Final Fantasy 13 and Leona Lewis...wait what?

[XFadingNirvanaX]

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Yep, you heard right. One of Leona Lewis' tracks off her new album has been chosen as the North American and European theme song for final Fantasy 13. It was revealed Friday by square when they told the NA/Euro release dates.

http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/826843/final-fantasy-xiii/videos/finalfantasy13_trl_video_111209.html

When I first heard there would be a different theme for us compared to Japan I got kind of upset. The original fit in just fine with what we've seen in FF13 so far with the characters and story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAxZi4d9rOQ

Now here's Leona's track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q0_mNC5FQ8

It may just be me, but does anyone else think this is a little....odd for Final Fantasy? I really hope I somehow got my facts wrong or at least maybe both songs will be featured in the final release. I'm undecided about this. After listening to it a few times it seems alright though.
Yet, who knows for sure? FF13 isn't even out yet so we can't really say. Is it possible square's starting to pull a Nintendo on us? They broke the exclusive with Sony. It looks like now they might be trying to branch out to more people by having a different theme songs for the Japanese and NA releases maybe? Just a random thought.
FF13 looks good so far. I really hope it stays good.

btw the release date is March 9....where have you heard that date before? Let's hope it doesn't end up the same way...

EDIT: After looking over the lyrics to the new theme I can see how it can make sense to the chars and story. Iunno, we'll have to wait and see.

 

[finalark]

I was never a big fan of any of the Vocal theme songs for any of the FFs. Oh well, I can pretty much confirm that the game's a barrel of monkeys (I played an imported demo) and regardless of if you like the song or not, you'll still probably enjoy it.

That is, if you don't mind a battle system that's like FFXII mixed with Kingdom Hearts.

 

[altairian]

STOP AMERICANIZING MY JRPG'S

I'm a little bit surprised if they are in fact doing this. The soundtrack is pretty important to some people, and changing it will definitely irk some people. After listening to both songs I can see how either song could be used for whatever situation the songs are used in in the game, but I'd definitely prefer jpoppy to R&B personally.

 

[finalark]

STOP AMERICANIZING MY JRPG'S

I'm a little bit surprised if they are in fact doing this. The soundtrack is pretty important to some people, and changing it will definitely irk some people. After listening to both songs I can see how either song could be used for whatever situation the songs are used in in the game, but I'd definitely prefer jpoppy to R&B personally.

I know! How dare they make something more acessable to a western audiance!

But in all seriousness, I think it would be better had they kept the original Japanese song. Mostely because I don't like the one their using in the English version. Meh, could be worse. At least they didn't get Miley Sirus to sing it.

 

[altairian]

Hey, I could be that guy that says I'd prefer they didn't americanize the dialogue and keep in the original japanese jokes and whatnot, not matter how esoteric they are. Cause honestly I would prefer that lol, but I understand they have to make SOME changes or people just won't get it.

Changing one song from one with japanese words to one with english words doesn't really accomplish much.

 

[finalark]

Hey, I could be that guy that says I'd prefer they didn't americanize the dialogue and keep in the original japanese jokes and whatnot, not matter how esoteric they are. Cause honestly I would prefer that lol, but I understand they have to make SOME changes or people just won't get it.

Changing one song from one with japanese words to one with english words doesn't really accomplish much.

I was never a fan of Japanese humor, then again, I watch anime dubbed (usually).

Either way, I really don't like the change but hey, even the most minor changes can make something more enjoyable by the general western audiance. And I'd rather play a game with western elements I can relate to mixing in eastern elements that I've picked up and learned from my Japanese friends.

I think I'll ultimately be happy with FFXIII just so long as they don't talk like they did in FFX. Something along the lines of "Do you.... think that I... look... good today?" would be what I like to call FFX speak.

 

[XFadingNirvanaX]

I'm happy it's at least Leona Lewis. She has a voice suited for more emotional songs. The whole westernizing the theme thing kinda annoyed me though. It'd be really annoying to see the media, etc ***** out FF with something like

"Now here's Leona Lewis with her new song "Our Hands" featured in the new FF video game. Learn more about this awesome game at " ".com"

Something like that.

Other than the soundtrack, I'm looking forward to this sphere grid-like system and summons. They look promising.

EDIT: What was wrong with X?

 

[finalark]

EDIT: What was wrong with X?

Actually, not much. FFX goes into my top five favorite Final Fantasies. The only thing that I didn't like was the voice acting. Much of it felt like it was either forced or mediocre, and it was always strange how they'd just pause on random words. Like this: "I feel.... good today... and.... want some.... icecream."

 

[XFadingNirvanaX]

Actually, not much. FFX goes into my top five favorite Final Fantasies. The only thing that I didn't like was the voice acting. Much of it felt like it was either forced or mediocre, and it was always strange how they'd just pause on random words. Like this: "I feel.... good today... and.... want some.... icecream."

