What are your thoughts on Final Fantasy XIII?

[Deckiller]

I enjoyed it. Honestly, the first half's linearity didn't bother me too much -- probably because every other Final Fantasy features similar degrees of straightforwardness. I loved the fixed encounters and the ramped up difficulty; the plethora of savepoints and the ability to retry battles was a nice touch, as well.

What about you guys?

[Devon]

I have had no interest in the last three or so Final Fantasies. Ever since they moved beyond the turn based battle system, they have just kind of lost me.

The last FF I really enjoyed was 9.

I wonder what THE GANG thinks though.

[Fallen-Griever]

I love the battle-system and the fact that normal battles are actually challenging/require some thought. Because battles make up most of the game and because I like them, the linearity doesn't bother me too much, either. The only thing that bugged me was how long it takes to have a customisable party selection and how long it took to actually get abilities with your characters - after you get both of these the game is excellent.

I still haven't completed it, though. Spending more time developing than playing...

[JazzTear_VII]

The linear also doesn't bother me as much, and because of how linear the game is, I feel like I am playing a movie. Also, I think the battle system is, a lack for a better word/phrase, Kick-ass! However, I didn't like some of the battles, especially a few of the boss and Eidolons fights were WAY over the top. One boss fight took me around half an hour to kill him because he had too much HP.

Yeah, when it comes to Final Fantasy I fall into the "OMFG-LOVE-IT" group...

[Wes]

I will defend FF8 to my dying breath because it was my first exposure to both Final Fantasy and the PlayStation in general and it was amazing and fuck anybody who says different GRAAAAAHHHH...

... ehem.

Anyway, I haven't played FF13 yet, mainly because a lot of the newer stuff I want to hold off on until I get an HDTV. My friend got a 55" HDTV with his income taxes (after being a responsible adult and getting out of debt first, for him) and, well, it's kinda spoiled me, so I've been sticking to my older stuff a lot lately.

I didn't play much of 12 because I went through a bit of a "fuck RPGs" phase that I am just  now coming out of (points to his Backloggery), but what I played was pretty fun.

As far as the PS1 FF's go, I don't really have a clear-cut, 100%, "I will play this before I play the other two" winner. They all have their merits.