Support NeoGAF

[FlutterPuffs]

whoa whoa whoa

I disagree on music. FFXV's music is one of the best.

 

[BocoDragon]

FF cycle in full effect in this thread.

Back when XII came out I remember loving it and getting online to see people trash on it, the gambit system making the game "play itself", and specially Vaan and Penello

I'm sure that when FFXIII gets remastered and they add stuff like removing the "Paradigm Shift!" Micro cutscene or the "Change Leader" option from FF XIII-2

We will see a "Playing FFXIII:Ligtning Strikes Back Remaster makes me realize how bad XVI is" thread

Real talk though: Lightning Returns will get a re-evaluation someday.

That's a much better game than the moaning of the crowd who didn't actually play it would lead you to think.

Single player open world FF ranking:

1. FFXII
2. Lighting Returns
....
....
3. FFXV

 

[Renekton]

whoa whoa whoa

I disagree on music. FFXV's music is one of the best.

GAF has a surprising population of Yoko-haters 😺

 

[TheFatMan]

I don't think FF15 was bad, but playing the first few hours of FF12 Zodiac makes me very sad at the cluster fuck of a story and characters that was FF15.

 

[Aru]

FF cycle all over again. By the time FF18 releases, we'll see threads like "FF15 makes me realize how bad 18 is".

 

[The Emperor]

Real talk though: Lightning Returns will get a re-evaluation someday.

That's a much better game than the moaning of the crowd who didn't actually play it would lead you to think.

Single player open world FF ranking:

1. FFXII
2. Lighting Returns
....
....
3. FFXV

I totally agree!

Lightning returns..the more i look back on it the more i think it was fab!

The open world in it is wayyy better than xv's. The side quests are better, the different locales have a sense of place and mythology to them too.

Of thr XIIi trilogy it is LR that wilk one day be seen as a lost gem

I just wish it had no time limits and a proper party battle system. That wouldve elevated it to be the best post FFIX FF for me

 

[leng jai]

What cycle? Plenty of people thought 15 was terrible the week it came out.

 

[Blargonaut]

man I miss my FF12 saves, lost my memory card when I forgot my PS2 in another country

 

[ULTROS!]

I'll be honest but despite how deep or good FFXII and LRFFXIII's battle systems are (I do like them), they're not newbie friendly. At all. The experienced ones will enjoy it but to those who are new to FF, I wouldn't recommend them. They could play them once they got a knack of FF.

If I'd recommend the newbies or even the light gamers to start FF at this modern age, the best entry points will probably be FFXIII or FFXV, even if they're a mixed bag. I'd want to recommend FFX but I don't know if they'd appreciate random encounters, otherwise sure.

 

[Perineum]

FF cycle all over again. By the time FF18 releases, we'll see threads like "FF15 makes me realize how bad 18 is".

Yeesh... if that's the case at that point just kill the franchise. 15 isn't anything to gloat about that if we have to appreciate a half assed half finished game with troubled out the ass development, then 18 must be a mobile game of dog shit capabilities.

15 isn't as bad as some folks make it out to be, just like 13 wasn't for me back in the day either.

It's just the bar is set so damn high 12 and earlier that 13 and 15 struggle to find the soul of the FF franchise prior.

 

[Perineum]

I'll be honest but despite how deep or good FFXII and LRFFXIII's battle systems are (I do like them), they're not newbie friendly. At all. The experienced ones will enjoy it but to those who are new to FF, I wouldn't recommend them. They could play them once they got a knack of FF.

If I'd recommend the newbies or even the light gamers to start FF at this modern age, the best entry points will probably be FFXIII or FFXV, even if they're a mixed bag. I'd want to recommend FFX but I don't know if they'd appreciate random encounters, otherwise sure.

If I was going to recommend a FF to a new FF player I'd steer them towards 7-9. They all hold up well if visuals aren't some must for someone. FF9 is a great entry point without being too cumbersome or complicated.

