Final Fantasy XIII

Guide Note

Final Fantasy XIII, the thirteenth installment in the Final Fantasy series, is a role playing game for the PlayStation 3 developed by Square Enix. This installment is the first part of a three part Final Fantasy game called Fabula Nova Crystallis. Square Enix describes the three games as set in the same universe with different stories, characters and worlds.

Fast Facts

1. Developer: Square Enix
2. Genre: Role-playing game
3. Modes: Single player and multiplayer
4. Platform: PS3
5. Third best-selling video game franchise
6. Director Motomu Toriyama (of FF X and FF X-2)
7. ESRB Rating: Pending
8. Release Date: TBA

Set in the future, the storyline focuses on those who resist the world. There isn't much detail except that it looks like the characters are a cybernetic girl, a gun-wielding heroine, a girl with a bow, and a guy who rides a motorcycle. Not much is known about the story besides the fact that the crystals are sentient beings and there is a being called Farsi whose existence far surpasses humans. The Farsi and Crystal created the Cocoon - a utopian haven for humans.

All the battles will be in real-time without any random battles. The Active Time Battle (ATB) makes its return in FF XIII, but unlike previous games you will start with a full ATB bar, and each action you choose will decrease the total ATB bar. The menu is also laid out differently, and instead of having the commands pop up for each character on screen, they will scroll on the bottom. Selected moves are then placed in order above the ATB bar. There is also the inclusion of an onscreen map where you can view your allies as well as enemies. The environment will also play a factor in battles. Also included is a form of bullet time called 'Overclock Mode' where characters can slow down time dramatically, but only for a set amount of time found within the overclock gauge. This may replace the Limit Break system from previous games.