XboxSold.com BLOG

If you’re down with the upcoming title Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, you’ll want to check out this new video on the game’s Crown System. This system gives you jobs that you can freely assign to your 4 Heroes as you progress. 

As you’ll see, simply throwing on a new crown changes your character completely. That’s all you’ll really see here, though: Changing different crowns and how they affect the character’s looks and abilities.

I’ve said it before, but I really love the visual style of this game. Things are a bit small in the video, but you can get a better look in our gallery, where we have the first look at some of the jobs. You’ll see the Bandit, Freelancer, Wayfarer, White Mage and Black Mage.

After seeing Final Fantasy XIII’s sales numbers (about 828k for PS3, 494k for Xbox 360), Square Enix wants to know why you purchased the game on the system you bought the game for. 

And when I say “you” I mean the hardcore Square Enix fans. You know, the ones that actually register as members on their site. You know, like me. I am a fu*king nerd (and a fanboy?), so I have two copies for PS3, one Japanese and one English.

The Square Enix member page has this survey up now, open to registered members.

Hell, I’d love to know the reason, too. I’d bet Square Enix never tells. I’d also bet that this is the last Xbox 360 Final Fantasy. Word got out that the PS3 version was more polished. Was that it? On top of that, in my case, I just wanted to use my PS3 system and controller.

What system did you purchase Final Fantasy XIII for, and for what reason?

Square Enix wants to know why you purchased Final Fantasy XIII for PS3 or Xbox 360 [scrawlfx]

_{Thought our discussion of Final Fantasy XIII ended with our official review? Think again: our “Counterpoint” series allows editors to share drastically different opinions on games we’ve already reviewed.}

I have loved every single numbered main game in the Final Fantasy series. All of them. (Yes, that includes II and the surprisingly polarizing XII.) Of course, I love some more than others (VI 4 LIFE!), but there has never been a main Final Fantasy game I haven’t liked.

But going into Final Fantasy XIII I was nervous. First there was the ridiculously delayed release, then the talk of the game being very linear, and, finally, the harsh reviews that never, ever go hand-in-hand with a Final Fantasy game (including the now infamous one by our very own Jim Sterling). When I picked up the game the day it was released I truly thought this may be the first Final Fantasy game that could quite possibly disappoint me.

Sixty hours later, and having just completed the game this past weekend, I am here to say with full confidence that I didn’t just like Final Fantasy XIII, I loved it. I loved it so much that I would easily consider it a classic iteration in the revered Final Fantasy universe. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Final Fantasy XIII may be the most “classic” feeling Final Fantasy game since the much loved (at least by me) IX.

I know; I may sound crazy. But hit the jump to hear me out (and to see a ranked list of my favorite Final Fantasy games!).

Final Fantasy XIII has been out for a month now, and, because of this, I almost didn’t write this feature. I was worried people would be over talking about this game all these weeks later. But, since you are reading this right now, my love of the game obviously won out.

And, ya’ know, I am totally cool with that. Jim’s review of the game was rather harsh and I am happy to get the opportunity to express my positive opinion on a game I feel is getting unfairly criticized by many people, gamers and critics alike.

That being said, though, I admire Jim Sterling and actually respect a lot of the things he said in his original review. It’s hard to argue with a lot of the stuff Jim had a problem with. The main difference, I guess, is that, for me, the positives far outweigh the negatives.

This will not be a re-review of Final Fantasy XIII. Instead — and what this “Counterpoint” series is really about — it is an opportunity for me to talk about what I feel was missing from our original review. And, in that regard, there are two very specific things I would love to focus on.

_Breathtaking

First off, and most obviously, Final Fantasy XIII is gorgeous. I would even say it is the most beautiful console videogame to date. Yup, I said it. Better-looking than Uncharted 2; better-looking than powerhouse God of War III.

Now, let’s not confuse “best-looking” with best art style. Stylistically, some of the character designs are a little boring when compared to such artistic masterworks as Okami or Shadow of the Colossus. But when you take the graphics as a whole — technically and stylistically — no game has ever impressed me more.

For people who have played the game, think back to the first time you start walking through the frozen Lake Bresha. Remember stepping out into the enormous, gorgeous open fields and cliffs of the Archylte Steppe on Pulse. Remember the epic, giant battle between the PSICOM soldiers, the monsters, and the Eidolons on Eden near the end of the game. All of these moments are staggeringly beautiful.

And while no game should ever rely on impressive graphics to be good, Final Fantasy games only benefit from telling their moving, emotional stories using advanced visuals never experienced in any other videogame. It’s part of the overall experience!

