|
571
|
Media / Single-Player RPGs / Re: FINAL FANTASY XIII
|
on: March 09, 2010, 02:36:04 PM
|
|
And yes, the game is obnoxiously beautiful, though there's some slowdown and a tad of polygon tearing in the PS3 version. Couple of low rez. texture maps here and there. Crystal Tools makes excellent use of the PS3's lighting effects - and the colors pop off the screen, but I've seen better polygon and texture work in UE3 stuff. Music is boss too - camera needs to fucking die though, its almost as bad as Ninja Gaiden 2.
|
|
|
|
|
572
|
Media / Single-Player RPGs / Re: FINAL FANTASY XIII
|
on: March 09, 2010, 02:29:15 PM
|
|
I'm having mixed feeling about the game personally. I just got to the Sunleth Waterscape about 8 hours in- and while the story has been interesting, the linearity and repeat pattern of gameplay (not combat) has really started to drag on me. The Gapra Whitewood was pretty but was entirely too linear, yet entirely too long... There really isn't much exploration so far and the feeling of being pulled through the game by the nose is somewhat obnoxious. The Crystarium is pretty, but perpetuates alot of the problems we see in other FF's which is overgeneralization. Sure you can choose your route, but after most of your characters have access to all the paradigms and the obnoxious amount of CP you get, its almost impossible not to develop your entire party with the same toolset. I don't like the fact that your forced to play different lead characters based on the storyline, even when you have other party members available, you are locked in - at least at this point in the game.
The combat system is pretty cool, but the preemptive strike component completely trivialized alot of the fights. I've only just had one major boss battle (out of about 5-6) that required strategy. I know its still early in the game, but there's just something magical about an FF game that is just lacking for me so far. The entire intro quest before you even meet up with the Pulse fal'Cie was filled with some of the dumbest dialogue and inconsistent pacing I've seen in a while. The fact that they drop you in on the 13th day will leave alot of players completely bewildered and confused. The in-game encyclopdeia is helpful, but its akin to someone trying to play Xenosaga 3 without having played any of the other titles - it's that convoluted. While you do pick up the general gist, and if you take the time to read the datalogue - it all makes sense, particuarly when you finish up most of the previous 12 days of flashbacks.
I can appreciate what they're trying to do with the game - cutting out alot of the tedium of an RPG actually helps the story's pacing, but the entire package so far seems like some huge genre experiment that started hastily and is only just now starting to blossom. With most gamers having an attention span of a siv, I don't think this was a good thing for SE to do. Sure the beginning is bombastic, but its a complete mess - and the lack of any real breaks in gameplay make alot of the game seem extremely tedious.
Honestly, I think i'm looking forward to RoF on Wed more than ever.
|
|
|
|
|
573
|
Media / Single-Player RPGs / Re: FINAL FANTASY XIII
|
on: March 09, 2010, 02:10:57 PM
|
|
Guys, the registration codes are fine, the problem is you cant C&P it - because it will cut out the last 4 characters because of the spaces. Enter the code without spaces with all caps.
|
|
|
|
|
575
|
Media / Multiplayer RPGs / Re: FFXI and FFXIV details from Vanafest!
|
on: February 28, 2010, 03:13:53 PM
|
|
I like our story better anyway... nobody was on AIM when the news broke ;p BTW, it looks like the alpha invites were just for Vanafest attendees per Eorzapaedia, though the official site is somewhat ambiguous.
|
|
|
|
|
578
|
Media / Multiplayer RPGs / Re: FFXI and FFXIV details from Vanafest!
|
on: February 28, 2010, 08:45:45 AM
|
|
I"m pretty excited about the changes, but at this point in the game's lifecycle its not doing anything to encourage new players to join, and they are planning on merging servers from 32 to 24, which is usually the death knell for an MMO. If the FFXIV beta wasn't so damn close I'd love to see some kind of Solaris revival to chip away at some of this new stuff. The real question is, who would reactivate?
|
|
|
|
|
579
|
Media / Multiplayer RPGs / Re: FFXI and FFXIV details from Vanafest!
|
on: February 28, 2010, 08:42:05 AM
|
Here's the link to the new expansions homepage too... http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/addon/Level Cap Increase details... Level Cap Increase
History is about to be made with the increase of the level cap in the March version update and beyond! The increase will take place in stages until the new maximum, level 99, has been reached.
