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FINAL FANTASY Community Thread: XV Mainline Entries and Counting

I wonder if 16 will be the game that goes super anime with its designs. I always have a feeling its going to happen but I just don't know when.
 

Golnei

Member
I wonder if 16 will be the game that goes super anime with its designs. I always have a feeling its going to happen but I just don't know when.

In the actual designs or the overall art direction? For their mainline games, I feel that their stylised but slightly more realistic proportions have become synonymous enough with the overall FF brand that they won't step away from them now. The Compilation/XII FMV/XIII/XIV/XV/Type-0/3rd Birthday/Dissidia (arcade and PSP FMV, the original ingame models were more stylised) look is more or less set at this point; also extending to the prerendered openings of the III and IV remakes. Even the Nomura Miku design was rendered like that.
 
In the actual designs or the overall art direction? For their mainline games, I feel that their stylised but slightly more realistic proportions have become synonymous enough with the overall FF brand that they won't step away from them now. The Compilation/XII FMV/XIII/XIV/XV/Type-0/3rd Birthday/Dissidia (arcade and PSP FMV, the original ingame models were more stylised) look is more or less set at this point; also extending to the prerendered openings of the III and IV remakes. Even the Nomura Miku design was rendered like that.

Whoops, I should have been more specific. I'm talking about the possibility of the series moving down the line to become trope-laden otaku pandering bullshit that's been populating the JRPG scene for a while. I've no problem with an anime art style, which, as you pointed out, does exist right now. I'm still a little mad that Matrix Software went from making the 3 and 4 3D remakes to making crap like Omega Labyrinth.
 

Golnei

Member
Whoops, I should have been more specific. I'm talking about the possibility of the series moving down the line to become trope-laden otaku pandering bullshit that's been populating the JRPG scene for a while. I've no problem with an anime art style, which, as you pointed out, does exist right now. I'm still a little mad that Matrix Software went from making the 3 and 4 3D remakes to making crap like Omega Labyrinth.

Regarding the art, I was actually trying to say that the current semi-realistic style is so heavily identified with the FF brand that going 'full anime' visually seems essentially impossible, especially for a mainline game.

Though the regrettable depths of otaku pandering are a different question entirely - I'm not sure how much you'd have to worry about the main games falling completely into that abyss, but things like Type-0's Emina scenes, T3B's clothing damage system and some of the more eye-rolling parts of Lightning Returns and Bravely Default show that it wouldn't exactly be an unprecedented occurrence. Maybe the FFIX remake really will become My Unwanted Child Can't Be This Cute after all.
 

Falk

that puzzling face
Bravely Default is hardly worse than X-2 massage scene (hahahah)

Actually it's not worse than many of the scantily clad enemies in the SNES games.
 

Golnei

Member
Actually it's not worse than many of the scantily clad enemies in the SNES games.

Right down to being covered up for the international release...

I guess it might be slightly unfair to lump it in with the others, though the current handheld RPG climate does lend itself to unflattering readings.

(Also, what massage scene in X-2? Wasn't that game just an endless string of battles with no cutscenes, minigames or dialogue?)
 

Garlador

Member
Right down to being covered up for the international release...

I guess it might be slightly unfair to lump it in with the others, though the current handheld RPG climate does lend itself to unflattering readings.

(Also, what massage scene in X-2? Wasn't that game just an endless string of battles with no cutscenes, minigames or dialogue?)

This scene.

Also the moment my mother burst into my room demanding to know what I was watching...
 
Regarding the art, I was actually trying to say that the current semi-realistic style is so heavily identified with the FF brand that going 'full anime' visually seems essentially impossible, especially for a mainline game.
Ah, okay. I can agree with this.

Bravely Default is hardly worse than X-2 massage scene (hahahah)

Actually it's not worse than many of the scantily clad enemies in the SNES games.
I'd argue that one off scantily clad sprites are a bit better then making an arc of the game be about whether or not Anges should wear something revealing to find her friend. I think fanservice is fine when its one off, not a selling point or a regular part of the game. I do still like Bravely Default though.

This scene.

Also the moment my mother burst into my room demanding to know what I was watching...
Never played X-2, so wtf.
 

Falk

that puzzling face
It's Fabula Nova Crystallis. It's kind of the same way multiple Final Fantasy games have recurring elements, except just a little more specific as to the creation of the world, deities, etc. They're not the same entities, but they follow the same template. (With whatever twists are inherent to this particular retelling)

FFXV is, indeed, dropping terms like l'cie and Fal'cie though, just because such terms could and would confusingly link the game back to XIII/Type-0.