The Luca scene between Tidus and Yuna was probably the worst laughing I've ever heard in my life. FFX will still be that game that will always be my favorite.

HA-HA-HA-HA! How could they even pass that as laughing? xD

 

[finalark]

The Luca scene between Tidus and Yuna was probably the worst laughing I've ever heard in my life. FFX will still be that game that will always be my favorite.

HA-HA-HA-HA! How could they even pass that as laughing? xD

Oh yeah! I remember that part! I wanted to cry after I found out that James Arnold Taylor, one of my favorite VAs, voiced Tidus. Wow, he must really have not liked the game to give a performance that bad.

 

[altairian]

Well, the actors can only be as good as the director. If the director says "no no, I want HA-HA-HA" they kinda have to do it =(

I think I'm the only person on earth whose favorite FF is XII ><

 

[finalark]

I think I'm the only person on earth whose favorite FF is XII ><

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRVUOGUmxJI

XII's actually my second favorite. My first being IX (OMG ITZ NOTZ SEVNZSETZZAQQ!E$!#$!@#!@$E)

 

[GreenKirby]

The Luca scene between Tidus and Yuna was probably the worst laughing I've ever heard in my life. FFX will still be that game that will always be my favorite.

HA-HA-HA-HA! How could they even pass that as laughing? xD

Probably because the laughing was PURPOSELY forced and bad. Noticed after they did that they started ACTUALLY laughing.

And I still can't believe that people are crying that Leona Lewis is singing the English version theme. I mean, is it really that horrible or are gamers just being Japanophiles again.

 

[altairian]

The song is fine, there's just nothing wrong with the original song to warrant a change.

 

[finalark]

Probably because the laughing was PURPOSELY forced and bad. Noticed after they did that they started ACTUALLY laughing.

And I still can't believe that people are crying that Leona Lewis is singing the English version theme. I mean, is it really that horrible or are gamers just being Japanophiles again.

I'm going with the latter, seriously guys, some good friends of mine are Japanese. And guess what? They're not gods (hard to believe, isn't it)?

Honestly, I'm only against it because I really don't like Leona Lewis' song. And GreenKirby, go reply FFX some time. That game had some seriously baaaaaaaaaaad voice acting in it.

 

[GHNeko]

Nobuo Uematsu or gtfo.

:|

 

[aish]

After listening to both songs for awhile I actually disliked both of them (for my preferences) but still thought the japanese one was more suited than the english one. If they wanted to have a english song it should have just been the same song but translated imo =/ like TWEWY, that turned out good xD

 

[XFadingNirvanaX]

One of the best things about X-2 was this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9ee_Ez6tFk

My Hands doesn't seem that bad. It'd be nice to see a trailer featuring it for better judgment.

As far as 13's storyline, it looks very promising. The Chapters that have been released show plenty of info on the characters and what makes them tick.

 

[Nelo Vergil]

Im far more intrigued by the world itself, everything feels so fresh and alive, alot like X's Dream Zanarkand, while still maintaining alot of the more environmental beauty that the rest of 10 and a few of the others had, its a very gorgeous world. The story and characters are all nice icing as well, but time will tell just how sweet that icing is.

As for the songs....meh for both, but ya, the JP version is the better theme here.

 

[XFadingNirvanaX]

A Bump, reason being I'd like to hear opinions on the new international trailer and new english va.

A few comments about it:
*A lot of the va has been redone since the previous english trailers and old scenes have been redone
ex: Vanille and Sazh's argument
*Square has really tried to make 13 more appealing to NA/Europe. That's good or bad depending on your tastes.
*My Hands fits the trailer, atleast imo
*Fang is Austrailian

 

[finalark]

I think you should have made a new thread, but whatever. Can you do me a favor and link the trailer? I've been trying to avoid spoilers so I haven't been looking up much information on it.

 

[GHNeko]

Nobuo Uematsu or gtfo.

:|

10stillthis

 

[XFadingNirvanaX]

I think you should have made a new thread, but whatever. Can you do me a favor and link the trailer? I've been trying to avoid spoilers so I haven't been looking up much information on it.

I was pondering about making a new thread. Guess I should have. My apologies. I dl'd the trailer via xbox live and am stuck with wiinet atm. :/

You were wise to not spoil it. I accidently spoiled a few key points to the plot. Thankfully, not the whole plot though.

I just can't accept that Fang is Crocodile Dundee.

 

[finalark]

I just can't accept that Fang is Crocodile Dundee.

As far as I'm concerned, if it isn't annoying and somehow fits the character (or it's the closest thing they could get to the original version) then I'm okay with it.

*Square has really tried to make 13 more appealing to NA/Europe. That's good or bad depending on your tastes.

