Actually, I've dissected Squeenix's rpg-system before and they're far more similar than you think.KEM10 said:
The Materia, Junction System, Sphere Grid (International Version), Costume (whatever FFX-2 called it) License Board, and Crystarium are all what I call "Tabula Rosa", or blank slate character systems.
While they aren't the same (similar =/= same) they are fundamentally connected in this one theme: The playable characters start out as blank slates that the player fills in as s/he sees fit. Differences statistical growth starts out distinct (among the PCs), but the system in question (any of those) carries so much weight that it will easily override whatever "default/best fit" role the character had before.
Though it's noteworthy to mention that FF13 attempted to differentiate the roles more by limiting each character, but the end result was still the same.
In this regard, the games SEEM different, but end up playing very similarly as time goes on. The most distinct combat system of the lot is FF12, which was designed to emulate an MMORPG.
What I will concede is that the underlying theme behind each FF title is different (not plot, theme. There is a difference). FF8's theme is modern with a slight magical bent. FF6 was Steampunk with a Heavy Magical Bent. FF7 was an odd amalgamation of cyberpunk, hi-tech, and Corporate Dystopia where the "magic" can be rationalized to a degree.
FF12 was just plain old Steampunk (yet it's supposed to be Ivalice? I don't remember FF Tactics being steampunk apart from one city, and it was meant to be distinct).
Though you get the point.
Back on Topic:
Why do I not want a FF7 Remake? Because it MUST include the Compilation.
They retconned that liquid rat shit into the timeline; it only makes sense for Squeenix to try to force us to accept it.
The problem I have with the FF7 compilation is that it lost touch with its unique style and went into full-blown anime-physics-showboating retardation. Advent Children was a shiny fan-service film that featured NONE of the subtlety that made the plot of FF7 good.
Dirge of Cerberus was like an interactive version of the movie, but only with the game jarringly switching between a combat-capable and badass Vincent Valentine who completely dominates your attack copter by shooting it from ABOVE, and a Vincent Valentine who can't clear a fucking 4 foot fence.
There were points where the original FF7 group, combat-capable as they are, have to relent and hold out against superior forces (the raid on the Shinra building shows this). There isn't all of this Deus Ex Machina style bullshit where Cloud or (Vincent) could fly hundreds of feet into the air on a whim.
Even the settings themselves lost touch; the underground of Midgar was supposed to show a poor, jaded, and rugged populace making do in the filth generated by those who lived on the upper plate.
Instead, we have lunatic magical fistfights on conveniently-abandoned super-highways (what, was everyone who owned a car magically killed off?).
Everyone lives in slummy squalor, yet everyone also has a high tech cell phone from which to conduct the plot...Midgar was ruined and Shinra with it, sure, but who the fuck is maintaining the high-speed internet lines and 4G network?
If the Mako Reactors are broken, how is anyone getting electricity? You can't have both ruins AND progressive tech! It makes no sense! It would be like if I crossed Mad Max with iRobot!