Correcting myself re: outdated info. Right from the horse's mouth:

When Final Fantasy Versus XIII was announced, Square Enix said it would be part of Fabula Nova Crystallis, a series of Final Fantasy games connected by their themes and mythology. According to Tabata, Final Fantasy XV is no longer connected to the Fabula Nova mythology, and is thematically much different than Versus XIII was, though some design elements remain.

Final Fantasy XV's cosmology has a baseline built in Japanese mythology, with elements of Western religious melded in. Throughout the game, players will learn how the world was made and about the divine beings that made it.

The woman in the Final Fantasy XV logo--drawn by series artist Yoshitaka Amano--isn't necessarily Etro, the goddess of death mentioned in earlier trailers for Final Fantasy Versus XIII. She is, however, the most important goddess in XV's world, and Amano's original sketch of her was the inspiration for her character.

Official statement.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/16-more-things-we-learned-about-final-fantasy-15/1100-6430160/

edit: Honestly, if it's thematically still the same, I'm not even sure why it's stopped being called FNC. A rose is still a rose by any other name. But eh, marketing gonna marketing I guess!
 
Official statement.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/16-more-things-we-learned-about-final-fantasy-15/1100-6430160/

edit: Honestly, if it's thematically still the same, I'm not even sure why it's stopped being called FNC. A rose is still a rose by any other name. But eh, marketing gonna marketing I guess!

What they're saying Tabata said contradicts what he said at Gamescom:

FFDream: You have reconfirmed in recent months that FFXV was part of the compilation Fabula Nova Crystallis but he would not use his usual terminology such as l'Cie, fal'Cie ... Despite all the changes made ​​on behalf of FFXV, why did you choose to include it anyway in this compilation?

Hajime Tabata: There are two reasons for this. The first is that the world of FFXV was designed with these elements of mythology Fabula Nova Crystallis in mind. When we began to turn Versus XIII in FFXV, we thought it best to retain and incorporate naturally rather than removing all costs, because we would have lost a lot of what makes the attraction of this world. But we decided to remove the specific terminology FFXIII because if you were to start the game and discover all these terms from the start, you quickly say that this is actually the same world as FFXIII. FFXV would lose some its identity, and we wanted to avoid that at all costs. That is why we have chosen not to use this terminology and ensure that the language of the game is simple and understandable for everyone to soak in the history directly without having to play previous games.
 

Falk

that puzzling face
Smells more of not being properly conveyed by journalism/translation, but eh, I don't wanna play Tabata Defense Force.

He does say 'elements' in both situations alongside the implication that the direct terms aren't being used.
 

Hasemo

(;・∀・)ハッ?
Finally getting back into FF8. I can't express how much the modded PC version is better than the Japanese PS1 version on the Vita.

The Japanese PS1 ver has no way to exchange Junctions/magic without doing it all by hand when the game makes you use two parties so often was so annoying, that I stopped playing for a while.
 

Wazzy

Banned
Tried out XV at PAX and thought it was okay. I basically got thrown into a boss fight with Behemoth because my friend passed the controller to me at a bad time lol I accidently ruined my XV poster so it looks like shit now.

Also got to play FF explorers a little and really liked it. The summon fight was actually quite hard at first but after a while you learn the proper mechanics of dodging and using your attacks at the right time.

And lastly, beat Ravana from XIV and got a cool little t-shirt along with my friends.
 
Rose of May is one of the best game songs period truth to that. I'm also glad to see my efforts to promote Final Fantasy IX in the games of the gen 5 thread didn't go to waste. It managed to hit top ten overall, 2nd for a PlayStation exclusive, and 3rd for the RPG category.
 

Falk

that puzzling face
In a world where free time gets more and more scarce, FFIX has aged terribly because of its pacing (mechanicswise, not plotwise) and I'll be damned if I play it nowadays without some form of frameskip.
 

RedSwirl

Junior Member
So pretty much every Final Fantasy that was recently ported has ended up on Steam. I've been wondering what the likelihood is X will eventually end up on PC.

The one FF game I'd really think is perfect for the PC audience is Tactics. I just don't know if Square Enix would go through the trouble of making a proper mouse control scheme for the game.
 

Falk

that puzzling face
I just don't know if Square Enix would go through the trouble of making a proper mouse control scheme for the game.

