Poll: What, in your personal opinion, is the greatest flaw with modern day installments of Final Fantasy?

Recommended Videos

Lagslayer

New member
Apr 18, 2011
152
0
0
Xzi said:
Everything above AND complete linearity. Just make Final Fantasy games exactly like FF7, except with new characters/story, and I'd be quite happy. Don't even necessarily have to keep the materia system, as they've changed that up with some positive results in the past. As long as it's open world it would be a lot better. Also, no fucking auto combat. Gotta be kidding me with that shit.

Might be easier to just scrap the series. It has run its course. Mostly just a factory for churning out shitty MMOs now. Or shitty MMO-like single-player games.
This. If a game is going to claim to be an RPG, it must at least have the illusion of choice and an open world. The rest of the factors mean it isn't aimed at most demographics, but that doesn't stop it from sucking in my opinion.
 

Thespian

New member
Sep 11, 2010
1,407
0
0
I actually liked it's style that so many people complain about, but my option wasn't on the poll.

Also, what is the difference between "Something Unlisted" and "Other"? Anywho, what's wrong with the final fantasy games is that the gameplay simply is not fun. There's very little depth, very little visceral feel, very little innovation, very little to keep you engaged. That and it's totally separate from the story and the two don't blend at all. It's just boring and blah and nothing.
 

MetalMaz

New member
Jan 12, 2011
123
0
0
I honestly think they've lost their way, FFVII got me into gaming, and will always be one of my favourite games (even after I bought all Final Fantasys afterwards and most after). Partly the open world and side quests (Chocobos/obtaining ultimate weapons & limit breaks/ fighting Ruby and Emerald weapon/etc, mostly Sephiroth and the materia system). As much as I love the materia system I always like how they came up with different ideas. FFXIII using a system like the sphere grid from X, not a good idea. Linear corridors (again like X) bad idea. They seem to have hit a dead end. I don't know, maybe they just looked at the sales figures and thought ''hey this formula works!'' and stuck with it, maybe they just can't be a***d and know that suckers of the FF franchise (like me) will buy almost anything so long as it has an FF logo.

The only thing going for the most recent games are the graphics IMO. FFVII was blocky as hell, yet it is still the most popular FF game. FFXIII looks amazing on a HD screen and...er..... well...

Basically I think they need to up their game (no pun intended) and bring out a great storyline to go with their awesome FMV.

But, this is just my opinion, and a few whiskeys always gets me into a rant mood.
 

Kopikatsu

New member
May 27, 2010
4,924
0
0
Personally, I think the issue is that they pander to the fanbase too often. (Which they then receive backlash for)

Example! As was mentioned previously, open world is the way that many games are going nowadays and they tried to do that with FFXII. Personally, I really liked FFXII (Especially the opening sequence with Reks) but there was pretty massive fan backlash from the openness of it (Specifically the lack of direction), so SE recoiled and went in the complete opposite direction, which you see in FFXIII, which was met with even more backlash.


I think that it may be a bit too soon to say if Type-0, Verses XIII, or XIII-2 will get the formula right. Only time will tell~

However, I do think that the FF series is how to do sequels right. The battle system and game mechanics are improved on with every game instead of just leaving it the same forever. They may not always head in the 'right' direction. (Many people were upset by XIII's battle system for instance), but they take risks and experiment, which is something to be praised in this era of generic Triple-A games that don't deviate from the 'working' formula.

I forget if it was Type-0 or Verses XIII, but the producer said that it will feature the fastest ATB system ever. I'm excited~
 

cgentero

New member
Nov 5, 2010
279
0
0
The fact that combat has come down to programming and watching is my only personal criticism across the newer games, BTW being "too japanesey" is such a lame excuse to hate something.
 

Sniper Team 4

New member
Apr 28, 2010
5,433
0
0
Isn't "Something Not Listed" and "Other" the same thing? Anyway, I miss side quests that, while have no actual effect on the ending, still give you rich stories about the characters. Yuffie's in Final Fantasy VII, Squall's in VIII. Bring back side quests and exploring and the rest should slowly start to fall into place. A good way to bring these items back would be a world map.
And towns. With people in them. Lord, XIII felt so lonely at times.
 

linkvegeta

New member
Dec 18, 2010
498
0
0
In all honesty there really is nothing wrong with the newer final fantasy's except the stories, they had amazing stories up until FFXII and that would only count 2 games. I have been a fan of final fantasy since the first one we got here in north america and the only real thing that has drastically changes is the fans attitude.
 

JoshGod

New member
Aug 31, 2009
1,472
0
0
As i have yet to play one my only objection is the name it just doesn't make sense, final fantasy 1 no 2 no 3. Its just a strange name for a series that does not stop!
 

gundamrx101

New member
Nov 19, 2010
169
0
0
Mostly because the series has yet to move forward in terms of gameplay, 13 was just the 10-2 combat with style shifts as opposed to dress spheres and you can now do combos. Versus 13 looks to break that mold and because it's Tetsuya Nomura and his Kingdom Hearts Team, the story is going to be a HUGE "Fantasy WTF!!??" which essentially is what Final Fantasy is supposed to be, that's it forumla to stop following that makes it a non-FF rpg. Example: FF1, pretty normal medival fantasy then you create a TIME PARADOX!!! what. FF4, final battle on the moon anyone? FF6 Kefka, nuff said. FF7, you fight inside the planet's one big concisnous. FF8 That ending, nuff said.

FF13? You go into their basement and fight their washing machine. Now I know their basement was full of floating platforms and it wasn't really a washing machine, but IMO that's what it felt like. No reality going bonkers, no universal threat just a threat in the emmidiate area.
 

