, plus he was summoned/attacked faster then the other aeon's, so using him would save you time just because he didnt have an overdrive didn't make him useless, and it was still a good place for a side quest with good story added to it

[Zezlar]

Yeah, I don't deny that it was a decent sidequest, and he did have an over drive. You just had to pay a ridicoulous amount of money for him to activate it. One time I paid him 2 Million Gil and he did a regular attack. I restarted and tried it again and he activated it. The move is called Zanmato I believe, if you have ever played FFX-2 he uses it on you in that too.

I personally enjoyed doing the Anima and Magus Sister side-quests.

[stalemate666]

Yeah, I don't deny that it was a decent sidequest, and he did have an over drive. You just had to pay a ridicoulous amount of money for him to activate it. One time I paid him 2 Million Gil and he did a regular attack. I restarted and tried it again and he activated it. The move is called Zanmato I believe, if you have ever played FFX-2 he uses it on you in that too.

I personally enjoyed doing the Anima and Magus Sister side-quests.

technically his overdrive just made him do a slightly stronger attack when you payed him his normal rate, and that one attack of his was just his best attack that you have to pay alot for him to do and not an overdrive, since he does have the overdrive bar but yea that doesn't matter lol, I didn't really like Anima side quest and Magus Sisters was that good either, Anima's was make sure you have the treasure in all temples, mash X while searching on the world map thing, go there beat anima and get anima, overly complicated, and not avaiable till you get the airship and want to go after sin such everyones like let's kill sin we can kill sin, we know how to kill sin every second we wait hundreds of ppl might be dieing well you get the picture, I hate it when side quest become available just as the story is getting to the world depends on us acting now part

[Kokayi]

"why? there are story-type side quests with no rewards in that game?"~Doeman
I think a lot of quests in FF7 had rewards. Like Vincent's quests give you his secret limit break. There's a downed sub you can find to get Heavenly Cloud (Cloud's weapon of great power, not as strong as Ultima Weapon though). And so on...

Enjoying TotA? Fun right. I liked it too. Other than Phantasia and Legendia, it's the only Tales games I got to play. Sad. I hope Vesperia coms to the US on PS3.

Here's a question: Despite how long it may be, with the promise of much more difficulty, are we prepare to train to 100 if need be? I try not to play a game with a guide the first time. I write my own. But this time I might need one like with FF10 against Sin. But do I want to wait for a guid before playing?

I rarely do that myself. In FF7 I always finish around 60 and usually can't beat any of the weapons except the flying one (ruby I think). In FF8 I was forced to go to 100 and STILL didn't beat Ultimecia to this DAY! I'm so ashamed. I've only heard of the ending. I refuse to watch it as punishment for giving up. Remember that zoo-like place with the school in 8? Remember the super hard T.Rexs therein? In 10 there was no level but I souped up my character to GREAT length and replayed from the last save point finding hidden weapons. I did beat Omega before finishing the game.

Buttomline for me is, since I rarely have money for new games and am picky about what RPGs I play I take a long time and milk games like FF13. I would never speed through (not that I saying this about yall) just so I could say "I won! I beat it first!" Some people do that and lose the whole point of the game's plot by constantly skipping a quest here, and not talking to a person there.

I agree, Statesman.
I feel like the sidequests should be voiced and a part of the main plot too. Not that you have to do them but you can and the character refer to how they fit in the plot in a journal or a conversation after the quest. Like for example:

The party kills a deadly necromancer and his ghost minions in a side quest.
Tidus: Auron, what was all this really about?
Auron: This man could control souls. This man may not have know the full extent of what he had in his hands. If he really knew he was one-step away from creating an oversoul much like you came from, I doubt he'd simply use the soul to opress people.
Lulu: He was only able to do so by barrowing power from Yu Yevon and his followers. Now more than ever we need to end all this madness.

