Final Fantasy Versus XIII (PS3)

[Triple Seven]

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(Famitsu via jeuxfrance.)


I. Background

(1) Two FFXIII projects are currently being simultaneously developed by Square Enix in Japan. Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII are two alternate titles featuring different characters, worlds and stories. Both will be available on PS3 simultaneously, and will make up the new tale of the crystal, or Fabula Nova Crystallis, to give it its suitably facetious Latin title.

Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=72025)


(2)(...) versus means to change direction in Latin, so its more about taking the series somewhere new.

Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=64442)


(3) With Versus, we are trying out a type of adventure that we couldnt do in the numbered series.

Nomura also noted just how different Versus will be from XIII -- different characters, a different world and even different visual design. The directors of each FFXIII game, including Final Fantasy Agito XIII for mobile, seem to have quite a bit of freedom, and the result could be some remarkably different software. The look of the games world, the concepts, themes, characters and era -- these are all up to the games director. The only area that has to be preserved is the mythology which was finalized during the lengthy pre-production phase that preceded actual development. This pre-production phase was actually longer than its been for any previous Final Fantasy title.

ign (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/710/710761p2.html)


(4) We dont have much information on the game at this point, but what we do know is that the trailer was created by the team that worked on Final Fantasy Advent Children. Theyll be joining the Kingdom Hearts team, who will be primarily responsible for gameplay, under the direction of Tetsuya Nomura. Mr. Nomura is also the concept designer and character designer for all of the titles in the Fabula Nova Crystallis project. The games will all have separate characters and storylines, but will be united under a single mythos. The storyline for Versus has bonding as its central theme.

Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/rpg/finalfantasyversus13/news.html?sid=6149472&mode=previews)

[James Mitchell]

Definitely my most looked forward to title, though I am waiting for some in-game screenshots, since I know these all are pre-rendered. In fact, you COULD say Im incredibly hyped for this game! =D

[Ryu Kazama]

Third scan seriously looks like the Turks got rich or something.

The game is reminding me of different things so far. Right now FFXII, especially with that dude who looks like Vaan and that setting.

[James Mitchell]

I get a very FFXII vibe from it too, though thats not really a problem for me. Although I hated XII, the art direction and overall style of the game was pretty awesome.

Ive heard this is going to play like an advanced Kingdom Hearts, is there any evidence around that substantiates this rumour?

[Ryu Kazama]

I didnt mind FFXII. I liked it for being different. I find it hard to explain since saying It was more fantasy-like is a bit too vague.

I think (cant remember) Nomura mentioned itd be action oriented like KHII. The fight in the trailer kind of shows similarities (ie. crazy things but thats normal for SE anyway). A lot of people found KHII to be too much of a masher though. Lets see how this turns out. The same guys worked on KHII so it wont be a surprise to see any familiarities within the game. The way I sort of imagine it is a typical FF game with a beefed up KHII system. Trinity Limits included, I bet.

[James Mitchell]

That sounds pretty awesome if you ask me, as I like turn based but not the FFXII system. Are they using that in Final Fantasy XIII?

Regardless, an action orientated Kingdom Hearts style game sounds like a clear winner! Loving the scans that Seven posted too - the female looks like a pretty cool character, as does CK (Crystal King =P)

[Ryu Kazama]

No clue what is in FFXIII though they did recently say a demo will appear...eventually for players to get familiar with the battle system. So from that its probably going to be a step up from FFXII as well which should be interesting.

[Dead Phoenix]

i really enjoyed FFXII so i would suren take a look at this one when it comes out ;)
ive never been interested in Demos...

[greenyxi]

This looks amazing. Pity I dont have a PS3:cry: I dont know whether to buy a PS3, as it would be just for this.....No. Ill buy one once more games come out, as theres a chance of the PS3 coming down in price too.
However, there are two final fantasy games and a Kingdom Hearts game. This is difficult. Id have to save up for about 2-3 months but I have some of the money already. Desperate and confused. Should never go together :(

[Triple Seven]

Third scan seriously looks like the Turks got rich or something.

The game is reminding me of different things so far. Right now FFXII, especially with that dude who looks like Vaan and that setting.



Luckily it doesnt remind me of XII, which is a rather bad game, in my opinion, at all.

Versus is supposed to be darker, and the style and setting have a Final Fantasy VII vibe, as far as Im concerned. The gameplay is also entirely different, with it being an action-RPG.

[Ryu Kazama]

Different shots reminding me of different things. Some FFVII, some FFXII, some KH. In general the dark colours and envinronment plus the high rised buildings remind me of The World that Never Was in Kingdom Hearts II (quite liked that world). The shots with the blonde guy remind me of XII.

Im definitely liking the posse though. Only thing is the blonde guy has spindly arms. Perhaps thats why he has a gun...

[Triple Seven]

Fair enough.

Personally Id like to get rid of these three guys. Im not particularly fond of the bright and worn down city either; but these are preliminary judgments.

What reminds you of KH?

[Ryu Kazama]

The colours and high rise buildings and some minor effects. The sound effects are pretty much KH sounds as well. Mainly The World That Never Was that it reminds me of. Not the Disney worlds, heh.

[Triple Seven]

Yeah, I cant really argue with that since I havent played any of the KH games. But then again, the elements youve mentioned are not Disney specific, so it makes sense, as far as I can tell. What colours specifically?

[Ryu Kazama]

The dark black setting from the trailer.

