I... Am still on the fence about XIII-2 myself. I paid for it, I've pre-ordered it, all's taken care of but to pick it up and play it myself.
My concern is with the story.
XIII's story was okay; there are places where I wish it expanded and explained more, but overall it was something I was able to follow without a problem. Honestly, I didn't think there was a question of "was Lightning really happy?" Sadly, I didn't care too much either.
Still, she was smiling at the end! They all were. Sadly Fang and Vanille were once again crystallized, but... I never thought that would last forever, just as it didn't in the past.
Game play in XIII? I'll agree was disappointing with less ability to explore and freedom to actually expand game play (Crystarium, Weapon and Accessory enhancement/growth). Still, I wasn't as bothered by that as some other players were.
But, after watching some of the streams of people playing the Japanese version... I really feel like everyone's griping for 'more freedom' and 'less linearity' has gotten us a mish-mash of a time-stew that's supposed to be a story. Again, I knew it was going to happen, the complaining was going to bite us all in the butt.
I could be very wrong, and the native version could very well put to ease these doubts and the apprehension I have... Still... I just don't know.
And downloadable content, while something I personally have no problem with, seems to be a sorry cop-out for what we get of the game initially. Eh. I feel more and better could have been done with the DISK we have to buy for a good deal of money.
I'm excited though.
Square Enix also plans the story outside of the game with things such as novels including Sazh, Dajh, and Chocolina
Yeah, but will they translate it for us? Or, once again, do we have to clamor to the good nature and selflessness of others who can translate for us?
I appreciate hito, but really... We're lucky we've not seen a bill.