With this, Final Fantasy XIII excels. There were times I was so blown away by the graphics in the game that I had to stop, spin the in-game camera around slowly, and just take it all in. Every animation, every texture, every environmental design — it is all absolutely breathtaking and completely compliments the epic, although sometimes confusing, story.

_{Airships make a grand return}

But that is not the main thing that I loved about Final Fantasy XIII. Yeah, the game looked great, but, as I just mentioned, graphics cannot save any videogame.

The main reason I loved Final Fantasy XIII was because it felt classic.

Despite all the changes that were made to the “normal” Final Fantasy formula; despite a lot of the game’s problems (odd, ineffective summoning system, lack of traditional towns, etc.); despite the story being very hard to follow. Despite all of this, Final Fantasy XIII had such a classic, nostalgic feel that I couldn’t help falling head over heels in love with it.

Let me explain by throwing out some very specific details.

_{Fang jumps like … Sabin?}

In Final Fantasy XIII, there are numerous glowing blue circles on the ground that indicate places you can jump. Literally. The characters reach these hot spots and jump to a different level on the map. The thing about this jumping, though, is it is completely over-the-top. Characters don’t realistically jump up a couple feet like normal people. No, they leap, flip, and launch their way — sometimes multiple times in row — to all different heights. This happens in battles as well with skills like Launch.

While this may feel odd at first, think about all of this jumping around if it were recreated (de-created?) in 16-bit.

Would it look something like this?

That’s right; the character movement throughout Final Fantasy XIII reminded me of the good old days. In the older, best Final Fantasy games — like the above example from Final Fantasy VI — characters jumped around in a stylistic, unique way just as they do in XIII.

And while I know this is only one small detail (don’t jump on me for thinking this is the sole reason Final Fantasy XIII is great) it perfectly exemplifies my overall feelings about the game — mainly that Final Fantasy XIII is full of a ridiculous amount of small, “classic-feeling” details that were completely (and unfairly?) ignored by many of the game’s harshest critics.

There is even a town called Palumpolum in the game, for crying out loud!

_{Palumpolum obviously drew its inspiration from classic Final Fantasy IV characters Palom and Porom}

In a way, Final Fantasy XIII combines elements of all the older Final Fantasy games. The limited, more focused character classes and jobs from I and V. The playable members in your party — for most of the game — being selected for you based solely on the story events? That is completely reminiscent of IV. The linear, pilgrimage story: X. The highly customizable, almost automatic-feeling battle system: XII.

Heck, in XIII, since there are no magic points, I learned to use and master status- and time-based magic, which is something I never used in older Final Fantasy games. The battle system in XIII allows for experimentation like this to happen! AND I LOVED IT!

For a Final Fantasy fan, these numerous references to every single older game in the series is a dream come true. And I didn’t even begin to touch on the Chocobos, Cactaurs, and other Cid-tastic references that make multiple appearances throughout the game.

It’s pretty wonderful.

_{Huh. Looks a lot like a certain Golden Saucer, doesn’t it?}

I understand that XIII makes numerous changes to the traditional Final Fantasy mold. But why is this a bad thing? If you miss IV, VI, VII, or IX, you can always go back and play them! They are not going anywhere! I have always loved how Final Fantasy games can constantly evolve why still maintaining themes and elements from past games in the series. Final Fantasy XIII masters this “inspired evolution” perfectly.

Is Final Fantasy XIII a perfect game? Not at all. Was Jim correct in harshly criticizing some of the role-playing game’s features? Maybe. But does FFXIII deserve all the accusations that it lowers the series’ standards and changes too much about what makes the series so special? Never in a million years. Not only is Final Fantasy XIII an absolutely beautiful experience, when you look at it through fan-tinted glasses, it is just as “classic-feeling” as any other games in the main series.

What do you think? Put your strong feelings towards Jim’s original review to the side and let’s have a serious discussion: What are your true thoughts on Final Fantasy XIII? Do you like it as much as the other games in the series? Do you find it disappointing? If so, why? Do you miss the older games or do you look forward to a new Final Fantasy game trying new things? Sound off in the comments.

And, just for the curious, here is my ranking of the main, numbered games in the Final Fantasy series (excluding XI since I haven’t played that enough to give an educated opinion).

1. Final Fantasy VI (Favorite!)
2. Final Fantasy IV
3. Final Fantasy IX
4. Final Fantasy XII
5. Final Fantasy VII
6. Final Fantasy V
7. Final Fantasy XIII
8. Final Fantasy X
9. Final Fantasy VIII
10. Final Fantasy
11. Final Fantasy III
12. Final Fantasy II (Least favorite, but still awesome!)

