TGS 2009: Impressions: Final Fantasy Versus XIII
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Sep 25th 2009 at 6:00AM } 
This year's trailer for the still-only-for-PS3 Versus XIII broke the mold of all the previous ones by focusing exclusively on gameplay (gasp!). The trailer is barely a trailer at all, absent of the fancy editing and slick text overlays so common in a Square Enix trailer. Instead, we're treated to handicam footage of the game running off of a TV. The footage isn't particularly interesting: we see Noctis running through many different kinds of environments, such as European-inspired towns to grassy green fields that look like they're ripped straight from Final Fantasy XIII.
Unfortunately, the trailer didn't answer the one question all Square Enix fans have on their minds: what will it play like? Sure, we know he can run, but we'd love to see how this trailer translates to gameplay (if at all!). This secret trailer reveal at TGS did answer one though, though: Versus XIII is actually in development and, from the looks of things, may be farther along than any of us had expected.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Cam @ Sep 25th 2009 6:12AM
I think they're trying to boost XIII media hype, more than versus though. It would make more sense because they can get more sales In North America and Europe from XIII. but It's two different development groups right. Versus being the guys who were behind VII and Kingdom Hearts. So, that will most likely be the better game, and if not the better story. I think Versus is going to be their baby, while XIII is going to be they're money maker which they can abuse. Which is why we won't have heard much.
Cam @ Sep 25th 2009 6:12AM
*thier
Glenn @ Sep 25th 2009 6:24AM
*you were right the first time :P
Anywho, looking forward to this game.
Viking @ Sep 25th 2009 6:45AM
I think they keep Versus in the shadow for now, just because it's stupid to compete against their own hype. Why make FF13 and Versus fight against each-other?
When FF13 is out, they'll hype this shit out of Versus.
Cam @ Sep 25th 2009 6:48AM
no, I got the word wrong. I was correcting the *they're* for *their* and misspelled the correction. kinda ironic
solarshadows074 @ Sep 25th 2009 6:21AM
fawesome.
Snowblind @ Sep 25th 2009 6:22AM
I'm finding it difficult to care about XIII, I really don't like the style of the universe, and this one looks even worse. I can definitely see who they're trying to appeal to with this game, and I hate to beat a dead horse, but the whole black leather, belts and zipper thing really doesn't do it for me. It looks *ridiculous*.
I'm honestly a lot more excited about Crystal Bearers, which is a lot closer to the direction the FF games should be going in. In my opinion.
Victor @ Sep 25th 2009 8:13AM
I'd love if they took the direction FFIX took with the next FF :D
rowd149 @ Sep 25th 2009 8:34AM
Are you kidding? The futuristic/modern stylings of XIII/VersusXIII are beautiful. And for once, we have realistically-proportioned characters and some designs that, for the most part, I could actually imagine people walking down the street in? I think a lot of you guys are venomously against ANYTHING Nomura produces...
Taylor @ Sep 25th 2009 9:35AM
As long as FFXIII has multiple environments other than futuristic cities (which it's finally proven that it does), then I will have no problem with it. That said, I do wish that one day we could have a true Medieval FF single player game that goes back to FFIV or FFIX. I would also like to be able to equip armor that changes the characters appearance on the screen.
forevercloud3000 @ Sep 25th 2009 11:54AM
You do know Nomura(the famed Character Artist of FF) has been designing characters like that since FFVII right? Why is it an issue now? Its just part of his style.
CLoud:Purple turtneck, leather straps and shoulder pad. Pretty sure pants wehre leather as well as the boots.
Sephiroth:Long leather jacket, shirtless. Bondage chest straps.
Squall:Leather Jacket, with fur collar no less.
Tidus:Leather/rubber waterproof suspenders.
Sora:full leather garb with bright colors.
Actually, Noctis the main from Versus doesnt even fit this typical arch type anymore from what I hear. His main wear is suppose to be his Fashionable Ronin Tuxedo suit.
David @ Sep 25th 2009 2:42PM
what i'm most concerned about is this car-morphing summon-type thing that they've been talking about, it looks like the most retarded thing ever. gestalt mode, i think it was called.
MRLN the Amazing @ Sep 25th 2009 3:28PM
I think the futuristic worlds are extremely pretty and offer something the medieval settings can't provide. I hope they'll continue with both styles, as they both can do different things (guns and art vs. exploration)
KillaChaos @ Sep 25th 2009 10:07PM
@forevercloud3000
Nomura was great, before BELTS AND ZIPPERS.
