1.Stereotypical 'Black voice'- Check
2.Afro hair- Check
3.Guns- Check
4.Token black guy- Check

FF13 is Racist!

So the black guy is like Robert Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder?

I really like it thus far. But it doesn't really seem like a Final Fantasy title. It kinda feels like I'm playing Mass Effect 3.

This is exactly what my brother said.

Only three hours in; Best graphics I've seen in Gaming, Beautiful music, battle system is starting to pick up and story is okay so far. That little Chocobo is so fucking cute i want one

I'm playing on the PS3 and the graphics and music are amazing. The only other FF game I've played before was 8 and I don't really remember it. So far, I'm really enjoying this one much more than I anticipated.

A quick side note: Owning a parrot myself, I know that birds poop quite often and all over the place. So I just know that thing lets loose in that guy's hair. How unsanitary!

I played a bit of the PS3 version, too. It's pretty fun.

I think Barrett established that back in FF7

I want a baby chocobo

Got a little further into it, and the game definitely opens up. I'm having a lot more fun now than in the first few hours.

I didn't think the dialogue was that bad. So far at least.

Glad to hear it, I think you just pushed me into opening my copy up. I was on the edge reading everyone's comments across various forums.

just wait. do you have Vanille yet? oh vey.

I played (and enjoyed) Enchanted Arms. In English! Bad dialogue doesn't scare me.

Four hours in and I'm really enjoying the game too.

The rendering is breathtaking; sometimes I just stop and let the camera pan around and the amount of detail is incredible. Any initial qualms I had about a female lead are gone, Lightning is pretty badass. Though like XII, it seems like more of an ensemble cast than one lead character.

This is certainly going to hamper any weekend plans I had lined up..

Yeah, definitely give it a go. The idea that the tutorial is 13 hours long or whatever is more the game's way of letting you get used to all the areas of combat. It only feels limiting in the first two chapters. After that, both the story and the combat pick up, and the further along you go, the better it gets.

I heart Lightning.

Vanille isn't as annoying as people have said.

Ok, here's a question. I actually got a strategy guide with this, but is it really necessary with it being so linear? Should I return this for my 20 bucks back?

I can't speak for FF specifically, but I don't think any guide is necessary. If there's something that you're really needing help with or a part you're stuck on, I'm sure you can find the answer online. The only reason I can see for anyone wanting the guide is if you're a collector.

Not if it's the numbered limited edition. I got it for $18 at Amazon. It's beautiful.

Most people buy guides if they want to get everything. Like in FF XII, if you missed a certain chest, you missed out on a very powerful weapon later in the game.

Without a guide, you'd never have known about it. I missed it and I had the guide

I only use it if I am stuck. Who wants to go look it up online? Not me.

I've never purchased a guide, and I've played most of the FF games thru to 100% (or as near as I was willing to get... I don't need a gold chocobo). Usually, by the time I'm stuck or I'm done and and want to go back and make sure I got all the sidequests, ultima weapons, etc. there's a full walkthrough at Gamefaqs, so why would I pay for something that I get for free? Looking it up online is not a problem, especially when I can have my laptop right in front of me as I play if I'm attempting something especially tricky and don't want to go back and forth to my desktop.

so i'm upgrading weapons/armor. seems extremely generic. got Odin summon. seems underpowered as compared to other summons i remember in the previous FF games i've played.

That's right where I am. I have not started upgrading weapons yet, holding off for more loot items. Odin seems a bit underpowered, maybe they level up with the characters, or maybe I don't know how to properly utilize him yet. Either way, he is way better than the summons from FF12.

Gil seems vey rare. I remember past FFs after every battle you would gain some more Gil. Every enemy so far has none. How do you make more money? Is it okay to sell weapons or are there some that i should hold on to? I'm always fearful of getting rid of weapons only to find out later i may need it.

Also is it okay to max out all jobs for all characters or should i just focus on one job for each character?

I've only had the chance to play for a couple hours, and so far I enjoy it. Graphics look good on the 360 to me, so unless I had a PS3 running side by side I wouldn't even notice or think that it looked worse, other then some macroblocking during cinematics. Haven't had a problem with Vanille's voice yet.

I think Game Guides are obsolete with the internet. Don't see a point in spending an extra 15-20 bucks on them, and even then it's more fun playing through myself and I try and avoid using any sort of help.