 

[thetrin]

I'll be honest but despite how deep or good FFXII and LRFFXIII's battle systems are (I do like them), they're not newbie friendly. At all. The experienced ones will enjoy it but to those who are new to FF, I wouldn't recommend them. They could play them once they got a knack of FF.

If I'd recommend the newbies or even the light gamers to start FF at this modern age, the best entry points will probably be FFXIII or FFXV, even if they're a mixed bag. I'd want to recommend FFX but I don't know if they'd appreciate random encounters, otherwise sure.

12 especially is pretty dense with the license board, gambits and the plethora of passive lore unlocks.

 

[theofficefan99]

Unless XV experiences massive improvements and story additions, it will never, ever, ever be praised. In fact it will be the worst aging FF, by far.

I also like how people pretend that the same fans hate an FF, then when the next one comes out they love the previous one. That's not how it works. Stop spreading this BS, there is no "cycle."

Also, TC, yes. XII takes a massive dump all over the embarrassment that is XV.

 

[ULTROS!]

If I was going to recommend a FF to a new FF player I'd steer them towards 7-9. They all hold up well if visuals aren't some must for someone. FF9 is a great entry point without being too cumbersome or complicated.

The problems are
- the graphics, let's admit it they're ugly now and people who say otherwise are wearing rose tinted nostalgia glasses
- the random encounters
- FFVIII's system can get complicated, if I'd recommend that it would probably down the line with FFXII and LRFFXIII (because of the system, which can get complex)
- FFIX has a slow system
- there's no voice acting and we're accustomed to that already

Though i'd consider FFVII PS4/PC (the one with fast forward and God mode) or FFIV PSP (since it has auto battle and the game moves fast paced).

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

The problems are
- the graphics, let's admit it they're ugly now and people who say otherwise are wearing rose tinted nostalgia glasses

VII's graphics are ugly, but I think VIII's and IX's hold up pretty well. Especially IX, with how stylized it is.

 

[kuroshiki]

FF14: ARR is better

I disagree. FF14's weakest is so far the storyline. Absolutely shitastic.

 

[potatohead]

The problems are
- the graphics, let's admit it they're ugly now and people who say otherwise are wearing rose tinted nostalgia glasses
- the random encounters
- FFVIII's system can get complicated, if I'd recommend that it would probably down the line with FFXII and LRFFXIII (because of the system, which can get complex)
- FFIX has a slow system
- there's no voice acting and we're accustomed to that already

Though i'd consider FFVII PS4/PC (the one with fast forward and God mode) or FFIV PSP (since it has auto battle and the game moves fast paced).

Disagree with all the above

 

[Mexen]

Even if we never get a VI remake, I am at least glad XII Zodiac exists.

 

[ZangBa]

Literally playing any game makes XV look worse, it's complete garbage in every way. It's a good thing I barely remember anything in XII because it's basically like playing it fresh again. It's so nice to have so many big, varied areas with unique designs. I'm sure there so many people that miss the gas station simulator here.

 

[toastyToast]

What cycle? Plenty of people thought 15 was terrible the week it came out.

This cycle shit is dumb as hell. My opinions on most things rarely change and I'd wager most people don't go back to reassess games years after the fact.

 

[ULTROS!]

Disagree with all the above

Why? You think FFVII is very beautiful and has an incredibly engaging combat that kids nowadays will enjoy?

Hypothesis: Try letting someone who hasn't played FF at all (like say... an 8 year old child or Rami's mom or something) play FFVII-FFIX then get back to me.

 

[jiggle]

Xv is bottom tier so it's not surprising
Fighting for the worst with ii, xiii and xiv

 

[CertifiedFP]

I don't consider being able to see whose turn is next as a FFX thing, specially not the way Persona does it. To me, different actions pushing you further down or up the turn ladder depending on the delay of said action is what defines FF X's battle system. I don't know if the other games you mentioned have that, but Persona doesn't, the turn order is always static based on your agility stat.

Trails in the Sky, bruv. It has perfected the Dynamic Turn Order List system.

