(Chapters 7 & 8 thread) We're making progress...FLANITORS! CHOCOBOS! HELL YEAH! [Archive]

The Summoner of Leviathan

03-10-2010, 10:27 AM

I just finished Chapter 7, plot-wise probably my favourite so far. However, the whole duo-ing of Snow and Hope was annoying as far as battles were concerned, they took forever!.

It is nice, as much as it can be frustrating, how the game forces you to get used to every character leading and a variety of formations.

Was I the only one who was expecting Hope to get his Eidolion in Chapter 7?

Just began Chapter 8, calling it quits for tonight~

Sephiroth

03-10-2010, 11:23 AM

So, what are you guys doing with items and such...?

You can sell them as long as you have at least one of them left. You cannot buy the elemental rings so get sure to have one of each element to upgrade them later. If you don't and sell all of them it is almost impossible to get your golden equipment trophy. That's why I don't have the trophy in my japanese version but will get it in my EU version now. In the next chapter after Nautilus you will face the main villain. I hate it to be busy this week so I am still in chapter 5. But at the weekend I will finish the Final Fantasy XIII EU version.

Also I love the character of Cid. But I am sad he hasn't the role he should have. He would be perfect for it.

Dignified Pauper

03-10-2010, 02:35 PM

I too thought that TSoL. Also, I sold most of my elemental euipment protectors. That's why I have bar- spells. However, I am wasting so much money on upgrading these items... and the new ones, having to upgrade them SUCKS!

Dignified Pauper

03-10-2010, 02:36 PM

Um... Brynhilde is AWFUL...... I CAN'T BEAT HIM!

edit: Beat after 4 times!

Rye

03-10-2010, 08:03 PM

Bwahahaha, FLANITORS.

Dignified Pauper

03-10-2010, 08:04 PM

I know, they are also super easy to kill.

Psychotic

03-10-2010, 10:15 PM

They are also THE BEST THING.

Rye

03-10-2010, 10:43 PM

AHA!!! I knew Aussies were from Pulse! It was my theory from like, chapter 1. I bet everyone else thought similarly, but HEH.

Dignified Pauper

03-10-2010, 10:44 PM

AHA!!! I knew Aussies were from Pulse! It was my theory from like, chapter 1. I bet everyone else thought similarly, but HEH.

I actually didn't even think of that.

Psychotic

03-10-2010, 11:07 PM

Oh Hope, (mid-chap 7?) pussying out on doing anything to Snow. That whole voyage of self-discovery was worthless!

Rye

03-10-2010, 11:42 PM

Oh :bou::bou::bou::bou:, you won't be dissapointed soon, Paul.

Oh my god, what Hope was about to do to Snow! That was some amazing confrontation!

Dignified Pauper

03-10-2010, 11:56 PM

Way to mess up your tag, Rye.

Rye

03-11-2010, 12:01 AM

:shobon:

EDIT: Musky Chocobos and tiny cute ram sheep! <3333

Raistlin

03-11-2010, 02:11 AM

Lightning: "We can't lose hope." lolol

Lightning is awesome.

Madame Adequate

03-11-2010, 09:57 AM

Ahahahahahahah I absolutely completely LOEV the chocobo music forever. Justice is just.

Edit: Holy :bou::bou::bou::bou: Chapter 8.

Dignified Pauper

03-11-2010, 02:47 PM

I TOLD YOU! That theme is AWESOME!

Raistlin

03-11-2010, 03:53 PM

The boss for chapter 7 was boring; it took a while, but I was never in any danger.

Just got to chapter 8, and I love the chocobos. I want to take them all with me.

Psychotic

03-11-2010, 04:34 PM

Oh :bou::bou::bou::bou:, you won't be dissapointed soon, Paul.

Oh my god, what Hope was about to do to Snow! That was some amazing confrontation!(Middish Chap 7 I think?)Yeah glad he manned up, although maybe he should've done it when Snow was being flippant about everything rather than when he bared his soul about how he knew he had smurfed up terribly. And catching him off guard like that was a dirty rotten move. Challenge him to a mano-a-mano duel you pussy. :colbert:

Raistlin

03-11-2010, 04:46 PM

Chapter 8 was really short. Overall, these two chapters were pretty good, story-wise, with some interesting battles. Still would like a bit more out of the gameplay outside of battle.

Psychotic

03-11-2010, 08:11 PM

Well, Nautilus was lovely. A really nice place and a good chance of pace (rhymin' madman in the house) right up until they all tried to kill me!

Don't think I like the chocobo theme. I'm all for campiness but the actual sound of it was really grating.

