Impressions: Final Fantasy XIII

by Jem Alexander { Jun 3rd 2009 at 7:00AM }

Final Fantasy XIII? That's so yesterday. Despite the announcement of Final Fantasy XIV, XIII still isn't out yet and much of the game is still shrouded in mystery. We were given a very brief demonstration of the title behind closed doors at Square Enix' booth, where we were shown more of the combat system. Specifically: summons. More specifically: Shiva.

The demo -- which, we reiterate, was very short -- was taken from an early part of the game. Motomu Toriyama, who was controlling the demo, took control of Snow in order to show us his partnered summon, Shiva. Each character has a partnered summon and it seems this is story specific, rather than a Final Fantasy VIII style "Junction" system.

Toriyama quickly initiated a battle and explained how the new "assault" combat option automatically selects the most approprate combat option for you. In other words, it's an autopilot for the smaller scale combat situations you're likely to come into contact with while grinding -- and if we know Final Fantasy, there'll be plenty of that.

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIII

Soon Toriyama started summoning Shiva. It's a similarly ridiculous animation to Lightning's Odin summon which you saw in the latest trailer. She emerges from a giant bubble, covered in Final Fantasy X style glyphs, which then freezes and breaks apart. Shiva then takes place by Snow's side as Lightning and Oerba disappear from the battle.

Once summmoned, Shiva has her own commands in battle, making it very similar to Final Fantasy X's summon system. However, Square Enix has introduced a new gimmick in XIII -- the summon's Gestalt mode. This is a mode which completely changes not only the appearance of the summoned creature, but the nature of gameplay in battles, as well.

Shiva transformed into a motorbike. The battle system then changed from turn-based to something more suited to an action game. Snow, riding atop Shiva, is able to maneuver around the battlefield in realtime, bashing into enemies and performing certain special skills. The mode ended fairly quickly, so we didn't get a chance to see it in detail. Something tells us we would've been shown more, but we'd already been waiting around 20 minutes for the demo code to arrive -- not to mention the obligatory pre-demo PS3 firmware update -- so we were running low on time.

The Gestalt mode should give the battles in Final Fantasy XIII an extra spark. It's probably not enough to convert action fans to this RPG, but it should be a fun, new addition to the series. No doubt Square Enix will be teasing us fairly substantially with new summon animations and Gestalt modes.

We asked what form Odin's Gestalt mode would take, but Kitase refused to discuss any summons other than Shiva. Though, he did say that fans of the series would probably be able to figure Odin's transformation out for themselves. Mountaintop target-shooting lightbolt mini-game, it is then.

Tags: e3-2009, final-fantasy, final-fantasy-xiii, impressions, square-enix

Related From Joystiq

Rumor: Japanese Final Fantasy XIII to include Final Fantasy XIV content
9 hours ago
Final Fantasy XIII character progression system explained
8 days ago
New Final Fantasy XIII screenshots reintroduce Oerba
17 days ago

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

J-L @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:17AM

*appropriate

gmoya90 @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:18AM

i was watching this sooo amazing and how thay summon was like FFX and FF8 mix but it was great more likely like FFX.

very wounderful footage of lighting summoning odin XD cant wait for this game for sure english or jp cause english voices couldent be anymore better then what thay sound am impress voice acting is just perfect.

i hope ps3 jp FF13 version has japanese and english voices to do a switch on the opitions or but english subs with japanese voices be cool if u can.

very great trailer at E3 very impress!!

Akira @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:46AM

The Crystals can create living organisms and machinery the summons are a combanation of this. Yes it sounds ridiculous but its not called Final FANTASY for nothing. As long as it is believable in the story i think it's pretty cool.

scott @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:20AM

"Shiva transformed into a motorbike"
/facepalm

1cc @ Jun 3rd 2009 8:44AM

/Double Facepalm

Because Shiva transforming into a motorbike can't be covered by one facepalm.

I hope Ifrit transforms into a Racket and then its owner plays Tennis with him. Serving balls of fire. Sounds good. I should work for Square Enix.

deusmecha @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:00AM

You saw Shiva transform into a motorbike in the first damn trailer. You're complaining about it NOW?

Levi @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:10AM

I'll third that facepalm. Let's assume we all did it in unison for added effect?

Eh @ Jun 3rd 2009 12:16PM

It only sounds dumb because they said motorbike. Now if they said "Shiva transformed into a death machine designed by satan himself" then that has a whole different sound to it.

Bryan T @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:59PM

I'll start the fourth /facepalm, I was late (not in unison) because I had to re-read the article to make sure I understood that correctly and didn't magically skip over half an article.

Nice Can Of Spam @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:31AM

I don't mind the whole "gestault" thing - even if Shiva turned into a motorbike. But they sure as damn well better give an actual reason as to WHY she can do this, instead of it just it being "something she can do".

Think Adrian @ Jun 3rd 2009 8:21AM

I think that all characters can make their summons change into something unique depending on their own characteristics. Snow is a biker dude, so maybe all summons transform inte motorbikes or vehicles?

So it's not Shiva that transforms into a motorbike (that would be really stupid, actually), but rather adapts to her master.

skyzbig @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:37AM

Erm...so are these good impressions or not...

I can't tell.

Jtenma @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:55AM

I think that is the point of this particular impression.

