Final Fantasy XIII: Style Or Substance?

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at 11:01 am in General Gaming · Comments

Final Fantasy XIII is a matter of weeks away, which means those of us lucky enough to own both an Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have a difficult decision to make. Okay, so you know the technicalities behind why the PS3’s superior Blu-Ray format pwns the 360’s sub-standard DVD, right? The jist of it is; Blu-Ray single layer capacity = 25GB. DVD single layer capacity = 4.7GB. A significant difference, huh? What this then leave us with, is the fact that Final Fantasy XIII will look hotter running on the PlayStation 3.

This is where tricky decisions come in, the kind of choices that change lives, people! I’ve said from day one of buying my PlayStation 3, which I rarely play, that it would only serve as a Blu-Ray player and for exclusives my 360 fangirlism otherwise wouldn’t see. The rule was simple; any multi-platform releases would involuntary be bought for the Xbox.

Personally, I’m faced with this decision for the first time, as the sheer detail of Final Fantasy XIII means that, while the experience is somewhat preserved on the Xbox 360 by shipping the game on 3 discs, CG has been compressed, and environment/character detail is lower. Basically, it’s not going to look as good on my Xbox as it will on my PlayStation. Therefore the choice should be simple, right? But factor into that my love of Achievements, my gripes with the PlayStation, and the simple fact that gaming without Xbox Live leaves me feeling limbless, I’ve got to weigh things up.

I can experience the full beauty of the Final Fantasy universe on my PlayStation 3, but I’ll feel 100% disconnected and solitary when I do so. I can’t invite a friend who’s also playing into chat with me to talk about our experiences, where we’re at in the game, or keep one another company through some of the inevitably tedious parts JRPGs always posses. I won’t feel the petty delight of an Achievement pinging up and boosting my overall GamerScore I’ve honed for two years. And these, my friends, are important things to me.

With that said, another ‘negative’ is the three disc scenario for the 360, which means disc swapping is an inevitable part of the FFXIII / 360 experience. This doesn’t affect me in the slightest. In fact, I find it to be somewhat nostalgic. I’m also reasonably fit and can hoist myself from the sofa in a moment’s notice.

To sum it up, I can substitute better graphics and isolation for poorer quality but a better online experience (not forgetting ‘cheevies!). I’ve already made my decision, and unless something notable comes to light between now and the 9th of March, I’ll be honoring my Xbox 360 and running Final Fantasy XIII at a lower res. It has, however, been an interesting period of conversing with other gamers about this particular situation. I’m eager to know what you would do, or if you’ve already made a decision, what’s it going to be?

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10 Responses to “Final Fantasy XIII: Style Or Substance?”

David

# February 17th, 2010 at 11:36 am

Hey Ash

Well i don’t own a PS3 so i’m going to have to choose 360, but even if i did have one i would still buy it for 360 as like you said, i love the ‘cheevies, i love the 360, i love xbox live, and i also love the fact i get to change discs, in some silly way i feel like i am getting more for my money, it just feels more complete and like a real RPG, you are kind of scared when you get a new RPG on just 1 disc, you are like how did they do this, it SHOULD be on 2-3 discs, (Lost Odyssey is just the black sheep there)

But really the bigger point here for me is whether i am even gonna get it, i love RPG’s and i love the final fantasy series even more, most of my best gaming memories are FF related so i feel like i should buy it but all these ‘reviewers’ on the net have mixed my opinions, some say it is the best FF, some say it is Style over Substance, you get the jist of it, i am sure you’ve read them all yourself…

Anyway i still have a few weeks to decide but i still probably get it just because of what it is, even though it will be the last Final Fantasy i bought since the glory days of FF 10-2 on ye olde faithful PS2 :)

Christoffer Radsby

# February 17th, 2010 at 3:49 pm

I don’t really know actually, I’ve a little torn when it comes to this game. I’ve heard that it’s really linear, which I don’t appreciate coming from previous FF-games. I guess I’ll buy the PS3 version, but it doesn’t matter to me actually. I’ve heard rumors about the game running more smoothly on X360 than PS3 but that might be because of the lower graphics.

I’ve played the Final Fantasy-series since the first game back on the Nintendo 8-bit I like how the series went from 1-10 then the 12th game was a bit of a disappointment to me. Substance over style every day of the week for me. I’ll be reading more reviews before I even try this one out. Hopefully you can shed some light on the game later Ashley.

Good post btw!

Los Havros

# February 17th, 2010 at 9:09 pm

I hate to say it, but from a purely technical perspective, the PS3 version is the way it was meant to be played. It’s looking like the title has been shoe-horned onto the Xbox 360. Lower res? Three discs instead of one?!

Other games have made the transition, and haven’t suffered, like for example: the Burnout series from PlayStation 2 to Xbox, BioShock from Xbox 360 to to PS3 as two examples that immediately spring to mind. Plus many more. The overriding factor with the Final Fantasy series though, is the sheer size of it. Epic stories equal epic disc space!

Although as you’ve mentioned, it really does depend on how far you’re willing go to sacrifice for Xbox Live. You make a very valid point, as for your particular tastes and preferences, if you went with the PS3 version, you’d be missing out on Xbox Live which is more social. Way more!

