The Summons

All we know for sure on the summoned monster side of things is that Shiva will be in the game - she's in the trailer. But in an interesting twist it looks like the summoned monsters will be able to morph into other things - Shiva can clearly be seen morphing into a motorbike, and indeed Mr. 33cm enters the battle on Shiva in motorbike form. Here's hoping you'll be able to incorporate the summoned monsters while in their alternate form into the main combat and, possibly, travel.

Extending this, could Bahamut, a series veteran, turn into some kind of flying craft? How about Ifrit as some kind of car? The mind boggles.

So what's the verdict on FFXIII? We're sure it will set cash registers alight. And we're doubly sure that many of you are holding off on buying a PS3 just for this game. Just don't expect it any time soon. We doubt FFXIII will be coming to the UK till sometime in 2009. We'd like to think development, which was rumoured a while back to be hitting problems, will be given enough time to make the series' debut on the PS3 a memorable one. It looks like a classic FF game, has all the story and character hallmarks of the series, and the combat looks like it could well help convince those who found FFXII's combat irritating to return to the fold. Either way, much is still to be discovered. GSI will be keeping its eagle eye on this one.