GameDaze: 'Final Fantasy XIII-2' and 'NFL Blitz'
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A rich library of characters and storylines allows the "Final Fantasy" franchise to flesh out entire games around seemingly minor characters. This is what gamers are presented with in "Final Fantasy XIII-2" (Xbox 360, PS3; Square Enix; T, for Teen), which comes with the chance to experience solid storytelling blended with exceptional game design.
Lightning, the heroine from the original "FF13" game, is stuck in Valhalla, so now younger sibling Serah owns the main story, along with Noel, who is there to help her reunite with her sister. Lightning is not just toiling away -- she has a plot of her own as she deals with Caius, a villain with more complexity and intrigue than you would normally get in a video game.
Shorter than most "Final Fantasy" releases, this balances the relative brevity with a sped-up leveling system, and rewards you early and often. Defeating and collecting monsters pairs nicely with the character leveling, which, when combined, gives you a powerful party of warriors able to deal punishment in droves.
Paradigms are back and as powerful as ever. For the uninitiated, paradigms are attack or defensive strategies. They are stunning to watch unfold in explosions of light and other onscreen effects, but are almost too formidable, and make it nearly impossible to be defeated. This can sap some of the tension from fights that should help build up to the bigger boss battles.
"FF13-2" is less linear than its predecessor, but there isn't a lot of content in the more open world. If you can keep focused on the task at hand and not get bored by the occasional emptiness, the action and excitement you encounter in guiding Serah and Noel will be well worth your time.
First Published February 2, 2012 12:00 am
