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What are your general feelings on where the Final Fantasy series is now?

IISANDERII

Member
All the way up through the PS2 days, for my Final Fantasy was pretty much the Mecca of JRPGs. Each entry was greatly anticipated and I'd count the days to their release. Now, while I will always buy Final Fantasy games and always keep one eye on what Square has planned next, it's more mild interest. I know there is a decent contingent of people who liked the XIII trilogy and liked XV, but the consensus seems to be that those titles are inferior to the titles of previous gens. So if you're in that boat, do you feel that FF can one day return to days of previous glory or do you think that true greatness is lost forever or changed forever and this is what FF will be now for the foreseeable future?

Or maybe you are in the camp where you love where it is now and don't get those who think the series isn't as good as it used to be.
My general feeling is that I grew up while Final Fantasy didn't. It's stuck in the young adult section and that's fine, I don't expect it to move from there.
 

cometbus

Neo Member
Ps1 era was my favorite, really enjoyed all of them. X was OK, skipped X-2. Skipped 12 and mmos, played 13 for easy trophy and genuinely enjoyed the sequel. Couldn't get into 15, the combat just didn't feel right? Playing 3/6 on snes and enjoying it.
Wish they would make a some more mainline turn based stuff but at this point I'm not hopeful.
 
I do wish Switch had its own included title. Nintendo Land or whatever it was called was a blast and Wii Sports was decent that showcased the Wii.
The switch does have unique features with the portable screen and the 2 solo controls.
 

sephiroth7x

Member
I think a few are saying the same but will chirp in nonetheless...

Final Fantasy has for me, always been close to my heart. From starting with FFVI and then revisiting old games and playing on the PSOne games I kind of stalled with FFX. I finished the game, but found it lacking something... I don't quite know what it was... but it was still lacking. I couldn't click with FFXII despite every attempt and this continued through the series. FFXIII was okay, but I found myself always wanting more than it could give...

I saw FFXV as a bit of a failure. Not because its a 'bad' game like some have said. But because it just doesn't feel very Final Fantasy... it sacrifices its story and for nothing particularly interesting in return.

My one wish, more than anything, is for them to start a new spin off series of Final Fantasy games. Something like Final Fantasy Classic and make them exactly like the PSOne games were, bring back the ATB, FMV's, NO voice acting, make them download only if need be... but make the stories good, the gameplay fun, and give me random battles again, fuck the haters!

Anyway, as a series, I think it needs FFXVI (however it comes) to be a monster hit. If not, I can't see it lasting any longer...
 
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Jigsaah

Gold Member
I've only played 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, and 15. I lost faith in the single player entries when I played 13. 15 was a bit better and I i did finish it, but it pales in comparison to 7 - 10.

The MMO's are fantastic. 11 destroys 14 IMO. I feel like Final Fantasy MMO's need to give people a reason to go back into the world. Limit fast travel, make enemies dangerous again and have consequences for getting KO'd.

Overall, I feel the franchise have tried somethings and some things worked and some didn't work. I'd like them to keep trying things, but I'd also like them to stick to at least some of their guns.
 

Pejo

Member
Nothing really new for me to say here. The series isn't quite the same as it was in the SNES/PS1 days. Scope and story has been shrunk down for a more graphics-heavy linear focus. FFXV was a step in the right direction but IMO it's still veering too far off from the original style. None of the FF games have felt like a world spanning adventure since XII, and even with XII, that wasn't its strong suit. I think VII, while not my favorite, really encapsulates what FF should be. Interesting characters and story on a big adventure through multiple huge areas, tons of secrets and surprises, etc. I remember that cutscene when Junon fires their cannon at (Sapphire weapon i believe?). That just felt so epic and bigger than anything before it. I don't really remember any cutscenes from XV other than the summon animations and a few parts of the titan fight.

Anyways, a mainline FF will always have me interested, but I don't honestly expect to love them anymore like I used to.
 

