I'm having tons of fun with it. Once it starts getting more complex it gets really engaging. It's not quite at the same level as the infinitely awesome Final Fantasy 12 system but certainly an improvement on 10's.  And speaking of 10, those characters were more annoying than anyone in 13. Well except for Vanille maybe.

I know. I can't get over how much fun I'm having with it.

Indeed.

It's adequate.

Have to agree, it's great alright. Sometimes it actually is a challenge to think of which enemy to attack in order to stun them, which i found most of the other FF games were not as difficult. Except maybe FF13 or so.

" It's adequate. "

Just to be clear, I'm not a MASSIVE fan of the series or anything. I don't even like VII that much, and I tolerated X. I like VIII and IX.
 
The only ones I really love are 6 and 12. But 13 is shaping up for sure. The speed of combat, the way you can cancel a move combo, the paradigm shift stuff, it's all great.

Just use Jammer and and then Enchanter, and just nuke with Blaster Blaster Attacker, or if you have Lightning...use Blaster Blaster Attacker and then switch inbetween her limit break to Blaster Attacker Attacker. 
 
Once you find out the same tactics work for all mobs, it's kinda dull.  Hah, once you get Lucky Break (gives easy chance for early Break on target), you just nuke and deal over 200,000 damage a hit.

" @Drebin_893 said:

" It's adequate. "

Disagree. "

" I'm having tons of fun with it. Once it starts getting more complex it gets really engaging. It's not quite at the same level as the infinitely awesome Final Fantasy 12 system but certainly an improvement on 10's.  And speaking of 10, those characters were more annoying than anyone in 13. Well except for Vanille maybe. "

" @josty81 said:

" I'm having tons of fun with it. Once it starts getting more complex it gets really engaging. It's not quite at the same level as the infinitely awesome Final Fantasy 12 system but certainly an improvement on 10's.  And speaking of 10, those characters were more annoying than anyone in 13. Well except for Vanille maybe. "

god there is so much about this post that is part of the reasons i cant stand the final fantasy franchise.  "

WELP

I really like the combat system so far, I can die easily if i'm not paying attention and using a defensive healing paradigm shift. Also I thought it was stupid only controlling one characters, however I was wrong. The combat is really too fast and haivng other characters help you, when you direct them through the paradigm shift helpful. They at least put alot of effort in the battle system. 
 
edit: I do find a few of the boss a bit too difficult though witht he combat system, you can die and the boss might not even lose alot of power until they are staggered which was difficult to do.

"the infinitely awesome Final Fantasy 12 system"

XII's combat system was horrible from over complexity.  Sure it was in-depth but I don't get off tweaking when I'm supposed to be healed and when they should deal damage.
 
This combat system is alright.  Before you get paradigms it's just a series of how long you can mash "x" and wait to use a potion.  After paradigms it's a series of mash "x" and know when to switch to a healing paradigm then switch back to your other paradigm then continue mashing "x".  At least it'll stress test my new controller. :(

I prefer a traditional battle system.

I am enjoying the battle system, but it is in no way better than FFX's. You can't dis actually being able to pick your abilities.

To me, this game is somewhat reminsiant of Tales of vesperia. Just more stream lined. I think it's the combo system, the fast paced battles, the breaking or fatal strike system, linear dungeons with non random battles, the battle screen and the AI controlled party members.
 
Except in FF13 your more the director of the battle rather then the actor. 
 
Also Lighting carries her sword around in sheath like yuri...

" Also Lighting carries her sword around in sheath like yuri... "

Having a blast with it.

" @gla55jAw:  You can pick your abilities in XIII too, in fact if you know what you're doing, it speeds the battles up notably from just using auto-battle.  Especially when it comes to Saboteur/Synergist/Ravager (and sometimes Sentinel).  Medic and Commando you can usually leave on auto okay, as long as you time your abilities with Commando right.   "

Isn't the FFXIII combat system essentially the same as Dragon Age or older CRPGs now ? If you think about it, the ATB functions the same way as the global cooldown in those games. The abilities with 2-3 ATBs are pretty much spells with longer cast time and cooldowns. The only difference is that you have to go through 2-3 additional menus here to activate those skills instead of picking them straight away from a cursor wheel. It unnecessarily slows down your ability to perform quick actions in combat. Also, you can't control where your character stands which is both good and bad (less positional control, more cinematic combat). 
  