[doeman]

Enjoying TotA? Fun right. I liked it too. Other than Phantasia and Legendia, it's the only Tales games I got to play. Sad. I hope Vesperia coms to the US on PS3.
i've only played 3 tales games. tales of symphonia, tales of legendia and tales of the abyss.

tos was my first, so i didn't really know what to expect from a tales game. overall, i thought that game was great. it had some problems (what game doesn't?), but it wasn't anything too bad.

then, i picked up legendia. it was for the ps2 and its release date came after tos. overall thoughts? not that great... not that great at all.... it was a definite downgrade from tos. dunno how in the world that happened though. i didn't even beat the game. as soon as i reached the halway point, the game had me do pure backtracking quests. epic phail. i didn't want to force myself through it so i gave up.

now i'm not tota. much better than legendia and tos in someways (eg: combat system), but they story is...... meh. shit happens and i'm like, "ok?".

anyway, what i want to say is, these tales games are enjoyable, but shit man, i wish they would mix it up a little bit more. not saying they should go to the extremes like ff and flip flop the combat system with every new release, but it feels like i'm playing the same shit over and over and over again >_>
still gonna play vesperia though =D

[Kokayi]

No to switch topics but one last things about Tales games: to Doeman
I think they're the opposite of Square at Namco. They like to slightly switch things up and keep things going that are working. Square never sticks with anything more than about 4 games. I think when ever you get the change you should go back to Legendia. Jay the Unseen is a great character and his backstory is really good. The main game is all about Senel and Shirley so the other part after the credits the first time is about letting the supporting cast have their say. It's not fully voiced at that point but still cool man. Try it whenever.

Back to FF13:
I believe the length of 13 may be a lot like 10's. For a while you be drawn to one area after another with freedom to explore. Then when the whole cast is together, likely 6 or 9 people, you get an airship and be freedom of movement in Pulse (since Caccon'll be closed for a while off likely after the openning). With that kind of format of a massive metropolis to explore and a huge world outside of the mini-world. I don't think 100 hours is going too far.

[Rideru]

I would really want it to be about 75+ hours of story gameplay (so long as it is relevent to your current situation in that particular part of the game) and at least 160 hours for 100% playthrough. However, so long as it has an amazing storyline and extremely fun battle system as most FF's do, then I'll be happy just playing it over and over and over.
don't forget good battle music. the battle theme in ff iv could have been the thing that attributed to me never getting 100% on that game. every battle was a torture....

[Astrozombie]

Yeah I think FFXIII needs a better battle song. It doesn't sound like a Final Fantasy battle theme at all.

[BlizzarddeX]

don't forget good battle music. the battle theme in ff iv could have been the thing that attributed to me never getting 100% on that game. every battle was a torture....

Don't say anything bad about FF4. It was a great game for its time and also this game had things that is truly what you would call final fantasy.

It was the first final fantasy to really work well.

I would rate this game second or might be pushing it to say the best Final Fantasy of all time. Sorry, if this game was in 3D and redone again (I don't mean DS version), then FF7, FF8 and FF10 would look like kidish.

But music wise, ff9 had the best (opinion only).

[doeman]

Yeah I think FFXIII needs a better battle song. It doesn't sound like a Final Fantasy battle theme at all.
WOW... and here i've been listening to the theme song almost straight for the past 24 hours. i'm listening to it right now!!! love that violin part.

sorry but,
ff13 battle song >>> astro
opinions don't matter this time.[/thread]

[Astrozombie]

No. It sounds like some lame generic RPG song, not a Final Fantasy song. The violin part ruins it.

[doeman]

nooooooooooo!!!!!!

[Rideru]

Don't say anything bad about FF4. It was a great game for its time and also this game had things that is truly what you would call final fantasy.

It was the first final fantasy to really work well.

I would rate this game second or might be pushing it to say the best Final Fantasy of all time. Sorry, if this game was in 3D and redone again (I don't mean DS version), then FF7, FF8 and FF10 would look like kidish.

But music wise, ff9 had the best (opinion only).
OPINION ONLY. u said it. what i said about ff iv is an opinion and just that. if u loved it, great. i just expressed my dislike for the battle theme, i'm not saying u should dislike it.
oh and actually, i think the battle theme in ff xiii demo isn't half bad, but it could be better. what happened to the good old ff vii battle theme =D

[Kokayi]

Flat out 6, 2 and 7 had the best battle themes to me.
Did you know there's a 3rd battle theme in FF2 that was never released in the game, but in OST form? RPGfan speaks on it if you got there.