That's a good thing in my book. I'd rather not having to listen to Japanese jokes that I find unfunny with a number of characters I can't relate to because of how foreign they are (no, I am not racist, a good portion of my friend's are Japanese).

 

[XFadingNirvanaX]

ign has the vid up. There shouldn't be any spoilers if you go straight to the vid section.

 

[finalark]

ign has the vid up. There shouldn't be any spoilers if you go straight to the vid section.

Can you link it? I'm having a hard time finding it.

Spoiler

In other news, Noland North is going to be in about fifty games this year. Am I supprised? Well after he was in Halo ODST, Assassin's Creed II and Uncharted 2 last year, not at all. He's still a pretty talented VA, man I am such a VA nerd.

EDIT: Okay, so I just saw the trailer. The voice actors all do a pretty good job, and I like that Fang is Australian because it helps differentiate her from the rest of the cast (I swear, they get the same ten people to do all of the voice in every JRPG, so it was a nice change). I noticed a few incidents of FFX speach, but it wasn't too bad. Although the characters do kind of sound and feel a bit generic, but we'll see how it turns out.

 

[XFadingNirvanaX]

Can you link it? I'm having a hard time finding it.

Spoiler

In other news, Noland North is going to be in about fifty games this year. Am I supprised? Well after he was in Halo ODST, Assassin's Creed II and Uncharted 2 last year, not at all. He's still a pretty talented VA, man I am such a VA nerd.

Go to the ign homepage>search FF13>go to FF13 (PS3)> vid section. It should be on the top of the list. **** crappy wiinet.

I was harsh in my above comments. After watching the trailer again, the va isn't bad just different. I've been used to the japanese tone of voice in the past trailer that came out before this one. x_x Sorry Fang <3

 

[finalark]

Go to the ign homepage>search FF13>go to FF13 (PS3)> vid section. It should be on the top of the list. **** crappy wiinet.

I was harsh in my above comments. The va isn't bad, just different. I've been used to the japanese tone of voice in the past trailer that came out before this one. x_x Sorry Fang <3

Err, too late. My above post has all of my thoughts.

 

[XFadingNirvanaX]

Err, too late. My above post has all of my thoughts.

It does make sense to have Fang and Vanille have different accents now that I think about it. There were some obvious FFX moments. *HA HA HA HA....sorry I couldn't resist* I like Serah's voice actress too. As a whole the trailer was presented very well.

I'm not familiar with Noland North. I've always been a Tara Strong fan.

 

[finalark]

It does make sense to have Fang and Vanille have different accents now that I think about it. There were some obvious FFX moments. *HA HA HA HA....sorry I couldn't resist* I like Serah's voice actress too. As a whole the trailer was presented very well.

I'm not familiar with Noland North. I've always been a Tara Strong fan.

Didn't Tara Strong do the main character in the English Dub of Princess Mononoke? I've only heard her in a few roles, but she's pretty good.

I thought the trailer had a good presentation, but the song in the background... I just don't like it. I do hope they keep the FFX-speak down to minimum this time around.

 

[XFadingNirvanaX]

Didn't Tara Strong do the main character in the English Dub of Princess Mononoke? I've only heard her in a few roles, but she's pretty good.

I thought the trailer had a good presentation, but the song in the background... I just don't like it. I do hope they keep the FFX-speak down to minimum this time around.

Idk if she did Princess Mononoke. She's done the voice of:
-Rikku from FFX
-Bubbles from Powderpuff Girls
-Truffles from Chowder
-A tons more stuff

Wait, I remember that she did the voice of the big baby in Spirited Away though.

*goes to wiki Norland North*

 

[El Nino]

My reactions upon seeing that:

1) There must be a Gospel choir hidden behind a curtain somewhere to go with that song.
2) I guess I was wrong about the side ponytail going out of style in the 80s.
3) Sazh has to hold on to the back of the flying dragon thing while everyone else gets a seat? Oh I see how it is. (On MLK day, no less.)
4) I never did like FF story plots. Good thing I always go make ramen during the cut scenes.
5) The protag looks like a girl. And really is a girl. My mind. It is blown.
6) Lightning. =Db

The song. I am not a fan. Too...inspirational in tone. Why can't FF just be about kicking *ss and taking names? ("Because then it wouldn't be FF." I know, I know, shut up.)

 

[Poltergust]

Yuna's VA in FFX was so baaaaaaad. She got much better in FFX-2 , but some of lines in FFX were just awful.

Actually, Yuna's speech is one of my favorite scenes in FFX-2 (contains massive FFX and FFX-2 spoilers). I just thought that it was really well done there, especially compared to her previous performances.

 

[altairian]

That trailer...was soooooo <3
I'm seriously ****ing pumped for this game. And this is the first game where I feel like the voice acting is done by actual actors based on that trailer, so I'm even more pumped because of that. :D