Final Fantasy XIII Review for PS3 - Part 2

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In FFXIII you don't spend a lot of time exploring, you don't get lost, and you understand where you need to go with only a glance at the map. If there is a side branch along the way it's short; you know there are optional enemies and treasure there. If you want to get them you only need to go down the short branch first, if not you keep going on the long branch. You don't wonder where to go, nor do you worry that you are missing anything. There are plenty of small side branches and optional enemies as you go, but you never waste time exploring a large or confusing area for minimal return on time investment.

Speaking of time investment, how many times have you made good progress in a dungeon, equipped new items, and leveled up your characters only to frustratingly die and start over from a save point? How about died while fighting a boss and had to make your way back? Have you ever had to painstakingly manage your equipment and inventory for almost as much time as you spent playing the rest of the game? Have you ever had to waste time running back and forth between shops in towns? Guess what? If you're playing Final Fantasy XIII you haven't had to do ANY of those things. The chief focus in FFXIII is minimizing wasted time and maximizing fun. So if there is so much less wasted time, what do you spend time doing? I'm glad you asked!

The Battle System

The moment when I started to really appreciate the battle system was around 5 hours in when I was introduced to the tactical points (TP) ability system. The first ability you get is Libra (pronounced "lie-brah" like "library"). This ability teaches you an enemy's weak points. I'll explain why in my Final Fantasy XIII Review for PS3 - Part 3.

Continue to,
Final Fantasy XIII Review for PS3 - Part 3
Final Fantasy XIII Review for PS3 - Part 4
Final Fantasy XIII Review for PS3 - Part 5
Final Fantasy XIII Review for PS3 - Part 6

Return to, Final Fantasy XIII Review for PS3 - Part 1

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• or here if you want the US version but are outside the US.