Downfall of Final Fantasy?

[apricotsushi]

Hello again, everyone! I'm the one who posted about sexism in video game media a while back. Thanks again to everyone who responded.

I really enjoy the things people here have to say, so I'm wondering if anyone would like to discuss one of my favorite series, Final Fantasy. This may be an overdone discussion, but I haven't really gotten the chance

Comments

[emirasan]

FF is my favorite series as well. VII is also the first one I ever played and what got me truly hooked on video games. I have played the older ones as well and own at least one version of almost all of the games (not counting those on the phone) Like you I have watched the games progress away from turned based to real time and an expanded world to more linear play. I don't mind the real time battles so much as not being able to explore the world around me much. Being able to do a lot of exploring and interacting with NPCs is something I love about games. It's why I also love The Elder Scrolls games. I do hate to admit it, but I feel as if the series in taking a down turn and we may soon see the true FINAL Fantasy.

[oddityangel]

Yeah, I don't want to be one of those 'they changed it and now it sucks' people (nor am I accusing anyone of being one of those types), but I seem to recall when my sister asked me if I were enjoying Final Fantasy XIII I responded along the lines of 'Well...I seem to be doing a lot of running down corridors, fighting random mooks and then watching cut scenes...I guess that's fun. Sort of.' It was my first foray back into Final Fantasy after jumping off after X (not that I didn't like X), and I can't say I really felt it. I was happy to have a female lead though, since there hadn't been one since Terra (who kind of shared billing with Locke), iirc.

Final Fantasy IX was probably my favourite too.

As for what 'defines' the games for me...I'm not really sure, but I do prefer fantasy settings and the ability to actually explore the world at your own pace. Strong characters and little side quests are important too.

[a_grumble_cake]

(I should start by saying I haven't played FFXIII yet)

I think Square Enix doesn't really understand what made people love the early games. Here's what I think people like about Final Fantasy: characters, world building, exploration. If you're giving everyone the same skills and weapons like in FF12 then you're taking away from the characters and how unique and engaging they are. If you can't explore towns like in FF13 then you're taking away exploration and world building.

[dongwook]

This so much

[omgitshbc]

Oh I forgot to mention that complaint about 12! I actually subconsciously forced all of my characters into their own classes through the end of the game because I needed that structure lol.

[a_grumble_cake]

I did that too... Balthier only used guns, Fran only used bows etc.

[sidekicknomore]

14 online killed it for me. I'm so angry and so annoyed with how SE handled and is handling that situation that it taints everything they are doing for me.

=/

I think that SE see's FF as a "sure thing" and they can kind of do whatever they want and it doesn't matter what people are saying. I hope they wake up

[a_grumble_cake]

What happened? I know nothing about FF11 or 14.

[artistic_g4m3r]

XIV is kinda a fiasco. It was probably released a year too early IMO

[a_grumble_cake]

Wow... what were they thinking? random EXP? Between that and FF13 I'm wondering who the hell is making decisions there and have they ever played video games.

[dongwook]

Omg. Do NOT even get me started on how crappy FF has turned. :( FF has always been my favorite series and any old Square game, actually.... But omg... X was when they introduced the grid sphere (gay) and voice characters (even gayer) and the gameplay became more Character developed than game.

I was upset and then they tried marketing to girls with X2 and that was an epic no.

I am a girl and in no way did I enjoy that crap (sorry if you did, but it was the worst thing ever.)

Ahh.. I could go on, but I have been up for over 20 hours and need to sleep

[dongwook]

Btw love your Zidane icon! FFIX was so under-rated!

[voyevoda]

Um, can we not use 'gay' as a way of saying 'awful'?

[dongwook]

Sorry. I tend to use it like that, since I am homosexual myself (86%)
but I will do my best not to use it again. :)