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[gunner]

Not so much of a review as I am only on disc 2 of 3, but early impressions.

Battle system (real-time) is superb - graphically stunning. All the reviews I have read have said the same thing - the first half of the game is linear and boring, but the second half of the game is brilliant when the game world opens out and becomes more sandbox.

I am 23 hours in (on the second disc) and both EDGE and GAMEStm say that the first 25 hours of the game are pretty mundane, but stick with it because after that the game becomes superb. The game is starting to open out now and I can take on some pretty big beasts with my party. Can't wait until I reach the planet I am heading to, that is when the game apparently changes dramatically and really reveals itself. Currently, its like playing PSO (in its linearity) but it's enjoyable, just nothing new. I get a sense that I'm being set up for the main game that is to come and I'm being taught the battle system ready for this. Disc 3 by all accounts is where the real game presents itself, so I'm looking forward to this immensely.

[gunner]

56 hours in and I'm on the last disc. The game just completely changes once you get to the planet PULSE - it goes from being a linear RPG to a massive expansive open world. Some of the creatures that inhabit Pulse are Huuuuuge (and I mean Huuuge) there are herds of creatures that you only come up to their feet when you stand next to them and they can get scooped up in the hand of even larger creatures and tipped into their mouth - seriously you are like an ant to some of these creatures - it's very impressive.

The game is like all the reviews I have read indicate - the game is pretty standard RPG fare for the first 30 hours (in my case 40 hours, as I take bloody ages wandering around looking at things and not missing stuff) but every review I have read say that once you get to Pulse, the game becomes brilliant. This is exactly my experience, the first half off the game is perfectly good, nothing amazing (other than some of the best CGI and in-game visuals you have ever seen), but the rewards for your perseverence are well worth the effort.

Any game that will offer me 80+hours of play is great in my book and I'm really enjoying it.

[Demon]

I will get it at some point, but I'm in no rush. I am still loving Mass Effect 2. I have finished it but am now going through all the other side missions that are available. Then, when I have done all of them I am planning on going back to Mass Effect 1 so I can make each decision differently... I am really interested in how my story will turn out with another character, especially when it comes to Mass Effect 3. The save import feature is the best thing in video gaming since sliced pac men!

[gunner]

Finished the game. Took me 87 hours (but I did go off on many non-essential side-quests to get rare items and the like).

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Once you defeat the final boss (very Falz-like) you get to return to the game with the ability to teleport between the game worlds so you can continue. There are loads of new quests and new creatures to fell (some are ridiculously big and I'm nowhere near strong enough to take one on yet, so there is a lot of after-the-main-game stuff to do (half of the achievements are only obtainable after completing the main game).

Graphically stunning, the reviews are pretty much spot on. The first 2 discs are standard RPG fare, quite linear, but it sets you up brilliantly for the final disc number 3 (the largest in terms of game content). The world you end up in is very open ended, you can go about quests in any order you see fit and the ability to teleport once you have achieved this ability makes the game easy to navigate. There are some great side-quests that vary in length of time to complete, from 15 miunutes to an hour or so. You need to stick with the first part of the game, its not unlike anything you will have seen before, but the open ended world of disc three is fantastic.

Highly recommended (if you stick with it) - I don't complete games unless I am really enjoying them, it's not like there isn't another one waiting in the wings to be played, so for me, that's a good benchmark of a good game.

I'm definately going to return to the planet PULSE and build my party further until I can defat one of those goliaths that wander around (they step over huge valleys, if that gives you an indication of large they are!). One of your characters is probably the size of one of these guys' finger-nails and one achievement that I want is to kill one (its 100 points to do this).

[gunner]

I think I'm qualified enough now to offer my opinion on the game. I have put in nearly 200 hours of game time. The main game took me about 75 hours to complete and I have since gone back and taken on the main boss (yes, you can do it again after you have completed the game with your developed characters) and achieved the highest rating (80 M$ points too!). Since completing the game I have completed the first 63 of the 64 side-quests. Some were incredibly hard, with bosses (unique to the quests) in many instances being much, much harder and stronger that the main game end boss! The final quest I can nearly do, but the boss always gets me just before I am able to bring down all of his 60million+ HP points! I reckon a few more hours farming and I'll have enough money to upgrade all of my armour and weapons to the max and take him on once and for all (very clever/cynical from Sqeennix, they have put a boss in the game that you will only ever be able to defaet with everything maxed out, which is going to take anyone 200 hours or so). However, my point is, any game that gives me 200 hours of enjoyment is good in my book. The CGI cut-scenes are the best I have ever seen in any game and once you get past discs 1 and 2 (which are linear and offer nothing new to RPG gaming), disc 3 opens up to a fantastic open ended world where monsters actually evolve with the planets eco-system and new ones emerge (Squeenix basically freshening up the experience by bringing in new creatures). The story is the usual cheesy Final Fantasy fare, but the way your character can be developed with the Crystarium (basically trading in TP experience from defeating enemies into training your character to do different things (i.e. cast spells to protect, sabotage, strengthen etc.) or simply buy HP through buying better weapons or armour.

You get to ride Chocobo's later into the game (you need to complete a difficult quest first) too!

All in all, I would recommend it, I haven't played Fallout 3 or Mass Effect 2 yet (although I have both of them sealed special editions) so cannot compare. I reckon if you see it for £20, it would be a bargain to anyone

[Demon]

Do you fancy selling your copy?
If you haven't sent me the Games.tm mag yet then it would be a good opportunity for us both

[Demon]

Hmmm, I guess I will take that as a 'no' then!

[Demon]

Damn eBay. Had a bid in for £13.50 and someone beat me with £13.60 at the last second. Stupid.

[gunner]

Sorry matey, I didn't even see your message. I only had the one copy (which is sent to me as I subscribe) - I don't want to part with it because I have a complete run from issue 1 (same with EDGE and Retro Gamer). I'm sure I can get a copy cheap (I usually see them at Boot Fairs a few months after publication for next to nothing) if eBay prices are high.

[Demon]

Oh, bud... I thought you picked me up an extra copy! lol... No worries, no biggie. It's a bummer I need to ask people for these favours.
Besides, I was actually talking about your copy of Final Fantasy. Interested?

[gunner]

I have been a bit fluffy all day! Doh! I tried to get you a copy of GAMEStm but all of the newsagents and big supermarkets had sold out when I went to get one.

and RE: FFXIII - I would love to, but if I sold you my game, I'd only have to go out and buy another one! I never sell games (unless I pick them up from boot fairs to sell on) - I collect them and TBH I think I will still play FFXIII if there is some DLC coming. 

[Demon]

That's cool man, I totally understand, it was just a thought. Regarding the magazine, no worries. Is there any chance you could scan the article and e-mail it to me?

Tried again to win a copy of FFXIII but was gazumped again. Stupid eBay!!

[Demon]

Bought a copy from shopto.net
My lovely Mum is posting it to me

[gunner]

Hope you enjoy it. It has really divided opinion. Many FF fans love it, but many FF fans also so not like this latest game in the series. Personally, I am in the love it camp, BUT you really do have to get to disc 3 before you get to really see the game in all its glory.

[Demon]

Well, my favourite game in the FF series was number 8... Slightly controversial, but I like the less popular ones. In fact, I would go as far to say that I liked 9 more than 7. I never even bothered finishing 7, it was too complicated and annoying for its own good! Anyway, that's just me. Maybe (and hopefully) I will love this one.