[13/07] Final Fantasy XIII-2 Play Chance Coming Soon

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

A recent comment from Tetsuya Nomura regarding Final Fantasy XIII-2 has some players excited about the possibility of an early play opportunity. In an interview in this week's Famitsu (summed up at Sokuho), Nomura said that he believes players will have a chance to try out the game soon.

The question, of course, is what Nomura means by "soon." Many had expected a playable build to be Square Enix's main attraction at the Tokyo Game Show, which will be held in mid September, a few months ahead of the game's December Japanese release.

Although TGS is two months away, he could be referring to it. Or, as early fans of Noel's good looks must be hoping, perhaps he's referring to a pre-TGS demo event or even a downloadable demo.

Also in his Famitsu interview, Nomura reiterated the character design division of labor for FFXIII-2. He's working on the faces for Noel and the new characters. Clothing and other areas are being drawn by Yusuke Naora and Isamu Kamikokuryou. His main role on the game is character design supervision.

Reactions from those who actually played FFXIII-2 at E3 was good, Nomura remarked. He's disappointed that some are judging it just based off videos from E3, though. He feels that players will truly get the feeling of what the staff is putting into the game when they see it running on actual hardware, and said that the impression when you directly play differs greatly from seeing videos.

Famitsu also spoke briefly with Kamikokuryo, the game's art director. Kamikokuryo said that he's currently working on the sketches of the visual that will be shown around the time of the game's release.

Source: Andriasang

 

[Martel]

A recent comment from Tetsuya Nomura regarding Final Fantasy XIII-2 has some players excited about the possibility of an early play opportunity.

Oh, goodie

The question, of course, is what Nomura means by "soon." Many had expected a playable build to be Square Enix's main attraction at the Tokyo Game Show, which will be held in mid September, a few months ahead of the game's December Japanese release.

Like normal "soon" or Versus XIII "soon"? Good question.
If a playable build of FFXIII-2 is going to be Square Enix's main attraction though, I think that shows just how far they've fallen as a company...as if further proof of that was needed, after the disaster that was Final Fantasy XIII. Expecting one to be there isn't unreasonable, although if they released it sooner those who are excited for the game would have more time to get excited, and those that weren't would have more time to develop an interest or criticise it. Expecting it to be the main attraction? Well, expectations have certainly fallen, haven't they?

Although TGS is two months away, he could be referring to it. Or, as early fans of Noel's good looks must be hoping, perhaps he's referring to a pre-TGS demo event or even a downloadable demo.

A downloadable demo would be a good idea, it'd give people who despised FFXIII and are wondering if the sequel is going to be any better (because, whilst they've just lifted stuff straight from other Western games, it does look like they've actually put a marginally small amount of effort into it this time around) the chance to find out...plus it'd be free, and free is always good...unless they're going to be douchebags and charge for it, like they did with Duodecim Prologus

Also in his Famitsu interview, Nomura reiterated the character design division of labor for FFXIII-2. He's working on the faces for Noel and the new characters. Clothing and other areas are being drawn by Yusuke Naora and Isamu Kamikokuryou. His main role on the game is character design supervision.

Division of labour is good. It means we might actually get some decently designed characters, rather than rehashes of the old ones, like Noel, who is just a feminine version of Fang with Squall's haircut.

Reactions from those who actually played FFXIII-2 at E3 was good, Nomura remarked. He's disappointed that some are judging it just based off videos from E3, though. He feels that players will truly get the feeling of what the staff is putting into the game when they see it running on actual hardware, and said that the impression when you directly play differs greatly from seeing videos.

Shit, he's been stalking the news threads on the forum
But again, there is this focus on the hardware. A lot of people don't give a damn about how it runs, or how pretty it is: they want an actual game to play, and not a monotonous bore fest where you just hammer away at the X button until you've worn your thumb down to a stub and you've lost all will to live.

 

[C i d]

I don't know whether he is referring to the same thing about the 'early chance to play', but it's probably this one: http://www.videogamer.com/features/...ntasy_xiii-2_with_square_enix_on_july_21.html

I hope that it's a different thing, probably downloadable demo available in xbox live/psn. I believe this is highly unlikely, though I will probably faint from excitement if we can preview the game this early, and so easily.

Of course many people will be disappointed just by looking at the E3 trailer. It's because the title itself is already a turn-off to those who dislike FFXIII in the first place. Some, I believe, have the natural mindset that they want to hate the game even before watching the trailer.

First impressions are difficult to change. A majority of these people won't probably play the game. Also, the fact that FF has gone so far, making a true 'good' FF that satisfies everyone may seem no longer possible, with such a a varied fanbase. Square Enix apparently focusing too much on graphics is not helping it either...

Anyway, I don't need to say that I am really hyped up for this game. If it comes out to be equivalent or worse than FFXIII, I can tell you that I will feel very foolish and disappointed for getting so excited for a mediocre game.

 

[Rey]

I think by gameplay videos and all.. people will just think that there is hardly any difference and that it is just mashing auto battle all over again. If they did release a demo and such.. it is probably going to be an hour long just like the demo of the first game.. which never came outside of Japan. I highly doubt that they will even release a demo on Xbox Live and PSN. The game does have quite a bit of change.. but that does not stop the haters of Final Fantasy XIII. They will not buy it because they think it is the exact same crap with just a few differences. Or they just dread auto battle and how easy the first game was till at least the end.. where it got a bit more challenging.

 

[ANGRYWOLF]

I don't hate the game...

I just thought it was inadequate, I guess would be a good word for it.

It was like the game developers at Square were newbies and it was their first game.Like they had forgotten what should be included in an FF game.What made an FF game.

I expect FFXIII-2 to be a much better game with towns and npcs.I like the ability to get monsters to join your party as well.It reminds me of blue magic, an ability that Square had abandoned several games ago.
I don't expect them to change the battle system .I don't like the system they chose for FFXIII but with the other improvements I expect I will buy it anyway.

 

[Hatifnatten]

It's out in december, so really whatever. I barely want to play the finished game, why would I want to play half assed demo.