Hendrick's

If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
I think it no longer has any sort of identity and has been mostly average and forgettable in its contemporary offerings.
 

zeorhymer

Member
To me, FF is dead. I've been a fan since FF1 on the NES when I was a wee lad. Now, when I hear the "possibility" of a new FF, I just shrug my shoulders and carry on. I think it has to do with when they announce something and the time it takes for that to actually materialize. I can't be asked to wait 5+ years for the next title and pretend to be excited over it when it's around the corner. It doesn't help that the characters in the recent FF games have been less than gripping. I recently finished FFXV and I hated Noctis right from the get go. He's a brooding, stuck up kid who doesn't care except at the very very end. It was quite abrupt turn around. And no, I wasn't going to watch the anime or whatever it is to find more information about him. They should have made that character good first before branching out.

Meh, that's just me venting about trivial stuff.
 

Lone Wolf

Member
Final Fantasy ended for me at 7. Really wish they would release 1-7 on Xbox live or PSN. The originals please. Not the mobile remakes.
 

Fbh

Member
So i take everyone here complaining about FF post 10/12 etc. WONT be buying 16 riiiight? Nope. Everyones gonna fall for the hype and gorgeousness, again. Send them the message folks. Make 16 (or 7 remake) the lowest sales yet :)

Granted as long as they appeal and capture the general populace, people will still buy FF based off the name and nostalgia.

Well depends on how it looks really.
I don't see why I wouldn't get it if it looks like a good and complete game.

They will need to be very convincing though since XV feels more and more like I was sold an early access game. One thing is having post launch support and another is releasing a rushed and incomplete feeling game and then spending the next 2 years adding content (which in more cases than not isn't free)
 

mango drank

Member
I was on board all the way through XII.

XIII and XV:
little_girl_gross_funny_241593446349725.jpg
 

DukeOfX

Neo Member
Grew up playing the series, and I have invested considerable time into almost all numbered entries. I skipped XI and XII, was incredibly disappointed in XIII. XIV was fun for a few months, but by the time XV came around, I was done with the series. I'm 40 now, and I don't care anymore about a bunch of teenagers saving the world anymore. I would hope that the next installment has older characters and does something different, but I'm not who the target demographic for these titles anymore.
 

Randomizer

Member
I’m not too happy with where the series is currently. And that is as someone who enjoyed both XIII and XV but also knows they are the weakest in the series. I’m really hoping for a massive shakeup in the artstyle. Sick of Nomura’s anime-realism, would love something along the lines of IX. Ito needs to be given the director’s role for XVI. But seeing how well XV sold I can see Tabata be giving the director’s role again.
 
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ickythingz

Banned
As someone who can't seem to find enjoyment in XV, which I thought would redeem the series, I'm done with the franchise. I have to rent a chocobo? WTF?
 

grizzlywhisker

Neo Member
i have not touched this series since final fantasy 10 on PS2. i did play some FF14 for the free trial, but didn't feel like paying for it, although i did enjoy it. none of the more modern FF entries really looked that interesting to me i guess.
 

Cybrwzrd

Banned
I'll go against the consensus and say I liked the XIII trilogy, but I loathed XV to the point of not buying another Final Fantasy game if it repeats that type of battle system.
 

NovumAngel

Banned
Final Fantasy ended for me at 7. Really wish they would release 1-7 on Xbox live or PSN. The originals please. Not the mobile remakes.
The originals of 5, 6, and 7 are on PSN already. The PSP remakes of 1, 2 and 4 are there as well, which are just the originals with HD sprites.
 
I think a few are saying the same but will chirp in nonetheless...

Final Fantasy has for me, always been close to my heart. From starting with FFVI and then revisiting old games and playing on the PSOne games I kind of stalled with FFX. I finished the game, but found it lacking something... I don't quite know what it was... but it was still lacking. I couldn't click with FFXII despite every attempt and this continued through the series. FFXIII was okay, but I found myself always wanting more than it could give...

I saw FFXV as a bit of a failure. Not because its a 'bad' game like some have said. But because it just doesn't feel very Final Fantasy... it sacrifices its story and for nothing particularly interesting in return.