Check out the following links:

Deep Dive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GikBiMZVW54)
Birth by Sleep (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnB3FHZba5w)

The first one is what I meant. Its a few years old that video (way back when Final Mix was released). The second video is more to show Nomuras style in the KH games. Over the top, stylish action. Same thing in AC which youve seen. You can check gameplay videos for how combat looks and how manic it sometimes is but it works and it looks cool.

I really need to get round to playing Final Mix+ one of these days!

[Triple Seven]

The first one is actually the only video of KH I had seen previously. The second one does resemble the style of Versus (as much as is displayed in its trailer).

Personally I like the dominance of (dark) blue and green colours. Thats why Im not overly fond of the bleak and bright (desert?) city as such.

As for KH specifically, I watched a couple of Disney movies when I was young and I understand the fascination for them. Furthermore I dont consider them to be only suited for young people. Liking them isnt childish. That being said, I dont like the KH games.

[T-Vairus]

This game looks good. Finally a Final Fantasy with a touch of realism.

[Triple Seven]

Well, I hope itll end up much like Final Fantasy VII.

[Triple Seven]

Background

(1) Two FFXIII projects are currently being simultaneously developed by Square Enix in Japan. Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII are two alternate titles featuring different characters, worlds and stories. Both will be available on PS3 simultaneously, and will make up the new tale of the crystal, or Fabula Nova Crystallis, to give it its suitably facetious Latin title.

Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=72025)


(2)(...) versus means to change direction in Latin, so its more about taking the series somewhere new.

Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=64442)


(3) With Versus, we are trying out a type of adventure that we couldnt do in the numbered series.

Nomura also noted just how different Versus will be from XIII -- different characters, a different world and even different visual design. The directors of each FFXIII game, including Final Fantasy Agito XIII for mobile, seem to have quite a bit of freedom, and the result could be some remarkably different software. The look of the games world, the concepts, themes, characters and era -- these are all up to the games director. The only area that has to be preserved is the mythology which was finalized during the lengthy pre-production phase that preceded actual development. This pre-production phase was actually longer than its been for any previous Final Fantasy title.

ign (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/710/710761p2.html)


(4) We dont have much information on the game at this point, but what we do know is that the trailer was created by the team that worked on Final Fantasy Advent Children. Theyll be joining the Kingdom Hearts team, who will be primarily responsible for gameplay, under the direction of Tetsuya Nomura. Mr. Nomura is also the concept designer and character designer for all of the titles in the Fabula Nova Crystallis project. The games will all have separate characters and storylines, but will be united under a single mythos. The storyline for Versus has bonding as its central theme.

Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/rpg/finalfantasyversus13/news.html?sid=6149472&mode=previews)

(Also added to original post.)

[dante213]

i wasnt really looking forward to it, but it actually looks like it might be pretty good

[Triple Seven]

Story

(1) Part of three Final Fantasy XIII games from Sqaure-Enix, Versus is the story of a young king sworn to defend the last crystal in the world from the hectic order outside of his kingdom. Its a fight between ancient and modern techonology, and the struggle of one king to protect the old ways.

ign (http://ps3.ign.com/objects/826/826846.html)


(2) Nomura was a bit more open about story details, revealing that the main character in Versus is a member of the royal family in a kingdom that has protected family crystals for generations. While the main character sports normal, modern day clothing, he works to protect the family crystals from creatures from another world. These creatures sport machine guns and wear Middle Ages inspired armor.

(...)

(3) One sequence in the clip showed a cityscape that resembled a modern day metropolis, with a tall, twin-towered building making a strong impact in the center of the image. The main character resides in this building, which Nomura remarked as being the equivalent of a castle in the games futuristic setting.

ign (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/708/708994p2.html)


(4) He [Tetsuya Nomura] also provided a slight amount of insight to Versus, which will feature a modern environment and emotional, realistic characters and a storyline that has bonding as the underlying theme.

The entirely-CG trailer for Final Fantasy Versus XIII began with a statement describing an isolated nation protected by kings, which apparently, is the last country in the world trying to protect itself from invading heretics.

ign (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/705/705990p1.html)


(5) At the beginning of the trailer, as the main character speeds down a highway in the back seat of a car, hes listening to a news broadcast on the radio. This broadcast describes how two countries have come to a treaty about peaceful use of crystals.

Crystals have a different role in the Versus world, director Tetsuya Nomura explained to Famitsu. In Versus, crystals exist only in the main characters country. A long cold war revolving around these crystals, has, as suggested by the news broadcast, at last begun to clear.

(6) Nomura also shared a few details which help to clarify some of the games background story. The cityscape is a part of the main characters home country. But the entire world isnt as advanced. Surrounding the main characters modern city-like country is a world thats stuck in the middle ages. The main characters country is the only one thats reached modern times.

The reason for this split was hinted at in the Jump trailer. As the main characters car speeds down the Ginza-influenced highway, we hear a radio broadcast discussing an end to a cold war. This cold war was over crystals. The main characters country has crystals. In fact, the main character is part of a royal family who has, for generations protected the crystals. The outside world once had crystals, but lost them due to continued war. They focus their resources on weapons rather than the development of their culture, which has left them in their current backwards state.

Incidentally, Nomura likened the main characters royal family to the modern day mafia. In the initial trailer, we saw people in black suits whod collapsed outside the royal palace. Those are members of the royal army.

ign (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/769/769776p1.html)