Less Linear and more Interactive Environments
Open-world
Final Fantasy: Versus XIII is confirmed to be a semi-open world game. It may not be something like a Bethesda game in scope, but moving away from the design decisions of Final Fantasy XIII is always a good thing. Square tried to make XIII-2 less linear due to the complaints but ultimately it was still in many ways a linear game, but there were a lot of interactive elements in the game.
Square needs to expand on this and make stunning environments that are not only good to look at, but also features a lot of puzzles. The January 2011 trailer shows some open-world elements from the game.
Interesting NPCs with good writing
This will not do.
NPCs have always existed in Final Fantasy games, and mostly they aren’t that significant to the overall plot or game, and are mostly included to populate the world. This has always been a problem, compared to some western RPGs where the NPCs are more lively and have interesting lines. For example, when you look at a game like, say, Skyrim, the sheer amount of NPCs and the lines recorded in that game is nothing short of extraordinary.
You may remember the “Arrow to the Knee” meme, who doesn’t? But when you look at Final Fantasy XIII, the immediate meme you can think of is, “Mom’s are tough”. Now, that’s just bad writing and not actually as interesting and humorous as the one in Skyrim. Square Enix needs to rectify this. It can only mean more immersion for the players which is a good thing.
Lots of optional side quests and satisfying conclusion
Omega Weapon
Now, when I talk about optional side quests, it doesn’t mean fetch this or that rubbish. I mean, Final Fantasy has always excelled in boss fights, and even the optional boss fights are incredible to fight and look spectacular, especially when it comes to design. Square needs to provide interesting side quests and also make sure that the ending is satisfying and conclusive. None of that Versus XIII-2 and XIII-3. Sorry, even if this game is the best thing since sliced bread, I do not want a new Versus game.
So far the game looks spectacular and all has all the right ideas. We simply do not have any more information on the game, and Nomura is planning to reveal them soon, but one thing is for certain, Square Enix needs this game to be a massive hit, or the Final Fantasy brand will be irreparable.
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