You take what you get out of what they saw (they are your eyes since you weren't there) and make what you can out of it.

This way, no one can say that they were biased on the subject at hand since they are just 'reporting'.

G-Anderton @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:40AM

I'd ride it.

Liam @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:48AM

*Thumbs up*

Mr French @ Jun 3rd 2009 7:56AM

completely unrelated to FF, but um.. joystiq.. where's my podcast? 2 days into e3 and still nada word? (that day 0 stuff didnt count btw..). i dont mean to complain, i just miss you is all. call me.

MaRRODkez @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:30AM

Posted it 2 days ago, or do you mean since then?

http://www.joystiq.com/category/podcasts

Gerry @ Jun 3rd 2009 8:00AM

They showed new characters too! Three, the white haired kid, the blond with the glasses who looks like Lightnings sis, and they short blue hair dood who looked real militant. FFXII/Squenix= Win!

L4Flare @ Jun 3rd 2009 8:18AM

"Mountaintop target-shooting lightbolt mini-game, it is then". Isn't that the Alexander summon?

Lustis @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:25AM

Good call! I forgot all about that summon.

I was trying to figure out what Odin would turn into myself. He always rides in on a horse so I'm assuming that is what it is. But wouldn't it be strange if he turns into what he generally rides in as?

TheLionOfAzzalle @ Jun 3rd 2009 8:30AM

God this game can't come soon enough....2010 is such a long time away....

Akira @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:08AM

Lightning's summon is Odin.

el serpiente @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:37AM

I bet you are excited for FFXIV too, eh?

O wait...

Astral Drmz @ Jun 3rd 2009 8:48AM

I wonder who Lightning's summon will be...
/facepalm

Mazrael @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:32AM

Quetzalcoatl was awesome.... you weren't thinking of that one were you...

Lustis @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:27AM

Maybe Ramuh?

Dymphna @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:48PM

already been said she has Odin

Soren the Cat @ Jun 3rd 2009 8:50AM

When your game needs an "autopilot" feature because there is so much mindlessness or repetition, I think that should throw up a red flag.

DaveMcRae the Haiku Artist @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:10AM

Yeah I look forward to it, of course, but.... I just wish they would they would make another modest, charming and lovable FF, like IX.

HitNRun @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:15AM

I love me some IX, but unfortunately we have to accept that with every FF game now being a 3 year hype ordeal, the odds are pretty slim of something low-key, simple to follow, and featuring art not made to be hung off skyscrapers in Los Angeles is pretty slim.

Jimbotron @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:16AM

Yawn. I really have no desire to play this. Maybe if it was in a fantasy setting (as the title would lead you to believe) instead of a sci-fi setting, I'd be interested. But I'm not. Let the hype continue, I guess.

Mazrael @ Jun 3rd 2009 9:26AM

It doesn't have to be orks & goblins to be 'fantasy'..

Final Fantasy is 'Science Fantasy'.. it got it's name because FF was to be their last ever game, but ironically saved Square from bankruptcy..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy

HitNRun @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:09AM

I believe the word you're searching for is "medieval." Final Fantasy is certainly fantasy. For God's sake, the first posts in this thread are arguing over the form of a magically summoned ice elemental deity. Somehow I doubt tachyon pulses are going to be a major plot point.

As for the merit of it, all I can say is that every FF since 6 has had some steampunk or futuristic themes.

aristokrat @ Jun 3rd 2009 10:05AM

Did they spell it "Gestault"? "Gestalt" is the only way I know of to correctly spell it, and if that's how it's spelled throughout the game then it's really going to grind my gears.

aSimpleFear @ Jun 3rd 2009 12:45PM

Call me crazy but I don't think they are referring to the American psychologist with this battle mode.

Made me soooOOOOOOoooo (there now you know its sarcasm) mad when they called the system in FFVII 'Materia'... WTF that's not even a word, you can't make up words in a fantasy game. How dare they. HOW DARE THEY!

And gun swords??? Why would you even use the sword if you had a gun?
Final Fantasy fails for not being Final realisticness.

aSimpleFear @ Jun 3rd 2009 12:51PM

Ok so its a field of psychology not a person but you get my drift :P. And my drift is psychology is a joke.

Also, Die Gestalt is german for 'Form or Shape', so obviously they're doing the old play on words bit again. Gestault is a battle mode in which you change shapes just as 'Materia' was special abilities created by 'materials'. kind of.

aristokrat @ Jun 3rd 2009 6:32PM

Pretty sure that's an alternate spelling, but not the primary spelling:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestalt

343 Guilty Fart @ Jun 3rd 2009 1:24PM

I haven't played a FF since the original, but the combat mechanics in this game sound incredibly complex, how steep is the learning curve? It sounds like there's a ton of stuff to keep track of. I'm not sure how I feel about this.

aSimpleFear @ Jun 3rd 2009 2:56PM

Knowing Final Fantasy you'll have >3 hours of gameplay to figure it out in the form of a tutorial.

Not a formal tutorial, but levels 1->10in final fantasy games are meant to be easy ins to the system.

You'll start with likely JUST attack and items, then you'll get some magic, then at level ~12 you'll get some summons etc.

Point of comment, if there's a learning curve it will most definitely NOT be steep.