---()--()--- wroteI was kinda overwhelmed with FFXIII, probably due to the very low expectations I had in regards of the game.
The production values are phenomenal, and just staring at the game is fun in itself. It's just that gamers want each FF game to be an FF7 or an FF8, which is practically impossible. Part of what made FF7 and FF8 sensations is their historical context. Back then, J-RPGs were not that big in the west (even Chrono Trigger and FF6 were niche titles), and all of a sudden, FF7 took the gaming world by storm. Add to that FF7's Cloud Strife and Sephiroth, two of the darkest heroes/villains in J-RPGS, and a dark storyline, and you got yourself a timeless classic. A criticism of later FF games is that they steered away from the grittiness of FF7 and went for a softer, more lighthearted approach, but that doesn't make later FF's bad. Although I have to say that the battle system in FFXII was ATROCIOUS.
On another note, I'm really hoping we see iterations of the Shadow Hearts franchise on PS3.
Also, a Xenogears remake would be teh sex !
Overwhelmed with FF13???? That's a bit of an overstatement. Wait when you get to the 30 hour mark and you're going down the same linear pathway with no side quests whatsoever and lack of depth in the characters, story and overall progression. FF7 and FF8 were truly amazing in that they provided story and open world mechanics for the player to delve into. They gave the player the ability to delve into side quests and areas from the early beginning of the game. And as you progressed more into the game the world opened up even more to cover areas you don't even have to cross through to continue the story line. You had billions of abilities to choose from. You had unlimited accessories and weapons to choose from. You could mix up your party using a multitude of abilities, perks and magic (white, black, blue). You could control how your party exactly acts during a battle (the whole party and every single action). I could go on and on about how FF13 IS NOT an FF. You'll eventually find my friend when you really go into it. You're just mesmerized at the graphics now, the real meat of the game will be revealed soon (or lack thereof should I say?).
In my honest opinion, FF13 is like what Square did when they created Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.
Just my 2 cents and hope you enjoy the game :D