I haven't played the demo but I'm pretty sure timing your attacks increases your damage, so holding down the button doesn't seem so effective.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnjJye3Mk-g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnjJye3Mk-g
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII DEMO - OUT NOW* -
- Thread starter Perfo
- Start date
SirNinja
Member
Impressions time!
Finally, I got a chance to test the new battle system. It's hectic, but quite good, and encourages a lot of experimentation, mixing/matching, and cycling between the three presets. Biggest complaint: the new Stagger system isn't as good. I thought there wasn't one at first until I staggered a mob. Took me a while to realize there is still a gauge for it - it's those little wavelength-like patterns you see behind an enemy HP bar when you attack.
Outerworld is annoying, but I'm a sucker for free stuff from demos (and have throwaway accounts besides), so it doesn't bother me much. I hope it doesn't ever become an integral part of gameplay, though. It needs to remain a nice little harmless, meaningless thing you can do on the side.
So, wait, Hope has somehow gone back to his 14-year-old form? That's...strange.
Amazing CG cutscenes as always. Square's right up there with Blizzard, in that no matter what other aspects of their big games turn to crap, you can always at least count on some excellent cinematics.
A short but sweet demo, overall. Very curious to see where things go from here. Now to 5-star the boss...
Finally, I got a chance to test the new battle system. It's hectic, but quite good, and encourages a lot of experimentation, mixing/matching, and cycling between the three presets. Biggest complaint: the new Stagger system isn't as good. I thought there wasn't one at first until I staggered a mob. Took me a while to realize there is still a gauge for it - it's those little wavelength-like patterns you see behind an enemy HP bar when you attack.
Outerworld is annoying, but I'm a sucker for free stuff from demos (and have throwaway accounts besides), so it doesn't bother me much. I hope it doesn't ever become an integral part of gameplay, though. It needs to remain a nice little harmless, meaningless thing you can do on the side.
So, wait, Hope has somehow gone back to his 14-year-old form? That's...strange.
And more than a little suspicious.
Amazing CG cutscenes as always. Square's right up there with Blizzard, in that no matter what other aspects of their big games turn to crap, you can always at least count on some excellent cinematics.
A short but sweet demo, overall. Very curious to see where things go from here. Now to 5-star the boss...
Matt Attack
Member
The new battle system is pretty cool. I liked the schema changing. Lightning walks way too slow though, I was hoping for some more speed. The demo was too short for me to form an opinion on the story though. Overall I had a pretty good time, so I'm looking forward to release.
Mitochondrion
Member
I just found out that in order to get the Siegfried Garb since a few people asked how to get it is that you need to enable Outerworld Services which can be found in Settings and then submit your score.
That is all you need to do. You do not need to link your Facebook or Twitter account.
Also another thing is if you have Final Fantasy XIII and XIII-2 saves, you will unlock Lightning costumes from these games.
Once you get the full complete game. You can retrieve them from Reward Menu.
That is all you need to do. You do not need to link your Facebook or Twitter account.
Also another thing is if you have Final Fantasy XIII and XIII-2 saves, you will unlock Lightning costumes from these games.
Once you get the full complete game. You can retrieve them from Reward Menu.
Do you receive a notification that you unlocked a costume?
Mitochondrion
Member
Nope.
Sooo the samurai outfit on the PS3 demo, but red? Is that the only difference or do the stats actually differ as well?
Ganon Dragmire
Member
I have a quick question and I apologize if it has been brought up in the thread already.
Are there any sorts of bonuses for having save data from XIII and XIII-2 in Lightning Returns?
I played XIII and XIII-2 on my 360 but finally got a PS3 the past holiday with the Persona 5 announcement. I was looking to play this on PS3 because the past 2 titles have apparently run better on PS3 and I'd rather not pay for online to access social features in game. However, if there are any cool/worthy save bonuses, I'll heavily consider finishing the trilogy on 360.
Anyone have any insight into this?
Are there any sorts of bonuses for having save data from XIII and XIII-2 in Lightning Returns?
I played XIII and XIII-2 on my 360 but finally got a PS3 the past holiday with the Persona 5 announcement. I was looking to play this on PS3 because the past 2 titles have apparently run better on PS3 and I'd rather not pay for online to access social features in game. However, if there are any cool/worthy save bonuses, I'll heavily consider finishing the trilogy on 360.
Anyone have any insight into this?
Mitochondrion
Member
Ah, thank you!
I can't say I'm too crazy about saves if it is just costumes, so I'll go ahead with the PS3 version.
Mitochondrion
Member
You can customise them. Change their colours.
I actually see some differences now (shoes, weapon, some other parts) that I see them side-by-side. I forgot there was some kind of samurai pack.not sure of stats, but compare
Is it and their stats aren't that great anyway. I think I used them for maybe 2 seconds.
HeisenbergLannister
Member
Just finished the demo, and it went from a maybe purchase before, to "definitely at $30 or $40 and maybe even $60" although Donkey Kong and Bravely Default are already on my purchases list for Feb.
Heavy's Sandvich
Member
That opening cutscene is possibly the most visually stunning thing I've seen in gaming.
