According to the latest issue of Shonen Jump, in Final Fantasy XIII, this system is known as the Crystalium System. You earn Crystal Points (CP) as you defeat enemies, and then spend your accrued CP on new abilities which are laid out on a circular chart on the Crystalium Management menu.

Depending on the character’s “role” (Blaster, Defender, Attacker, etc.), you can earn new abilities in different skill trees. For instance, Blasters can learn the Fire ability, which can then become the Fira ability later on.

For anyone who has plaid FFX, this sounds an awful lot like the Sphere Grid. Personally, my main complaint with that system was that it gave you too much control. You had to micromanage each character’s ability progression on this gigantic grid, through complex, labyrinthine paths. It was kind of stressful, so hopefully this system is a little more streamlined.

Post your thoughts on in the comments. What’s your favorite level-up system from a FF game, and how does this sound like it stacks up?

[from Joystiq via Andriasang]

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I think everyone agrees that when you’ve created an immersive fictitious universe that people find awesome, you need to make an animated spin-off–in that universe but usually in a different era entirely–so that people think the world is even more robust and crazy awesome. See: The Animatrix, or Star Wars: The Clone Wars, or the upcoming Halo: Legends.

Ubisoft aren’t about to miss that train, so they’re releasing Assassin’s Creed: Lineage, a series of short films set in the AC game world. The films star *Googles for the name for the 80th time* Giovanni Auditore da Firenze, who happens to be the father of Ezio Auditore Da Firenze, the star of Assassin’s Creed 2. Like his son after him, Giovanni is a bad ass hooded assassin in old timey Italy (1476 A.D. to be exact).

Question: If there’s been at least two generations of hooded assassin’s in Italy–Giovanni says his ancestors before him were assassin’s too–isn’t the jig kind of up on that whole outfit? Aren’t assassin’s supposed to blend in instead of looking a they sport a dozen secret blades and are up to secret shit?

Anyway, the first thing you may notice about Lineage is how beautiful it looks. Every crease in Giovanni’s standard-issue assassin’s hood is realistically rendered. Cloth moves like actual cloth. When Giovanni fights, he spins and slashes his sword like an actor would in real life. And that’s because it is. Lineage features a real life cast of actors, shot using green screen. Hybride Studios–the guys behind 300 and Sin City–produced the whole thing, and the effect is something close to Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf, but realer.

Two other good things about Lineage are the story and the acting, both surprising given that this is a film based on something video game related. The actors deliver their lines with gravity and the seriousness of Shakespeare, but in a way that fits and draws you in. There’s a plot to assassinate the Duke of Milano, and Giovanni is deployed to investigate. Other stuff happens but if I said more I’d literally spoil the thing’s 15 minutes of running time. Just watch the damn thing.

If there’s something off in Lineage, it’s that it kind of feels like a long trailer instead of an episode. There’s a certain floatiness and montage-like quality to the scenes that prevents you from settling down and getting comfortable. An example of this is the scene where a conspirator is being tortured by Lorenzo Medici (good guy, on Giovanni’s team), and the tortured guy is talking, giving up bits of information about where and how the assassination will go down. Simultaneously, in interspersed shots, Giovanni is somehow in Milan, climbing on stuff, sneaking in places and attempting to break up this very plot. Does he have a cell phone? How did Giovanni come by this information? This isn’t so much a problem as it is just slightly unsettling while watching it. It’s floaty, but I guess how grounded can a 15 minute episode like this be?

In the end, part 1 of Lineage is very impressive. It’s dark, compelling and very well done. And it’s free, so stop reading this way-too-long review and watch it.

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1. Assassin’s Creed 2 CE Details Revealed

In anticipation of the release, the current 80GB model has dropped to $299, while the 160GB version can be picked up for $399. Eventually, the 80GB model will be phased out of production (and possibly the 160GB?), so grab it now if you’re a collector or are fond of the fatty PS3.

[Via Kotaku]

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Upon my first play through of the RAGE trailer presented at QuakeCon, I was immediately turned off. The setting and tone of RAGE immediately invite comparison to Fallout 3, perhaps too much comparison. But just how similar it truly is to Bethesda’s take on the “post-apocalyptic” sandbox it yet to be seen. There are a few things, however, that have set RAGE aside from Fallout 3. They include some smoother graphics and vehicular game play (we can only assume that the story will differ as well). Though the trailer doesn’t reveal much in the way of story, it does offer a decent dose of tone and setting.

I have not yet come up with a final standpoint on this trailer, or RAGE for that matter. All I can say for sure is that I can’t wait to be “Knee Deep in the Dead”…again.

[via gametrailers.com]

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Name of expansion: Cataclysm
New level cap: 85
New races: Goblins for the Horde, Worgen for the Alliance
New classes: None

The expansion will not introduce a new continent, but will instead open a few new zones and overhaul existing ones in the Old World (pre-Burning Crusade). Some noteworthy changes are that the Barrens will be divided into two separate zones and Azshara will be transformed into a low-level zone. Thousand Needles will be flooded, Durotar will be destroyed, and Orgrimmar might be completely wiped out. The Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor will both be revamped to accommodate flying mounts. Additionally, many classic instances like Molten Core will be redesigned for end-game raids. And most importantly, the gnomes will finally reclaim their long-lost home, Gnomeregan!

[Via MMO Champion]

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Blizzard’s Official Statement:

Today we announced that StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty will not be ready for release by the end of 2009. Over the past couple of weeks, it has become clear that it will take longer than expected to prepare the new Battle.net for the launch of the game. The upgraded Battle.net is an integral part of the StarCraft II experience and will be an essential part of all of our games moving forward. This extra development time will be critical to help us realize our vision for the service.

Along with StarCraft II, Bioware’s new RPG Dragon Age: Origins has been delayed. Dragon Age was officially delayed after some internet rumors were spread. The Origins (I made a funny) of the delay have not been disclosed, but we can be sure that Bioware will release it when its damn good and ready.

“Dragon Age: Origins will be released on November 3rd in North America and November 6 in Europe on Xbox 360 and PC. The PlayStation 3 version will follow later in November.” said Bioware’s Matt Atwood

I am glad that Dragon Age will still be in my console before years end. In regards to StarCraft II, I hope to own a powerful enough computer by then!

[via GameTrailers.com]

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