Martyn Littlewood shares his love of Final Fantasy and his views on the series’ latest
So, it’s was the summer of 2000. My parents were at work, I’m too young to stay home alone and too old to be left at a day care centre. So off to nana’s I went and, like 99% of you, my grandparents house isn’t exactly Tumble Town, so stocking up with boredom-killing ammunition was essential.
PlayStation, check.
Extension cord, check.
Dusty analogue TV, check.
A game to fill the next five weeks? Hmm… problem.
We went out the next day searching for a game that looked like a challenge, or at least massively time consuming. A game case chunkier than the rest caught my eye – Final Fantasy VIII. Intrigued, I opened it up to find four empty disc holders?! – “No way does a game go beyond one disc. How? Why?” – Either way, I was sold.
For the next five weeks I sported an awesome scar on my forehead as I was completely immersed in the world of Final Fantasy, thinking that I was Squall, being accompanied by three other Japanese lovelies and mythical creatures. I’d never played anything like it before. It had a PROPER story that played on your emotions, tense fighting and kickass cutscenes. I’ve been hooked ever since…
With the latest instalment of Final Fantasy branching out from the PlayStation 3 to the Xbox 360, I’ve made the jump along with it – partly through curiosity as to whether the controller makes the experience any different and also to get some much needed Achievement points (sorry, fanboys, Trophies don’t excite me).
As for the game itself, the one thing I’m dying to see, is how far Square Enix are going to push the system’s graphically. In the past, no matter which title or console, they’ve always come in a few months after everyone else’s attempts, obliterated their reputation(s) and set the new benchmark by a clear mile. With this title being developed solely for HD, I’ve got my drool bucket ready for when my jaw hangs for a solid two to five hours.
With the success of the turn-based battle system, so far, they’ve not wanted to rock the boat. But after Final Fantasy XII, the metaphorical iceberg of boredom and repetition has been approaching them. It was time for a few tweaks. From what I’ve read, rather than a scramble and button bash after your bar has loaded (after what feels like a lifetime in a heated battle), you now plan out your next move whilst the bar streams along. I’m happy to hear about this. Too many times I’ve pressed the wrong thing and wasted a crucial turn out of panic.
The ‘Paradigm Shift’ is one of the biggest key features for Final Fantasy XIII. It allows you to assign members of your party different roles to create a combination that can go from one extreme to the other. This should cater to everyone, from the ‘all guns blazing’ gamer to the ‘defensive and opportunist’ gamer. This feature sounds brilliant to me, it’s going to give players more control, increase customisation and improve tactical thinking. Outside the game it will also encourage more interaction with your friends as you share unbeatable roles and parties (or keep them all to yourself, MUHAHAHAA!!).
One complaint reviewers have given so far about the game is the sheer number of cutscenes. By the sounds of things, it won’t be far off Metal Gear Solid 4’s gameplay-to-video ratio, and I’ll be completely happy if this is the case. Final Fantasy is one of the most tactical and immersive series I’ve ever come across and I’m adamant the latest instalment won’t let me down.
Martyn Littlewood
Tags: final fantasy, free time, rpg
