So I went back to FF XIII and I just had a quick question. Rather than switching to new weapons when I find them I've just been dismantling all the weapons I get and using the resources to level up my current weapons. I've spend a lot of resources and gil upgrading my current equipment (all stuff from disc 1, I'm an hour or two into disc 2). Is that an okay way to play the game? I haven't run into a problem yet and most of the gear I find might be better in one area than what I'm using now, but usually worse in another area.

Or is it better to just stop putting resources into my current gear and saving it all for later on in case I find a new weapon? Most of my characters have level 4 weapons (before I realized what components were for I sold them all thinking they were just junk, I probably could've put a lot more into my gear).

I typically wait til a bit later in the game to begin to upgrade weapons. Many weapons have abilities that carry over into their final version. Those abilities can give you a significant edge over tougher enemies so investing in a particular weapon right away might not be such a great idea.

Generally until you get to Gran Pulse weapon level doesn't play to big of a factor as you can use various strategies to overcome your opponents easily. Only until you get to Gran Pulse, and even then strategy plays a bigger role in defeating tougher opponents, will you need the extra strength in those weapons.

Never had trouble with the "main quest" with un-upgraded equipment, but the tougher post-game bosses become a lot easier with upgarded stuff ([censored] Neochu ). The best weapons (IMO) are only found in the final chapter, though they can be purchased before that. Also i found this useful in upgrading equipment effciently, as it gets quite expensive: http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/928790-final-fantasy-xiii/53941597

I didn't know weapons could be upgraded until after the game finished, or at least I didn't pay attention to where I do it.
The game is easy enough without upgrading your weapons, but like ToJka said, [censored] Neochu
Actually Long Gui, I just wanna kill you for an achievement

Had to give up on that, just not possible yet. Well, it would be if it didn't spawn the Pikochu half way trough Now it's "[censored] Zirnitra " That should be possible once i nail strategy down, though. Unless that too has some surprises when it starts to lose.

That's what i love about XIII's battle system, because you only control one character, success comes from characters' stats, equipment, paradigms and strategy.

Cool. So I'm on chapter 8 and there are 13 in the game. I play for 1-2 hours a night usually, when do you think I'm likely to beat it? I've heard at some point the game opens up and becomes less linear, but at the same time I'm not a guy who wants to collect everything or do every sidequest.

Just wondering because I've been thinking of buying Mortal Kombat (though Komplete Edition comes out on the 28th so the regular version will probably drop in price...can't believe it's still $50) but if I need to pick up XIII-2 soon I'll want to hold off.

It depends on how you play

You might be able to beat it in about 70-100 hours if you know what you're doing. It took me about 200 hours to max the crystarium. max all my characters weapons (given how you earn gil it can take a while if you don't farm platinum ingots), and did over half of the cieth stone missions.

The game does open up but there's really not anything to do other than the cieth stone missions, leveling up, and riding chocobos.

70-100 hours? I'm only 13 hours in and I'm on chapter 8 out of 13 chapters, so how does that work?

It took me roughly 175-200 hours to complete, I was constantly doing the Stone Missions on Valhalla, plus when you enter the menu (not pause) it kept counting my time so it was probably more like 150-175 hours.

Aww that annoyed me so much, I remember getting a good set up going with Fang, Snow and Hope, staggering the thing and when it's health got down to about a quarter it managed to spawn those things, I focused on them but they just kept spawning so I ended up in a never ending cycle and just quit the battle - it lasted over 2 hours.