This week we witness the unveiling of probably one the most widely anticipated titles of the decade; Final Fantasy XIII. This game was actually first teased at way back in 2006, so the long journey to launch has been overwhelming. However, that wait is at last over and we will all sit down to surely what will be the videogame release of the year.

Released in December over in Japan, Final Fantasy XIII has truly amassed a bit of controversy since its unveling, and the reviews received for the game have not quite been the straight aces developers Square Enix were hoping for. The main reason for this being that Final Fantasy XIII has quite drastically revised the basic gameplay associated with the franchise, and certainly the RPG style as a whole. They have dropped NPCs, interactive cities and an immediately open world.

Instead, Final Fantasy XIII is much more linear and storyline driven. Players comply with quite a tightly set route for the first 25 hours or so of play. Subsequent to this, the gameplay opens up and players are free to observe their very own choices a little bit more. This has been a significant gripe amongst some, yet others welcome the more focussed and cinematic approach. It really does depend on your preference.

One element which has been vastly highly praised is the battle system, which comprises an innovative mesh of X and XII. Players are now able to ‘stack’ attacks, and the more you can stack increases as you level up. Moreover, in Final Fantasy XIII there are various different roles your heroes can command, including healer and tank, and players are able to swap these roles during fights.

It’s a forgone conclusion that the graphics in this game are awe-inspiring. Presentation has always been Square Enix’s crux, and the franchise has always supplied top range graphics. Being the first of the franchise to hit the next gen consoles,Final Fantasy XIII is, without a doubt, the prettiest looking videogame ever. The cut scenes are so detailed and stunning you may need to stare at them for hours, and the in-game graphics are good enough to rival the FMVs of lesser titles.

Add an undoubtedly grand storyline, and you have the most important game of the year. It may be a little different to what you’re used to, yet overall Final Fantasy XIII is just what everyone’s been waiting for. Masterful battle, achingly stunning graphics and a guartenteed 60+ hours of gameplay mean Final Fantasy has returned with a vengeance. Let the journey get underway.