[ExodusVII]

Speaking of the music, I had a friend of mine play the demo and, contrary to his normal opinion of jRPG music, he really liked it. What's strange about this is that he really hates the Japanese art and music style of jRPGs as well as turn based combat. In fact he doesn't like Japanese development at all and was highly impressed by both the combat and the music of FFXIII. I think he's looking forwards to the games release now.... though he'll be buying a 360 copy.

This, to me, speaks volumes about the games accessibility to a wider audience. I think both the installed fanbase and newcomers alike will be embracing the game with open arms come release. This is probably my first optimism towards the title :D

[Ram]

No. It sounds like some lame generic RPG song, not a Final Fantasy song. The violin part ruins it.

:ohmy:



No.

[Moklin]

Traditionaly final fantasy games have sidequests only avaliable in the end of the game. FF12 was an expection, i dont know if SE is going to to the same for 13.
I enjoy more complete sidequests in the near end of the game because i want to follow the story without interruptions. I didnt like sidequests from ff12 because it has no connection with the storyline/mithology/backgound. Just kill that monster because he is bothering me.

I hope a 40 hours storyline mode in ff13.

[Rideru]

Traditionaly final fantasy games have sidequests only avaliable in the end of the game. FF12 was an expection, i dont know if SE is going to to the same for 13.
I enjoy more complete sidequests in the near end of the game because i want to follow the story without interruptions. I didnt like sidequests from ff12 because it has no connection with the storyline/mithology/backgound. Just kill that monster because he is bothering me.

I hope a 40 hours storyline mode in ff13.
i think it would be BRUTALLY difficult making a satisfying number of side quests without straying from the story.... after all, u can't assume that in the game world what happens to u is ALL that happens. different characters different needs. not everyone can be aware of ur quest and give u missions accordingly right?

[stalemate666]

i think it would be BRUTALLY difficult making a satisfying number of side quests without straying from the story.... after all, u can't assume that in the game world what happens to u is ALL that happens. different characters different needs. not everyone can be aware of ur quest and give u missions accordingly right?

Well square did have alot of experience getting around that with X-2 so it wouldn't be impossible in the least, but the number of side quests parallel to the story line would most likely be limited

[Zezlar]

I think Final Fantasy XIII's battle theme is good.

[Ikkin]

i think it would be BRUTALLY difficult making a satisfying number of side quests without straying from the story.... after all, u can't assume that in the game world what happens to u is ALL that happens. different characters different needs. not everyone can be aware of ur quest and give u missions accordingly right?

They don't all have to be related to the story - but if they're not going to do that, then they ought to stay out of the story's way. If the world is just about to end, NPCs shouldn't be asking you to go out of your way to fight random monsters. ;)

[stalemate666]

They don't all have to be related to the story - but if they're not going to do that, then they ought to stay out of the story's way. If the world is just about to end, NPCs shouldn't be asking you to go out of your way to fight random monsters. ;)

or collecting trinket items lol, it's so annoying when the world is about to end and your doing some stupid side quest

[Ikkin]

or collecting trinket items lol, it's so annoying when the world is about to end and your doing some stupid side quest

Yeah, exactly. XD

I wonder whether simply making sidequests exist in a non-canon world could help - for instance, having the ability to replay boss fights for higher rankings in the menu at save points.

[stalemate666]

Yeah, exactly. XD

I wonder whether simply making sidequests exist in a non-canon world could help - for instance, having the ability to replay boss fights for higher rankings in the menu at save points.

Well that would be more like a tournament thing, and it would teleport like the blitz ball I guess it could work

[Sundance Kid]

With the way RPGs are these days I give it 40 hours. Honestly this is probably the most anticipated RPGs right now and it'll probably be a flop. I'm sorry but SE is doing shitty this gen.

[stalemate666]

With the way RPGs are these days I give it 40 hours. Honestly this is probably the most anticipated RPGs right now and it'll probably be a flop. I'm sorry but SE is doing shitty this gen.

We all know that, but they've been working 7 years on it, I mean I'm going to wait for player reviews and stuff, but I doubt it will be that bad, besides we have few trun based rpgs on ps3

[Lady~Vengeance]

I think Final Fantasy XIII's battle theme is good.

