Final Fantasy

**AC!D** · 08-09-2010, 05:11 PM

Square-Enix: Versus Is "Like The 2D FF Games In HD"

As we wait semi-patiently for the Tokyo Game Show, we receive a few updates concerning Final Fantasy Versus XIII.

These from Square-Enix producer Tetsuya Nomura and his recent comments on Twitter, as translated by Andriasang. Firstly, he clarifies the company's policy of "promoting games in the order of their release," which means full promotion for Versus XIII is probably still a ways off, what with other titles coming well before the game's "TBA" launch. As for the mystery FF we're all dying to see:

"Versus has had many difficulties, and past method of production have been completely inapplicable, but these are the difficulties of birth, so we are working hard. We have a lot to announce, but because we're going in order, I can't say too much yet.

There have been many questions regarding fields. It's not a completely open world. It's like the 2D FF games in HD. Although, in terms of looks, it's not a top-down view, it's like the screenshots that have been released. You'll move through the world from that view."

The screenshots he's talking about were published in Dengeki PlayStation and Famitsu a few months ago (and have yet to be shared online); they show a standard third-person view from behind the back of main character Noctis. But the fact that Nomura describes it as "like the 2D FF games in HD" is enough to make us cautiously enthusiastic. He also says both Versus XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII are in the process of voice-casting and in the "order" process, Agito is next on the list after The 3rd Birthday.

The only games Square-Enix will bring to GamesCom this month are the aforementioned Parasite Eve PSP iteration and Kingdom Hearts; Nomura says there are also a few unannounced titles headed our way. They've even finished voice recording and are set to come before Agito and Versus, so they've been keeping 'em secret for some time. The announcements will come soon in Japan, apparently. Anyway, here's hoping for a return to Final Fantasy glory...

I dont understand this....Its an open world but like the old 2D FF games?

**cliffbo** · 08-09-2010, 05:17 PM

dear oh dear... i can smell a dumb down coming. for what reason... i wonder? think ff10. 360 version incoming. it's going to be on rails people and on three DVDs

There have been many questions regarding fields. It's not a completely open world. It's like the 2D FF games in HD. Although, in terms of looks, it's not a top-down view, it's like the screenshots that have been released. You'll move through the world from that view."

***Luis*** · 08-09-2010, 05:26 PM

Huh? He only means it's no sandbox game, that it'll just feel like the old FF games. The PS1 ones, I guess.

**cliffbo** · 08-09-2010, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Luis

Huh? He only means it's no sandbox game, that it'll just feel like the old FF games. The PS1 ones, I guess.

no news. pictures before suggested it would be an open world. the devs haven't ruled out a 360 version. similar to FF10 but in HD (linear and so can be put on DVDs). it's on the cards

***Luis*** · 08-09-2010, 05:56 PM

Not like FF10, he said like the 2D FF games, not to mention that FF10 is more similar to XIII than VII to IX. The pictures (AND info in the previous page) confirm nothing other that there would be some kind of 3D free roaming world map, not that everything would be seamless as in a sandbox game.

**Dralor** · 08-09-2010, 06:00 PM

Um FF10 was far more similar to FFXIII way of doing the map than any 2D Final Fantasy I remember. Though why he he didn't mention PS1 FF's has me confused unless he was trying to stay away from the implications of wonky scale but then FFXII prob would of been a better comparison. I think you're just overreacting there.

**cliffbo** · 08-09-2010, 06:25 PM

i took it to mean a 2.5D type environment, where you walk and the camera plots your course and frames it for maximum effect. like i said FF10, and just like in that game you get some open areas

**TEEDA** · 08-10-2010, 08:44 PM

Here I found an really good fanart of Noctis in his first outfit.

I can't wait to see HD renders and artwork of his final outfit though I really liked his " battle outfit ? " but looked way too Kingdom hearts organisation XIII like.

**Black Dragon37** · 08-10-2010, 10:40 PM

I hear Noctis is gay.

**OmniStalgic** · 08-11-2010, 04:18 AM

Sasuke?

**Carlos** · 08-11-2010, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by TEEDA

Here I found an really good fanart of Noctis in his first outfit.

I can't wait to see HD renders and artwork of his final outfit though I really liked his " battle outfit ? " but looked way too Kingdom hearts organisation XIII like.

Not sure how you're surprised. The design has been there since the first trailers released.

**TEEDA** · 08-11-2010, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Carlos

Not sure how you're surprised. The design has been there since the first trailers released.

Well I was talking abou his new outfit revealed before last christmas. That we saw in the in-game screens from the last scans

Which is still not final. But I guess the characters will probably have different outfits. We already saw Noctis's Suit when he meets Stella for the first time.
But thereare yet to be revealed, especially for the unknown other party members and characters.
Hope TGS will show at least new artworks and reveal first summons or things like that.

**Chris** · 08-11-2010, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by OmniCloud

Sasuke?

....I laughed. I'm looking forward to Versus XIII, but very tentatively, XIII was a big letdown for me, and others, obviously.

***Luis*** · 08-11-2010, 03:38 PM

This game shouldn't be too similar to XIII. Then again, I'd appreciate a more mature theme for a FF game rather than having such young characters yet again.

**Diresu** · 08-11-2010, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by Luis

This game shouldn't be too similar to XIII. Then again, I'd appreciate a more mature theme for a FF game rather than having such young characters yet again.

Yea I just can't get excited after 13. SE's track record this gen has been abysmal. I hope this game ends up being awesome but I am not going to expect it.

**TimmyJ** · 08-12-2010, 02:12 AM

On behalf of the gaming world:

Originally Posted by Diresu

Yea I just can't get excited after 13. SE's track record this gen has been abysmal. I hope this game ends up being awesome but I am not going to expect it.

**Chris** · 08-12-2010, 02:19 AM

Originally Posted by Luis

This game shouldn't be too similar to XIII. Then again, I'd appreciate a more mature theme for a FF game rather than having such young characters yet again.

The age of the characters really doesn't bother me, but the fact is there are all such simple characters. If they could make the characters more dynamic and much less one note, I wouldn't care how old they were, within reason.

**Jaedin** · 08-12-2010, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Chris

The age of the characters really doesn't bother me, but the fact is there are all such simple characters. If they could make the characters more dynamic and much less one note, I wouldn't care how old they were, within reason.

I would agree to a fashion. I've noticed as I get older my taste in characters have changed. FF7 & FF8 came out when I was the actual ages of the main characters more or less, FF7 had more of an older cast than 8. So I related better to some of their teenage angst. However, now I find I don't get into the whole "what grand things life has in store for me, like be a hero and everyone will love me," teenage searching through life characters. Now I am more into characters that "know" for the most part who they are and have personalities created by experience in life.

Some characters had that for me in 13 but they were very under developed and took a back seat to the more childish characters IMO and that took me out of the story with their "young" personalities. Totally agree with the "less one note" characters. I personally would enjoy fewer characters if that meant more fleshed out characters.

I hope this makes sense, I've been drinking some Jack and Coke and I have noticed my ability to think and type correctly is swiftly heading south.

***Luis*** · 08-12-2010, 08:21 AM

Yeah, I can agree with what you are saying, guys. I didn't mean young per se, I did mean that their personalities have to evolve compared to the previous games so that I'm interested again. I guess there's a good chance FF games aren't catering to people like me anymore.