I'm enjoying it though, I just wish I didn't have to go through so many menus to do what I want.

I personally think it's the worst battle system in a final fantasy game. The lack of control you have is staggering, so many battles can be lost to the idiocy of the god damn AI that it's staggering. I can't believe they allowed it to ship like this.

" Isn't the FFXIII combat system essentially the same as Dragon Age or older CRPGs now ? If you think about it, the ATB functions the same way as the global cooldown in those games. The abilities with 2-3 ATBs are pretty much spells with longer cast time and cooldowns. The only difference is that you have to go through 2-3 additional menus here to activate those skills instead of picking them straight away from a cursor wheel. It unnecessarily slows down your ability to perform quick actions in combat. Also, you can't control where your character stands which is both good and bad (less player control, more cinematic combat).   I'm enjoying it though, I just wish I didn't have to go through so many menus to do what I want. "

" I personally think it's the worst battle system in a final fantasy game. The lack of control you have is staggering, so many battles can be lost to the idiocy of the god damn AI that it's staggering. I can't believe they allowed it to ship like this. "

glad to say i have no clue what you guys are talking about.  

" @Killjoi said:

" Isn't the FFXIII combat system essentially the same as Dragon Age or older CRPGs now ? If you think about it, the ATB functions the same way as the global cooldown in those games. The abilities with 2-3 ATBs are pretty much spells with longer cast time and cooldowns. The only difference is that you have to go through 2-3 additional menus here to activate those skills instead of picking them straight away from a cursor wheel. It unnecessarily slows down your ability to perform quick actions in combat. Also, you can't control where your character stands which is both good and bad (less player control, more cinematic combat).   I'm enjoying it though, I just wish I didn't have to go through so many menus to do what I want. "

Artificially regulating the flow of battle is the whole point of turn-based battle systems. Character orientation is only important in games like Grandia, where your position actually impacts who gets hit by what. Dude, Grandia is awesome.  I get your point, though. If you had a Paradigm-esque system in place for your companions, but the party leader controlled like Bayonetta, that might make for an interesting action RPG, and is maybe something Square will look into in the future. "

" XII's combat system was horrible from over complexity.  Sure it was in-depth but I don't get off tweaking when I'm supposed to be healed and when they should deal damage.  This combat system is alright.  Before you get paradigms it's just a series of how long you can mash "x" and wait to use a potion.  After paradigms it's a series of mash "x" and know when to switch to a healing paradigm then switch back to your other paradigm then continue mashing "x".  At least it'll stress test my new controller. :( "

" @Soap said:

" I personally think it's the worst battle system in a final fantasy game. The lack of control you have is staggering, so many battles can be lost to the idiocy of the god damn AI that it's staggering. I can't believe they allowed it to ship like this. "

I see what you did there :p "

" Is Grandia also fast paced like FF13 ? If yes, then I'll give it a try. "

I can agree that it's annoying when your whole party is grouped infront of a monster and all of them are being hit by a melee attack, but sometimes they're spread out with only one being hit. The ability to move players would of been nice. But other than that i'm enjoying it alot.
 
Starting tough fights with syn/med/sab, then com/rav/rav to nuke, bringing in a medic or sentinel depending how badly things are going.

im close to 8 hours in, and i too am loving the combat... watching the paradigm system in videos or reading about it, and actually playing with it is completely different.

" @Rockdalf said:

" XII's combat system was horrible from over complexity.  Sure it was in-depth but I don't get off tweaking when I'm supposed to be healed and when they should deal damage.  This combat system is alright.  Before you get paradigms it's just a series of how long you can mash "x" and wait to use a potion.  After paradigms it's a series of mash "x" and know when to switch to a healing paradigm then switch back to your other paradigm then continue mashing "x".  At least it'll stress test my new controller. :( "

How far have you got into the game?  Some of the later battles require way more strategy than that. "

" I personally think it's the worst battle system in a final fantasy game. The lack of control you have is staggering, so many battles can be lost to the idiocy of the god damn AI that it's staggering. I can't believe they allowed it to ship like this. "

I think it's definitely up there. I'm not sure if I like it better than X's battle system yet, but I'm really enjoying it. I don't even really notice not having control of everyone, because it feels like I do. Paradigm Shifting basically is giving orders to your party members, and the AI always seems to understand what I want it to do.

This is the most I've enjoyed an RPG since FFX. I am so glad I bought this game.
 
And yes, the combat is fantastic.