Dignified Pauper

03-11-2010, 08:16 PM

Well, Paul, you must just hate fun if you don't like the Chocobo theme.

Raistlin

03-11-2010, 08:27 PM

It wasn't the best version by itself, but it suited the atmosphere.

Psychotic

03-11-2010, 08:30 PM

Golden Saucer did fun better :colbert:

Dignified Pauper

03-11-2010, 08:31 PM

fags.

Madame Adequate

03-11-2010, 09:23 PM

Don't think I like the chocobo theme. I'm all for campiness but the actual sound of it was really grating.

You are an awful man and you do not like things that are good :colbert: I bet when Toady released the next DF you're going to go and read a book :colbert:

Sephiroth

03-11-2010, 09:45 PM

Don't think I like the chocobo theme. I'm all for campiness but the actual sound of it was really grating.

That's not the normal Chocobo Theme. The Chocobo Theme which is played while riding a chocobo in the world of Gran=Pulse is another one. A better one.

Dignified Pauper

03-11-2010, 09:51 PM

The actual Chocobo theme while riding is not that impressive.

Sephiroth

03-11-2010, 10:14 PM

The actual Chocobo theme while riding is not that impressive.

You say that. In my opinion it is better than the lyrics version.

NeoCracker

03-12-2010, 12:22 AM

Chapter 7 made me do three things, all three of which are spoilers.

The first was gain a greater appriciation for Snow's character, the way he cracked under Hopes Scrutiny in an instant. His little monologue was extremely well done there.

It also made me appreciate the designers effort into Hopes personality even more, the same segment and all. Hell, he was about to kill Snow had it not been for the enemy bombing.

Then it managed to make me head desk, hard. When you see Hopes dad.

It's not that his dad is a bad character, but seriously? WTF? This is the guy Hope showed so much hatred towards? He doesn't have an ounce of hateableness to him. Having the dad immediately appear as this kind hearted man seriously undermines all of Hopes development as a character. He seemed as if he had no one to turn to after his mom died, because he hated his father so much.

I know there was probably a side to the guy we never see, but seriously, he comes across as a damned saint. smurf.

And the random fights in Chapter 8 were difficult compared to the rest of the game.

Had no Problem whooping up on the boss here though.

Sephiroth

03-12-2010, 12:31 AM

Episode Zero explains Hope and his relationship with his parents well, Neo.

NeoCracker

03-12-2010, 12:33 AM

Not sure what Episode Zero is, but unless it's required material to play, it's still rather BS. ;p

Though I won't let this minor hiccup as of yet ruin his character. :p

Shlup

03-12-2010, 12:39 AM

"Lightening. It flashes bright, then fades away. It can't protect, only destroy."

"Eclair, on the other hand, is a fluffy tasty treat. I just want to be fluffy and sweet again... *sniffle*

Sephiroth

03-12-2010, 12:40 AM

Episode Zero is the novel of Final Fantasy XIII which explains how Serah and Snow have met, how she became a L'Cie, et cetera. You can tell it "Final Fantasy XIII Crisis Core". The real name is "Final Fantasy XIII Episode Zero - Promise".

Dignified Pauper

03-12-2010, 12:44 AM

Why don't they just put this info in the damn game?

NeoCracker

03-12-2010, 01:00 AM

Why don't they just put this info in the damn game?

They are dirty, greedy bastards?

Croyles

03-12-2010, 02:29 AM

Damn at (Chapter 8 spoiler) Brynhildr, I had to wuss out and look at a guide for it.
I dont get how synergist/saboteur was supposed to do ANYTHING to raise his Gestalt bar, that did NOTHING for me, it moved so damn slowly. I basicly just kept going back and forth between Ravager/Ravager and Synergist/Medic because the supposed Synergist/Saboteur was useless.

I have to say, im not a fan of 2 person parties, I want my 3 people back!

BTW, how long is this game really? I know SE said the main story was 50-60 hours but is that really true? I ask because im on chapter 9/13 and ive only played 25 hours...

Shlup

03-12-2010, 07:02 AM

Three cheers for topless Snow!

ETA: I FOUND ANOTHER BLACK PERSON! Woo!

ETA2: OMG gutted

Damn at (Chapter 8 spoiler) Brynhildr, I had to wuss out and look at a guide for it.
I dont get how synergist/saboteur was supposed to do ANYTHING to raise his Gestalt bar, that did NOTHING for me, it moved so damn slowly. I basicly just kept going back and forth between Ravager/Ravager and Synergist/Medic because the supposed Synergist/Saboteur was useless.