 

[BocoDragon]

Ultros is right. If you're under 25 and you're not a really special old-school gamer type, FFI-IX are all hard sells. I've seen too many of my younger friends bounce off of them over the last decade.

I'll be recommending XII to FF newbies from now on. It's the only HD FF that I truly love. It will come with caveats (it's a bit more serious in tone and less whimsical than many of the best FFs, and the story is a bit weak in the back half), but there's still a full open world RPG in there. It lives and dies as a good game.

If they like that, then I can recommend some of the older ones.

 

[DarkLordMalik]

If I was going to recommend a FF to a new FF player I'd steer them towards 7-9. They all hold up well if visuals aren't some must for someone. FF9 is a great entry point without being too cumbersome or complicated.

No Thanks. FFXV is pretty good for a newcomer as it is and this is ancedotal and all but I know several people who were introduced to the series through XV and they enjoyed it for what it was, not for what it wasn't.

 

[ULTROS!]

Ultros is right. If you're under 25 and you're not a really special old-school gamer type, FFI-IX are all hard sells. I've seen too many of my younger friends bounce off of them over the last decade.

I'll be recommending XII to FF newbies from now on. It's the only HD FF that I truly love. It will come with caveats (it's a bit more serious in tone and less whimsical than many of the best FFs, and the story is a bit weak in the back half), but there's still a full open world RPG in there. It lives and dies as a good game.

If they like that, then I can recommend some of the older ones.

I'd easily recommend FFXII is people have played games like the Witcher or WRPGs. But if they're more accustomed to Assassin's Creed or GTA, I'd recommend them FFXV.

I'd only recommend FFXIII if they want something more... Drama based, something very streamlined, or how the ATB system works.

 

[Perfo]

Ff15 is the worst ff since 2, no surprises here.

 

[Laughing Banana]

GAF has a surprising population of Yoko-haters 😺

The fuck? You serious?

There's actually a large amount of people hating her music? How is that even possible?

 

[HerroRygar]

Jesus Christ, XV is not that bad. The story was poorly told, but it's not a garbage game. It has good music, the characters are likeable enough (Ignis is legit great), and they really do bring the Final Fantasy flavor in a fresh way. Yes I was ultimately disappointed with how it turned out, but god damn.

 

[The Emperor]

I think only VII has genuinely aged bad graphics wise. And not the amazing backgrounds. More the lego characters and lack of consistency in presentation.

I played 7, 8, 9 after 2010 (right before xiii's launch) and they are top tier games for me so I disagree that todays gamers shouldnt be steered towards them.

12 was my first FF back in 2008, then played X in 2009 and 6 that year too.

 

[kiuo]

"insert nostalgic jrpg game you played when young" is better than any other JRPG.

Lunar SSSC

And

Xenoblade 1

 

[mieumieu]

I hate FFXV music when it is not composed by Yoko or Suzuki (? The Ninja Blade guy...) or when there is no music.

 

[The Emperor]

I'd easily recommend FFXII is people have played games like the Witcher or WRPGs. But if they're more accustomed to Assassin's Creed or GTA, I'd recommend them FFXV.

I'd only recommend FFXIII if they want something more... Drama based or how the ATB system works.

Yeah I'd probably go along these lines.

I like XIII way more than XV or XII but no way in hell would it be the first FF i reccommend lmao!

 

[Jira]

I disagree. FF14's weakest is so far the storyline. Absolutely shitastic.

Did you play either of the expansions? Base ARR was shit story wise but you absolutely cannot say that about the expansion story lines.

 

[Dragner]

Well, you dont need a lot to make a game better than XV. I respect people that like it but good lord, the game was terrible for me, my worst first day purchase this gen by far.

 

[Lynx_7]

It won it for the year it released.

As time progressed, people on GAF claim so many other games were robbed. Over time, comments that MGS4 "sucks" and was "over-hyped" start to really gain traction. GAF holds a second "GOTY" showdown for 2008 several years later to see who should have really won.

MGS4 won. Again.

Tears were drank.

It won a third time in the recent Games of the 7th gen thread. It was the highest ranking 2008 game. Threepeat, baby.