Ahahaha

ahahahaha

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahaha

III, IV, TAY and now V didn't even get the dignity of a non-mobile interface.

I mean I can understand not wanting to redraw all the sprites for V, but seriously how much effort is it to make the UI not an eyesore on a display bigger than a postage stamp?
 

RedSwirl

Junior Member
Ahahaha

ahahahaha

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahaha

III, IV, TAY and now V didn't even get the dignity of a non-mobile interface.

I mean I can understand not wanting to redraw all the sprites for V, but seriously how much effort is it to make the UI not an eyesore on a display bigger than a postage stamp?

I was just about to ask about that. How do they control? Can you at least navigate the battle menu with a mouse in those games?
 

Levyne

Banned
Decided on a whim to replay FFVII, steam version. I only played it once before, like 8 years ago, and don't remember much of anything.

I did a quick look to see if there were any essential mods, or possibility of 60 fps. But seems like most of that assumes the non-steam version. Probably just a bit too late to the party. At least the resolution bump is nice for the models.
 

Squire

Banned
That was a good read. I think I'd be willing to give the game a new chance.

But man that opening cutscene is hard to get through ._. You have to really embrace the goofiness.

Ha, for sure. You have to lean into it or be already inclined to do so. I'm pretty unabashedly into pop music and really all the other goofy things X-2 touches on, but I wasn't like then when I first played it.

Silliness =/= nonsense though. X-2 being as goofy as it is doesn't preclude it from being a really smart game. I think that's the mistake I first made with it. I misjudged it and I never really cared to try to understand what it was really doing. I imagine a number of people could say the same.
 

CorvoSol

Member
Is anybody else impressed by the way FFXIV kinda plays with Gaius Van Baelsar's arguments in its expansions?

Spoilers for Heavensward and 2.X ensue.

In the climax of A Realm Reborn, Gaius Van Baelsar of the Garlean Empire confronts the Warrior of Light on the elevator leading to Ultima Weapon. During that confrontation, Gaius poses some questions to the player, and asks them, ultimately, to say whether or not they believe in Eorzea and her peoples. Gaius makes a point of reminding the player that Eorzeans are weak willed and that the people suffer for lack of leadership.

In 2.X we begin to really see it. Whereas the Garlean Empire survives a civil war, the Eorzeans are beset with corruption and doubt on every hand. The Ishgardians are withdrawn, the Uldahns foundering, the Lominsans reliant upon do gooders to bail them out of shit they started, and the Gridanians smoking pot like they do.

You watch as Merlwyb shrugs off the fact that she's forced you to put down two Primals who were only summoned because the Lominsans were dicks to beastmen. You're powerless to stop corruption within your own ranks, as you see the Sultana grapple with her own lack of power as well. When it all comes down, and you flee as your friends sacrifice themselves for you, the words of Gaius echo in your ears. Are the Eorzeans really worth it? Could all of this have been avoided if the Garleans had won?

And then you reach Heavensward, and get embroiled in the Dragonsong War, and along the way you meet people who tear Gaius down entirely. Ishgard had strong leaders, and that strength compelled them to create more problems than it solved. The likes of Iceheart and Haurchefaunt aren't selfish bastards who beg you to do every fucking thing for you. They're good people who are driven by their own convictions. Aymeric, Lucia, and Estinien all alike show you that the people of this land are worth fighting for and saving.

What I find most impressive of all, though, is Alphinaud. In 2.X he's grown pompous, bold, brash and flashy. Yet as the ending of 2.5 tears him down, he begins again. His experiences alongside Ysayle and Estinien in particular help him to realize he has to see things differently, and as he gets to tag along with you on more and more of your adventures, he grows into a man in his own right. The Alphinaud who politely bears Matoya's mockery is a far cry from the same man who once lodged barbed comments and a reluctant Minfilia.

In a way, Alphinaud kind of embodies the shift in opinion of Eorzea. As he grows to accept he should not have a private army of his own, he rejects that Eorzea requires strong leaders, and instead adopts the response that harmony, not subjugation, is the path to true peace.
 

MagiusNecros

Gilgamesh Fan Annoyance
Think I actually agreed with him, too, haha.

Well I am in the Eorzea doesn't deserve my help camp. So Gaius kinda resonated with me.

If you go through the lvl 50 Dark Knight quest it pretty much reflected what I and the WoL might be thinking after the WoL's recent experiences.

And then your 3 buddies Iceheart, Haurchefant, and Estinien were your only real buddies IMO.

