Video games: 'Final Fantasy XIII'

'Final Fantasy XIII' is a landmark release.

By Joe Juba, Game Informer

August 17, 2012 — 4:45pm

"Final Fantasy XIII" has ascended to nearly religious significance for many gamers. When it went multiplatform at E3 2008, the announcement literally brought some ardent fans to tears. With all the emotions and expectations it carried before it was even a playable game, "Final Fantasy XIII" became a symbol of promise for the future of gaming.

Once you begin playing, the fog of mythology quickly lifts, and you realize that "Final Fantasy XIII" is just a role-playing game. It doesn't have any mystical powers or curative properties. "FF XIII" is not the Game Whose Coming Was Foretold, but every aspect of the gameplay is precision-tuned to deliver the most technically impressive title in "Final Fantasy" history. (This review pertains exclusively to the PlayStation 3 iteration of the game.)

I am surprised to report that combat is the greatest triumph of "FF XIII." Square Enix has overhauled the concept of battle, focusing more on guiding the tactical flow of the fight rather than each character's specific actions on a turn-by-turn basis. The result is a kinetic, fast-paced system.

The mechanic revolves around the concept of paradigms, which are arrangements of characters with specific jobs and abilities. You will only have direct control over the party leader, while the other two members behave according to their assigned roles. A character in the sentinel role will soak up damage and attract enemy attention, allowing the other two to perform duties like debuffing or casting offensive spells. But the tides turn often, and you'll need to switch your paradigms midbattle to adapt. You may have to bombard a well-armored robotic juggernaut with electrical spells, and then quickly swap to a paradigm focused on physical attacks to do some real damage. After you get burned by the same robot, you may want to spend a few seconds in an all-medic paradigm before going back on the offensive.

The idea seems simple at first, but the game gradually builds the complexity until you feel like a strategic powerhouse, creating and exploiting weaknesses by switching your paradigms every few seconds. It's fun, easy to use and a refreshing departure from the RPG norm.

The process of leveling up your characters, called the Crystarium, is a great hybrid of the sphere grid from "Final Fantasy X" and the job system from "Final Fantasy V." You choose how each character progresses, though the full Crystarium doesn't really open up until relatively late. The ability to tweak and customize your party doesn't really become possible until chapter 11 (of 13), which is also the only section of the game where I found a few hours of grinding necessary to progress.

The only key area where "FF XIII" betrays fans is the story. The narrative makes a number of small missteps that all tie back to one larger issue: the characters. The game is largely driven by the personalities of the six main party members -- their goals, mindsets and personal revelations. Unfortunately, these revelations feel extremely rushed and artificial, forced by the necessity of moving the plot forward. Periodic updates on the characters' vacillating attitudes are poor substitutes for a clear long-term goal and a compelling antagonist.

A good story is paramount in a role-playing game, but the fact that "FF XIII's" other elements compensate for its disappointing narrative is a testament to the overall quality of the experience. "Final Fantasy XIII" is a phenomenal RPG destined to be remembered as a technical milestone for the series.