My one wish, more than anything, is for them to start a new spin off series of Final Fantasy games. Something like Final Fantasy Classic and make them exactly like the PSOne games were, bring back the ATB, FMV's, NO voice acting, make them download only if need be... but make the stories good, the gameplay fun, and give me random battles again, fuck the haters!

Anyway, as a series, I think it needs FFXVI (however it comes) to be a monster hit. If not, I can't see it lasting any longer...
Did you try bravely default? Many agree that it was SEs return to classic FFs jobs and all just under a different name. I hear the seconds great but haven't gotten to it.

Final Fantasy ended for me at 7. Really wish they would release 1-7 on Xbox live or PSN. The originals please. Not the mobile remakes.
I understand skipping 8, but 9? Really? I've not beaten most more than once but 9 I'd say I beat it 3 times and played to various lengths about 8 counting the completes
 
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FF7 was my first JRPG. I actually bought it for my PS1 at launch for full price and returned it in disgust a week later because I was expecting it to be like a PC point and click adventure game (the marketing and screenshots in magazines gave me this impression at the time). I re-bought it again about a year later and it became one of my favourite games of all time. I've been a fan of the genre since. FF12 was the next big jump for me. What a stellar release. I just wish that the series continued down that game design trajectory.
 

TitanNut88

Member
I've only played X, XII, XIII (and sequels) and XV so I might not be an experienced FF player but, to me, X and XII are two of the greatest games ever made. XIIIs were OK and XV is a good game but not a good FF. I would die for a new game similar to XII.
 
To me I started falling off the series after X. FFX-2 had a lot of great systems, but it was packaged into something which honestly felt bad. Then was XI, which was more or less not an option for me, meaning it was functionally not a title I could experience. Then XII came, and while I know it's a good game, I just didn't like how it played and disliked less party choice and the use of gambits. It had many things about it that was amazing though. Then came FFXIII, which was just terrible, I couldn't even see what was supposed to be good with it. Felt like I was just running around in corridor-like levels, choosing mostly auto-battle and caring very little about attacks. One I got to the open area and played a bit more, I just knew that I wouldn't be able to endure more of it and dropped it there. FFXIV I've played a bit, but didn't like the sense of movement and nothing felt especially great about it. FFXV I kind of enjoyed, but I've been busy with other things and haven't finished it yet. Still the story I've experienced and parts of combat feels pretty uninteresting (would've preferred far more like KH). It doesn't have the sense of place as previous games either and I would've liked a more varied party.
 
I've only played X, XII, XIII (and sequels) and XV so I might not be an experienced FF player but, to me, X and XII are two of the greatest games ever made. XIIIs were OK and XV is a good game but not a good FF. I would die for a new game similar to XII.
Xenoblade series though no gambits. That system was great
 

royox

Member
After what they did in FFXIV's Main Scenario in today's patch I have to re-confirm myself. All my faith on this saga is in YoshiP's team. Amazing.
 
S

SLoWMoTIoN

Unconfirmed Member
I enjoyed WoFF it is prob the last true FF we will ever get. All these kids love their action games and that is how every new FF will be like after 15 apparently.
 

onlyoneno1

Member
I always wanted to play the series but never could because of the turn based gameplay. But now that FF15 has ditched the JRPG style I am finally able to enjoy it, and i am loving it. I am looking forward to the FF7 remake to see what the fuss has been all about throughout the years.
 
Don't really have one... last two genuinely 'FF' games for me were FF X and FF XII ... That's 12 years ago ...

I started playing FF with IV on SNES around 1993, I guess, until XII on PS2 -- that entire period was only a span of 13 years lol...

