Giant Bomb talks Final Fantasy XIII's combat system.

[Polk]

Giant Bomb put out a new video in which one of the writers for the site talks about his hands on time with the English version of the game, including some footage he got. In the video, they discuss the combat system, summons, the sphere grid-like leveling system, and the paradigms.

For me, I'm definitely a bit more excited about the game after seeing this. I haven't paid a hell of a lot of attention to FFXIII, but after seeing the finalized combat system in action, and the addition of a shere grid-like leveling system, I'm definitely looking forward to the English release. It seems like a lot of information to digest, but the guy talking about his hands-on time, Brad, mentions that after the hour or so he had with the game, he had a decent grasp on everything.

And for those worried about spoilers, don't worry, the video is entirely spoiler free. Unless you count "YO THEY RUNNING AROUND IN A GIANT FIELD" to be a spoiler. In that case, you're pretty much screwed.

So basically, I was just wondering what peoples' thoughts were after seeing this. Excited? Anxious? Slightly aroused?

[Dodie16]

Sorry if this post seems a bit disjointed. I was typing stuff I was excited/intrigued about while watching the vid.

So you can choose who you want to lead your party? Like you could in XII? Awesome! Also, I'm liking that the characters are pretty much fully customizable, but I sort of wish you could still pick what type of weapon to give your characters, but I suppose that since the characters have thier own trademark weapons, it makes them have some more distinguishable characteristics about them. I'm not complaining.

The 3-d sphere grid looks a bit complicated, but I probably just have to get used to it first, just like I had to do in X. Once I got used to that though, I really liked it. Maybe since it's similar to X, I'll pick up on it faster in XIII.

The environments looks freaking gorgeous, and I'm glad that you can approach enemies on the field instead of random battles, that way you can just fight when you want to fight. One question: Can you move your lead character freely around the field or is everyone's movements in battle pretty much automatic? It might have been explained in the video and I just missed that part.

Ooohhh... I heard the part where that Brad guy said that the battles were pretty tough. He said that his party was defeated just from fighting the random monsters. Sounds like I'm going to be doing a lot of grinding in this game to get my characters' stats up so they can have a decent chance, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Well, I already told myself that I was picking up this game as soon as it was released, so I was already excited for it. Now, that I caught a glimpse at how the leveling works and how the battles flow, I'll say that my excitement has not dwindled in the slightest.

[Zargabaath]

So you can choose who you want to lead your party? Like you could in XII?

For the first half of the game the party leader is predetermined; I don't know if it is always the same character (that are available) every playthrough or that it (the game) can switch the lead up. Now, where the video showed is at a point when the player can choose their lead. If the lead is always the same for that segment I believe the developers did that so the player would get accustomed to the character - to perhaps create a bond with each character.

Also, I'm liking that the characters are pretty much fully customizable,...

As the guy said, uncertainly, there are set classes that each character has more affinity too and there is one class that the character has the most affinity out of all the classes. So while the player can have Hope be a "Commando", he is not a specialist at it.

One question: Can you move your lead character freely around the field or is everyone's movements in battle pretty much automatic? It might have been explained in the video and I just missed that part.

I don't believe it was explained and I am unsure about that as well, but I think the lead character's movements are automatic.

Ooohhh... I heard the part where that Brad guy said that the battles were pretty tough. He said that his party was defeated just from fighting the random monsters. Sounds like I'm going to be doing a lot of grinding in this game to get my characters' stats up so they can have a decent chance, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Yes, this game is about dying... frequently. I've seen many people perish at least 6 times against Odin and many other bosses and even at normal monsters - the developers have said that this is the hardest Final Fantasy, possibly excluding FF XI since that is another sub-genre.

Also, *snicker* *snicker* there are level caps or should I say Crystarium caps. While you can grind CP eventually you would need the next part of the Crystarium board unlocked which can only be done by advancing the story - this game focuses a lot on skill rather than overpowering.

[Alpha]

Also, *snicker* *snicker* there are level caps or should I say Crystarium caps. While you can grind CP eventually you would need the next part of the Crystarium board unlocked which can only be done by advancing the story - this game focuses a lot on skill rather than overpowering.

I think that's a really interesting idea. But I was kind of confused by just how much this Chystarium Board resembles the Sphere Grid.

Just looking at it, it looks like battle is too complicated. Numbers are flying at you from everywhere. I think I prefer my gaming relaxed, nice and slow, to chill out after a long day. If I have to think too much, enjoyment will have to go down. I'll still give it a shot, however.

[Che]

Best combat/leveling system to date in the series, by far.

[Ernest]

Best combat/leveling system to date in the series, by far.

Let's not jump the gun. He was a little vague on the roles of the non-controlled characters, despite his efforts.

It's a good video though.

Im getting worried due to a couple of websites (namely one GT editor who'd acquired the import) having negative feedback on the battle system, but then it was the same with XII, which rocked.

So yeah, should be good.

[loaf]

Everybody is going to flip that isn't not the old school ATB. Like always everybody is going to freak out that this game isn't like the old school.

[Ernest]

Indeed. I would dread the day when reviewers critised a Final Fantasy game for being too much like its predecessor. The game is famous for reinventing itself and it has to continue to do so.

You would expect complaints from purists, but it is indeed scary when even mainstreamists complain. We shall see.

[Joe]

From what it seems, It almost seems like inactive characters play roles similar to the inactive characters in Kingdom Hearts. They act in comparison to their classes for the most part. Just like donald and goofy acted according to the vagueish behaviors you set for them. I'm really excited to give this battle system a shot, as I've been looking forward to a more strategy and fast paced battle system for a while.

The landscapes are gorgeous, cinematics and in battle graphics are very impressive. Also, that battle theme is absolutely SEXY.

[Rocky]

Is it just me, or does the summoning system feel similar to the old FF1/FF3 style magic system, where you actually have to conserve your spells because you get a certain amount before needing to rest at an inn? I thought it was a nice gesture and gameplay mechanic to be re-innovated.

The 3D Crystal system looks hella daunting, but very exciting as well. My question is, do the upgrades you get in the classes carry over to the main character, or do they just stay in that class. (Like let's say you get +10HP for the Synergist for Fang, does she keep the +10HP after switching classes or does she lose it?)

I wonder how the characters and the storyline will turn out. I like the fast paced battle system though!

[Che]

Is it just me, or does the summoning system feel similar to the old FF1/FF3 style magic system, where you actually have to conserve your spells because you get a certain amount before needing to rest at an inn? I thought it was a nice gesture and gameplay mechanic to be re-innovated.

The 3D Crystal system looks hella daunting, but very exciting as well. My question is, do the upgrades you get in the classes carry over to the main character, or do they just stay in that class. (Like let's say you get +10HP for the Synergist for Fang, does she keep the +10HP after switching classes or does she lose it?)

I wonder how the characters and the storyline will turn out. I like the fast paced battle system though!

From what I gathered, you can level up each character's class. If you put 15 total points into Medic for Lightning, and no points into the other classes for Lightning, she will be a strong medic, but if you change it up and switch her to Synergist mid-combat, she won't have any points invested in Synergist (since you used them all on Medic).

So basically, you only use the upgraded parts of classes if that class is currently "equipped" or whatever on that character.

I could be wrong, but that's how I interpreted it.

[Furore]

Looks good to me thus far though I won't speculate too much without getting behind the game. I'm *VERY* happy that they didn't continue in the FFXII direction though. I don't think I could ever fully emphasise just how very happy that makes me.