Menu Close

FF Versus XIII Combat: Party Members, Weapons, More

Thanks to the recent 7-minute trailer , we now have a better idea of the gameplay in Final Fantasy Versus XIII .

Obviously, those looking for a traditional RPG setting, or even a hybrid style like the one we often find in BioWare's products, might be disappointed. But at least now we've learned even more about the game's interesting battle system , which Square-Enix boss Tetsuya Nomura was kind enough to explain. Noctis, the main character, will be a permanent member of the combat party and as was the case in Final Fantasy XIII , if the protagonist dies, it's Game Over. Noctis will be able to use a wide variety of weapons – swords, axes, lances, and even guns ranging from rifles and handguns to shotguns and bazookas – and other characters have their own specializations. Ignis, for instance, is a support character, but he can toss throwing knives and wield a katana as well as magic. The good news is that you will be able to switch between the available characters in battle, and you can chain together combo attacks when you do.

A party consists of 3 characters – again, like FFXIII – and apparently, we gauge their health and condition by looking at the faces displayed at the bottom of the screen. There's also stuff like Magitek armor, summoning, chocobos (of course), the "power of light," and one last detail that has yet to be outlined- an orange meter that is attached to an all-new mechanic of some kind. So yeah, there's a shooting element and if Noctis goes down, you gotta try again. But there are other cool elements, too, and there's no doubt the game looks fantastic.

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy Versus XIII

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
57 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
ZettaiSeigi
ZettaiSeigi
13 years ago

It still annoys me to no end that once your leader (in this case Noctis) dies, it's game over… even if you have party members who can cast Raise or such similar spell. It's just stupid.

But I still have hope on this game, so I really do hope that it lives up to its massive hype (and need I say promised exclusivity?).

coverton341
coverton341
13 years ago

Actually, if you read through the link it makes sense in a way. It seems that if Noctis is not there then no one can use magic. Story element of sorts, so if he dies, no one will be able to use magic to revive him.

I don't like that if the main character dies it's the end, but they might be able to make it make sense unlike in FFXIII where it didn't make any sense at all.

ZettaiSeigi
ZettaiSeigi
13 years ago

Yeah, I did read that part. But they don't have Phoenix Downs in Versus XIII? Oh well. We'll see when the game eventually releases.


Last edited by ZettaiSeigi on 2/1/2011 11:28:29 AM

DrRockso87
DrRockso87
13 years ago

I too can't stand this "once the party leader dies, game over" crap but it's not *so* bad here (unlike XIII). Kingdom Hearts had the same system and no one complained. However, here I'll admit it's a little different since you have control over all of the party members.

Should still be awesome. I'm sure they'll have phoenix downs. It's Final Fantasy after all!

Looking Glass
Looking Glass
13 years ago

Magitek Armor? Haven't seen that since Final Fantasy 6 (Final Fantasy 3 in the States). That sure brings back memories.


Last edited by Looking Glass on 2/1/2011 10:07:10 AM

Oxvial
Oxvial
13 years ago

So it gonna be kinda Star Ocean? this already beat XIII gameplay by miles!, hope they change dat leader dies and game over crap.

Underdog15
Underdog15
13 years ago

The article says you do die then game over.

Oxvial
Oxvial
13 years ago

Yes but I hope they reconsider that.

Underdog15
Underdog15
13 years ago

Ah I see that at second read. And yeah… me too. >.<

FatherSun
FatherSun
13 years ago

If SE can somehow update this game in the future to surgically remove the party leader from the team to prevent this "Leader dies Game dies" madness it would open up so many possibilities. Why introduce such a limitation? Who made that decision? Where's the logic?

Same goes for FFXIII and FFXIII-2. It would expand the game play exponentially.


Last edited by FatherSun on 2/1/2011 10:55:35 AM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

I can almost almost almost see why it happened in XIII because they put us in charge of each character to advance their own storyline and that's kind of hard to do when you let em die. Plus I think it was a workaround because the engine wouldn't let you play as a character who you haven't had control over yet.