That's where the series is for me... it's been basically 'dead' as long as it was even 'alive' -_-

I say 'dead' relatively, of course (in the sense that, were it as 'dead as Suikoden' since FF12 it would made no difference to me) ... I mean, I loved FF XI and also quite enjoyed a few months if XIV. Was fun replaying XII and VII on PS4. But I had no interest in even trying XIII or XV, and XI and XIV as much as I like them I played for reasons more similar to EQ and WoW than FF games. And, in terms of what I look for in an FF, the same 12~ish years since the last 'new' FF game that I cared about is the same amount if take it took produce 8 of my favorite games of all time o.0
 

Spukc

always chasing the next thrill
1-3 aged like eggs
4 was ok ish
5 was fun to play great job system my fav
6 look amazing great fight system.
7 looks ugly now and has long loading times
8 nope
9 boring start didnt care.
10 tuberun sim absolute dog shit
11 great fun for an mmo
12 best one yet that gambit system is perfection
A true sp mmo
13 tuberun sim dogshit
14 amazing mmorpg great great fun
15 pretty looking trash game

Overated series as a whole.
5 best 2d
12 best 3d

I dont really care about ff anymore.
But i will prolly buy ff7 remake
 

Fuz

Banned
Generally don't like where they're at.
My first FF was VII and I totally loved it. Had a great cast, a good story, awesome summons an amazing villain and the materia system was really good.
I loved 6 through 9, liked the NDS ones except RW. 10 was decent, I enjoyed it enough but for me felt something else than a FF. I stayed the fuck away from X-2 after seeing just the intro. Playing XII for the first time these days, I really, really like the cast and the art direction, but I detest the combat system and what they did with summons. Also, I don't like the job board. XIII looks horrible, at glance the cast seem absolutely unsufferable. Don't think I'm gonna play it.
Haven't played XV and don't see myself doing so. It just looks super "meh". Probably gonna buy the FF7 remake IF they're not changing too much stuff, but judging from what I've read I'm not too confident in it.
I'm actually playing DFFOO on mobile and I think it's an amazing game.
 
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diablos991

Can’t stump the diablos
I feel sad that Square went the route they did instead of innovating in turn based combat.

I now favor smaller RPGs like Octopath Traveler or Battle Chasers for my jRPG itch.
 

Ixion

Member
It's weird how opinions differ on FF. I think X is one of the worst. It's like XIII, but worse in every aspect.

I feel the exact opposite. Two main reasons:


1) X has much more gameplay variety and much better pacing than XIII because X paced the journey out with explorable towns, people to talk to, temple puzzles to solve, expansive mini-games to play, etc. You weren't always just running to the next battle like in XIII. So when people say "Why do people dislike XIII but like X, even though they're both linear?" The answer is because XIII is not only linear, but one-note.

2) X's storytelling is far less melodramatic and focuses more on world-building. Tidus occasionally complaining about his "old man" is really the only aspect of X I would say is too melodramatic, but that is one character and Tidus is a cheerful/carefree dude for the most part besides that. On the other hand, XIII's story focused almost entirely on back-and-forth melodramatic dialogue between the entire main cast of characters, while most of the world-building was explained in the menu's codex.


So the one-note gameplay and incessant melodrama just made XIII a very nauseating experience for me. And that relates to this thread's main topic, which is that future Final Fantasies need to have well-paced gameplay, cool and relatable characters, and a story that grabs the player from the start and makes them want to keep moving forward to uncover more of the mystery. That's all very obvious, but a mainline Final Fantasy hasn't completely nailed all of that in a while. XV's director even acknowledged that sentiment before XV was released, and I do think XV was a pretty good game overall with some great high points, but it didn't consistently excel at any of those three aspects.
 
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I'm actually fine with the gameplay/combat of FFXIII and FFXV. I enjoyed "playing" both games, but where those games fall extremely short of previous games is storytelling and world building. Both games were devoid of memorable characters, locations and story moments that previous FF games had in spades. The world of FFXIII was a series of disjointed hallways, albeit some very gorgeous hallways, and the whole "world" of FFXV was a shorter travel than going from my house to work in the morning every day.

If they made another game with the gameplay of FFXV but gave me a story I could invest in with characters I remembered and cared about when I finished the game in a gigantic world full of beautiful, creative looking locations, then we're back on track.
 
