Final Fantasy XIII is blockbuster gaming

This is a game that was years in development, originally beginning in 2005 for the PlayStation 2 console.  But following the popularity of Square-Enix's Final Fantasy VII technical demo for the PlayStation 3, the project switched to the newer console.  But was the wait worth it?  I would say yes.  Technically, the game is at least 2-3 years ahead of any other game coming out this year; perhaps the biggest positive of the game.  The detail of the characters, their environments is simply breathtaking - as is the seemless transition between gameplay and cutscenes.  Another positive aspect of the game is the storytelling; perhaps the most human and compelling story ever scene in gaming.  Not to say that there aren't other fantastic stories told in other games, but Final Fantasy XIII's is by far the most human drama.

 The game's soundtrack is the third of the game's strongest aspects, really driving home the emotion of the game's events.  Perhaps the most notable song (and the most popular amongst those who've played the game, is the haunting and powerful Dust to Dust - and its placement within the game (when you visit the character of Vanille's home town) is enough to give you goosebumps.

A fourth aspect that serves to make this a must play game, is the new battle system.  It is faster, more energetic and features some very exciting options; one of which sees you able to transform your Eidolons (immortal and powerful magickal creatures).  This particular feature looks totally fantastic in some of the later cutscenes, making them even more exciting.

The game is not however without its flaws; the most notable of these is the lack of towns and interaction with NPCs (Non-Playable Characters).  This is perhaps not the most talked about flaw of the game - that being the extensive linear gameplay that is a feature of half the game.  While this aspect works well in the first few chapters, as it really fits in well with the flow of the story, it soon becomes tedious (offering a severe lack of exploration).  That however soon changes later on when you arrive in a place called Gran Pulse, which is totally open, and fully explorable.  This is where sidequests (lacking for the most part until now) become available, and in very large numbers.

One other negative aspect is the complete absence of shops to visit - all shopping is done through online-like terminals located at save points.  But when you look at the sheer blockbuster-epic-size scale of the game (which is very cinematic), it's not difficult to see why those flaws are apparent.  The game is simply huge, and to correct those flaws (having more towns, shops, interactive NPCs, and making the game more open and less linear), would have greatly increased the cost and production time of the game.

But with all that said-and-done, the positives far out-way the negatives, and the game is a must buy for RPG fans, gamers and those who love good storytelling and high-tech visuals.  As of May 19 this year, the game has already sold 5.75 million copies and has become the fastest selling game in the Final Fantasy series.