The Final Fantasy ..and never again

Annnnnnnnnnnndddd thats the last I play Final Fantasy XIII.

5 out of 35 achievements
75 points earned..

I never like to hear my favorite game trashed, hence the insertion of good points of the game.. just not a traditional FF game-fan I supposeFor lovers of the FF series, I guess you may still love it for the IP.. but as i've read and talked to some hardcore fans, the IP isn't everything.

Sometimes the game is extremely hard (see: eidlon/summoned monster fights).. and others, one wonders why they even put the trash monsters there.Maybe its because i've never played a true FF game and Tactics 2 is vastly different, or maybe like i've read, its a vastly different game. Either way I don't like the game.

It hurts so much to play...

It seems too long with too little substance; its alot of walking on a fixed path. Alot of storyline but by being forced to play each character, you don't really feel attached to anyone.

The tutorials suck for first-timers. Something about a Gestalt-gauge, TP, l'Cie, Fal'Cie

...makes my mind spin.
- atleast there is a tome of knowledge that constantly updates.....

I dislike the 1-weapon, 1-accessory design and wish it was much more robust instead of a crafting system where you can upgrade the weapon/accessory via the items you pick up through chests/monster loot.
- granted there are not too many rpg systems that upgrade gear this way; ususally its via replacement

Send me to the salt mines, just don't make me play anymore... i'll be good. Promise.

I don't like some of the characters(ie. Hope).. maybe its the japanese design.. but he's just so wimpy.
-but I love other characters like Lightning, gorgeous, smart, bold and fearless

I still love the graphics, they're fantastic and whimsical. I can't think of a game with better graphics, better than Uncharted 2 or.. Battlefield 2.

Even Tycho doesn't like it :P

Law: Don't Use Fire

I'm a rebel. I don't want to follow the Judge's law in FF Tactics 2.

Don't attack people from behind?
..So you don't want me to kill my enemies fast is what you're saying...

Don't do more than 50 damage..
..Umm same thing.. hurt them, but don't hurt them too much?

Don't use magic...
**imagines the Judge putting the Noumou in the dark corner**

Don't miss.
Oh I hate you. The enemy goes first, attacks me and I miss on my retaliation.
**throws ds against the wall**

Don't use Fire (or insert damage type)
...no coincidence that the monsters are weak against it? You Jerk!

Don't Streamline Me!

I love to micromanage in my games. Hence maybe why I love games like D&D and Neverwinter nights, wasn't as happy with Dragon Age (slight stream-lining of abilities and spells), high disappointed with Mass Effect 2 (definite lack of weapons, which is made up via a plethora of [boring]upgrades) and bored with Final Fantasy XIII (1 weapon and 1 acccessory slot which are upgradeable). My friends and I have a game (usually boardgame) night usually every other weekend and I wish we played D&D. Unfortunately my group would never have the stamina to put so much effort into character creation and roleplaying and thus we're stuck to Settlers (of Catan), Agricola, Killer Bunnies and Munchkins. Though still complex games, they are more pick up and go games.

After playing FFXIII for a few days, i've had the urge to play FF Tactics 2 on the Nintendo DS again. I got it when it first came out and loved it. Oodles of ways to customize your party, indepth character customization, from the classes, skills, dual classes, number of party members, stats, everything. I stopped for one reason or another, but now that i'm back into it, I created this chart.

Basically showing the loadouts of the way I want to have my party and what the requirements would be (whether certain classes are required or quests needed to be eligible). 3 main teams, my balanced team, utility (see: rob you blind) team and dps team.

I respect companies that are trying to give console players the ability to play RPG's, games that traditionally have more micromanagement, but the games tend to be streamlined or more basic. For us used to making charts like this, games like FFXIII kinda loses that shine.