Dexiro

New member
Dec 23, 2009
2,977
0
0
I hate people grouping the FF games together like this :/
Firstly they're all completely different with their own flaws, secondly people play them for different aspects and either love or hate each new rendition.

Here's my opinions of a few of them:

FF13; combat was far too simplified to the point where it was on-rails.

FF10; linear much like FF13 but not to the same extent, combat was actually engaging but too grindy at times.

FF7; depressing, slow, immersion destroying LEGO brick characters and GIF images, linear as hell for atleast the first few hours.

FF1; very short and very easy.

Those probably differ from other peoples reasons, and are both very different reasons.
 

IamQ

New member
Mar 29, 2009
5,226
0
0
Their storytelling is too damn dependent on cutscenes. It's a video game for crying out loud, try treating it like one!
 

-Dragmire-

King over my mind
Mar 29, 2011
2,821
0
0
I think Final Fantasy forgot a key basic feature all the classics had:

[1]A simple story presented in a [2]fantastical setting with [3]memorable characters(protagonists & antagonists)to drive it.

They have #2 and (arguably) #3 but most of the time, for some reason, #1 has been lost and forgotten.

In FFXIII they seem to have reworded that phrase as:

[1]A complex story presented in a [2]fantastical setting with [3]{insert basic stereotype here}(protagonists & antagonists)to react to it.

People seem to have a bad opinion of the concept of a simple story. A simple story is not an insult to the player nor does it have to be cliche. It allows the characters the freedom to grow and develop in ways that are independent of major overarching story plot points. A simple story never has to explain itself the way a complex one has to.

FF6 story rundown: Group of people team up to save the world from [insert name enemy entity/organization here]

bad guy wins half way through

FF13 story rundown:...
refer to much needed in game glossary for clarity as simply playing the game doesn't mean you'll understand what you just watched
 

FalloutJack

Bah weep grah nah neep ninny bom
Nov 20, 2008
15,489
0
0
Arsen said:
I'll make my statement brief: It's a combination of everything above. The lack of it being a true modern fantasy and only becoming some poppy, overly sentimental piece of rubbish. FFX officially ruined the continuity of the series and it's been progressing downhill from there ever since. While I can understand why everyone rags on FF8 it's arguably just "flawed" in sense since it was compared to FF7 the second it came out. Although the horrible clothing design could've possibly come from that game alone still.

This is why I've more or less left gaming. The world's no longer contain soul, wit, and creation. It's become a product a company continously wants to shelve out. They don't have to try to please anyone anymore with artistic merit.

Go.
Personally, I would say that you can count on games from Atlus to be something special, but then that's up to you to decide.

To me, Final Fantasy is not necessarily the problem created by its parts, because you will find rabid fans of even the bad games. (And I can talk a few miles worth about THOSE.) No, the problem IS the fans. Every fan of one or some of the games will - as unpleasable and rabid fanbases do - attack whatever doesn't fit their medium for the Final Fantasy game of their choice. Can't be helped. Even I can, since I played them and have an opinion. But many fans are big shouters and have little to actually say. Square doesn't know what to do with its fanbase, because its fans are like faction lords, fighting over each other while Square tries to pick up the pieces.
 

WaReloaded

New member
Jan 20, 2011
587
0
0
Arsen said:
I'll make my statement brief: It's a combination of everything above. The lack of it being a true modern fantasy and only becoming some poppy, overly sentimental piece of rubbish. FFX officially ruined the continuity of the series and it's been progressing downhill from there ever since. While I can understand why everyone rags on FF8 it's arguably just "flawed" in sense since it was compared to FF7 the second it came out. Although the horrible clothing design could've possibly come from that game alone still.

This is why I've more or less left gaming. The world's no longer contain soul, wit, and creation. It's become a product a company continously wants to shelve out. They don't have to try to please anyone anymore with artistic merit.

Go.
Personally, I loved FFX, sure, we could nitpick it all day but if that story didn't move you I don't know what will.
 

Shirokurou

New member
Mar 8, 2010
1,039
0
0
The plot. This is more of a personal thing though.

FFVII was like all these mind games, altered memories and etc.
FFVIII - hell, time compression, Squall's character growth and etc.
FFX - had it's Pilgrimage reveal.

It went downhill with FFXII: "politics, rebels fight the good fight, predictably evil dictator is evil."

Basically anytime I watched a FF trailer in the past I'd be like "What the hell is even going on?" There was always a certain mystery to it.
But nowadays not so much.

Actually, Kingdom Hearts trailers inherited this for me. And also I have high expectations of FFvsXIII.
 

IamSofaKingRaw

New member
Jun 28, 2010
1,994
0
0
All they needed to do was add the crystal system from FFXIII and leave the open worldness from FF12, the battle system from FF12 (the only FF where you can move while the ATB fills) restrict the weapons characters can have and do not implement a weapon upgrade system.

They did that weapon upgrade thing very well with Chrono Cross (where you have to collect items from bodies and have them assembled into a better weapon) but the way it was implemented in FF13 was terrible. You'd spend lots of gil on parts to upgrade a weapon, then you'd pick up another that had a nice feature to it but the basic sword that you all ready upgraded 20 levels was stronger. Why start the uprade process with another weapon then?

In short:
Open world from FF12
Summon unlocking kept from FF13
Same story (but altered to fit the fact that the game is open world)
It would be cool if party members stayed apart from each other )as in something like Hope, Lightning and Snow as one party) for the majority of the game and you'd see the story unfold from both sides. You'd also wouldn't have the problem of party members left on the bench forever because others are clearly better than them.