Final Fantasy XIII

[Shadow Fire]

<div align="center"><img src="http://core.the-gcn.com/reviews/FFXIII.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></div><br /><br /><b>Director:</b> Motomu Toriyama<br /><br /><b>Producers:</b> Yoshinori Kitase, Joe Moeller<br /><br /><b>Music:</b> Masashi Hamauzu<br /><br /><b>Starring:</b> Ali Hillis, Troy Baker, Georgia van Cuylenburg, Reno Wilson, Vincent Martella, Rachel Robinson<br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> <img src="http://core.the-gcn.com/reviews/rating/platinum.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /><br /><br /><br /><b><u>Plot</u></b><br /><br />Cocoon, a paradise that floats over the beautiful, but deadly land of Pulse. It is home to millions of denizens, and powered by majestic beings known as fal'Cie. A train leaving from Cocoon is preparing to "purge" its occupants, until a mysterious pink-haired woman attacks from within. She frees the occupants, and with the help of a dark-skinned man with an afro, who introduces himself as Sazh Katzroy, the woman faces off against Cocoon's special military forces.<br /><br />

Meanwhile, a blond-haired man is assisting the woman in her liberation. With his freedom fighter group, codenamed NORA, the enigmatic man also helps take on the military forces. It would seem that this man, named Snow, and the pink-haired woman have a mutual agenda. Fighting to protect the people who were to be "purged", they have no idea that their lives are soon to change. The military attacks, bringing about several casualties, including the mother of a young boy, who asks Snow to protect her son, but dies before she can reveal his name. When Snow and the pink-haired woman, known only as Lightning, head off to their destination, the boy follows, fueled by a desire for revenge against Snow. A young girl aids the boy, giving him the words he needs to find the courage to do so.<br /><br />

Arriving at their destination, Snow meets up with the boy and girl, known as Hope and Vanille. Battling their way through a strange shrine, they manage to rendezvous with Lightning and Sazh, and manage to find Lightning's sister, Serah, who is also Snow's fiancee. She is a l'Cie, a person who is branded by a fal'Cie and given a Focus to complete. l'Cie must complete their Focus within a certain time, or they face becoming a Cei'th, a monster who slaughters indiscriminately. This is seen as a fate worse than death. The reward for completing one's Focus isn't much better. Eternal life, trapped inside a crystal. Serah begs for everyone to save Cocoon, before turning to crystal, indicating her Focus was completed. She leaves behind a crystal tear, entrusted to Snow.<br /><br />Making their way to Anima, a fal'Cie from the lowerworld of Pulse, Lightning and Snow attack it, before the shrine rumbles. On the outside, the military are using all their might to destroy it. In desperation, Anima reaches out with its energy, wrapping around the group. It shows them strange visions, before rendering them unconscious, and as the ruined shrine falls, Anima uses the last of its power to turn the landing area into crystal. Waking up, everyone realises that Anima has branded them as Pulse l'Cie. Their world turned upside down, the group now faces a difficult decision. Complete their Focus and be snared in crystal for eternity, or fail and roam the land as monstrous Cei'th? Either way, their adventure begins.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Review</u></b><br /><br />Like many RPGs, Final Fantasy XIII has a complex storyline, and focuses a lot on battling various enemies. Also, like many other RPGs, there are lots of cinematic sequences. Music for this game is not composed by Nobuo Uematsu, a first for one of the main numbered series. However, Masashi Hamauzu does an excellent job in his place. The music fits the game perfectly, adding the necessary mood to whatever event is occurring in-game.<br /><br />

The visuals are stunning. The FMV movies rival that of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, providing a lifelike image. Environments are dazzling, and took my breath away. The corridors of Anima's shrine, to the beautiful forest of the Sunleth Waterscape. From the breathtaking plains that are the Archylte Steppe, to the ruined village of Oerba. Much detail was placed into the graphics to make this game feel as if you were actually looking at a real location. The enemies also have a great look to them. Some look cute and harmless (although those are usually the deadliest), while others are fearsome.<br /><br />

Combat has returned to a style similar to that of Final Fantasy X-2, in which the ATB Gauge returns, and allows characters to react all at once, providing their attacks are synchronised. However, in place of MP, Cost Points are introduced, meaning that certain abilities use a certain amount of ATB sections. As such, party members' health is restored to full after each battle. Also included is a new feature known as the Stagger State. When dealing a certain amount of percentage of chain attacks to enemies, an enemy will enter the Stagger State, in which they glow orange for a short time, and damage dealt can be almost triple of their pre-staggered state. Battles are also rated, based on time taken to beat the enemy, as well as the amount of points per second awarded.<br /><br />

Paradigms are used in battle, and can be the key to your victory, or the cause of your demise. There are six kinds of class available: Commando, Ravager, Sentinel, Medic, Saboteur, and Synergist. Each role has its own style of play. For example, Commandos specialise in physical attacks, while Ravagers are trained specially to use magic. Paradigms can be shifted in battle, and is a seamless transition. In order to help in battles, you can also upgrade weapons and accessories. There are many effects that can be gained from upgrading. As for the levelling system, it is reminiscent of the Sphere Grid from Final Fantasy X. However, each character has their own specific pathway. This system, the Crystarium, requires Crystal Points (CP) in order to advance a character's stats for a certain class. CP is rewarded after battles.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Overall</u></b><br /><br />Final Fantasy XIII has taken its place as my favourite of all Final Fantasy games I've played. I recommend that anyone who loves RPGs to play this, as they will be entertained for hours on end. Truly a game worth owning, whether on the PS3, or Xbox 360.