Comments on: Editorial: Speechifying

By: Matt Dance

Matt Dance — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:41:53 +0000

It feels counterintuitive to say this, but don’t let bad storytelling ruin a great game.

By: SiliconNooB

SiliconNooB — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:36:25 +0000

It really is difficult to fathom just how SE managed to get XIII’s story so wrong. I mean, Lusipurr and myself have discussed this, the overall story structure wasn’t bad, but the planning of events and writing of dialogue was so abysmal that it just ruins everything!

By: Ethos

Ethos — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:22:34 +0000

Final Fantasy XIII is a DVD with a really shitty movie and incredible special features.

By: Mel

Mel — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:33:49 +0000

So you know what they do with that GREAT story?! Make another one! What did they do with 12? Meh, some cheap-o handheld effort most people have to be reminded of.

By: Deimosion

Deimosion — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:37:43 +0000

FFXIII is an amazing game…if one simply plays the game and completely ignores the trainwreck storyline.

By: Lusipurr

Lusipurr — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:20:32 +0000

XIII’s cutscenes are easily the worst part of the game. They are absolutely poisonous. There are exceptions, of course, but by and large they were awful.

The first time I played through the game, I hated it. I hated the game. I hated everything about it.

The second and third time I played through the game, I was able to skip every cutscene without fear, because I knew their contents. The result: I loved the game and had a wonderful time.

I think that says just about everything there is for me to say.

By: Blitzmage

Blitzmage — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:20:15 +0000

I equate FFXIII to a sugar cookie. Alright at the first bite but then as you go on it is just bland and mushy.

By: Matt Dance

Matt Dance — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:50:35 +0000

I’ve already taken for granted once voice acting and animated cutscenes came into games that I wasn’t going to like them, for much similar reasons as you mentioned. I have also just started XIII and am only a couple hours into it, yet there’s plenty that I like despite the Hollywood movie approach to some of it (bullet-time, hamfisted hero speech, etc. are very lame).

That’s a hard thing to get over, but it’s only the worst thing about the game. The rest is good; or at least, I like it. Since XII was mentioned, I’ll say this: I don’t like it (referring to the cutscene exposition, mostly). The dialogue there is less offensive, but also blander.

Since I’ve only just started XIII, I don’t want to make assumptions about “what it is.” Maybe it just reminds me of the beginning to VII alot. Something about it is pushing me past disliking subpar dialogue and into feeling like I’m finally playing a very good Final Fantasy game again.

By: evilpaul

evilpaul — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:44:44 +0000

My problem with 12 was that I didn’t like the Hunts, so I was always broke. Also, I’ve written x86 16-bit assembly code and couldn’t get Gambits to work worth a piss. Plus they dealt those things out at such a snail’s pace and made you buy them everywhere. It did probably have the best story though in the series. The problem was that Ivalice was freaking huge so by the time you got to the place they told you to go you had no idea why you went there. That Sun Cryst tower thing was also a crazy long dungeon like I’ve only other seen in SMT: Nocturne’s Labyrinth of Amala.

By: Ethos

Ethos — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:28:06 +0000

@Mel – I adore 12. It ranks high on my list of favourites.

It wasn’t the story that bothered me so much as – as Thea hilarious details – the writing. Just godawful.

By: evilpaul

evilpaul — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:52:46 +0000

LANE ALREADY REVIEWED THIS!!!!

By: Mel

Mel — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:10:22 +0000

Yup. The story was basically the weakest part of this game for me as well. I can take some linearity, but I had little motivation throughout the game. I’m surprised I finished it, actually. Testament to the battle system, I suppose. I think the worst thing that happened to 13 was that it came after 12. (even though I don’t think TOO many people liked 12)