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Ka-Kui

Member
It's strange how people either love X or hate it. I fall in the former, the only difference I see between it and classic style FF is that it lacks an explorable overworld; however it makes up for it with the similar amount of content that you would find in previous FF overworlds, spread throughout its "corridors" (I hate to use this term because to me it's really not as bad as it sounds) .

The presentation is different but IMO it's no less linear or open than previous FF games as they all funneled you towards a single path anyways.
 
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Kadmac25

Member
After FF9, nothing has been the same. I want turn-based Final Fantasy back with quick development time. During the PS1 era, we got three main new FFs. Three! Now we get a new main FF every 10 years. No thanks.

Square, find your old developers and hire them back. We don't need the lastest graphics either. Cut your development time and focus on the story and turn-based gameplay. Make it fun like it used to be.
 

kevm3

Member
They are garbage to me now. Square used to be my favorite company, especially during the psx and snes eras. Now they are trying to cater to the mainstream with their kpop rpgs. From software used to be a b tier developer but with the release of dark souls, they have been releasing the old school type of games I can't wait to play.
 

Cidolfas

Neo Member
It's pretty much dead to me. Final Fantasy XIV is the only recent game which manages to give out that classic Final Fantasy vibe, but is an MMO.

I'm also really curious what they are going to do to Final Fantasy VII....
 
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I think they kinda got caught up thinking it has to be the IP that pushes things graphically and cinematically and that's a dangerous place to be especially with the cost of games these past 2 generations. I'm really glad they gave us Bravely Default IP. I understand that same team is making Octopath I'm really thankful Nintendo consoles get these as that's what I got and they're the kinda games I want. I hope after Octopath that team makes another 3d game similar to Bravely 1/2. Or scrap the name I want an IP similar but uses a different world and story each game similar to old FF.
I also think this team has been able to advance the combat system and make difficult encounters you don't just auto attack through.

I think Monolith Soft picked up where FF dropped off. They are similar to FF12 combat in a way with the offline MMO feel and now with characters and blades having boards to fill out. I heard years ago a producer from a FF game moved to monolith I dunno if that's still true but it seems like it
 
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MetalRain

Member
I've lost interest, FF XV was gorgeous and really something that I could have longed for in 5-10 years, but times/games have changed. But since XV was so many years in making and as it wasn't big failure maybe it's financially viable/required to squeeze out one or two games with that technology for the fans of the series.
 

Dr. Claus

Vincit qui se vincit
I through XII were great, XIII was awful, XIV (ARR onwards) was amazing, and XV was good.

Love this series and glad to keep playing it.
 
I wish i still had a pc to play xiv. Played original through ARR never got to the expansions.
I was on the same server as neogaf guild. They wouldn't let me in I wasn't a member :)
 
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Nymphae

Banned
Was waiting for a huge revival with 15, sold it immediately after beating it and concluded that Square no longer understands what made Final Fantasy games great (and haven't for quite some time)

If it wasn't for the upcoming 7 remake, the franchise would basically be dead to me. 13 was a trainwreck that I feel plays a bit better now, 12 was ok but very forgettable for me, 10-2 was literally a joke and 10 was the last time I felt like they were trying to deliver what people wanted out of a FF. It was good but not their best effort.

I wish square would take a fucking chance and let a team develop a modern epic RPG with 2d graphics. Go easy on the tech ffs, and just deliver something akin to your best work.
 
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Was waiting for a huge revival with 15, sold it immediately after beating it and concluded that Square no longer understands what made Final Fantasy games great (and haven't for quite some time)

If it wasn't for the upcoming 7 remake, the franchise would basically be dead to me. 13 was a trainwreck that I feel plays a bit better now, 12 was ok but very forgettable for me, 10-2 was literally a joke and 10 was the last time I felt like they were trying to deliver what people wanted out of a FF. It was good but not their best effort.

I wish square would take a fucking chance and let a team develop a modern epic RPG with 2d graphics. Go easy on the tech ffs, and just deliver something akin to your best work.
Octopath traveler, bravely default. Its literally what people miss about FF, but ignore them
 
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