Impressions at 4 hours in. I am not posting spoilers.360 vs PS3Let me begin with my intense internal debate prior to buying this game. Xbox 360 or PS3. This game was made for the PS3, there is no arguement on that matter. And graphically the PS3 has always been superior. This game was not going to play any better on the 360, and was going to have it's graphics compressed to fit onto 2 DVDs as 3 DVDs for a game was felt to be too much. That last point was changed since the original announcement, as to my pleasant surprise the 360 version was released on 3 DVDs. 3 very full DVDs. The FFXIII weighs in at 25GB, easily handled by a BD, and luckily enough 3 DVDs without additional compression required - 360 won out for me if you were interested.
360 and PS3 covers are identical, and there is very little visual difference between the 2 games. Just 1 BD vs 3 DVDs.ImpressionsRight from the start, there is the unmistakable feel of a FF game. The square box with text, and options with the 3 fingered gloved hand present themselves before any graphics appear, and let me tell you there is a beautiful intro sequence. The game begins with a beautiful intro video as per it's previous incarnations. The basic elements are there, the talk/explore dynamic consistent with the series and the changeover into the battle sequences, which run on the FF tried and true ATB system.
The CGI and the gameplay work well together, the difference is quality is there, but the difference is slight and doesn't take you out of the story. In previous incarnations the CGI was very obviously a cut scene and usually when you got one you put your controller down while it was playing, this game you don't put your controller down, coz you get the impression you will have to start playing any moment.
BattleThe ATB system they have been using in the FF games makes it's usual appearance, with slight ammendments. You have a gauge that lets you chain multiple attacks in your turn, some moves take up more than one spot in your multiple attacks but increase damage, you can also just perform some of the attacks by hitting the Y button to perform any completed queued attacks right away.They have also removed and added from the basic options. Previously you would have had a basic attack option, this has now been replaced with an Auto-battle option. Essentially this will choose the best standard abilities automatically, you do have the option to choose this manually, but my experience so far is that it is pretty much consistent with what I want to do.
This is pretty much how the menus look in battle. Except in English...Magic has only just been introduced into my game, and is also picked up by the auto battle option, though once again, you can choose this manually. There are also abilities, those not really considered attacks, which are not initiated through auto battle. And, as always, the ever presend Items option.
Menu/Leveling upThe menu is full of info, and there is a lot to sort through, the game introduces you to aspects slowly so as to not overwhelm you, maybe just whelm you.
The english is close, but not quite right, but you get the idea.Leveling up will seem familiar to those who played FFX, they use a variant on the sphere grid, but a 3D approach, called Crystallarium. It's quite easy to use, and I reckon it functions a little easier than the old sphere grid.
This is just one branch of the 3D model used for leveling up.I still do not have summons or the vehicles, and I am still mostly in the linear part of the game where they set the story and tutorials. More to come when I have played more.
stuck on chapter 3 
