FFXIII had a lot of content deleted, enough to make a new game:

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201…leted_content/

Final Fantasy XIII is a big game with a massive world to explore (cough — once you get past all those linear paths — cough). But it apparently could have been much bigger.

Square Enix specialty site FF Reunion has a short summary of a new interview with FFXIII art director Isamu Kamikokuryou. In the interview, Kamikokuryou discusses some of the content that was deleted from the game.

Apparently, the FFXIII design team created a number of areas that ended up not going into the final product. How much? Enough to create an additional game, according to Kamikokuryou.

Kamikokuryou shared a few locations with the magazine. Apparently, the design team created a full area surrounding Lightning's home. This area resembled a park. There was also a secret base for resistance group Nora inside a shop somewhere. Nautiuls Park, an amusement facility, at one point also included a zoo.

The content was already running on actual PS3 hardware, it seems, but was left out due to considerations for game volume and overall game balanace.

Some import reviews are already calling FFXIII linear with no replayability. If they had left this content in it I think it would satisfy some fans. I guess the extra stuff would mean more disc for the 360 version. Any 4 disc game means  more money payed to Microsoft.

Tosh said:

That's pretty lame they cut it. How many discs is the 360 version?

This is why the 360 is a piece of shhhhh!  I was really angered when I first learned about this.  C'mon Microsoft get with the program.  Blu Ray is the way to be.