XIII may not be at the very top, but it is most definitely not at the very bottom. It fits perfectly, comfortably right in the middle.

And please keep in mind what I mentioned at the very start of this feature: I love all the main, numbered games. Don’t let the order of things throw you off. In a box of twelve delicious cupcakes, there are always some slightly more delicious than others.

Could you imagine? Final Fantasy XV Episode 2: The Whining or something like that? They’re really thinking along those lines.

Square Enix CEO Phil rogers told Develop that it could come in the next three years: “Will we see our games split into episodes? It’s not something that we are particularly planning, but I’ve no doubt that we will be over the next three years.”

That doesn’t sound particularly solid for the case of episodic release schedules, but look at what Rogers says about DLC:“Digital is now a massive part of our focus. How we offer content to consumers via digital download is very important to us, and premium downloadable content is an absolute must for the titles that we launch.”

If you look at Square Enix’s flagship franchise, Final Fantasy, it’s not hard to imagine retooling their games to fit this release method.

I’d have no issue with episodic releases as long as the total cost of the parts wouldn’t exceed the price of a normal release. What about you?

Final Fantasy to go eipsodic? [CVG]

A somewhat late PSA, but an important one: classic Final Fight in HD is now available over Xbox LIVE Arcade. Capcom and Microsoft have released Final Fight: Double Impact on the downloadable games service, bringing fans drop in and drop out co-op and new HD visuals across two different classic games: Final Fight (1989-ish) and Magic Sword (1990-ish).

The PSN version of the game will be released on the morrow, which coincidentally is when our review of the package will hit. Read up on the Magic Sword side of the downloadable if you’re curious, or hell, download the demo and tell us what you think of this latest Capcom offering.

It’s a case of handbags at dawn as two Japanese RPG developers got involved in a little verbal jousting over Mistwalker’s upcoming Wii game, The Last Story. Mistwalker boss and Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi was mocked by Final Fantasy Gaiden director Takashi Tokida for “rehashing” the very series he built. While most likely in jest, Sakaguchi still took the opportunity to justify his game.

The debate started when Tokida asked Sakaguchi, “How about stopping with the Final Fantasy rehashes?” The accusations were carried on in a more serious tone by a simple fan, who stated that he felt The Last Story did indeed look like it was just recreating Square Enix’s franchise. 

“I think you’ll feel this once you’ve tried it. LS is not a rehash,” stated the Mistwalker chief, defending his game.

Considering we haven’t really seen anything of The Last Story yet, outside of some artwork and plot details, it’s a little early to make accusations. I think most of the “rehash” comments come simply from the fact that it’s called The Last Story, which of course sounds very similar to Final Fantasy. Just goes to show you how easy it is to influence perception with a few simple words.

Hironobu Sakaguchi: The Last Story Not a Final Fantasy Rehash [Andria Sang]

After ten billion years of waiting, Final Fantasy XIII releases today in North America, with a last-minute announcement that will give PS3 fans something else to beam about in one of the console wars’ most bitter battleground. The PlayStation 3 version of the game is getting an exclusive. 

XIII PS3 will give players a “secret in-game item” for use with Final Fantasy XIV when it releases later this year. They will also be in with a chance of getting into the beta. Square Enix “Point Cards” will be packaged into the initial run of PS3 copies, which can be used on Square-Enix Members to redeem a code. 

Sony would like to remind you that the PS3 version is the one to get. “The Final Fantasy franchise has long been synonymous with the PlayStation brand,” writes Sony demagogue Rob Dyer. “Who could forget Final Fantasy VII on PSone and Final Fantasy X proved to be a landmark achievement when it launched on the PS2.”

I think Sony should just pretend Final Fantasy XIII is an exclusive. It would be funny.

_{Next week marks the release of the next iteration in the revered Final Fantasy series, the highly anticipated Final Fantasy XIII. Woo hoo! To celebrate, I will be posting a trilogy of Final Fantasy-themed features all this week, each one focusing on a different aspect of what makes the series so gosh darn memorable.}

One thing that is refreshingly unique about the Final Fantasy series is that none of the main, numbered games are direct sequels to each other. Each game exists in a very similar universe, but none continues the stories previously established in the games that precede it. (I am not counting X-2, After Years, or Tactics as main games in the series.)

Despite each game being its own complete story, though, there are certain, very specific items, enemies, and characters that populate each game, tying the overall Final Fantasy worlds together. Things such as phoenix downs, Chocobos, and Moogles can be found in almost every one of the so-far released twelve games in the main series.