Snowblind @ Sep 26th 2009 5:07AM
Exactly what I was thinking. Squall had kind of an emo style, so his look kind of fit in there, plus he was the only character in the game to look like that. But you can't compare Cloud to THESE guys.
But for the record, I have nothing against VII and VIII, I don't mind the futuristic settings, I just don't see any appeal in the XIII universe so far. Crystal Bearers is hardly like the classic games either, it's more of a steampunk game, but I still think it feels more like a FF game than these ones do.
chrisredfield31 @ Sep 25th 2009 6:44AM
character designs are hideous for Versus XIII. Now I know what people are complaining about when people talk about Nomura designs. The screens showed so far were just so generic, anime looking I find it hard to believe it's going to make it into the game at all.
kandt @ Sep 25th 2009 7:24AM
I'm trying to figure out if "father" in the last sentence is supposed to be a hint at the storyline or something... some sort of oedipus complex, perhaps?
Ashitaka @ Sep 25th 2009 9:28AM
"farther", not "father".
Pi @ Sep 25th 2009 10:06PM
eww kandt.
I'm sure you were lookin forward to that.
taurus82 (HD ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, Please) @ Sep 25th 2009 7:26AM
If this game plays like Kingdom Hearts, I will absolutely, positively gonna have to skip it.Well, I'll be too busy with FFXIII & FFXIV to worry about it.
Xeones25 @ Sep 25th 2009 8:02AM
Same.
I didn't like the combat in Kingdom Hearts at all. Though I loved the combat in FF VII Crisis Core, even though looking back that seems pretty similar to the KH combat system I remember. I hope XIII Versus has a similar combat system to Crisis Core.
Nick @ Sep 25th 2009 8:18AM
I really enjoyed the combat system in Kingdom Hearts, so if the combat is like that in Versus the purchase will be even sweeter.
Space @ Sep 25th 2009 8:35AM
Has this franchise surpassed Street fighter for having the most sequels and spin off and versions for a video game?
Vcize @ Sep 25th 2009 9:00AM
Not until they release Super Hyper Final Fantasy 13 Turbo Alpha.
Taylor @ Sep 25th 2009 9:14AM
*Super Hyper Final Fantasy 13 Turbo Alpha 2.
Fixed.
rowd149 @ Sep 25th 2009 8:38AM
Man, Squeenix, I can't wait for the game, but this closed theater BS needs to stop. >< What's the point of it, if it's a public event?
In any case, I'm still really excited for vXIII. The extended trailer that popped up a while ago was just... Amazing. If nothing else, I will get this game just to hear Shimomura's music in the situations they were meant to be heard, but if the battle system is as good as we're hoping...
StormX @ Sep 25th 2009 9:03AM
The "behind closed doors" thing is just Square trying to create buzz for their product.
It's just the tired old strategy of "If we tell them they can't have it, they'll want it even more". They just try to make it seem like some big giant mysterious thing that only the privileged elite few are allowed to see so that everyone and their uncle want to see whats going on.
Kirby Forsythe @ Sep 25th 2009 9:00AM
Personally, since I've seen the first trailer for Versus XIII, I've been more excited for this one than XIII. I have enjoyed Nomura's games to the point of being a fanboy, but a dark, dramatic Final Fantasy? Yes please.
Puchi @ Sep 25th 2009 10:32AM
A FF with a love story are the best ones...and FFv13 looks like theres some chemistry btw Emo boy and that one chick..or they might be brother and sister ones bad ones good.
Marius @ Sep 25th 2009 10:33AM
Or you can just admit the PS3 is a good purchase and buy one, Sprinkles
eNrique @ Sep 25th 2009 11:14AM
Well I told ya' (kind of)
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/nomura-no-closed-mega-theater-at-tgs-but-playable-ffxiii-king/comments/21267902/
Huey2k2 @ Sep 25th 2009 12:00PM
Out of curiosity I have never really read anything about FF versus XIII... Can anyone here explain to me what exactly it is?
Is it just a side story to whatever will be the main story in FFXIII? Or will it be something different?
I am definitely going to be getting FFXIII but I have absolutely no idea if I want versus.