BUT, there is no need for it in Versus as far as I can tell, especially if you can select who you want to control at any time. This is an outrage.

FatherSun
FatherSun
13 years ago

I can forgive it if it were an option but not when we are locked in.

If they die you can just continue. Funny, You mentioning the other characters not advancing if they die kinda reminds me of Heavy Rain.


Last edited by FatherSun on 2/1/2011 11:38:04 AM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

FU**! Final Fantasy has Pheonix Downs for when people die. There is still time to change this Nomura! Do you hear me!?


Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 2/1/2011 3:02:44 PM

Riku994
Riku994
13 years ago

>_< This is dumb. I like the sound of the combat, but seriously, we DO have revival spells and phoenix downs for a reason. Just because they didn't work on Aeris doesn't mean they wont work' on Lightning or Noctis.

Underdog15
Underdog15
13 years ago

Remember FFV? Cure spells didn't work on Galuf when he took more hurt beyond his KO point!

And if I remember correctly, in FFVII, isn't the status called "KO" and not "Dead" like in the original FF's?

Anyways, I still think you're right. This leader dies game over crap is stupid.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

KO, Swoon, whatever it is. Dead is a universal term for games. Funny it is though, imagine a game that ended forever when you died.

Riku994
Riku994
13 years ago

I actually never played FFV 😛

Underdog15
Underdog15
13 years ago

Ah, I see. Well, I spose it's hard to consider it a spoiler on a 17 year old game. lol

uh…. SPOILER ALERT FOR FFV below!!!!

Let's just say Aerith as a death of a major party member isn't an original idea for Squaresoft. At least it didn't start with Aerith.


Last edited by Underdog15 on 2/1/2011 1:57:08 PM

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

Me when Aeris died-

"I HAVE LIKE A ZILLION PHOENIX DOWNS! FU***** USE ONE!!!"


Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 2/1/2011 3:03:59 PM

Riku994
Riku994
13 years ago

Ben I can totally see you doing that XD

Cabalavatar1
Cabalavatar1
13 years ago

Ben, that's probably the funniest thing I've read on this site. I felt precisely the same way. But I thought so after recouping 'cause her death made me literally cry.

Oxvial
Oxvial
13 years ago

BTW guys the Catherine Demo is out on the jpstore..and some people say it sucks =/.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

Are the people saying it sucks, English speakers or Japanese speakers?


Last edited by TheHighlander on 2/1/2011 12:02:15 PM

Oxvial
Oxvial
13 years ago

eng ones, perhaps it's a heavy text demo but i see complains about the gameplay..I say lets download the damn thing.


Last edited by Oxvial on 2/1/2011 12:22:33 PM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

Maybe it's just too out there wacky niche for us round eyes.

Ignitus
Ignitus
13 years ago

I'm interested in this game, hope it get's released soon.
Well, if english speaking gamers say the gameplay sucks because it's text heavy, it sounds like a jrpg to me. I might enoy it more, when it gets translated of course.

Oxvial
Oxvial
13 years ago

I already beat the demo, I can see how the Q-bert gameplay gonna turn off some people, but if the story is good I can see myself buying this perhaps not at 60 bucks but I want it.

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

It is a bit disheartening to see S-E taking the same route that courted the ire of many fans in FFXIII in that if Noctis dies, then it's game over, but I can live with that. Other than that, it sounds pretty cool, but until we can get some slid info on the exact style of the gameplay, I will remain largely unanticipatory (Well, it sounds good enough).
Peace.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

I can live with it since the game still looks sweet and appears to have what didn't exist in XIII, but I don't have to like it. Still hope Nomura catches hell from fans and changes it.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

The more I hear about this the less I like it. I guess SE no longer values me as a consumer. That's fine, I no longer value them as a game developer or publisher.

