OFFICAL FF13-2 THREAD (Use spoilertags plz)

[Rocky]

okay, on the way back from work I stopped at my local gamestop and put my moneys down on this game. As we speak, I am dusting off all the cords and junk to hook up my xbawks360 to stuff and am getting pretty pumped for a new game, one I've been in anticipation for.

ANYWAY, just decided to make this thread, go here to talk about general tips and progress and how everyone is doing. Keep the spoilers to a minimum though. If you insist on saying something, use the spoil tags!

Good gaming everyone, I'll be back to reply in this thread once I get it.

[Andromeda]

I guess you beat me to it. I was planning making a progress thread, but don't need to worry about it anymore

Anyway, here is my progress before I go to sleep tonight. I'm on Episode 3 Part 1, I sort of accidentally went into Part 2 and got stuck in a boss fight I couldn't win. So I found Part 1. I've got 6 time places unlocked so far.

Serah is Commando 15, Ravager 31, Sentinel 12 and Saboteur 18 with 5 ATB. I wanted the bars more than Medic or Synergist at the moment.

Noel i Commando 29, Ravager 18, Sentinel 18, Synergist 11 with 5 ATB as well.

I have a bunch of monsters so far, but I won't go into all of them. Currently using Cait Sith lv 18, Garchimacera lv 15 and Gandayaks Lv 10. I'm trying to level up my other monsters to Infuse them, but it is taking time. I've got a Hoplite and Pulse Knight to 20.

I'm at 13/160 Fragments and 9131 gil at 6:18 hours.

I'm having a blast!

[Andromeda]

No one else playing the game? I've reached Episode 4 now.

Well I've finished unlocking the rest of the roles for Serah and Noel. Serach is Com 33, Rav 50, Sen, 12, Sab 18, Syn, 8 and Med 15. Noel is Com 47, Rav 23, Sen 18, Sab 8, Syn 18 and Med 22. Interestingly it looks like Noel is better at Medic, at least he gets more skills and earlier ones than Serah does for whatever reason.

I'm currently using Cait Sith 21, Flanbanero 15 and Scutar 11 as my monsters. Trying to decide on what I'm going to infuse.

I'm at 24/160 Fragments, 21505 Gil and 12:06 hours.

[Rocky]

Current status: 9hr 54min into the game. Just had the first fight with the main antagonist. 18/160 Fragments collected.

I'm pretty confused on what and how much to raise Noel/Sarah in their roles. Currently I have:

Sarah/Noel
Com- 8/62
Rav- 60/2
Sen- 1/40
Sab- 11/6
Syn- 2
Med- 30


So yeah. And all the bonus stuff you can get from maxing the crystarium seems so good, but idk what to get at the time lol. I got both their ATBs at level 5 so far, should I get roles figured out next, then more accessory capacity?

Monsters I'm using: Miniflan, Cait Sith and Spiceacilian.

But yeah, I'm really loving the story so far. Gonna take a break for the night though!

[Kaiden]

The opening movie is awesome, and the very first fight was amazing but that is all the time I've had to play so far. Haven't even made it out of the house as Serah yet.

[otomo]

Got to the 2nd chapter last night. The cut scenes are beautiful, everything's beautiful. I think the music themes are a little less memorable than the first. I do like that you can grind a little more effectively and there's side quests. Makes for a more interesting FFXIII game.

SPOILER!!:

The story so far reminds me of Chronotrigger. Which I LOVE.

[Mystyrion]

I am much to reminded of X-2 when it comes to this game.
The story is nothing short of awful in my eyes. Nothing about it keeps me interested

SPOILER!!:

The fact that they jump around from time to time, meeting a previous/new character that will probably end up never even attaining that point in the future bores me. Its like the what if sequence in DBZ fighting games. Its fun for a minute, but to base an entire game off of it?
Secondly I'm quite disappointed that their are only 2 main characters and everything else is supported by monsters or an usable NPC. It makes the focus on Serah and Noel way to much. Not to mention having different characters that you don't even have to have very much character development on. You'll see them what maybe twice in the game.
Lastly would be the fact that main focus of the game is to find Lightning. While its predecessor (that was a direct sequel) X-2 was to find Tidus. Could they honestly not think of anything better?