Tide Turner worked for me. Of course, it took me a few tries, but then I equipped Ember Rings and things were a lot easier; I got it with 500+ count to spare. xD

Madame Adequate

03-12-2010, 10:36 AM

... elemental defense. :stare:

Sephiroth

03-12-2010, 11:17 AM

BTW, how long is this game really? I know SE said the main story was 50-60 hours but is that really true? I ask because im on chapter 9/13 and ive only played 25 hours...

Believe me, the last chapters are long enough. And the final dungeon is hard. Normally you have to train at least a bit for the last chapter and the final boss so you need some time for it as well because the final boss (phase 2 of 3 phases is the really strong phase) can beat you easy if you do not take care the whole battle.

Suikojowy

03-12-2010, 10:15 PM

Yeah the whole "I hate Snow even though my mum went off and fought completely of her own free will" thing was annoying enough but now this dad he hates actually seems like a great guy. Taking his own son and friends in without a second thought even if it means he'd be a criminal and probably deported/killed, what an ass.

Stupid Sexy Snow.

And finally a memorable piece of music! By that I mean the chocobo theme, I don't care if it's been in almost every Final Fantasy, I'll take it.

Blackmage

03-13-2010, 10:03 AM

Golden Saucer did fun better

Yeeeah, SE missed a big opportunity here to do something other than chase Sazh's chocobo through a zone for a tiny reward.

Shlup

03-14-2010, 12:43 AM

Yeah that was kind of lame. BUT THE CHOCOBOS!

I was all excited about the lambs but then I looked at their faces... FREAKY! I think I may love them all the more for it though.

demondude

03-15-2010, 07:14 PM

I'm stuck on the airship after the raid on the Dad's house. I'm loving Fang so far btw.

Freya

03-15-2010, 11:00 PM

i finally got to chapter 7 but had to stop cause my brother wanted to watch a movie with the tv xP

Del Murder

03-17-2010, 02:36 AM

On chapter 7 now and it's pretty weird that the party is still separated. I haven't even played as the 6th character yet, and Snow has been gone for like 5 chapters. Is this really the halfway point?

Shlup

03-17-2010, 03:14 AM

As I understand it, the last three chapters are like half the length of the game.

Raistlin

03-17-2010, 03:23 AM

On chapter 7 now and it's pretty weird that the party is still separated. I haven't even played as the 6th character yet, and Snow has been gone for like 5 chapters. Is this really the halfway point?

No. I'm on chapter 11 now, and it's massive. That's when the game really starts. Although story-wise it arguably starts in chapter 9 or so, as that's around when I felt the exposition phase finally ended and I was actually moving towards something.

Shlup

03-17-2010, 03:29 AM

Way to be like five times more spoily than what I just put behind a gorram spoiler tag, buttface!

I haven't seen too many super spoiler-nazis around though so whatev. I'm used to BJ who is, like, so spoiler-hating that if I even tell him that I just watched a preview for something he wants to see, he gets mad at me. He's not mad that I told him something from the preview, he's mad that he knows I watched it at all. xP

Del Murder

03-17-2010, 03:48 AM

I don't think the length of the chapters counts as a spoiler. :p

Good to know the pacing changes and these are still the 'beginning' chapters.

Raistlin

03-17-2010, 04:12 AM

Way to be like five times more spoily than what I just put behind a gorram spoiler tag, buttface!

I didn't post anything remotely constituting a spoiler, fatty.

I haven't seen too many super spoiler-nazis around though so whatev. I'm used to BJ who is, like, so spoiler-hating that if I even tell him that I just watched a preview for something he wants to see, he gets mad at me. He's not mad that I told him something from the preview, he's mad that he knows I watched it at all. xP

At first I was surprised that BJ was so bat:bou::bou::bou::bou: crazy, but then I remembered who he married.

demondude

03-17-2010, 08:24 AM

I need help on Sazh's Eiodolon. Any tips?

VeloZer0

03-17-2010, 08:52 AM

I don't remember it being a problem, just buff/debuff up right at the start and giver-er hell. Casting Enblizzard (I think thats what it is called) on Sazh so his COM attacks are Ice elemental also helps a lot.

Shlup

03-17-2010, 11:50 AM

Heh, that was the hardest battle for me. Start with Syn/Sab then switch to Rav/Rav, Rav/Med, whatever you can get... and hope for the best. Took me too many tries to do this one.