I think the battle theme is one the best themes I've heard from a video game in LONG TIME! Go S-E! ^_^

[Kokayi]

Maybe Square didn't do A+ work with 12, but they're really going all out for the next 3 games. Two are the first for PS3 so that's a milestone there. I doubt they'd drop the ball now of all times.

I'm glad the new-comers to the series are getting into it, but more than that I don't want what FF becomes to be unrecognizable. But honestly, I don't see that happening. Other than Nobuo leaving as main composer, most the stuff we like about FF is still intact even without the groups that have left (Monolith and Mistwalker).

[Falsate]

Yeah I'm glad they have made that milestone by getting games ready for the PS3. Think about it, FFXIII will be exciting even if it turns out to be rather "short". Can't you just feel the hype?

Perhaps..

[stalemate666]

Yeah I'm glad they have made that milestone by getting games ready for the PS3. Think about it, FFXIII will be exciting even if it turns out to be rather "short". Can't you just feel the hype?

Perhaps..

I find hype to be a bad thing usually

[Falsate]

It can be bad if the game turns out to be something really lame. As far as I'm concerned though, playing the demo is sweet.

[stalemate666]

It can be bad if the game turns out to be something really lame. As far as I'm concerned though, playing the demo is sweet.

I know FFXIII looks like the exception, but then again it has been like 5 years and one to go, it better be fucking good

[Falsate]

Yeah, it should be a kickass game. Do you think we'll get a mini game like chocobo monograph hunting? That is my favorite right there.

[stalemate666]

Yeah, it should be a kickass game. Do you think we'll get a mini game like chocobo monograph hunting? That is my favorite right there.

Chocobo's are in it but they aren't transportation so either there just in random places for no fucking reason or there is a mini game or two around them and my guess is to the latter although since there going for a FF7 vibe it will probably have more to do with breeding, thats my guess anyways

[Falsate]

Breeding would make sense if my theory about them being endangered is correct (which is an "idk"). They should make them be colored again, it owns. The red chocobo OWNS.

[Zeromous99]

Vayne? Fuck Vayne. RARE HUNT CLUB PLZ.

Hate for FFXII is more regular than my period.


LOL , shuyu always seems to make me chuckle . Even if she does not like the way i type hehe.


Although i did enjoy ff12 i guess a lot of people didn't like it?

[cheesepizza]

XII was great! There were so many extra little things to find (death to the people who use guides! why the hell would you use a freaking guide? for the first playthrough anyway... yesyes time consuming w/e but geeez) and distract you lol

and don't listen to Zombie, the violin part in the XIII demo battle theme = what makes it awesome!

And to link, we want loads of random little things and side quests! :D Stuff that makes the game world actually feel like it's a "world"

[stalemate666]

XII was great! There were so many extra little things to find (death to the people who use guides! why the hell would you use a freaking guide? for the first playthrough anyway... yesyes time consuming w/e but geeez) and distract you lol

and don't listen to Zombie, the violin part in the XIII demo battle theme = what makes it awesome!

And to link, we want loads of random little things and side quests! :D Stuff that makes the game world actually feel like it's a "world"

World map makes a world feel like a world, FFXII felt like a bad MMORPG yes there was the hunts, but the rare game was ridicules without a guide and the hard things to find, weren't very useful so kinda whats the point

[Astrozombie]

XII was great! There were so many extra little things to find

and don't listen to Zombie, the violin part in the XIII demo battle theme = what makes it awesome!

Yes... sooo many little extra, boring, unfun things to find. Like Stalemate said, 12 was like a really bad, cheap MMO, minus the fun of actually having online players.

And no, the violin part sucks major ass. It comes out of nowhere for no reason and it sounds generic and very un-FFish.

[Rideru]

how about we discuss the boss battle music now? i think that is pretty kickass.

[Falsate]

Rare Hunt Club was active too. I remember I spent like another 2 hours or so collecting the Tournesol ingredients and my dumbass didn't realize you could only get one. Milk the shit out of me!

[Ram]

Yes... sooo many little extra, boring, unfun things to find. Like Stalemate said, 12 was like a really bad, cheap MMO, minus the fun of actually having online players.

And no, the violin part sucks major ass. It comes out of nowhere for no reason and it sounds generic and very un-FFish.