Taylor @ Sep 25th 2009 12:37PM
"Final Fantasy Versus XIII is, according to its developers, a wholly independent story unfolding with different characters and a different visual design. Although it is set within the same Final Fantasy XIII universe, it is unrelated to any other entry within the compilation and is thus neither a sequel nor a prequel to any other entries in Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy XIII"
el serpiente @ Sep 25th 2009 1:40PM
Actually quite a bit of info on the wikipedia page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_Versus_XIII
eNrique @ Sep 25th 2009 3:01PM
I think by watching the trailer you can jump to brief idea about what it is.
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/dks3713-trailer-final-fantasy/43655
el serpiente @ Sep 25th 2009 1:38PM
He already has one. This is all an act.
David @ Sep 25th 2009 2:44PM
i'm just glad that they finally dropped the price, so now i can get a PS3 AND not miss out on FF13 Versus.
gmoya90 @ Sep 25th 2009 4:42PM
i used to care about the gameplay to be back like the old school game style now i really dont care because at the end u get the hang of it and u end up liking it!
end of story cant wait for FFXIII jp version and then FFXIV and see how that gose if not i keep playing FFXI.
i aguess noting on TGS about agito not untel next TGS
rahmenxnoodles69 @ Sep 25th 2009 5:02PM
FF Versus XIII looks absolutely incredible. That's definitely a pre-order for me =]
This may sound insignificant but I hope in the English version they actually re-animate the characters mouths during the CG cutscenes and don't just dub over it with English dialogue like in Advent Children. That pissed me off throughout the entire movie and just ruined it for me.. :/
doc j @ Sep 25th 2009 6:06PM
Watching it with Japanese audio and English subtitles removes that discrepancy :)
rahmenxnoodles69 @ Sep 25th 2009 6:52PM
@doc j
I wish I didn't, but I can't stand watching subbed movies. It's less climactic for me when I have to read everything instead of being able to watch the action :/
Zesty @ Sep 26th 2009 7:20AM
FFXIII will be a good game I'm sure but, ever since I saw the first trailer for Versus XIII I have been salivating all over my keyboard for it. You play as a dude in all black leather with bluish/silver hair and red glowing eyes who wields not one but like 13 swords that also act as a shield and go all transparent. Folks, it doesn't get anymore bad ass than that and being so closely tied to Nomura and kingdom hearts es cue style I absolutely am taking a week off when this game launches to thoroughly whoop its ass =)
Zin @ Oct 1st 2009 10:20PM
I think that they should make a part of the Crystlis Novas project thing a more medival-like scene. It would be interesting to know that a part of their world could be so much different than the regualr FFXIII and Versus, it would kick ass!! That and seeing the scenery and style of everything in the beautiful CGI of this generation...would be awesome.
Shon John @ Oct 5th 2009 8:52PM
Alright so, my hype for XIII and Versys XIII are about the same. I honestly kind of get tired talking about how much better than Final Fantasy Versus 13 is going to be way better. We know next to nothing about it. I will enjoy the dark theme of the game, but a cool guy in black leather with a bunch of swords doesn't cut it for me. I am not a huge fan of Hack And slash shooter, which is what this game is said to be, but i know i will still play it. For me, Everyone said oh play Final Fantasy 7! Its the best,, and when i did, WOW BIGGEST DISAPOINTMENT EVER. I had the hardest time just completeing the first disk of the game, because it was SO BORING! Another example would be Dirge of Cerberous. All of that looked really good to me, the cinematics were fantastic, and the gameplay looked solid, but when i got it, it was not nearly as good. So i mean, with 13 i can see everything i need to know about the game for now, and my hype is immense and the game looks fantastic, and my hype for this game is high to, but it may not be as great as everything says it to be. Its not even a main title, it is a spin off title. Just, Noctis, yeah i guess he looks cool, but he also looks like every other emo anime guy out there, such as Sasuke from Naruto. And cool, he has a bunch of blades, still doesn't do much for me. The story looks wel, i don't know because nothing has really been revealed. At the end of the day, games can be decieving. I won't let a bunch of flashy CG and typical lead character traits make me more excited for this game, but a lot of my hope does go out to this game, seeing as how i REALLY want this game to be good. I also wish people would Bring up Agito a bit more to, because i am really excited to see how that game turns out. I don't mind the modern day setups in FF13 anf FF v 13, but i wish they would make a medievil game to. I would fall in love with that. Anyways, i just wish people would stop making Versus 13 sound like god, when it could be nothing more than okay.