The epic Final Fantasy series has conquered the RPG console market since its debut in 1987. For Gamestyle, FVII remains a highlight, but there used to be a time when the gaming year was set around a release in the series. Nowadays the RPG has become a multi-faceted experience and far more competitive and not just within Japan. Mere production values are not enough and Final Fantasy has been found lacking.
Gamestyle purchased Final Fantasy XIII and like many others lost interest midway through. For all its glitz and glamour the characters felt clichéd, the combat system almost set on cruise control and a very linear evolution to the storyline disillusioned many. Square Enix listened to the barrage of feedback and commissioned this direct sequel; Final Fantasy XIII-2.
Players that missed out on its predecessor needn’t worry, as this sequel ships with a detailed synopsis of previous events and as you progress various flashbacks are shown. While you may lack some appreciation of what’s gone before, Square Enix has successfully pitched this sequel with a concept that works as a standalone story. Ultimately, revisiting a flawed game shows that time and feedback can make a difference. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is more engaging, varied and stimulating than its tired older sibling.
Things kick off with an epic battle in Valhalla. At first it all feels Metal Gear Solid with the player left to passively take in these events; all too eager to actually grasp the controller and interact. This battle between Lightning and Caius is for your eyes only. This is your destination, the realm of your sister and her on-going battle against false gods and the ravages of time. Serah Farron, Lightning’s sister is now ready to step out from her legendary shadow. Haunted by dreams she has always believed rather than hoped, that her sister was alive and needed help. The arrival of Noel Kreiss confirms her suspicions and together they embark on a journey to reach Lightning via the ancient and mysterious Time Gates.
These two time travellers may come from opposite ends of the time spectrum but are able use their knowledge and experience to piece together events. The whole dynamic of time travel helps break up the linear approach that has dominated Final Fantasy. Goals and pitfalls may remain the same but allowing different routes and a suggested element of freedom makes the voyage far more interesting. Each time realm has inhabitants that you can converse with, it’s all a little Mass Effect in feel when it comes to conversations as these have little effect on events. The relaying of information is variable and thankfully if you don’t want to stop and talk to everyone, then you don’t need to engage in this chatty approach.
The aim in each area is to discover ancient artefacts, which in turn unlock more gates for time travel. Familiar faces and events will appear as you journey across time and often returning to an old area in a new time frame offers many visible changes. It is far from an open ended approach to gaming with huge amounts of freedom, as you need to discover and unlock areas in a sequence. Even then, areas within these realms will remain out of touch until a specified action elsewhere.
The battle system was a major area of criticism and it has evolved in this release. Gamestyle has decades of experience with RPG’s so we know a good combat system when we see it. Despite heralding the return of the Active Time Battle system and the improved Paradigm Shift System the concept remains flawed. Yes, it is an improvement and being able to raise your own monsters then flip these in and out of battle in real time can open up different connotations and brings a strategic element to proceedings yet the feeling of not being totally in control remains. The action is fast and frantic with the emphasis on quick hits rather than any skill. It lacks the finesse and skill of a Grandia or Shadow Hearts. There is more interaction in this edition of Final Fantasy but the combat system remains a key weakness. Gamestyle also dislikes the sphere approach to levelling up each character; their growth and individuality feels out of your hands and less of an event.
Normally when the cut sequences roll in Final Fantasy, the player can sit back and appreciate some of the best scenes in a video game release. The high production standards remain and somehow Square Enix has actually managed to improve these lavish pieces again. However thanks to the introduction of a new dynamic known as ‘cinematic action’, Final Fantasy XIII-2 will keep you on your toes. This ingredient goes back to another wonderful piece of epic gaming; Sega’s Shenmue. In the Dreamcast title they were known as ‘quick time events’, the method remains the same by demanding the player remains aware at all times and presses the required button within a set time period. It’s a simple method but a highly effective one although with cut sequences so good in Final Fantasy XIII-2, it’s hard not to be distracted by the events on screen. Other new aspects in Final Fantasy XIII-2 include a companion called Moogle, who can seek out hidden and difficult to reach items along with being a countdown clock for combat. Temporal rifts in time also offer some inventive puzzles that break up the action and require more thought from the player.
One thing you cannot criticise Square Enix for is taking this direct sequel lightly as there’s been a thorough spring clean on all fronts. A much improved gaming experience but is at the same time hampered by its ties to the past. The characters remain uninteresting and a great villain makes an RPG worth all the hours of work. If Square Enix continue to listen to criticism then there’s hope for another classic entry in the Final Fantasy series one day.