Up until now, character strength has been limited to level 75, and additions to the game such as monsters, strategic content, and equipment had been designed to correspond to this.
However, with the game having reached a certain level of maturity and the bulk of existing notorious monsters having already fallen prey to tenacious bands of adventurers, the development team has deemed that the time is now ripe for the bar to be raised.
Level Cap Considerations
We are aware that players will inevitably feel concern over how in-game elements such as support jobs, experience camps, and merit points will be affected by this change. We would like to take a moment to explain the measures that are in the pipes to preserve game balance.
Support job abilities that are not expected to steal the limelight from main jobs as a result of the level cap increase will be allowed to come into play. Furthermore, there are plans to tweak certain job abilities, job traits, and magic spells on an ongoing basis in order to further accentuate the uniqueness of each job when used in a main role, as well as its versatility when playing a supporting role.
New camping grounds are scheduled to be added to cater to the anticipated rise in demand for experience parties. Furthermore, the redistribution of monsters in existing areas is also under consideration.
An increase in maximum upgrades is being considered for existing merit point skills and attributes. Preparations are also under way for the introduction of a new type of merit point for players who have reached the new level 99 summit. |
|
|
|
|
580
|
Media / Multiplayer RPGs / Re: FFXI and FFXIV details from Vanafest!
|
on: February 28, 2010, 08:40:15 AM
|
Here are more solid details since they just updated the english Vanafest Page.... http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/event/vanafes2010/FFXIV Beta Testing With the eagerly anticipated FINAL FANTASY XIV drawing ever nearer its beta test phase, we are excited to announce that we will be conducting a closed alpha test—exclusive to our loyal FINAL FANTASY XI users! Those who have been selected as beta testers can expect to receive further information starting from Monday, March 1. * The tester website is scheduled to go live on Thursday, March 11.
Those who were not selected in this drawing, fear not, for there will be other opportunities to come. Be sure to stay tuned! There's a ton of information about the next FFXI expansions/job changes etc... In attendance at the special talk session were Producer Hiromichi Tanaka, Director Koichi Ogawa, Battle Director Akihiko Matsui, planners Yoji Fujito and Mizuki Ito, and Global Online Producer Sage Sundi. The discussion revolved around the new content being planned for the upcoming version update as well as the game's future direction. * All announcements made are for content under development, and thus changes may occur without notice.
Job Adjustments
The job adjustments planned for the March version update have been announced, with further discussions revolving around the future direction of all jobs.
Overall Direction
Up until now, most job adjustments have been implemented with ease of party-forming in mind. From this point onwards, we plan to shift the focus towards ease of participation in endgame content. The role of each job will also come under review.
Currently for instance, the role of debuffing enemies is the exclusive domain of only a few jobs, but we intend to examine ways to enable more professions to perform similar roles, empowering each with the capacity to handle a wider range of situations. Our goal is to achieve—without sacrificing the uniqueness of each job—greater ease of participation in endgame content and provide the opportunity for all participants to contribute equally.
The scope of our vision for job adjustments does not stop there, however. Maintaining battle balance remains one of our highest priorities. As such, we intend to conduct reviews on an ongoing basis and introduce new equipment and adjust weapon skills as necessary. It is anticipated that the level cap increase will impact the balance of certain elements more than others. We will keep a close watch on these areas and, if the situation demands, review and reconsider even the adjustments that have been announced. Our ultimate goal is to provide the most rewarding, balanced play environment possible to all adventurers.
March Version Update Job Adjustments
[ Beastmaster ] The following changes will be made to enhance the usability of the job ability “Call Beast”:
- New synergy recipes for the creation of consumable items required to perform the ability will be with a higher rate of yield for HQ items.