Then what is FFish?>_<

Anyway, the FF francise needs some refreshing music. Still, it sounds very Hamauzu-ish and that means it's good. Just compare it to this:

YouTube - 06- Battle Theme 1 ~ Unlimited SaGa

[Moklin]

The violin part is really similar to ff13´s batle song . Actually, when the volin is playing it looks like we are listening to a lighter version of ff13´s batle music.

I think the violin suits very well in ff13 batle music, still i have to say the batle´s theme is not ffish/Nobuoish. But that isnt a bad thing, its refreshing and im liking ff13 musics so far.
boss´s theme is really good, my favourite song so far, still i was expecting a metalish music like the previous ffs (6,7,8)

It would be so great if they recycle some musics from previous final fantasys to give a nostalgic feeling! Final Fantasy needs more nostalgia.

[mercy0001]

It would be so great if they recycle some musics from previous final fantasys to give a nostalgic feeling! Final Fantasy needs more nostalgia.

Yeah, I've missed the Prelude in FFXIII. I love this version:

YouTube - VOICES ~ Music from FF: 02 - Prelude (FF Series)

It only plays some brief seconds in the agito trailer...
And I hope they include the chocobo theme for Sazh's chocobo:P

[Ram]

^ There was a little fan-made commercial of FFXIII on youtube with that music (around 1:59). I actually thought that it was from FFXIII (that part even sounds like how Hamauzu would've arranged it).

[Kokayi]

Yes... sooo many little extra, boring, unfun things to find. Like Stalemate said, 12 was like a really bad, cheap MMO, minus the fun of actually having online players.

And no, the violin part sucks major ass. It comes out of nowhere for no reason and it sounds generic and very un-FFish.

There's more than one way to make epic music. I don't like how FF always seem to leave out rock and roll these days. Properly done, like the Black Mages, it could be a GREAT set of songs. I would make at least one battle theme and boss battle them for each major genre. Motoi Sakuraba does that a lot. For example, at the end of Romancing Saga wasn't Saruin's music awe inspiring?

Then what is FFish?>_<

Anyway, the FF francise needs some refreshing music. Still, it sounds very Hamauzu-ish and that means it's good. Just compare it to this:

YouTube - 06- Battle Theme 1 ~ Unlimited SaGa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v_AtBf7wW8)

Here here. I concur.

[Hynad]

Coming back to the topic, I really doubt the game will be any different than the rest in the series.

Sure FF X and XII were over 100 hours long if you did all the sidequests, but the main story hasn't been any longer than the 50-60 hours mark since FF VII. I don't see anything to let me think that FF XIII will be any different.

[Espada_Assassin]

Just thinking the demo was around 40mins but in the final version with levelling up, menu's and all that stuff it would extend that same portion by alot.

Plus i heard (not sure if this is 100% true) that the demo had some area's blocked off or they weren't present in the demo version.

[Kokayi]

Yeah. And I've been hearing is "it'll be massive" "the story's huge" "Lots of dialogue and exploration". Just as there's no point to getting overly hyped after it, there's no need to being overly cynical about it. It's okay to get excited. It doesn't make you a nerd or a fanboy or whatever to be passionate about something. And it doesn't make you cool to say "I'm not interested" or "they're just gonna fuck it up". These statements aren't directed at you all, but in general for people all over the net that have let other people's comments effect them and force them to subdue their own emotions towards something they really do like.

[Falsate]

It really doesn't and that's why I am in the first place. I have expectations for this game just as anybody else would so. That's that.

[Astrozombie]

There's more than one way to make epic music. I don't like how FF always seem to leave out rock and roll these days. Properly done, like the Black Mages, it could be a GREAT set of songs.

I agree, but the battle theme in FF13 is not one of those ways. The piano song on the JP site is pretty great though.

[Lady~Vengeance]

It really doesn't and that's why I am in the first place. I have expectations for this game just as anybody else would so. That's that.

agreed
since FF-XII was a failure in my eyes, I have high hopes for this next installment. So I too have very high expectations for this game.