Great post Ash!

Rockers Delight

# February 18th, 2010 at 11:21 am

@David I haven’t checked out the reviews, I’ve just been following a guy on my Twitter who has played it. I think RPGs are difficult to follow review-wise for many reason, so it’s best to make your own mind up. Maybe wait until it comes down in price so you’re not splashing the cash on a potential miss?

@Christoffer I’ve also heard that, but that it opens up as the game progresses. There’s nothing worse than a linear RPG — it completely defeats the purpose of what an RPG is, in my opinion. It will be interesting to see how FFXIII fares with gamers.

@Los Havros No need to ‘hate to say it’ as you’re absolutely right. It was quite a shock when it was announced that it would also see a 360 release. Three discs is a moot point, in my opinion. It really doesn’t bother me having to change a disc. In fact, I echo David’s sentiments that receiving an RPG on one disc leaves you feeling a little unsettled. Of course that goes out the window with Blu-Ray’s bigger capacity.

Andrzej

# February 19th, 2010 at 10:58 am

From a non-jRPG fan standpoint, I’m not really that much into Final Fantasy in general but as a gamer I’m still afraid that it won’t live up to the hype that has been created and besides the graphics it might not have that much to offer. Disk swapping shouldn’t be an issue - it’s not like you’ll have to swap them every 15 minutes.

Looking at latest Joystiq post on FFXIII the Xbox360 version doesn’t really look any worse, I’d even say it has better contrast and the colors are more vivd. So technically there should be no difference (or it shouldn’t be noticable).

If you do pick it up Ashley, how a bout a pure character/story/depth comparison between Lost Odyssey (or any previously released jRPG on Xbox360) and FF XIII? Could be interesting.

Rockers Delight

# February 19th, 2010 at 12:18 pm

@Andrzej Exactly, disc swapping won’t be happening all too often. I’d imagine you’d get at least 20 hours out of every disc before it needs changed. And that’s a great idea, about a comparison between LO, one of my favourite games on the 360!

Ben Lilley

# February 19th, 2010 at 10:58 pm

My basic rule of thumb is my PS3 is for exclusives and movies while my 360 is for the rest due to Xbox Live and my friends all having 360’s. However I’m leaning towards getting FF on the PS3 due to the superior graphics (I saw screenshots somewhere but can’t remember where), not really needing Xbox Live as it’s single player and finally I don’t see disc swapping as a good thing. I’m all for nostalgia but anything that removes you from ‘the moment’ sucks during an important time or climax, such as swapping discs just before the final mission in ME2. Plus it just feels right playing FF on the PS as that’s where the FF series all started for me.

WolfieZero

# February 25th, 2010 at 3:15 pm

I’m going to throw everything out the window, but I’m getting it on PS3. Why? Because it feels “right”.

I don’t know what it is, but playing JRPG on the Xbox 360 makes me feel dirty, as if it’s not quiet right and I could do better on the PS3. I felt gutted when Star Ocean: TLH was announced on PS3 as I’m a fair bit of the way through it and can’t swap over now, but I have promised to get it on PS3 when it comes down in price.

Maybe it’s due to the PS3 being from Japan and JRPGs being… Japanese.

My other point is due to the controller. Although I find the Xbox 360 controller better for FPS, that’s about it. I find the PS3 more natural for me where others hate it (possibly due to me having damaged my wrist and hands so much), I can last longer on the PS3 and a JRPG I want to play alllllll day.

Any who, social-wise, I heard through the grape-vine the PS3 should have x-game chat soon so you maybe able to ride Chocobos with friends in your head soon ;)

dkoi

# March 9th, 2010 at 1:31 pm

Lol, great article and comments. I gotta say this is a true look into a fangirls mind. I think you should write an article on your perceived differences between “chieves” and trophies. I’m not seeing the difference. For a simple solution, turn on both systems play the game where it runs better and use a party chat on the 360. Interesting writeup though, never heard the arguement the switching disc was fun.

I have played all the FF series except XI, and I’ve played them on everything from a PC to a DS (possible an iPhone soon). I don’t think it matters what you get it on. I’ll go PS3 this time because it’s the better version. I thought this article was going to talk about the game looking to flashy, and that the story doesn’t sound very interesting. I’m far more excited for FFversusXIII than the one that released today.

Either way post your impressions of the game.

Kris

# March 22nd, 2010 at 6:42 pm

Disc changing is part of the fun I would say! I remember playing Baldurs Gate (original PC title) back in the day which came on 6 discs! and that was a big game (considered at the time) you would be changing discs every hour or so as you travelled across different lands, etc. Now im sure technology has come a long way since then (Baldurs gate was like 1999??) Which would stop you having to change discs often.

I personally would stick to the xbox version if i were to get it (not that i will, because i havent played the previous 6 titles) mainly because I find the PS3 very hard to get used to… the jet engine cooling system is novel for like an hour!) Every time i have played a PS3 I havent been able to tell a HUUUUUGE difference between it and an Xbox run on a nice quality HD telly. and ofcourse youve got cheevies and online community which stand ever so strongly in the xbox’ favour!

Low res and 3 discs shouldnt be enough to sway the real x-fans away :)

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