But, for me, my favorite recurring character in all the Final Fantasy games has to be Cid.

And I don’t just love Cid because he happens to appear in all the games. I love him because he is an old, grumpy bastard. An old, grumpy bastard that just so happens to always have something to do with inventing airships.

But thinking back on my favorite Cids in the Final Fantasy universe, I came to the realization that there is a pattern to which ones I like the best. It seems the grumpier Cid is in a particular game, the more awesome his character. Is this just a coincidence or am I on to something?

Hit the jump for a breakdown of every single Cid over the years … and how his grumpiness relates to his level of significance and overall popularity. It’s all very scientific.

I had to really research this one. At first, I thought Cid was not in the original Final Fantasy at all, but come to find out he is … sort of. While not present in the original NES game, Cid was shoehorned into the story in previous released versions of the first Final Fantasy for the PlayStation and PSP. I like to think Square-Enix knew I was going to write this article one day and wanted to keep everything clean and consistent.

Because of his early absence, I am not very familiar with his role in the game. If history is any indication, I can only assume that Cid in the original Final Fantasy is old, has something to do with an airship, and is wonderfully grumpy. He is also most likely awesome.

Like Cher or Fantasia, the Cid that shows up in Final Fantasy II goes by just one name and one name only. If that is not badass enough, Cid in Final Fantasy II pilots the main airship in the game and even makes a noble sacrifice at the game’s end to help the main heroes.

And just like the best Cids in the series, Cid in Final Fantasy II is grumpy as hell. He loves his airship and doesn’t care about anyone who thinks otherwise.

Oh, Cid Haze. You had such a great look going for you: funky hat, big fluffy beard. You could have been the grumpiest old Cid to ever grace the Final Fantasy series!

Sadly, though, Cid Haze is too much a pushover in Final Fantasy III to truly represent the best Cid has to offer. He is ridiculously generous in the game, offering his airship to the game’s main characters to help them on their way, but there are too many instances when Cid asks for help that he really shouldn’t need. And Cid isn’t supposed to be sweet and accommodating. Cid is supposed to be that old man that steals your football when it falls into his yard. He gets things done on his own terms!

Cid Pollendina in Final Fantasy IV is the series’ first true playable Cid (not counting the quick instance Cid joins your party in FFIII). He is also easily one of the best Cids ever!

A good friend to main characters Cecil and Rosa, engineer Cid joins the party after being arrested for treason for betraying the fake, evil king of Baron. After being rescued (never saying thank you like a classic Cid should), Cid reveals his greatest invention to his friends, the airship Enterprise.

Throughout the entirety of Final Fantasy IV, Cid is, at the same time, both lovable and absolutely stubborn. He works too hard, complains about things not getting done, and constantly gives everyone around him attitude. But despite all this, he is supremely likeable and one of the best characters in the game. He also performs a ridiculously brave act near the end of the game that saves all his friends … and complains and yells the entire time he does it.

Classic Cid.

To no one’s surprise, Cid Previa has a lot to do with the airship in Final Fantasy V. An inventor like almost all of the Cids that have come before him, Cid Previa is the unwilling creator of a machine used by the power-hungry kingdom of Karnak to drain the world’s crystals of their energy.

Because of this, Cid sulks through most of Final Fantasy V. He has some great moments of grumpiness, but most of the game’s best moments belong to his much younger grandson Mid.

This is the one glaring exception to my magical equation that a grumpier Cid = a better Cid.

Not that Cid Dell Norte Marquez (best name ever!) is not an old, grumpy bastard at times — he is! — but his moments of stubbornness are completely overshadowed by how remarkably kind-hearted he is.

As chief engineer for the evil Empire, Cid Dell Norte Marquez is responsible for inventing Magitek, the process of how magic is (painfully) extracted from the innocent Espers of the world. While the process was meant for research, it was used for terrible purposes by the Empire, putting Cid in a very uncomfortable position.

After the world is destroyed by Kefka, Cid is kept alive by Celes — a genetically-engineered female knight of the Empire and adopted daughter of Cid — after he becomes sick trying to care for her. The sequence on the Solitary Island with Cid and Celes is one of the most powerful in videogame history. During this moment in Final Fantasy VI, all of Cid’s grumpiness melts away, revealing a generous man that performs acts of such kindness it will bring tears to your eyes.

Although he is not one of the grumpier Cids, he may arguably be the best.

Hands down, Cid Highwind from Final Fantasy VII is the grumpiest Cid to ever star in a Final Fantasy game. As a pilot and mechanic, Cid’s dream is to go into space abroad the majestic rocket he invented and built.

