I just remembered:  we still don't have a release date for Deus Ex.  Where is our release date, Squeenix?! 
 
...I guess we know what they care about.

Another FF game I'll never want to buy/play. Great job Square, way to stay the course.

Why can't those mother fuckers come with a better name than XIII-2? Perhaps a clever sub-title? Final Fantasy XIII: Shit got real....anyone?

I can't believe that this is a surprise to anyone who follows video games closely. I had a bet with a friend that they would do this even before FF XIII came out. It just makes sense financially... and even creatively .

Fuck you Square. Fuck you.

I liked the main character, and I liked Snow. Aside from that... The fuck you thinking there squeenix?

wtf?

What the fuck?

Toriyama is seemingly aware that FFXIII was a divisive game, and a direct sequel will give them an opportunity to address that. Plus, armored ass-less chaps. Color me intrigued.

" Toriyama is seemingly aware that FXIII was a divisive game, and a direct sequel will give them an opportunity to address that. Plus, armored ass-less chaps. Color me intrigued. "

Looking forward to it.

I really enjoyed the story and world of FFXIII.  The only problem was that the gameplay was excessively lacking.  If they create a large game with a world map, shops and people, things to do, more involved combat, a reason to explore(that assumes that there are places to explore).  The world opened up when you got to pulse, but you had 2 things to do: hunts and find treasure.  The hunts in XII got epic, the ones in XIII were sleep inducing.
 
I am totally ready for more of the FFXIII universe, just put it in a game I want to play.

What.

Already knew about this, but this was a good read. Nice writeup, Matt! 
 
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU

Hey, if they fix the problems with the first game and make some of the characters not annoying(Hope), then by all means; a good game is a good game.

As if in response to giant bombs franchise that just needs to take a break... 
 
do you think they will do any drastic changes from the first 13?

The versus video that got released today looks incredible. Can't wait for that. XIII-2 looks interesting as well. Just have to wait and see. It's fucking Square-Enix, expect crazy character designs with no practicality. I don't understand how you can be surprised by stuff like that?
 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A0AU1eNSXk&feature=player_embedded
Versus video. Quite a bit of gameplay footage towards the latter half. Looks excellent.

Needs more irrelevancy and J-Pop to make it anywhere near the pedigree that Final Fantasy X-2 set for sequels to games that are already numbered.

The linearity of FF13 didn't bother me that much.  All JRPGs are pretty linear. 
 
I was mostly bothered by the emptiness and inanity of the story/dialog. 
 
I am not surprised in the least that SquareEnix decided to make a gaiden to FF13.  It's a good idea for short term profit.  They can slap together a game pretty quickly and address some complaints of the original. 
 
However, in the long run, this will probably ruin FF's brand image further.

Oh god, this just looks like the worst. Ah fuck it, I'm just too tired to complain about Square Enix anymore. I'm just going to assume whatever junk they pump out next is going to be pretty poor. 

fuck you

" I'm willing to give it a chance. I have to agree with you Kessler in regards to Lightning's outfit. It completely defeats the point of her character and is purely there as a sex image. "

@GunslingerPanda: No,  it was announced at  Square Enix's 1st Production Department Premier event in Roppongi. If you don't believe it go to andriasang.com

" @wasteguru said:

" I'm willing to give it a chance. I have to agree with you Kessler in regards to Lightning's outfit. It completely defeats the point of her character and is purely there as a sex image. "

*Implying FF has character development* "

YES. HATERS GO AWAY.

" @President_Barackbar said:

" @wasteguru said:

" I'm willing to give it a chance. I have to agree with you Kessler in regards to Lightning's outfit. It completely defeats the point of her character and is purely there as a sex image. "

*Implying FF has character development* "

*Implying it doesn't* "

 The Mayans tried to warn us 

Looking forward to it, FFXIII was great. The armor is a weird piece of equipment to wear in that universe though.

 I love how the reaction to a new Final Fantasy game being announced is no longer decisively positive nor negative. Just genuine confusion.

" Toriyama is seemingly aware that FFXIII was a divisive game, and a direct sequel will give them an opportunity to address that. Plus, armored ass-less chaps. Color me intrigued. "

Aww screw it, I love these games and I have no problem admitting it

" @President_Barackbar:   Defense force bullshit again?  I'd have thought that GB had actually gotten past that excuse of a non-argument. "

" YES. HATERS GO AWAY. "

" I ENJOYED FINAL FANTASY 13 "

" @Hailinel said:

" @President_Barackbar:   Defense force bullshit again?  I'd have thought that GB had actually gotten past that excuse of a non-argument. "

I have seen you post enough to know that you are a rabid JRPG fan and therefore are not privy to reason. "

" @Aus_azn said:

" YES. HATERS GO AWAY. "

Agreed. Cant wait for the game. "

" @Chabbs0 said:

" I ENJOYED FINAL FANTASY 13 "

As much as you enjoy Caps Lock? "

Yeah...

I don't know about short devcycle. I know a lot of people who rage against the game because it doesn't have the classic battle theme, the chocobo theme and traditional cities. Lightning looks great in that shot but um. Different art direction from FF13? Maybe things changed on the FF13 world and went all Nomura for reals after the end..

" @wwfundertaker said:

" @Aus_azn said:

" YES. HATERS GO AWAY. "

Agreed. Cant wait for the game. "

Let me fill you in on a little something, you can only claim "haters" if the game is well reviewed/liked and people say they don't like it to be contrarian. FFXIII did not review particularly well, nor is it well liked by most people. THAT is not a case for "haters". "

FFXIII was......ok. I feel like this franchise hit its peak at X....X-2 made me stop caring about these games so hopefully this...second...sequel...whatever you wanna call it is good. Not getting my hopes up tho

Having not played FF13 can someone explain the style change? FF13 is set in the future and they all wear regular looking clothes for the most part but what's with the Demon's Soul's armour?

Yay!!
 
Just kidding, I don't care.

" @President_Barackbar said:

" @wwfundertaker said:

" @Aus_azn said:

" YES. HATERS GO AWAY. "

Agreed. Cant wait for the game. "

Let me fill you in on a little something, you can only claim "haters" if the game is well reviewed/liked and people say they don't like it to be contrarian. FFXIII did not review particularly well, nor is it well liked by most people. THAT is not a case for "haters". "

You know, I don't even like FF13 at all, but this is a load of shit.  Since when is a 85+% rating "not reviewed particulary well"? You're also confusing a group of vocal dissenting manchildren with the majority. "