Famitsu Reviews FFXIII

[Andromeda]

Well I can't read Japanese so I have no idea what they said, but their score has been announced and I figured it'd would provide a pretty good about of debate. Though considering FFXII I doubt anyone is going to be completely happy. Anyway Famitsu gave FFXIII as 39/40 a near perfect. Which is pretty good all things side and probably pretty fair, normally Famitsu is pretty straight. People have begun to question if they're starting to fall off their pillar though with some questionable perfect scores being handed out and in greater numbers than before.

Anyway though, I already know some won't be happy because FFXII got a perfect and they think the game is junk and therefore anything should else should be better and thus FFXIII should be perfect as well. And others will say its too high because they're going away from what they used to be and stuff.

Well honestly, I don't think that they really should ever be handing out a perfect because no game will ever by perfect. It is just a matter of how close you can reach it without really touching it. So I think the score is pretty good and I have doubt that Square is pretty pleased, they probably wished it was 40, but hey its Famitsu. A game getting a 39 from Famitsu is going to push some extra sales considering they have a pretty well known name in Japan when it comes to reviews. I mean people sit on the edge of their seat here in the US just to know what Famitsu gives a game.

So enjoy and discuss!

[Rocky]

ha, I'm not too surprised on the stellar score, but the scores really don't give much merit to the game yet. Afterall, FF12 got a higher score, but I hated the game overall. Also, Brawl got a 40/40, and that was dumbed down game of Melee, gameplay-wise. Beyoneta is a DMC ripoff, which got a 40.

There were other good games that deserved their scores, like OoT (40), a Link to the Past (39), Resident Evil (40), and a few others, but I don't think we should look too much into the scores. The game could be just as good or as bad without a number attached to it. Besides, what the hell is up with Famitsu giving out perfect scores to 4 games in one year? That's a lot, especially compared to other years and how long the magazine has been around.

EDIT: lol negative rep.

[Andromeda]

Yeah, I know I've been questioning that too. It seems a little weird to have that many "perfect" games this year. Still liked to know why Bayonetta got a perfect, everyone pretty much believes that Sega bought the perfect score. Because they all just look incredulously at it and have to say are you really sure about that? I think Famitsu's up to 13 perfect scores now.

And I certainly don't hold stock in review scores. Sure I cheer for good scores for games I enjoy, but a negative review doesn't turn me anyway from buying a game. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people that buy off reviews a lot of times. I just use to learn more about the game before I consider it the purchase if I'm on the fence about it. I'd like to know the problems with the game before getting into on my own and wasting $60, but I guess I'll waste all sorts of money on RPGs anyway. >.>;

[Zargabaath]

All I know is I am getting FF XIII when it comes state-side; if, Famitsu gave the game a 23/40 then I would have rented first. Famitsu has come under heat from where I have read for giving too many perfect scores: 1) they could honestly think that the game is as perfect as can be or perfect 2) Without evidence to back up the claim that a company paid Famitsu for a great review should be thrown to the curb, letting the arbitrary into the realm of reality is bad.

Too bad we don't have a translation of their reasoning because that may have offered some good insight to Final Fantasy XIII. It kind of limits the amount of talking people can do about the review and with nobody having played the game there can be no claims of insanity toward Famitsu for giving such a game that high of a score with other people agreeing with the score or giving it a perfect.

[Andromeda]

Well I did a quick google search for translations of the review. They don't do in depth reviews, but here is what I found. Now remember to take what it is with a grain of salt, because I can't validate the accuracy or authenticity of the translation. I'll put it in spoilers so anyone that wishes not to see the review can ignore it. There is not really spoilers in it persay as Kotaku would lead you believe, but it can paint an expectation of how you will receive the story. Which probably sounds really confusing without reading the reviews. So read at your own discretion.

Spoiler: 10: "Although the game is linear until the midway point, the story is substantial, like no FF before it, with its own distinctive appeal. The battles based around changing characters' roles are fresh and highly strategic. The tempo is speedy and you get very excited when fighting strong enemies. Being able to restart battles is a user-friendly feature I'm happy about. 9: "Unquestionably the highest echelon of event and movie scenes. Moreover, changing Optimas on a dime, the varied abilities and being able to use multiple magics at once bring real exhilaration to the battles. That high quality is unfortunately offset by a story that stays linear until the midway point. The lack of gimmicks during the middle of the game also worried me." 10: "The overwhelming graphics expressing every nook and cranny of this unique world, along with the praiseworthy direction, moved me!! The battle system is applicable both to beginners and micro-managers. The fights progress quickly, and have ratings, so you never grow tired and can always battle with a feeling of urgency. The melancholic story is also so dramatic, you can't tear your eyes away from it." 10: "I doff my hat to the overwhelming graphics and story. Since the game's various systems become denser as the story progresses, you find yourself pulled ever deeper into the experience. The summon battles take careful planning and strategy, so I was frustrated a few times, but the feeling of achievement when you win is something special. You'll be sorry if you don't play this!"

[smurphy]

I seriously wouldnt put too much faith in a famitsu score. Afterall one ot those games that got a perfect 40 in the past was Nintendogs. Its still a good sign tha ffXIII got a high score though.

[Che]

Any videogame review is still a review written by a videogamer. We all have anticipations, as well as opinions. The most you can get out of a review is one perspective on what a person who plays a lot of videogames thinks. If they're in a bad mood, if they just played a game that gives them a boner and the next only gives them goosebumps, you have to deal with that as a reader of a review.

That being said, I've always gotten along with Famitsu's reviews. Just because a game in 1944 got a 10 doesn't mean a new game can't get a 10. It's not how "good" the game is, it's how successful it is.

[Pete]

I take these things with a grain of salt. You know FF games will get high scores regardless, since Square puts out quality games. We're the ones who will determine if it sucks or not. To me, all the review really does is kind of push the selling points. I'll give you the Famitsu review in a nutshell, from what Andro posted.

Yes, the battles are fun!
Yes, it has sweet graphics!
Yes, it has awesome movies!
Yes, it has a good story!

Now who wouldn't want to buy a game like that?

I'm just hoping they start moving away from androgynous male leads.

[Violet]

Famitsu seems too positive with their reviews. I'd just take their opinions with a grain of salt and try out the game for myself. I hope to see a review by someone else that I can read in the meantime while we wait for the release date, though.

[Ernest]

They gave Bayonetta a 40/40. *shudder*

I don't take Famitsu seriously in the slightest. They're trigger happy on 40/40s (even though it's 4 guys giving scores of 10/10 each) and it's just silly. Any mildly popular game that's made by a Japanese company results in this.

40/40 doesn't mean a game is perfect by the way, when you consider what I just said in that each reviewer has only 10 points to score with. Lol.