The Crystarium feels like a cheapened version of the original, but whatever. Its not like i have any huge qualms with it. It works.

The only other things i dislike about the game other than the story is the voice acting/script and music
Serah talks sooooo much. After every little change in the story i have to hear her feelings on it. Sometimes i can't tell if I'm watching an interactive movie or playing a game.
The script feels like its been dumbed down a bit, so many times i just can't even understand why they are having the conversation. Its just so boring and bland.

The music is horrible, but that might just be a bias on my part. I haven't liked anything since Nubuo left, but even this felt a shade below XIII. I listened to the entire soundtrack before playing the game and kept like 6 songs. Not to mention i can at least think of two parts where the music didn't fit at all with what was happening with hardly any game time pumped into it.

That aside, the gameplay is obviously improved.
No cut scenes in between paradigms changes.
Towns
Not so linear
Graphics are the same great graphics from xiii if not improved.

Honestly in my eyes i feel the the 8.5ish rating the reviewers gave it was generous. But i won't give up on the game yet, I'm only on chapter 3.

[Andromeda]

I'm still in Episode 4, but it is quite long and it just got longer with what I've been tasked with undertaking. It does end up explaining a few things that I was trying to solve.

Anyway, I've got 9000 unspent points, but Serah is currently Com 50, Rav, 69, Sen 18, Sab 29, Syn 8, Med 30. I've finished up new skills for Com, Rav and Med for her. Noel is currently Com 71, Rav 35, Sen 24, Sab 18, Syn 21, Med 35. I've finished up new skills for Com and Med for him.

I'm currently using Spiranthes 20, Fanbanero 25 and Scutari 20 as my monsters.

I have 38/160 Fragments, 17:19 hours and 54456 gil. I didn't realize how much gil I had until now. I've currently unlocked 15 locations in time.

[Dodie16]

Anyone else notice that Noel likes talking/gesturing with his hands a lot? I know that most characters do, but he seems to do it more. It's kind of distracting. BUT I'M ENJOYING THIS SO FAR. I am pleasantly surprised by that fact. Right now, Serah and Noel are in the Sunleth Waterscape and have just met up with...

SPOILER!!:

Snow

Haven't found out how he got there in that particular time period, but I'm sure I'll find out soon.

[Imposter]

Have you set your paragrims to wide Zarg? I can give proof or anything but I imagine that setting is for spreading your party apart. Try it with your Sentiel one and let us know.

[Zargabaath]

Have you set your paragrims to wide Zarg? I can give proof or anything but I imagine that setting is for spreading your party apart. Try it with your Sentiel one and let us know.

I'll try it out but according to the game manual it says, "Wide: Characters broaden the focus of their attacks and use more area effect spells". Perhaps it may spread them out if they are attacking different monsters, but I don't see it helping against a Behemoth/single monster which I was fighting. I wasn't having a hard time I just found it annoying and a bit dissapointing. But I'll give it a whirl and see what happens.

[Andromeda]

Well I made it to Episode 5 and suspicions have been realized by me. But I won't say anymore. Things are getting very interesting though.

Anyway, aside from having 23748 unspent points, Serah is Com 50, Rav 79, Sen 32, Sab 50, Syn 8 and Med 30. Noel is Com 84, Rav 59, Sen 24, Sab 18, Syn 29, Med 35.

I currently have 62/160 Fragments, 94776 gil and 22:50 hours. I'm using Spiranthes 20, Flanbanero 25, Scutari 20.

I've only unlocked a couple more areas, but as you can see I've gotten a bunch more fragments.

Also, the monster battles are not pointless for Crystarium. I usually get equal points more than boss battles. In fact, probably 60-70% of my points is from monster battles. And no I've not tried to grind either. The points you get just increases quite a bit from early game, where they become more worthwhile.

[Lockduck]

So far, I have been pleasantly surprised with this game. I bought it on release, but just started playing last night. The music was a little quirky at first listen, but it actually grew on me.

My only complaint so far is the ease of some of the trophies. I was farming Spicecilians (sp?) because I noticed the insane amount of potions they drop and I got 2-3 trophies right off the bat. I believe it was the pre-emptive strike one and the defeat an army of enemies one. There could be another one sprinkled in there, it was getting pretty late.

