Final Fantasy XIII-2

[Skyblade]

Sorry, should have made a better word choice. I meant NPCs who aren't directly tied to the story or conflict for the whole game.

I mean, compare this game to other FF games. Apart from the main heros, we have, what, a dozen other characters? Versus all the lovely little NPCs we got in the other games? Face it, if you aren't an named NPC in XIII, you might as well not exist, because you will spout one line of dialogue that has zero personality. I mean, part of why FFVII was so popular was that it had an engaging world that felt alive, and part of that was because of characters like Joe and Estelle, Dio, Lord Godo, Shera, Don Corneo, Palmer, the Chocobo Sage, Dyne and Mr. Coates, not to mention how many hundred other unnamed NPCs who nevertheless have personalities and make the world seem alive?

I always was under the impression that not only are there NPCs (you don't talk to them specifically, but you do overhear what they say), but the reason you don't have much involvement with them is because you're trying to not be noticed. It fitted the atmosphere of the game, much like the linearity did. Unfortunately, that didn't make for the best gameplay in the world.

Yes, it does seem to fit the storyline. But I don't think it created the atmosphere it should have. It doesn't feel hostile, oppressive, or unwelcoming, just empty. There have been plenty of other RPGs that have conveyed that sort of attitude much better (the idea of hostile villagers is hardly something new to XIII). And it also undercut the player's connection to the world, which is one of the biggest mistakes I think an RPG can make.