Editor’s Note: Now up to the ninth part of our twenty-five most anticipated games of 2012. After culminating a comprehensive list of the confirmed games for next year, the MediaKick team voted on the games they are most looking forward to for next year, and after processing the results through a methodical algorithm we’re here to bring you the results. Taking a closer look at both what we know so far and why the team are excited for each game, we’ll have an article at midday everyday until Christmas – when we’ll reveal our most anticipated game of 2012. Be sure to check out the previous games so far if you haven’t already – #25, #24, #23, #22, #21, #20, #19, #18.

It’s not often we see a revered developer/publisher fall from grace so quickly after one disappointing title. Final Fantasy XIII, while by no means a bad game, was not the huge success on this generation of consoles that we all expected, and this disappointment, despite really strong sales, has caused a severe decline on public opinion about the game’s developer/publisher Square Enix. Confidence is low in the series’ creator and, with the massive rise in Western RPGs over the last few years, many are wondering if Final Fantasy has, finally, run its course.

Enter Final Fantasy XIII-2, number seventeen on our top twenty-five most anticipated game of 2012, the developer’s answer to the problems caused by the “St. Anger” of Final Fantasy. Having taken fan feedback into consideration to shape one of the few direct sequels to a Final Fantasy game, XIII-2 looks to be the game that XIII should have been. A more focused cast, more exploration, less linearity, an enhanced battle system, more towns, merchants… the list of changes goes on and on. But can Final Fantasy XIII-2 really redeem the series after the disappointment of XIII?

We at MediaKick think so, after all getting into our top twenty-five list is no mean feat. How much it will improve on Final Fantasy XIII, we don’t know, but contributor Igor is still intrigued: “For some, Final Fantasy XIII was the final straw in confirming that JRPG’s have aged and don’t fit into modern and conventional gaming. With Square Enix claiming that Final Fantasy XIII-2 exceeds its predecessor “in every aspect”, one cannot help but be slightly intrigued in what this game has to offer. Final Fantasy XIII had plenty of great things going for it, unfortunately there was also a considerable amount pulling it down; if Square Enix can address those issues then the limelight could once again be on the JRPG scene and Final Fantasy.”

Igor raises a very valid point, does the JRPG have a place in modern gaming? Final Fantasy XIII, for me, represented a clear attempt to make the game somewhat more appealing to a Western audience, a decision most definitely spurred by the decline of the Japanese gaming industry. This was something that could be particularly seen in the characters and their personalities. However, it was something that clearly backfired for the highly anticipated title, with the game being particularly condemned in the West, ironically. Nowadays, it seems that Western gamers don’t want turn based battles, they don’t want linearity and they don’t want stereotypical characters. Or do they?

One of the many complaints about XIII that is being rectified for XIII-2 is the inclusion of more towns, NPCs and merchants, traditional JRPG tropes. Less linearity is also a major difference, with people clearly wanting Final Fantasy XIII-2 to go back to the series’ roots, but this seemingly contradicts the opinions that the JRPG doesn’t have a place in modern times. It seems Final Fantasy XIII-2 is stuck in a strange limbo. The game that people give out that they’re getting, but give out when they don’t get it.

However, despite all this, the future for Final Fantasy XIII-2 is certainly looking bright, as News Editor, Ryan Martin, has seen first hand: “I’ve loved the Final Fantasy series ever since I picked up a Dualshock 2 and took control of a blonde haired Blitzball player in Final Fantasy X. It grabbed me in a way that a game had never done so before and, after my first mammoth session with it, I knew I had to play any future titles in the franchise that I could. Since then, I’ve managed to play its direct sequel, Final Fantasy X-2, as well as Final Fantasy VII (with VIII and IX downloaded) and XIII. Despite XIII being the weakest one I’ve played I still want more. The small amount of XIII-2 I played at the Eurogamer Expo this year tells me that this will improve on its predecessor but how much? I don’t know, but I know that February can’t come soon enough.”

As for me personally, my excitement is certainly huge; everything I have seen of this game has me begging for more. The copious amounts of trailers so far have been fantastic, the recent Change the Future trailer being a big highlight, as have the many, many, many screenshots released, but ultimately, Square Enix are fixing everything I wanted them to fix after XIII. The Lightning-only stuff looks of particular interest, really exciting and a big departure from the normal Serah and Noel story.

Of particular interest also is the new inclusion of monsters in your party for battle. The idea of being able to use a monster that you have defeated it in battle is awesome, and I can imagine spending huge amounts of time to get every monster in the game. It’s also a really clever way to implement meaningful DLC, as long as it’s done right. The introduction of downloadable content is a new avenue for the franchise, but with the likes of Ezio Auditore’s robes, from the Assassin’s Creed franchise, making an appearance, it’ll be interesting to see where it goes. If Square Enix can do the smart thing and, instead of just putting a monster on sale on PlayStation Store or Xbox Live, sell new dungeons that add a tangible extra piece of content and give you a new monster at the end, it could be a great way of extending your enjoyment with the game. Other additions such as the Cinematic Actions aren’t as appealing, but as long as they aren’t to the game’s detriment, I’m fine with them.

On the balance of things, then, Final Fantasy XIII-2 is seemingly doing a lot of things right, earning it a very respectable spot in our top twenty-five list. Can it improve on Final Fantasy XIII in the way we want it to, and will it be the game to rekindle belief in this massive franchise? All signs point to the positive, but only time will tell. One thing is for certain, however; I am very excited for this game.