Stabs88
Stabs88
13 years ago

Games still looks good, but if you think about KH thats what happened when Sora died. Game over, try again. The KH team is involved so if you didnt think of that as a possibility from the start you were off your rocker. Doesnt make sence that you can control your other characters and if noctis dies its game over. Im either way on it i guess, just have to learn some new strategies. Real excited for this still…just want a release date already

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

Late 2012 at the earliest. I'm thinking 2013. God I feel old.

Stabs88
Stabs88
13 years ago

tell me about it…i was in my senior year when they started talking about XIII and later that year Versus…been what 5 years an counting?

Ichigo40
Ichigo40
13 years ago

Hey in other RPG news I did just come across this at ign. Looks like demon souls successor. http://ps3.ign.com/articles/114/1147054p1.html

kraygen
kraygen
13 years ago

That sounds awesome, like an open world demon's souls.

Ignitus
Ignitus
13 years ago

Not really interested in this game, it's a rental at most for me.
I really wish Mistwalker would anounce Lost Odyssey II, but I know it won't happen, that game was a true Final Fantasy game without the name, ironic isn't it?

Alienange
Alienange
13 years ago

I am TRYING to maintain my cherub like demeanor, but this kind of news just makes me crazy.

Honestly, SE can go to hell.

CHAOS THEORY X
CHAOS THEORY X
13 years ago

:/ not impressed

Kr3sn1k
Kr3sn1k
13 years ago

I dont know why evryone is complaining about if noctis dies its game over its like that in kingdom hearts

Teddie9
Teddie9
13 years ago

and people complained about it then too, it's not a favourable game mechanic.

I'm waiting for the reviews on this for sure.

Jonesy555
Jonesy555
13 years ago

I wasn't too crazy about it in Kingdom Hearts either. Especially if Donald or (insert magic user) was in the party and still walking around. I guess that just means I've got to be extra careful and not die.

ZettaiSeigi
ZettaiSeigi
13 years ago

@Kr3sn1k:
Because this is supposed to be a Final Fantasy game. Other than XIII, you don't get the game over screen until everybody in your party is annihilated. Heck, they even used to allow you to substitute your reserve party members for those who have fallen. So yeah, that's why.

We're aware it's being developed by the same team that made the Kingdom Hearts games, and they announced from day one that the battle system would be more akin to the KH games than the older FF games. You don't see a lot of people here complaining about the battle system outside this particular complaint, right?


Last edited by ZettaiSeigi on 2/1/2011 6:03:03 PM

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
13 years ago

What's with the complain of leader die then it's game over?
Kingdom Hearts had it too.

Kiryu
Kiryu
13 years ago

I hope it isn't linear like FF13.

kraygen
kraygen
13 years ago

Honestly I recently tried to play the original KH, because I had never played any of them. The mechanics are pretty terrible and I hated that if your main character died it was game over, so comparing it to KH doesn't mean much to me.

I have the second KH, but haven't opened it, are the mechanics any better on it than on the first one?

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

Not that I recall, I tried them both, both were terrible.

kraygen
kraygen
13 years ago

well at least I got both of them new for only $15, thank you amazon special.

Stabs88
Stabs88
13 years ago

no i think that KHII they worked on the camera angels for sure. Would play KHII over I any day…still do in fact 😉

Douchebaguette
Douchebaguette
13 years ago

"You can also make use of the buildings that line the road. The emergency stairwells of the buildings can can be entered and climbed to get to the roof, with Noctis pulling himself up to the very top via the air conditioner. Nomura was actually surprised to find this area when test playing the game."

"By gimmick, Nomura means such things as how in the trailer we see a behemoth creature running to destroy an overhead walkway as Noctis crosses it (around the 4:25 mark, but the behemoth battle starts before this). If you don't make Noctis cross the bridge, the behemoth will not destroy it."

Intriguing…

jjlive168
jjlive168
13 years ago

I think everyone forgot this game is being handled by the kingdom hearts team…and you can't revive sora…maybe they just like that format…it does add a certain level of difficulty…but that format in FFXIII was dumb hated it

57
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x