I really enjoyed the demo as well. I'm a massive Final Fantasy nooblet but I liked what I saw.
I really enjoyed the demo as well. I'm a massive Final Fantasy nooblet but I liked what I saw.
brandonh83
Banned
What's up with the Twitter and Facebook shit?
Ganon Dragmire
Member
square portal posted a step by step for the outworld service:
http://squareportal.net/2014/01/22/...ock-siegfried-garb-in-lightning-returns-demo/
(you can use facebook or twitter)
http://squareportal.net/2014/01/22/...ock-siegfried-garb-in-lightning-returns-demo/
(you can use facebook or twitter)
brandonh83
Banned
Thanks!
computers putin'
Member
I actually had alot of fun with the demo, I'm shocked I liked it so much. Looking forward to picking it up when it comes out.
See You Next Wednesday
Banned
Does the ATB recharge after each battle?
Does every set have it's own ATB during battle?
Do each set recharge even when you are using a different one?
There are like 5 bars in battle & all of the recharging at once & stuff, so confusing. I just kept using one attack & it got me through the demo.
Does every set have it's own ATB during battle?
Do each set recharge even when you are using a different one?
There are like 5 bars in battle & all of the recharging at once & stuff, so confusing. I just kept using one attack & it got me through the demo.
Darkmakaimura
Can You Imagine What SureAI Is Going To Do With Garfield?
It seems like 'yes' to all from what I played of the demo.
Heavy's Sandvich
Member
brandonh83
Banned
Game seems pretty good based on the demo. I like the combat a lot.
Ganon Dragmire
Member
Going by the impressions here, I wonder if we should do a Let's Play the XIII games thread or another thread discussing "The story so far.."
Final Fantasy 13 Chapter 12. That racing cutscene is amazing.
Sooo what happened to all the snap shots I took? I activated the online thing but didn't link my twitter account until after I beat the demo
i am pretty sure its the same.
NavyPharaoh
Member
Yeah Im personally gonna need it
I don't know why, but linking my Twitter account to a Final Fantasy game felt....weird. Oh well, my boss fight stats is now up.
Oooohhhhh right, there was that character that looks like Serah, but...isn't...& is more annoying. I just know I feel rather lost even with playing & beating both 13 & 13-2.
The battle system is....interesting. It seems weird the stagger meter is gone, which is now replayed by....I THINK that wavelength behind an enemy's health bar? Not sure why they got rid of the easier way to tell how close you were to staggering an enemy. I also find the idea of the different clothing or "schema" intriguing as well, considering each have their own set of moves & abilities and having to switch between them in order to keep the flow of attacks going, and it makes me more interested in each outfit, especially the cameo based ones. & you no longer heal after each battle, which'll take some time to get used to. Wonder why they changed that. Though why in the world do I have a freakin' stamina bar outside of battle just to run.
I feel kind of conflicted. I feel like there's some potential here, but....I'm not fully convinced either to get it day one with the pre-order bonuses. I think I'm gonna wait until it's $30 or so. & damn if the demo wasn't short, especially compared to 13-2.
Oooohhhhh right, there was that character that looks like Serah, but...isn't...& is more annoying. I just know I feel rather lost even with playing & beating both 13 & 13-2.
The battle system is....interesting. It seems weird the stagger meter is gone, which is now replayed by....I THINK that wavelength behind an enemy's health bar? Not sure why they got rid of the easier way to tell how close you were to staggering an enemy. I also find the idea of the different clothing or "schema" intriguing as well, considering each have their own set of moves & abilities and having to switch between them in order to keep the flow of attacks going, and it makes me more interested in each outfit, especially the cameo based ones. & you no longer heal after each battle, which'll take some time to get used to. Wonder why they changed that. Though why in the world do I have a freakin' stamina bar outside of battle just to run.
I feel kind of conflicted. I feel like there's some potential here, but....I'm not fully convinced either to get it day one with the pre-order bonuses. I think I'm gonna wait until it's $30 or so. & damn if the demo wasn't short, especially compared to 13-2.
Seems no one is answering, so I guess the response it: Absolutely nothing. Button mash away like you did smashing "auto battle" in FF13/13-2.
I've noticed that if you keep backing away from the dragon thing, it's fire breath attack misses completely. Though I suppose its easier to just block and take a tiny bit of damage.
I hate real-time battle systems in JRPGs. I basically wrote this game off because of it. Being open-minded enough to at least try everything to make sure, I downloaded the demo.
Just when I thought Square-Enix couldn't be any dumber, they go and do something like this... And totally redeem themselves!
The combat was fun and engaging. I paid off a copy today.
Just when I thought Square-Enix couldn't be any dumber, they go and do something like this... And totally redeem themselves!
The combat was fun and engaging. I paid off a copy today.
RPGCrazied
Member
Is there a lot of areas in the game? I saw in the end trailer a desert, forest and iceland type zones? I'm guessing just one town. Also, does time stop in town and in menus?