All in all, I can't wait to put in some quality time in this weekend.

[Robbo]

I've just started episode 2 although it was only released today, and i have no kind of loyalty card, i also got the pre-order bonus which is pretty awesome. Noels extra battle armour is good Serahs isn't that good tbh although i am really enjoying this game. i am not sure of levels also, omega weapon is downloaded content close to the beginning of the game and as you'd expect he is really tough to kill.

[Andromeda]

otomo a slight edit. Commandos are physical fighters dealing in offense, but their purpose in the grand scheme of combat is to maintain the stagger bar. When the Commando attacks it stabilizes the stagger meter so that it is slows down its depletion. Ravagers are magical fighters dealing in offense as well. The purpose for them in combat is to rapidly increase the stagger bar.

In typical combat you'll attack with the Commando first to slow the stagger bar's decrease and then switch to Ravager to quickly fill the meter. After the monster is staggered switch to Commando or stay with Ravager which ever the enemy is weaker against and deal greater damage. While staggered, the enemy takes more damage and the higher the stagger percent, the greater the damage multiplier.

[Zargabaath]

I guess I'll give a not so brief update. To begin I should state that when I was using the Delta Attack paradigm I had it on "Cross". I tried Delta Attack on "Wide" and "Normal" and it seemed it a bit better. At least in regards to my commando. My ravager/caster still stayed behind or close by to my sentinel. Against a feral behemoth my Com & Rav getting hit is not such a big deal, but against the later forms it does, like Narasimha, because of their new attacks. Even in game it says that "Wide" is best for taking down multiple enemies. Using a Sentinel, I prefer to focus on one enemy, kill that as quick as possible then move to the next. Hence why I had Delta Attack on "Cross".

As for my progression in the game. I'm currently in Part 3-2. I've been messing around getting fragments, recruiting, and monster material. I'm a bit under 20 hours. Been really taking my time. Game-play wise this game far surpasses FFXIII. With all the stuff I can do and places to go, seeing whats on the other end of a "Wild Gate". A better Crystarium that offers more choice than before.

Story-wise new questions arose, my previous not yet answered though that should come way later. But the plot is moving along which I found FFXIII's to disappear for character development for most of the early chapters. No annoying characters, so far, in this game compared to the first entry.

So overall, in both game-play & story I am enjoying my time with this game.

[Andromeda]

I just beat the game and anything I can say it just going to be spoilers, even just my emotional reactions. The final boss fight is ridiculous though, so expect to go in with a rough ordeal. It was the only time that I put Sentinels back in my party. The final fight took me 30 minutes to finish after I cleared all of the previous stages. It probably won't be that bad after I get better equipped monsters, but it was still rough. I was playing on Normal Mode too.

Serah finished the game as Com 50, Rav 99, Sen 75, Sab 50, Syn 30, Med 31. Noel finished the game as Com 99, Rav 60, Sen 57, Sab 48, Syn 35, Med 35. My monsters I used were Scutari lv 20, Flanitor lv 10 and Flandit lv 34.

I have 70/160 Fragments, 28:57 hours and 94017 gil. I had over 100k, but spent some on various things.

Oh and they played the original FFXIII battle music for one area. It was awesome!

[otomo]

I'm collecting monsters, only on Chapter 3 Part 1. I know that's early to start doing that...but it's really annoying to me how few monsters I want to drop actually drop. Too much grinding to collect 'em all and put them in pokeballs.

[Rising Star]

My Stats
Serah - 50/60/44/50/02/13 COM/RAV/SEN/SAB/SYN/MED
Noel - 61/60/50/03/43/02 COM/RAV/SEN/SAB/SYN/MED
Monsters - Behemoth/Cait Sith/Gremlin COM/RAV/MED

Well I'm on Episode 3 (I think)
But Is Much better than FFXIII Although I have very little fragments only 30...
Will Need to start Grinding for those Fragments

[Imposter]

Serah Noel
Com 50 60
Rav 60 60
Sen 40 27
Sab 50 48
Syn 30 38
Med 30 35

Mosters: Green Chocobo lv 37/ Munchkin lv 20/ Zaghnal lv 16

25 hours in and finishing episode 4 I do believe...