In a freak accident on launch day, Cid’s partner and female friend Shera is almost killed. To save her life, Cid must abandon the launch, thereby destroying any hope he had of going into space. After the fateful event, Cid takes out his anger on Shera by making him work for her (almost like a slave), constantly barraging her with insults and curses, and chain-smoking almost more than any other videogame character in recent memory. (Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if Cid blew that smoke in Shera’s face whenever he got the chance.)

Despite the almost uncomfortable level of his grumpy emotional abuse towards Shera, Cid shows he has a heart by forgiving her, apologizing for everything he had done, and — in a shocking twist — marrying her!

Even the grumpiest Cids have to have a heart.

Uh oh. After Cid’s divine grumpiness in Final Fantasy VII, the Cid featured in Final Fantasy VIII is a huge step down. Not that he isn’t an interesting character, but Cid Kramer is way too compassionate and clear-headed to make a good Cid. Who wants their Cid practical?

As the headmaster and overseer of Balamb Garden — a school to train mercenaries — Cid Kramer is very interesting and is the focus of a fair share of surprising plot twists. But he is also smart, classy, composed … and not at all the kind of Cid a player like me is looking for. Where is the foul-mouthed language? The grizzled beard? The grumpiness?

He also wears a sweater vest in the game. Cid should never wear a sweater vest.

Just to set the record straight, Cid Fabool in Final Fantasy IX is not really playable, but the player does take control of him during a brief sequence. So while he is technically playable, he in no way has the same major role as the two Cids from Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy VII. With that being said, though, the section of the game that does star him is very interesting.

Why? BECAUSE HE IS A FROG! That’s right; Cid gets turned into a frog about halfway through the game when main character Zidane tries to perform a spell on him. For the brief time the player gets to control Cid, he is a frog. With a giant moustache. A grumpy, airship-creating, giant moustache-adorned frog.

With a cape.

So awesome.

Cid in Final Fantasy X has something that none of the other Cids before him have ever had: a family relationship with one of the game’s main playable characters!

Cid (again taking the single-name Cher route) is Rikku’s father, Yuna’s uncle, and leader of a renegade group of people that excel at technology. Despite the fact that he is completely bald, which is something normal Cids are not known for, his personality is just as loud and obnoxious as the best of them! Cid in Final Fantasy X feels like a completely new take on the iconic character at first sight, but quickly fits the mold as one of the best (and most memorable) Cids in the series!

I have to make a confession: I have never played Final Fantasy XI for more than a few minutes. I respect the game like crazy, but have never been a guy that can get into MMORPGs. Thank God for my friend who is obsessed with the game. He quickly filled me in on Cid’s surprising appearance in the online, completely one of a kind Final Fantasy iteration and what kind of personality he has.

Funny enough, I should have seen this coming. Cid is a bearded engineer and inventor who helps your character by creating helpful inventions and tools.

The most important question I had for my friend: Is Cid in Final Fantasy XI grumpy? The answer: “Not really. But he does seem to have an attitude.” I think that’s okay with me.

What the heck? Two Cids in one game!? What is happening?!

There are actually two major characters named Cid in Final Fantasy XII. One, Cidolfus Demen Bunansa, is the stubborn father of playable character Balthier and a researcher and inventor for the major kingdom of Archadia. The other, Al-Cid Margrace, is a romantic man and member of a prominent royal family. Can you guess which one is supposed to be the official Cid?

Yeah, it comes as no surprise that Cidolfus Bunansa is the Cid that players have come to love over the years. Not only does the Cid of Final Fantasy XII have a classic, unruly attitude, he is actually one of the game’s bosses! That is really grumpy.

Extra points for that.

What do you think? How do you feel about my equation? Do you agree that a grumpy Cid equals a better Cid?

Which Cid is your favorite? Without spoiling it by looking on the Internet, do you have guesses as to what Cid will be like in Final Fantasy XIII? Will he be a playable character? Will he have something do to with an airship?

And, most importantly, will he be grumpy?

We were so thrilled by the considerable amount of positive response to the first episode of Bit Transmission that we’ve decided to record a second one. Shocking, I realize. Take a deep breath or pop a couple Valium and you’ll be fine.

This weekend, Colette, Holmes and I will get to talking about what we would like to see developers do with Microsoft’s motion controller, Project Natal. There will also be some discussion of Heavy Rain and we just might get a little bit excited for the impending release of Mega Man 10. Pretty good odds on that last one.

We’ll also be responding to your questions and comments, so we’re going to need some of those. Talk to us below and we’ll see you when the show gets posted next week.