Final Fantasy 13, like all Japanese RPGs, succeeds or fails on the strength of its battle mechanics. Thankfully, Square Enix has created the most deep, robust and ultimately rewarding battle system yet seen in a game of this type. Final Fantasy 13 is a joy to wield, but not without its quirks.
Read the rest of our Final Fantasy 13 review
Final Fantasy 13 review: Overall verdict
Final Fantasy 13 review: The Storyline
Final Fantasy 13 review: The Key Characters
Falling neatly between turn-based combat and real-time action, the augmented “Active Time Battle” system has undergone numerous improvements since its inception in 1991’s Final Fantasy 4 and the version present here is arguably the best yet. While it bears the hallmarks of the turn-based RPGs which established the genre, the constant need for vigilance and the time-based nature of each engagement makes it far more intense. Every action counts, and there’s no such thing as an easy fight.
Each Final Fantasy 13 character has different combat abilities which can be chained together in a pre-emptive sequence too. Once the time meter has filled, your character then carries out the pre-loaded commands. Using this system it’s possible to load-up various actions in advance rather than wait for your turn, which is usually the case in turn-based combat.
Final Fantasy 13 review: The storyline
It’s even possible to cancel pre-selected commands should the tide of battle change, and call upon you to take a different approach.
As the storyline unfolds your team is blessed with further offensive and defensive capabilities; early in Final Fantasy 13 you’ll gain access to a wide range of roles – each with a typically grand title, such as Commando, Medic and Ravager. Mastering these roles is vital, as each one imbues your team with specific skills which can turn the tide of battle in an instant.
But that’s not all the different characters are good for. Final Fantasy 13’s roles are given an additional layer of complexity by the ostentatious-sounding “Paradigm Shift” system. It’s possible to select different roles and switch between them in the middle of combat; again, such actions can have a dramatic effect on the outcome of each fight and by the time the quest draws to its astonishing conclusion you’ll need to have mastered this technique.
Another element of the combat puzzle is summon attacks. These involve calling upon the assistance of immensely powerful mythical beasts and have been a mainstay of the Final Fantasy series for years. Dubbed “Eidolons” (a name which should bring a smile to the face of every self-respecting Final Fantasy 7 fan) these visually impressive creatures are also capable of Transformer-style alterations. “Gestalt Mode” sees each creature adopt an alternative form and cause considerable damage to enemy units.
Final Fantasy 13 review: The key characters
There’s certainly a lot to take in with Final Fantasy 13’s fresh new battle system but the changes don’t end there; as was the case with Final Fantasy 12, random encounters are a thing of the past. You’ll always be able to physically see – and therefore avoid – enemies when you’re exploring each location.
Another major deviation is the removal of experience points in combat. Instead characters are awarded Crystal Points which must be used to unlock new skills and abilities. It’s a system which harks back to the Job Points used in tactical RPG spin-off Final Fantasy Tactics and when married to the extensive role system it lends the game an imposing degree of depth.
Likewise, there’s no longer any need to frantically heal your characters after exiting a particularly difficult battle; once you leave a combat situation all of your party members have their health fully restored. It’s an initially jarring change for anyone who has been brought up playing this type of RPG, and some would argue that it robs the game of tension and challenge, but conversely it also helps push the story along and prevents the annoying repetition caused by endless replays should you run into one too many scraps without healing potions in your inventory.
Other tactical options, such as the ability to throw your enemies off-guard with repeated combos (known as “Stagger”) and the opportunity to outflank and surprise your foes with pre-emptive strikes, help to flesh out Final Fantasy 13’s strategic potential even further. It’s easily the most fully-developed battle system yet seen in the long-running series, and is arguably the game’s biggest selling point.
Read the rest of our Final Fantasy 13 review
Final Fantasy 13 review: Overall verdict
Final Fantasy 13 review: The Storyline
Final Fantasy 13 review: The Key Characters
