Child In Time

So I played the game a bit further and it's not that bad. Story wise it's interesting and compelling. You want to know what happens with those involved. That makes me curious why many people dislikes the game. The story is alright and should probably be the only marker on if it's good or bad. Of course that's like saying that the one thing important listening to music is the lyrics, and we all know that's not the case. The gameplay is mostly the weak link. It's to simple. All the paradigms, level-system and whatnot ´makes it to easy. At least 20 hours in. You have a maximum of levels and it get higher the further into the game you get. Being at the edge all time indicate you should not be able to lose. If you do, try changing tactic or level up your weapons instead. You only control one character and the others are on auto, changing pattern depending on which role you assign them. Simple.

I like it, maybe because I'm more interested in the story than the actual gameplay. Meaning gameplay gets in the way for the story. Probably one of the reasons why I can stand Metal Gear Solid with all its cutscenes. This does make me sound like a casual player does it not? As many pointed out Final Fantasy XIII is very linear, and I don't mind it. There is only one way to go, no secret passageway you can't find on the map containing the one item you need 25 hours later to give you a decent chance without leveling up to near demigod levels. I'm not finished yet so it might turn up later, I don't know. This is what bugged me with the earlier installments of the series. If we take Final Fantasy VI for example the first part is pretty linear until the cataclysm ensures. Then you are on your own trying to band everyone together and collect all items you might need against the final boss. I get bored. No coherent red line to lead me to the end. I loose interest and seldom finish the game without reading a FAQ to tell me where to go and to keep me at a decent level. Sad, I know, but time is limited and I don't have the 18 hours per day to spend on one game when I have an essay and four other games I want to play.

That's also a problem. I get to 3/4, quit the game to play something that floats on much better, go back maybe 1 month or more later and don't have the drive to play thru as the story is gone for my part. I restart and think the level-grinding is the worst part of it, but deem it necessary to beat the upcoming boss without a sweat. It's even worse to play the old Final Fantasy games again as I don't have a save on my PS3. That means maybe 40 hours play for Final Fantasy I-II, 60 hours for IV-VI and IX. VII and VIII I've never finished so those at least have the story to go with, but the others? I've finished them on the Game Boy Advance and DS. And when should I have time to play those games? This summer is spent drivers license, European studies and efforts to get a job. Is there a possibility to rewind my life, say, 10 years? Would be much appreciated!

Lastly about the story, and this just might be some work related damages due to my political science courses, but one of the aspects of the game is that the whole society is nourished by these spiritual beings that ensure electricity, food, light and protection to its 10 million citizens against the outside world. To be honest, it feels like they make a criticism against a somewhat socialistic society, and that's maybe why I find the story so interesting while many others don't feel the same (I've mostly heard Americans talking/writing about it). As a citizen of a social democratic society that has dangled on the edge of planned economy and market economy under may years I can understand how the society works (not as much as those living behind the Iron curtain and only as a historic outlook as it has gone more to the market economy since the early 90's). People getting everything provided by the state and you only have to obey. And I don't think Americans understand that and therefore can't relate to those issues and therefore the story don't get engaging... or that's just my thoughts on it.