[cheesepizza]

They said there's no world map in XIII right? Did they say that?? I can't remember O_O but if that's the case... wow =3= =3=

[Daemon]

They said there's no world map in XIII right? Did they say that?? I can't remember O_O but if that's the case... wow =3= =3=

I think they said that somewhere....
It'll probably be like XII, which was a step in the right direction re: no world map, with zones being fairly open / sized about right for fields/woods/caves/mines etc.

Though it could be good if the forests were truly open like plains were instead of pathlike.

Anyone think there'll be another pharos in this game? (as in huge dungeon w/ powerful monsters, multiple bosses and few savepoints)

[Falsate]

I don't think so, I was crushed several times before I could get past temples like those. In a agme like this I feel they've improved so the need for World Maps like earlier in series shouldn't be nessecary.

[Ikkin]

Anyone think there'll be another pharos in this game? (as in huge dungeon w/ powerful monsters, multiple bosses and few savepoints)

There better not be. -_- Multiple bosses when you're coming up to the endgame is fine in and of itself, but sticking them all in a dungeon together tends to be terrible for the story pacing.

Besides, long stretches of mini-boss level fights without the opportunity to save tends to sap my desire to play the game like nothing else. III and IV were terrible in that respect - four mini-boss fights before the final boss? Six floors of mini-boss level random encounters without a save point? The cost of losing near the end of all that is way too high. XP

Boss gambits are pretty much a requirement at the end of RPGs. But, seriously - if the final dungeon makes me wish that the game was over already, you're doing it wrong.

[Eighty88Eight]

Dengeki had an enormous interview last year and Toriyama said something like "the field maps are far bigger than the previous games" or something. I suppose that kinda kills any chance of a world map, but who knows if some kind of new map system will be implemented. I'm gonna go look for that interview...

***Here it is:


- Toriyama says the demo will contain an immense field for gamers to traverse and explore. He says the fields are bigger even than the previous games in the series(I wonder if he's played FFXI). Toriyama JOKES that the demo may be longer than ACC. There is no mention of it being two hours long.

- Demo will give players an understanding of the Fal'Cie, L'Cie, Cocoon, and the crystals.


It sounds like they really cut a lot of shit out of the demo. I suppose that also confirms that they blocked some areas off of that map for the purposes of the demo.

[ExodusVII]

^ Maybe when he made those comments they were working on a different build to the one we got in the demo. We know they're working on a modified build of the demo now so it's quite possible that the original demo was scrapped in order to give a more representative view of the game.

[Rideru]

if anything, it actually may be shorter, but that goes against my hopes.

[DrStein]

im really hoping the game is long very interesting strong story and many other things ..... also i love indepth story were u have to go off the main story to learn a lil extra information that could help ... like on ff12 with the clan and ud get info on each monster then when u killed enough info on ivalice

[Rideru]

im really hoping the game is long very interesting strong story and many other things ..... also i love indepth story were u have to go off the main story to learn a lil extra information that could help ... like on ff12 with the clan and ud get info on each monster then when u killed enough info on ivalice
yeah i LOVE bestiaries. and the one in ff xii was so detailed. i hope it returns in ff xiii, this was one of my fave things in xii.

[doeman]

yeah i LOVE bestiaries. and the one in ff xii was so detailed. i hope it returns in ff xiii, this was one of my fave things in xii.
yea it was cool, but damn, there was ALLOT of stuff to read. so much that it prevented me from doing it.

in mass effect, there is a section in the start menu, where you can access info on certain people, locations, and enemies in the game. half of the info is voice and read to you as you browse through it. a feature like that, made learning about that game so much more fun. i wish every game had something like that (and covered all of the games info at the same time).

[Daemon]

I liked those things, and I didn't mind the amount of text in XII 'cause I usually had the time and most were interesting.
Anyway, I thought the Info section in VIII and the Clan Primer in XII, and even Shinra's dossiers/bestiary in X-2 were good and helped immerse you in the game worlds by offering information on the monsters and people that populated them.

[Falsate]

The joke he made about the demo possibly being longer than ACC fooled my silly ass. It is quite possible that they have a different build compared to what they've released.

What also boggles my mind is if the E3 2006 was just an interface over cinematics or really gameplay back then?

[Hynad]

Everything was a target render. It was only made to show the world what their overall idea was. It wasn't a working demo or anything.