- Certain ingredients needed to synthesize/synergize the items will become more readily obtainable.
[ Summoner ] Two new long-awaited avatars, Alexander and Odin will be added. Both new avatars will appear and do the summoner’s bidding only when Astral Flow is in effect. Be aware, invoking one or the other will automatically initiate Astral Flow, the effect of which will end upon the avatar’s release. In accordance of their introduction, summoners will become able to use the “Astral Flow” job ability even when no avatars have been invoked.
Avatar: Alexander Uses “Perfect Defense” to reduce damage sustained by party members and prevent status ailments. - Damage reduction and resistance rate will vary with the summoner’s remaining MP.
Avatar: Odin Uses “Zantetsuken” to vanquish all foes within the area of effect in one fell strike. - When used against NMs, will instead deal damage.
- Amount of damage dealt and accuracy will vary with the summoner’s remaining MP.
- More monsters within the area of effect will reduce accuracy.
[ Puppetmaster ] With adjustments to attributes of the Harlequin and Valoredge X-900 frames and the performance of attachments, automatons will be made more durable against incapacitation. In addition, the hand-to-hand combat rating of puppetmasters will be raised from rank C to A, making them formidable combatants in their own right.
|
|
|
|
|
581
|
Media / Multiplayer RPGs / FFXI and FFXIV details from Vanafest!
|
on: February 28, 2010, 06:40:09 AM
|
Fresh news from FFXIVCore who were live at Vanafest 2010! FFXIV Tester Site opening March 11th for those chosen! - Invite notification info still unknown
Beta announced for FFXIV - Details have not yet been completely revealed
New FFXIV gameplay footage - not yet viewable to non-attendants for the moment
Info on the FFXIV Alpha for the FFXI players invited will be sent March 1st
FFXI News
Odin and Alexander as Summons in FFXI!
Level cap increased to 99 in FFXI!
Three Mini Expansions announced
New high level area - Abyssea
Earn AF3 in Abyssea with only a single party!
New gigantic NM and HNM!
Black Mages to possibly learn Meteor!
Many class adjustments - will be detailed later |
|
|
|
|
583
|
Media / Multiplayer RPGs / Re: Final Fantasy XI - Journal!
|
on: February 17, 2010, 09:25:48 PM
|
|
FFXIV needs a matchmaking system for content like that. The whole sticking out your thumb for hours was one of my top 3 issues with XI. As much as I revile WoW these days, they got LFG right.
|
|
|
|
|
585
|
Media / Single-Player RPGs / Re: White Knight Chronicles dated for the US
|
on: February 05, 2010, 05:51:29 PM
|
|
I picked it up and haven't found it to be as nearly horrible as everyone seems to claim it is. Granted, you can't go into any L5 game without having an obnoxiously overdone GUI, and if you can get past it, its a pretty solid JRPG. I haven't had a chance to try out GeoNet as the servers have been down, but the game isn't any worse than any of the other JRPGs released recently. The graphics are actually pretty nice if you can get past the somewhat dated character models. The music is great, and the combat system (once you get used to how it works) isn't bad at all. At least its a solid RPG, not one of the RPG-lite (i'm looking at you FFXIII). I like the fact that you have a pretty broad spread of customization options from equipment as well as abilities. Alot of the problems James outlined in the import review seem to be addressed. I've had no issues with leveling up - and while mana is indeed a precious resource - having hp/mp regen out of combat helps that alot. Personally i'm liking it a hell of alot better than the Tri-Ace trash i've had to swallow so far this console generation - even if some aspects of the game seem dated. I'm not sure how many things have changed between the original release and this International version - but I haven't found any major issues with the game, and am enjoying it quite a bit.
I don't think the game comes anywhere close to the disgusting mess of a game PSU was. WKC actually has a cohesive story, decent scripting, VARIETY and depth of gameplay. If you don't plan on buying it, rent it for a bit and give it a chance. I don't think the game deserves all the ire everyone keeps wanting to throw at it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Show Posts