If the demo is indicative about the rest of the game it's not really about character movement and it's certainly not about button mashing. Just go back a page and look at the dude's 17 second kill of the demo boss. You really think he did that with button mashing? Assuming other bosses are like the one in the demo it gives you a lot of opportunity to think strategically about what attacks to use and the timing on using them.
Of course you don't have to do that, but, it's completely your fault if you choose to button mash. It's funny you mention 13 and 13-2 though since those games had the same concept of either going slowly through a battle by spamming auto battle or using manual input + repeat commands to do battles much faster and more efficiently (and in those games be rewarded with a better chance of obtaining items, though no clue if they translated that concept into LR somehow).
petethepanda
Member
Odd, tiny aspect that sold me on the game: Ladders.
I always expect the feel of movement in games like this (and to be honest, most Japanese games period as of late) to be stilted and awkward. Running around in this demo, trying to jump in areas where I'm clearly not supposed to go and finding it's not a straight vertical invisible wall and instead an invisible slope that at least gives you the illusion of being able to moves slightly out-of-bounds, all this felt surprisingly great. It didn't feel like just running on the x-axis of sharp-edged boxed corridors.
But then I approached the first ladder. Even in western games ladders tend to be clunky and weird. But here, you just swoop up it, do a little flip and move on without feeling like you've broken the 'flow' of moment in the slightest. So good. And yeah, the battle system is fun as hell and all, but man, that ladder.
I always expect the feel of movement in games like this (and to be honest, most Japanese games period as of late) to be stilted and awkward. Running around in this demo, trying to jump in areas where I'm clearly not supposed to go and finding it's not a straight vertical invisible wall and instead an invisible slope that at least gives you the illusion of being able to moves slightly out-of-bounds, all this felt surprisingly great. It didn't feel like just running on the x-axis of sharp-edged boxed corridors.
But then I approached the first ladder. Even in western games ladders tend to be clunky and weird. But here, you just swoop up it, do a little flip and move on without feeling like you've broken the 'flow' of moment in the slightest. So good. And yeah, the battle system is fun as hell and all, but man, that ladder.
Two towns and two terrain areas.
RPGCrazied
Member
Eh. Could of sworn I saw 3 areas. Do you know about if time stops in towns and in menus?
Only in menus. Not in the towns.
hipsterpants
Member
I don't understand why Square thinks I would want to share the fact that I'm playing Lightning Returns with anyone I know.
DownLikeBCPowder
Member
I really enjoyed the new battle system - made me think of an evolved Crisis Core, which I'm a big fan of. I like the pacing of it and feeling of diverse and effective moveset for the most part. I can see how it would go places.
However the plot setting, characters, just don't care. I can't convince myself to buy this until the price is lower like I did with XIII-2 (glad I did, wish I did with XIII). If it were an original IP, or just an independent Final Fantasy, sure.. but I'm really not interested in Lightning and Friends® round three.
And can we step away from Nomura? I never missed Amano so much.
However the plot setting, characters, just don't care. I can't convince myself to buy this until the price is lower like I did with XIII-2 (glad I did, wish I did with XIII). If it were an original IP, or just an independent Final Fantasy, sure.. but I'm really not interested in Lightning and Friends® round three.
And can we step away from Nomura? I never missed Amano so much.
PshycoNinja
Member
Honestly it's a pretty smart marketing move. Dangle free DLC over players heads if they help market their game.
Edit:
What does Nomura have to do with the bolded?
There's a couple of towns in the Wildlands and one in the Dunes, aren't there? Not huge places of course but still considered settlements.
And yet, outside of Hunts I was able to get 5-stars easily dive-bombing my HP to suicidial levels in FF13/13-2, your point?
You can dress a pig up to be an action game, but it's still a pig underneath the action-game clothes. So, I ask: What is the point of movement for Lighting in combat? From what I see, the "auto-battle" mindset of the previous two 13 titles still holds here. So I don't get why they changed the entire combat system when they could've just continued to use that ATB system and let people smash X for 12 hours.
So, the only thing is faster kill-times from doing non-button mashing/auto-battle-lite. Okay.
Because:
2 mins and 28 seconds of smashing "deprotect"->Blizzard, Blizzard, Thundara->Mediguard if being attacked to absorb some of the damage->Go back to Deprotect redebuff->Blizzard, Blizzard, Thundara... Button smashing between three outfits still gave me 5 stars. So... what is the point?
DownLikeBCPowder
Member
Thought the comment might have been given context with reference to Amano.. I'm sick of his style.
Well I did this and beat the dragon twice with 1 star and 3 stars, put them both on Twitter. Hopefully that works. They really should have put in a confirmation system or message.
I don't think I would classify those as towns. They are just small areas you can walk in and out of.
PshycoNinja
Member
Oh. That's fine.
Personally I feel there's a pretty good balance at SE between his style, Yoshida's style and Amanos style.
I - V: Amano
VI: Amano and Nomura
VII & VIII: Nomura
IX: Minaba
X: Nomura
XI: Nomura, Yoshida, Mihara
XII: Yoshida
XIII: Nomura
XIV: Yoshida
XV: Nomura