Final Fantasy XIII

The highly anticipated Final Fantasy XIII seems to be partly a reconstruction of the classic, Final Fantasy VII, as the main character in Final Fantasy XIII, Thunder, is basically a female version of Cloud.  Final Fantasy XIII has many very appealing characteristics, but it has disappointed many that the systems that Final Fantasy XIII can be played on are just the PS3 and the Xbox 360 (For the United States).  There isn't really that much out about the game, as the makers of Final Fantasy XIII have worked hard to keep some characters and information about the game under wraps.  The  game play, graphics, and plot will surely prove to be another Final Fantasy masterpiece, so to speak.

The battle system for Final Fantasy XIII is much like that of Final Fantasy XII, with a combination of Final Fantasy X 2!  Fiends and enemies appear in the actual world, like that of Final Fantasy XII, and when engaged, the camera seamlessly slips over into a new position in order to show a battle sequence.  The highlight of battles are based upon Final Fantasy X 2's chain attack methods, with an even greater emphasis on increased damage and ending the battle quickly.  Chain attacks can include the regular attacks and magic, but also a new attack called launch.  Launch hurls an opponent, usually not to big of one, up into the air for more chained combo attacks that deal more damage to the enemy.  Usually, its been said that launch is most useful at the end of chained combos in order to finish off enemies and deal high amounts of damage.

The neat thing about the end of battles in Final Fantasy XIII is that the amount of time in battle is recorded and displayed at the end of battle, this could play a role in mini games and quests, while the highest number of combos and chains achieved, and even a battle ranking of one to five stars is displayed!  Almost reminds me of Guitar Hero...

A very different aspect to the Final Fantasy battle system is the termination of MP or Magic Points that rule over the amount of magic that can be cast.  This has been changed to "command slots", which govern the amount of attacks and chains a player can do per turn.  This is said to grow higher with level ups.  The system that has been made for Final Fantasy XIII will definitely be a blast to play and will offer players a faster pace of battle and, overall, more entertainment.  Who could of thought that Final Fantasy could get even better!

The story is said to focus on different classes of humanity, with crystals playing a role in the everyday life of Final Fantasy XIII characters.  A paradise for humanity is said to be created and the main character's purpose in the game is said to stem from that paradise and an army called Cocoon.  The name of the world in Final Fantasy XIII is called Pulse, as well.  The plot is sure to be engaging, like all of the rest of the Final Fantasy series, and we can expect to see plot twists and betrayals.

Some other characters that journey with Lightning are a man named Snow.  Snow uses the summon of Shiva to morph into an ice motorcycle in the game.  Snow wields a gun but prefers to bash enemies barehanded.  Lightning, on the other hand, uses a sword, like Cloud, but also carries a gun with her.

Oerba Dia Vanille is another teammate of Lightning's.  Oerba is a girl with red-brown hair that carries with her a burden in her heart.  She is seen, in a released scene, captured by the Cocoon army and led in a funeral procession.  Oerba is an optimistic character who wields a weapon that can appear to be a modernized bow.

"A fourth playable character, Sazh Katzroy (サッズ・カッツロイ Sazzu Kattsuroi^?), was first featured in V-Jump Magazine. He is a young man with an afro who Lightning knows from her time serving in the military. Sazh wields dual pistols, his strong point is striking enemies from a distance. He is a good combination with the close-range Lightning. He has a baby chocobo as a pet that appears to live in his afro. He is described as a middle-aged man with good judgment and moral discernment. He has a gentle personality and is easily moved to tears, and joins the party early in the game.^[23] His voice-actor in the Japanese version is Masashi Ebara." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XIII

Gadot and Lebreau are two characters that haven't had much released on them yet.  Gadot uses a pistol and Lebreau, a smaller framed gal, uses a shotgun and curative magic.  These characters are seen hijacking an enemy train and are said to be childhood friends of Lightning.

The last known character of the Final Fantasy XIII game is a young blond-haired man wearing goggles and a bright pink outfit named Maqui.  Maqui is rumored to have been designed around sports games and may have skills and abilities with the roots from such.  The sports seem to include NBA, beach volleyball, and snowboarding, so he should be an interesting character.

As you have probably noticed, one character has been left out (as Final Fantasy generally sticks to eight playable characters).  This last character has been highly guarded by the Final Fantasy creators and hasn't had much, if any, information released on him yet.  All of the members of Lightning's team are said to be part of a resistance group called NORA, to overthrow the "evil" Cocoon army and restore order to Pulse and Paradise.

Final Fantasy XIII is said to be released first in Japan in 2009 and should be released in the United States around the winter of 2009.  This game is definitely going to turn heads with amazing graphics, story line, and game play, and I can't wait to buy an Xbox 360 just to play this game!