WAIT! This is the one where I put on Ember Rings and then it got way easier! After dying a few times I did that and then beat her with 500+ count on the clock. Yeah, do that, it's a big help.

demondude

03-17-2010, 07:05 PM

Done it! I figured out that you could access the menu in the short scene before the fight, so I could level Vanille up enough for her to dish out good Saboteur attacks I had been neglecting. Onwards to chapter 9!

Aruu

03-17-2010, 07:44 PM

You can do that with any boss battle that you find tricky, especially if it's one your thrown into right after switching from another set of characters. Just hit pause, retry, and you'll be taken to the menu. It's handy during Snow's lone battle, since by that point he has a lot of levelling to do.

cloud21zidane16

03-18-2010, 04:15 AM

Im just at the end of chapter 8 and have to say both of these chapters have definitely been the best for me so far:) Ive been enjoying it so far but these two both seem to have finally got the story rolling a bit more. Still way to linear though:(

Aruu

03-18-2010, 11:15 AM

I just got onto chapter nine. :D

I was dreading the fight with Sazh's Eidolon but it was a lot easier than I expected. Though that's thanks in part to reading some of the hints on this thread :love: It still had it's frustrating moments, though.

But.. oh my gosh. What a way to end a chapter! Finally it feels like this game is starting to pick up speed.

And those little sheep? Are freaking adorable.

Shoeberto

03-18-2010, 06:17 PM

Chapter seven had me in awe at multiple points. Totally, totally great stuff there. I called it quits after I got to eight, after spending about thirteen gazillion CP.

I still giggle when the crystarium tells me "You have no CP."

Moon Rabbits

03-18-2010, 06:33 PM

OMG I FINALLY GET WHAT THE BIG FUSS ABOUT FLANITORS IS.

Del Murder

03-21-2010, 04:32 AM

Chapter 7 was long, or maybe I just don't play very much. It was nice to finally have 3 people in battle again.

It was also refreshing that Hope's dad was a nice guy and genuinely concerned with his son and willing to help the team any way he could. Based on how Hope talked about his father I expected him to be the typical RPG mean dad who kicks his son out because he's branded or 'too weak' or whatever (ie Jecht).

Flying Arrow

03-21-2010, 09:31 AM

Chapter 7 is pretty long. Some good battles and a great setting. Kind of fizzles out near the end with a too-easy boss, but loved using Odin against tougher match-ups.

Chapter 8 is very trying and kind of obnoxious. Glad it's short. Good ending, but all the running around leading up to it is stupid and pointless. Either give us the meat of the game or make the downtime interesting and not shallow, SE.

Spoiler for Chapter 9: The "reveal" about Sazh's suicide is awful. I'm hoping it's the last "twist" of this kind in the game.

Ashi

03-21-2010, 08:07 PM

Chapter 8: Trouble with Bryn-something :cry:

Sephiroth

03-21-2010, 08:15 PM

Chapter 8: Trouble with Bryn-something :cry:

All the eidolons can fill their bars when your character uses his 3 main job classes. For Sazh for example you have to use your physical attacks of the commander, range magic of the ravanger or your supporter magic of the synergist. I know the enemy is not that easy but actually you just have to attack him. People often say attacking eidolons is not the way to win the battle and even Final Fantasy XIII says dealing damage is not the way to win the battle but in fact attacking your summon is the way to win the battle. Just take care of your HP, use some physical attacks of Sazh with the Commander job and some magics with Vanille's Ravager job class and then change both to Ravagers to use your magic. And of course you have to heal yourself from time to time.

Shlup

03-21-2010, 10:09 PM

Equip Ember Rings so you don't have to spend as much time healing. Sephiroth is right, attacking fills the bar the fastest I've found.

finaloblivion

03-22-2010, 11:16 PM

Chapter 7 and 8 get 10/10 from me! the chocobos...oh the chocobos.:choc: and those little sheep? omfg....SE what the smurf. i couldnt even play cuz i wanted to look at them open their freaky-yet-cute toad mouths lol. maybe its just me. oh and did anyone else think the music while you play as snow and hope in ch 7 is just freakin awesome?!? chocobo theme was great too. i love how all the people are complaining about how bad they smell lmao

still a little worried about the game clock at this point...but from what ive been reading the last 3-4 chapters contain just about the whole game. and i looked ahead in my guide...a little...and saw a bunch of stuff relating to sidequests and trophies connected to them. there's...a lot! pretty excited for it.

Wolf Kanno

03-24-2010, 10:54 AM

Finished Chapter 7 and 8 and I'm well on my way into Chapter 9 at the moment.

