So I made a review of the game's story with a graph (MAJOR spoilers)

[Phage]

Just like the title says.

I've been posting this up on forums across the land, gamefaqs, ign, etc. and figured this would be a good place too.

I'd post it here directly, but it was 6 pages in word... so I'll just link you to the specific blog post

The Refined Gamer: Final Fantasy XIII - A story in review


I've learned since posting this that there were some plot points I failed to understand, and I now do. Even so, the presentation of them was a little too confusing, so my ratings remain the same.

Enjoy!

I hope to discuss this with you guys here =)

[Wolf Kanno]

Added a spoiler tag to your thread title. I didn't read the whole article on account that I haven't finished the game yet but so far I agree with your graph. I actually laughed cause the graph pretty much represented my feelings so far about the plot with chapter 7 and 8 being the two best story chapters and then it all comes crashing down in 9-11 (haven't started 12 yet). I'll read the whole thing when I finally finish the game.

[Phage]

Thanks a lot for the spoiler tag man!

Glad you agree on those points. I specifically messed up on the details of Barth's motivations and the final chapter of the game, before people explain it to me

[VeloZer0]

(SPOILER)I also assume that the entire population is killed shortly after since the wildlife there were giving highly powerful l'cie trouble, let alone a bunch of humans.

Hahaha. Best concluding line of any FFXIII plot based review I have heard yet.

I like the concept of adding graphs to reviews of games like you have. It makes for a very interesting starting point for debate, or at the very least is quite humorous.

Good synopsis of plot.

[Phage]

Haha, glad you liked it!

I'm planning on someday playing through and reviewing all of the Final Fantasies. I've already played 1,2,6,7,12 and 13, but I've still got quite a few to go before such a project is started.

[Raistlin]

The story just went from slowly piecing itself together while retaining humanity, to just vomiting all over the player.

I agree with this so, so much. The end of chapter 9 and chapter 10's entire existence really destroyed my hope for this game's plot. The rest just continued in that same haphazard fashion.

[seiferalmasy2]

I don't know how you reach 8.5 overall from your review, sound smore like a 5 to me...

[Phage]

I gave the plot itself that rating. I enjoyed the battle system, thought the graphics were beautiful, and found myself rating the game's voice acting above most video games.

I'd say as a whole the game is a very solid 8, but the plot itself is not.

[Raistlin]

I just realized that not only are we in almost complete agreement on the plot, but we even gave the overall game the same rating: you said 7.5-8/10; my review, which will be up on the frontsite whenever I get around to coding it, was a 7.5. Great minds think alike!

[seiferalmasy2]

Ahh I see

[Skyblade]

Your graph does seem to make sense in terms of relative quality of the chapters, but your points of comparison are way, way off. I wouldn't rate a single point of the game I've played so far anywhere near Chrono Trigger or Mass Effect in terms of story quality.

[VeloZer0]

I new I would disagree with the labels as soon as I saw them, so I chose to ignore them. It is better if you just take it as a relative scale in and amongst the chapters.

[demondude]

The reference to other story's quality is stupid.

[seiferalmasy2]

The reference to other story's quality is stupid.

No, not if you are using it as a reference. To place a number by something you need a reference point. I prefer the references would have stayed within FF games but it doesn't matter.

[demondude]

Chapter 13 does not have the same story quality as Final Fantasy 1. That is an exaggeration.