If you feel you've been shortchanged regarding Final Fantasy XIII details, a recent Edge Online interview with FF producer Yoshinori Kitase will satisfy your every aching desire.
There's a wealth of information, as we get plenty of details concerning the development process, gameplay, visual presentation, and even the appropriate genre classification for the game. See, most all of us are automatically going to say that FFXIII is a JRPG; hell, the Final Fantasy franchise is basically the exact epitome of the JRPG. But Kitase really wants to clear something up, and it involves this very topic:
"There’s a trend these days to strictly categorise games as western RPGs or Japanese RPGs. But Final Fantasy is something that we don’t try to categorise as either/or. For us, the game straddles [the] genre. In terms of the story we’re certainly looking to improve and build upon the characters. This is a story that’s told from multiple points of view and we have whole chapters of the game that are devoted to a single character and his or her story. In that sense, it plays out in a similar way to Dragon Quest IV, taking the perspective of multiple characters, walking with them through their adventures before seeing how these stories come together and intertwine for the climax of the game."
Then he moves on to talk about the battle system and how timing is crucial, but you should definitely read all of that for yourself. These days, we really are seeing a definite blend of genres so it doesn't exactly surprise us that FFXIII might be a "genre straddler." Remember, the series has come a long ways from the standard turn-based mechanic we had in years past, and with the power of the new consoles, they could definitely do something we've never seen before. In fact, we're counting on it.
Related Game(s): Final Fantasy XIII
Wow lots of FFXIII information coming in…awesome. As for the whole not JRPG thing…ok…nevertheless I still love the look based on the demo.
Well, once they start making RPGs somewhere elsewhere than Japan… I'll just keep calling it a JRPG. Is that okay Kitase?
Yeah… they don't actually make RPGs in Japan; they make adventure games which require you to grind in order to progress.
The only thing from Japan remotely like an RPG that I know of is FFXI.
Does Kitase know what "jrpg" means? He's saying it's straddling the genre because the story is told in the same fashion as DQIV ?? Say whaaat?
Just make the game and be quiet.
I'm guessing he thinks JRPG is a genre and not a classification like it really is. I'm starting the think he has no idea what he is even doing.
Well don't think that. What he's doing is making an awesome game. What he's saying… is just hilarious.
Perhaps he just has a horrible translator?
There's an old saying that I believe may apply.
If it ain't broke, don't bloody well fix it!
I can only hope that this is another lost in translation thing.
I hate doing multiple posts, but this thought just struck me, so….
Someone please tell Kitase-san that some of us actually like JRPG games – preferring them over the action RPGs and more westernized RPGs. Perhaps it's escaped his notice while he was helping to count the dollar bills that Redmond sent over? In truth, the reason the JRPG sub-genre exists is because people enjoy playing that kind of game.
Some gomer somewhere told these tards that they don't like the old anime turn based games and for some reason they listened. Drives me crazy, no one notices that you lose all the intensity and strategy and epicness of the boss battles when you make an RPG into a button masher.
True. The active time battles gave me all the button mashing I ever wanted in a jrpg. FFXII had a really fun to watch battle system but I felt like I was not doing anything. Maybe now they're heading in the polar opposite of that?
Strategy? What, deciding when to attack and when to heal?
Using any other of the "skills" in a JRPG (e.g., Silence) is a waste of time, especially since they don't usually work on bosses or will be quickly negated by Dispel.
It's made in Japan by a Japanese company by people still heavily influenced by their own culture so yeah it's a JRPG. MOST RPGs follow characters around separately and bring their stories back together!
Did Kitase have a stroke!?
Dumbest. Statement. Ever.
In every single way that something can be a Japanese RPG. This game is.
1. IT'S MADE IN ****ING JAPAN!
2. Has a menu system for battle commands.
3. Anime-like characters up the ass.
4. People fighting with swords in a world with guns.
5. and oh yeah. IT'S MADE IN ****ING JAPAN!
This game is a JRPG. Get over it.
Hah, yes.
I agree concur with No. 1 and 5.
Though, they sound strikingly similar?… hmmm.
And don't forget that it's completely engulfed in Japanese music and scores!
lulz
I don't care what it's called I just want the game already….
Yoshinori Kitase's way of trying to make this game more appealing to the 360 demographic perhaps? I think he's just trying to confuse everyone. Because if that wasn't his intention then somethings gone wrong in that translation…
And Final Fantasy isn't Final Fantasy without that Japanese charm.
totally agree with you AntDC
idk….just release the damn game!
If it's not jrpg, I won't buy it
Squeeeeeeeee! Squeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Everything that comes out of any Square employee's mouth these days (aside from Tetsuya Nomura's) just ticks me off… Call a spade a spade. Idiots.
-Arvis
u know since square got on this westernize kick they seem to believe that if it's not xbox americans wont buy, anything “J†genred must be reclassified so americans will liike it, if that's the case how the hell have you last this long. you don't hhear this crap when every rpg remake goes to ds or wii store, nintendo's not american, i wish they'd admit if it in japan it aint ps3