Xbox 360 Version of FFXIII Subpar to PS3

[VA1N]

Final Fantasy XIII comes out in the states this Tuesday the 9th and people are already comparing the two different versions, the 360 and the PS3. Normally, Final Fantasy games are Sony exclusives so for this to be coming out on the 360 this generation as well as the PS3 is a really big deal. Every console game that comes out has people comparing the two versions and most of the time it's no big deal, but I think you might want to hear about the differences between these two version. Keep in mind though, this article is for people who own both the PS3 and the 360. If you only own one of the other, the decision is already made for you and you should in no way not buy one game simply because it's sub par to the other. If you have both systems though, you're going to want to buy this for the PS3.

The first glaring difference between the two consoles is the number of discs. The PS3 version of FFXIII will come on one blu ray disc while the 360 version will come on 3. That's no big deal as 360 owners are used to having to switch out game discs (Mass Effect, Lost Odyssey, every other decent RPG...). So, the number of discs is only an issue if you have both consoles. If you have one or the other, no biggie.

The big glaring issue between the two is the video output. The PS3 version is going to output 720p video to your screen. This is true HD. The 360 on the other hand has been confirmed to only output 576p. The guys over at Eurogamer who compared the two games side by side said that the Xbox 360 version "

isn't anywhere near as impressive as it is on PlayStation 3. The real kicker is that it's a lot worse than it should have been."

The reason they are saying that it's a lot worse is that Square Enix left additional space they could have used on each Xbox 360 DVD empty. In some cases there are over 1 gig of free space on each disc (out of 6.8 per disc).

So, what does this mean? It means that if you have a PS3, you should buy this game for that console hands down. If you don't, you're only hurting yourself. If you don't own a PS3, what then? Well, you buy it for the 360. So what the graphics are sub par and there are some other graphical anomalies...it's a freaking Final Fantasy game. Be glad that you have it on your system.

If anything, this whole issue proves one thing...the PS3 may be able to outlast the 360 this generation. As the 360 hits it's max in terms of game size and scope, the PS3 is continually proving it can handle more and more. People knew this day would come and it's not really that big of a deal. The consoles will continue to battle it out for a couple more years and then we'll all see a new set of consoles hit the ground running and competing against each other. Until then, enjoy the games that come out for whatever system you own.

[danimoose]

WOW what a disappointment. I thought most of the industry made games capable for the Xbox then converted them to PS3. I don't understand why you would not give both versions HD that blows. I was looking forward to this game too. May not get it if its like this.

I just looked at a comparison on YouTube and the difference is amazing the ps3 is vivid and crisp the 360 is a little fuzzy and has really bright colors to offset it what a waste.

[VA1N]

The reason the game sucks on the 360 is because of Microsoft with a part of the blame on Square Enix too. Let me explain...


Square Enix, the people who make FF, didn't have any plans to release the game on the 360. Microsoft came to them and offered them LOTS of money. The same kind of money they offer everyone else for exclusivity. Square agreed before they knew the hardware. When they made the game, they began making it for the PS3 since that was what was originally planned for release in Japan first. The game was also made huge because it can fit on one PS3 disc. They released the PS3 version in Japan already (no 360 version in Japan since no one cares about the 360 in JP) and after release began localizing a PS3 version for North America/UK and creating a 360 one. When they began making the 360 one, they realized that the technology just isn't there nor the space to make the game identical. So, they had to cut corners and make the graphics smaller resolution to fit it on DVDs instead of Blu Ray.

We're going to be seeing this a lot more as time goes on. The PS3 is built to outlast the 360 due to it's Blu Ray capabilities. If the 360 wants to survive next gen, they are going to have to adopt Blu Ray or come up with their own proprietary software/discs that hold the same amount of space.

If you were interested in FF13 and don't own a PS3, I'd still buy it. Yes, it's not as pretty as the PS3 version, but it's still going to be stunning. It is square enix after all. Now people know how PS3 fans felt all those years with shitty ports of 360 games to PS3 (namely: The Orange Box)

[danimoose]

I'm a FF fan and thats one of the things I miss since I switched over to the XBox was really great open world RPG's. I don't doubt that it will be great but I guess I would expect it to be in HD. Now I know that since getting HD picture w/o HD on my TV looks like crap, this is a game I'll need to rent to make sure it is ok at best.

[VA1N]

I just watched a gamespot review of the game and the dude said that while the ps3 version is better, if you can only get your hands on the 360 version, "don't sweat the differences...it's still beautiful in it's own right"

[danimoose]

I read a review and it seams to be alot like Lost Odyssey. In that you don't have a true open world it is said to be very linear. Until really late in the game not like the games of old. I guess its hard to grind because for each area theres a limited number of fights. So that you can't level up your character before the next boss fight. I can see how this would make the game more streamlined, and the reviewer said thats the case to 100% the game will take 10-20 hours not like the old games which were 50 hrs plus. It seams this takes replay ability out of the game because there is nothing that you missed through the first play through.

[VA1N]

I'm about 10 hours into the game and it's still linear. I've heard that the game lasts for about 30+ from a couple reviewers so the 10-20 seems a bit low. It's a long game because I'm getting tutorial messages still and I'm this far into it. I love it so far though. True it's not an open world game, but halfway through it will turn into it. I highly recommend it so far. The story is really really good too!