Also, are you guys kidding? MGS4 gets shit on GAF pretty often. It's gotten a bit less worse now that V shares some of the burden, but yeah.

 

[theofficefan99]

No Thanks. FFXV is pretty good for a newcomer as it is and this is ancedotal and all but I know several people who were introduced to the series through XV and they enjoyed it for what it was, not for what it wasn't.

aka, had zero expectations. That's not saying much.

 

[silva1991]

whoa whoa whoa

I disagree on music. FFXV's music is one of the best.

It's really good. Listening to the music again a month of two ago made me appreciate it even more.

I like it more than 12 and 13's.

Two of my favorites

Up for the Challenge

Invedia

 

[DarkLordMalik]

aka, had zero expectations. That's not saying much.

I don't get it? Even if they had zero expectations, they enjoyed it and some of them also had played Witcher 3 so it is not like FFXV was their first open world RPG.

 

[dickroach]

if the music in FFXV was good they wouldn't have to round out the soundtrack with 150 or whatever tracks from other games

 

[basefree]

After using that fast forward feature in the XII remaster which genuinely adds more fun to the game, I kind of hope SE will patch in a similar function for XV.

 

[Laughing Banana]

After using that fast forward feature in the XII remaster which genuinely adds more fun to the game, I kind of hope SE will patch in a similar function for XV.

They should patch the gambit system first to FFXV.

 

[theofficefan99]

I don't get it? Even if they had zero expectations, they enjoyed it and some of them also had played Witcher 3 so it is not like FFXV was their first open world RPG.

Zero expectations typically means that if something is slightly enjoyable in any way you'll be pleasantly surprised. Because you're not expecting anything.

if the music in FFXV was good they wouldn't have to round out the soundtrack with 150 or whatever tracks from other games

All Shimomura tracks in XV are phenomenal. The reason why the old FF tracks were included was because they wanted to pander to fans and so it could hopefully make people forget how horribly boring the car is.

 

[Thoraxes]

GAF has a surprising population of Yoko-haters ��

I don't hate her or her music, but I don't think her XV stuff is good at all outside of maybe one or two tracks. She's done significantly better work elsewhere.

 

[joe_zazen]

Maybe, as with bioware, all the real talent is working on the Game-as-a-Service game now and single player game is B team?

 

[LowParry]

if the music in FFXV was good they wouldn't have to round out the soundtrack with 150 or whatever tracks from other games

For radio use? You're goddamn right it was worth it.

 

[depths20XX]

Doesn't take much to realize a turd smells bad.

 

[Kain]

I have to agree. There's something here with the FF cycle, yeah, but XV does SO many things wrong it's hard to be optimistic.

I was in the middle of XV and I just dropped it for XII because it was a chore, there's not a single system in that game that doesn't have some glaring flaw, and the open world is boring and empty. The car is horrible, the combat is a confusing mess, the story is abysmal (more than the story itself, their way of presenting it is the worst I've seen in a game easily, they outdid Type-0 and Crisis Core)... I only like more or less the four bros, but I really couldn't care less about their trip, honestly. And why doesn't Noctis just call Luna? What the fuck.

Now I can't wait to get home and play XII again. And I've beaten the game twice already, I even beat the IZJS on PCSX2...

 

[Psychoward]

Trying to avoid spoilers but didn't think this deserved a new thread right now.

I've never played a final fantasy game. Ever. The platforms that I have that work right now are a 360, Wii, PS4 and PC. What's a good starting point/order? Have a ps1 and 2 but they're broken.

I like Sci-fi and fantasy along with real time/action and tactics/turn based so that's not an issue there.

 

[joe_zazen]

Trying to avoid spoilers but didn't think this deserved a new thread right now.

I've never played a final fantasy game. Ever. The platforms that I have that work right now are a 360, Wii, PS4 and PC. What's a good starting point/order?

I like Sci-fi and fantasy along with real time/action and tactics/turn based so that's not an issue there.

I think it would be a good thread. There is always people wondering this.