You see, I lack an adjective to describe this trailer. And then again, it's in HD !! :D I know. I'm getting all excited because this is the first time I'm featuring something in HD on this blog. Dash it, I'm watching it like, over and over and over again.
It's the trailer for Final Fantasy Versus XIII (for the PlayStation 3), featuring the main character Noctis. The plot summary has been released by Square Enix, and it goes like this :
Final Fantasy Versus XIII revolves around a prince named Noctis Lucis Caelum, who is the last heir to an unnamed kingdom in which the last Crystal is kept. Because of increasingly apparent modernisation in contrast to neighbouring nations, Noctis' kingdom has isolated itself from the outside world. The game is set as two nations battle each other for dominance and for the last Crystal held by Noctis' kingdom. The game has been said to initiate at the "clearing" of a long Cold War between warring nations that revolved around these crystals.
Now, I know Final Fantasy Versus XIII has a lot of Latin influence. A lot. And Final Fantasy games often have references. (Not sure what Final Fantasy VII's influence was, VIII was somewhat British-French, IX - not sure, X had strong Okinawan influence, X-2... a mixture of Japanese, American and French influence. I'm not sure about XI and XII because I haven't played them.) References, when well used, can make a game really good. It's been the case with all Final Fantasy games, and their remixed counterparts, Kingdom Hearts.
In fact, now that the original Final Fantasy XIII uses DVD while Final Fantasy Versus XIII uses Blu-ray, imagine six times the memory, graphics and storyline quality of any original Final Fantasy game. If Final Fantasy VII was a breakthrough at a time where CG rendering had just been exploited, and if Final Fantasy X was an even greater breakthrough when it came to voiceovers, plot and full motion video rendering, then three Final Fantasies later, we have Final Fantasy Versus XIII - a game with the potential to be huge. Notice that between VII and X, and between X and XIII, there's been an interval of three Final Fantasies. Does that mean that if there ever is a Final Fantasy XVI, can we expect another breakthrough ?
But take out all the influences, enemies and über-cool fighting and what do you get ?
Just as the trailer says, Final Fantasy XIII - or any Final Fantasy game, for that matter - is a fantasy based on reality : ultimately, the twists in the storyline lie in social relationships and differences, precepts or politics. In the case of Versus XIII, it's politics. You have a Cold War, a closed-door policy, constant modernisation and competition against neighbouring countries - only that instead of trade embargoes, the competition gets uglier and ends up in war. Minus the magic, enemies and fictional stuff, you get material which is suitable for Business Studies and Law lectures.
I'm actually quite happy that Yoko Shimomura, the composer for the Kingdom Hearts and Legend of Mana soundtracks, actually got to work on this. The song used in the trailer, Sonnus, was her work. I've always loved Shimomura's works - and if I ever do get a PlayStation 3 (chances are that I may not get one, but well........), then I bet this is going to be an enjoyable, thrilling ride.
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