[Rowan]

What's the point of opening and closing gates?

[Andromeda]

Closing the gate allows you replay the area from the beginning and do things differently. This is generally most important for doing paradox endings. I've begun using this and from what I can see everything gets locked off from there and if you want to progress forward again you have to use the gates in there. Or you can return to the Historia Crux and open the gate and revert things back to how they used to be.

[Imposter]

So you can do the time reversal and get paradox endings...If you do certain things you'll get a certain ending. Other than that I havev no idea.

[Odin1199]

but it feels like an interactive anime at this point.

Lol, quoted for truth. At least for XIII.

[Andromeda]

I'm working on getting Platinum now. I'm needing to strengthen my monsters and get new weapons. But I've made some pretty good progress for today.

Serah is Com 99, Rav, 99, Sen 99, Sab 50, Syn, 56, Med 99. Noel is Com 99, Rav 99, Sen 99, Sab 48, Syn 58, Med 99.

I'm using Golden Chocobo lv 10, Fanitor lv 10, and Flandit 34. I'm needing to buy the materials I need to level them all properly. I got Chichu as well, but I need to work on powering him up properly to make him super powerful.

I've got 117/160 Fragments, 38:23 hours and 140738 gil.

[Fate]

(These values are approximations, as I'm not physically playing the game right now.)

Noel
COM: 99
RAV: 99
SEN: 99
SAB: 85
SYN: 99
MED: 35

Serah
COM: 99
RAV: 99
SEN: 85
SAB: 99
SYN: 35
MED: 99

As the levels suggest, I've beaten the game. I am currently using a Flanitor (max level), Golden Chocobo (max level), and Bunkerbeast (23). The last one will be replaced with a Silver Chocobo once I actually get one. And the chocobo will be replaced by Chichu once I make a good one, as I want him to stay in the races.

I made the Adamantite weapons, but I ended up using the weapons dropped by Immortal instead, for the ATB Speed +50% effect. My Chaos ones aren't very strong; I only have (57/160) fragments.

Last night I finished off the last of the "worthy opponents." Now I'm working on getting the Battlemania fragment skill, so lots of revisiting to do. I guess I'll hunt down fragments at the same time, too.

Playtime is about 36:00, by the way.

[Firefly]

Bought this game the day it came out and I have finally beaten it lol. I really like this game but..

Spoiler: the ending "to be continued" really was like a slap in the face for me. I mean it was getting right at the good part and boom ,"To Be Continued"

Other than that,I enjoyed it. I am currently not near my xbox so I will just name the levels of my characters that I remember:

Serah:
Commando: Lvl 99
Ravager: Lvl 80-ish
Medic: Lvl 99
Sentinel: Lvl 89

Noel:
Commando: Lvl 99
Ravager: Lvl 99
Sentinel: Lvl 99

..I am using a lvl 30-ish Green Chocobo as my medic,a lvl 30-ish Chocobo as a commando,and a Gigancactuar(msp?) lvl 20-ish as a Synergist. Overall,I like the idea of having tameable monsters in parties but still...I kinda wish there was at least another person..but oh well

..A summary of my reviews for this game: Graphics: Amazing, Story: Loved it, Music: Like a Breath of Fresh Air compared to FF13, Characters: Adored them. IMO,great game

[Rowan]

is it possible to get 99 on all roles or does the crystarium max out before thats possible?

[Andromeda]

I haven't seen any limit so far. So my guess is that you can get lv 99 in all roles. Though keep in mind that my characters and your characters are likely not going to have the same stats, just like Fate's fates are probably different from mine. Due to the way the Crystarium works, the stats you get are impacted by the choices you make in there. I don't think it is a game breaking amount, but depending on how you optimize you could see some significant number differences.

[Dynamo]

Quite far into the game, but recently noticed i had been leveling up completly wrong.

I will probably end up having a quick finish, then starting again and leveling properly, kinda tempted to just leave it and start again now, or just do everything, but just be weaker.

The leveling up system is nice, in the fact you have some control and have to think about it, but it is annoying and easy to go wrong, if your not paying that much attention