I like Alphy sure but like the other Scions I think they are just like everyone else with power, they want to use the WoL, it's just the Scions got to the WoL first.

And well, all 3 of your buddies died. You pretty much only have Hildibrand and GREG now. And Midgardrsomr is pretty chill with you too.
 

CorvoSol

Member
Well I am in the Eorzea doesn't deserve my help camp. So Gaius kinda resonated with me.

If you go through the lvl 50 Dark Knight quest it pretty much reflected what I and the WoL might be thinking after the WoL's recent experiences.

And then your 3 buddies Iceheart, Haurchefant, and Estinien were your only real buddies IMO.

I like Alphy sure but like the other Scions I think they are just like everyone else with power, they want to use the WoL, it's just the Scions got to the WoL first.

And well, all 3 of your buddies died. You pretty much only have Hildibrand and GREG now. And Midgardrsomr is pretty chill with you too.

I actually think Y'shtola and Alphinaud are the best of the Scions. I mean, Yda's okay, fuck Thancred, FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK Minfillia, and would any single person actually be as hyped
for Papalymo's return as they were for Y'shtola's? I also really like that Y'shtola never fails to tell Merlwyb to shove it up her nose.


How bout those Primal fights, though? The further out we get from Ifrit, the cooler they get. I think
Knights of the Round
is my favorite, but it's hard to look down on Ravana. Of the lot, I used to feel Garuda was the hardest, but since doing HM and EX, she's sort of lost her teeth. I farmed Levi EX for the first time last night, and that fight kinda kills me since I've yet to get the 'where's he at' part down.

The hardest /primal/ I've fought, though, is probably Odin. Which is funny, because Odin is almost as easy as Shiva, but god damn it took so long to get a party together that could split the frickin' circles.

Sadly, the hardest fight in the game for me is Twintania so far. Mind you I'm only now getting to EX primals and I haven't done Alexander yet, but oh. my. GOD. Twintania synced is such a nightmare. The divebombs. I've only seen parties survive them like, three times, and when they do, invariably somebody doesn't stand on a fucking link for aetheric profusion.

Fucking Twintania. The WORST.

The dungeons I hate most are probably Aurum Vale, Toto-rak, and QARN.

FUCK.

QARN.

Every day I roll Qarn. And every single day I wipe wipe wipe to Teratosaur cuz BEES.

QARN.

I think The Vault is my favorite HW dungeon, and Brayflox my favorite 2.0 one. But Gubal Library has the best song.


Heavensward's OST is so damn good.
 

Kwixotik

Member
I beat FFIV and FFVI this year. Deciding between FFV and FFX to play next. Anyone feel particularly strongly about one or the other?

Sidenote: IV and VI are the only FF games I've beaten, though I've played significant amounts of VIII, IX, XI, and XII.
 

MagiusNecros

Gilgamesh Fan Annoyance
FF5 has the great job system and GILGAMESH. And the better Blue Mages.

FFX has no job system, I feel character progression is linear and boring, and the game obviously has no GILGAMESH. Dat Kimahri though.

Answer is clear.

If you do choose FF5 then play the GBA version.
 
I beat FFIV and FFVI this year. Deciding between FFV and FFX to play next. Anyone feel particularly strongly about one or the other?

Sidenote: IV and VI are the only FF games I've beaten, though I've played significant amounts of VIII, IX, XI, and XII.

Good news: If 4 and 6 are the only ones you've beaten, then you have nowhere to go but up!
 

Kwixotik

Member
FF5 has the great job system and GILGAMESH. And the better Blue Mages.

FFX has no job system, I feel character progression is linear and boring, and the game obviously has no GILGAMESH. Dat Kimahri though.

Answer is clear.

If you do choose FF5 then play the GBA version.

I'm having fun with FF5. I just got the water crystal jobs and I'm trying to decide whether to level new jobs or max out the ones I've been leveling. Any tips? I've got Bartz on Knight, Lenna on White Mage, Galuf on Monk, and Faris on Thief.
edit: Got stuck on Shiva and had to go out and level Red Mage on Faris so I could have more Protect, so I kind of answered my own question. Got a couple levels of Summoner and Time Mage on Lenna while I was at it. This job system is fucking cool.

Good news: If 4 and 6 are the only ones you've beaten, then you have nowhere to go but up!

I'm not sure we have very similar taste in that regard lol. I'm biased toward SNES era games though.
 
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