Definetly a remarkable set of chapters. Hope actually became a likable character, Snow is just awesome, Lightning finally gained a personality and Vanille stopped acting like one of those dumb blondes on the slutty college girl porn they advertise at night :roll2 I just wish it didn't take nearly 20 hours to make the cast likable. I'm still waiting for a real plot thank you.

Hope's story is resolved in a pretty satisfying way and thank god I now know longer have to listen to him talk about Operation Nora and how Snow is the devil. Lightning finally gained a real personality though I found her angsty revelation in the tunnels to be more hilarious than thought provoking. Her motherly feelings toward Hope is both amusing and unsettling at the same time.

Fang is just smurfing awesome. There is very little not to love here. My only gripe with Chapter 7 is much like everything lately in the game, it feels very long winded. That Chapter took forever... I'm beginning to get burned out on the combat system even; so now the long boring dungeons are getting a bit worse for me. Chapter 9 has been killing me.

Chapter 8 was amusing but like others have mentioned, I felt SE seriously dropped the ball here and could have given players a break from the constant battling and boring dungeon design. Though the simialrities between Nautilus and the Gold Saucer were quite amusing. Anyone else notice how the actual "dungeon" part of the chapter had elements found in the Speed Racer minigame from VII in the background? The Chocobo theme was awesome. :choc:

Sazh's story really reached a powerful moment in this one which was very nice. He really is my favorite character now even if the whole scene walked the thin line between being emotionally powerful and being cheesy melodrama. Vanille is a bitch. :mad2:

The game is finally moving in a favorable direction but lately I can't shake how much this game is reminding me of Xenosaga. Specifically Episode II, with similar dungeon design and a battle system that is slowly gone from making fast fun battles to very long drawn out conflicts. I take down bosses faster than some enemy groups now. We'll see where it goes from here later. Back to Chapter 9.

Edge7

03-30-2010, 08:32 AM

I think I agree with Wolf Kanno more on FFXIII than on any other game in the series. The way they brought on Lightning's epiphany was hilarious.

Lightning::mad:... :eek: I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT!!!!

That aside, I'm finally regaining some respect for Hope, and I even started to like him by the end of the chapter. He's on a roll. Let's pray (trying not to use the word "hope") that He'll maintain this status. Snow's just ShlupxAaronluvluv awesome. When you cab carry a 14 year old boy on your back, while climbing a latter, while wounded, you've earned the title of "man". Fang also rocks.

Just started chapter 8, What's everyone's opinion of Ifrit's (and who I assume is Ramuh's voices)

theundeadhero

04-15-2010, 02:33 AM

Guessing I'm about to the end of chapter seven.

I'm glad Lightning finally manned up and did something about feeling guilty the way she directed Hope. It was a pretty awesome scene. This game conveys the characters emotions so well.

The scene where snow comes in and saves the party is epically awesome! It made me want to jump out and go cruising on my Harley. I get that Cid is all anti-Sanctum and willing to help the L'Cie, but so far it makes no since why, especially with him being a military commander. When I got Snow back he had over 17,000 CP :p It was enough to max out all his roles.

Hope and Snow's boss battle was pretty easy. I guessed it was coming so I itemed it up and went basic strategy: COM-RAV until the chain gauge was about to the dot in the percentage then Rav-Rav until it was full. Once full, COM-RAV it to death.

Surprising to see that Vanille and Fang know each other. I'm glad she's a playable character now, she's pretty awesome.

theundeadhero

04-17-2010, 12:50 AM

Onward with chapter 8, but haven't completed it.

How awesome would it have been for Hope to of actually had the chance and gone through with killing Snow while he was on the ledge?! Sure it would have changed the story entirely but it would have been massively epic. Definitely more shocking than when Aeris died and that dropped my jaw in disbelief. SE just doesn't have the daring to kill of a main character anymore. Afterwards Snow showed a lot of heart dragging Hope on even though he was struggling after getting hurt. It made me appreciate his character more. Fighting the boss thing after Lightning and Fang showed up was interesting seeing as how I didn't get to set up my paradigms how I would have liked beforehand, though still pretty easy.

I didn't realize the boss at the end of chapter seven had multiple targets to choose from at first :p I was holding my own just attacking the main but it was taking forever so I let myself die to shift around my paradigms more successfully. Then right at the start I realized my mistake and with the right roles assigned it was pretty easy, 5 stars.

For those who didn't like Vanille too much because she was always so cheery and carefree I hope you began to appreciate her more in these chapters. I liked her alright to begin with but it was nice seeing the standard SE archetype change and have her with her moments of worry and depression.

Croyles

04-17-2010, 01:24 AM