Quote Originally Posted by Wolf Kanno View Post
Looking at XIII, I feel all that's really been altered is the actual combat system (the skill/equipment system sounds like its just streamlined version of previous systems, specifically X) while everything else in the title feels like its made in 2002. X-2 comes across as a much more daring and innovative game (and most people on the forum know how I feel about FFX and its sequel).
I don't think that's really giving enough credit here to be honest. Based on everything I've read of FFXIII lately, I have to say that the changes made for the sake of making the story more fast paced, while only being little things here and there, will be huge in terms of how the game feels. I also believe they'll be quite divisive among fans. Many will like the changes, but many won't. As linear as earlier titles actually were, they hid it well, and losing the ability to explore in favour of what sounds like it will be HL2: The RPG in terms of pacing will turn a lot of people off.

They're certainly catering to their fanbase in the sense that many of the staples of FF are in there (job classes, turn based battles, cut scenes, etc.) but the changes they have made are a huge risk on their part.