You Spoony Bard!

[Rob Hal]

While I'm sure that the TrekBBS has seen plenty of Final Fantasy discussion threads over the past ten years (hell, I may started the first one...), this new Gaming forum certainly needs a fresh one.

So while we may eventually get to discussing the upcoming FFXIII and FFXIV (stop using the number sequence for the MMOs!), I figured we'd get the ball rolling with some classic favorites discussion...

I've played all the games in the main series, as well as most of the offshoots (the Tactics series and Revenant Wings are all fantastic non-RPG games), but I have yet to try anything Crystal Chronicles. My fave is FFVII (predicatably!). While RPGs had always been my favorite genre, and I had played FFVI (FFIII on SNES for the newbs) before getting into FFVII, this was the game that forever hooked me onto the series. If you remember when it came out well enough, you'll know that FFVII introduced a revolution in gameplay, graphics and storyline in RPGs. It truly broke barriers in opening up the genre to more people and giving the series widespread appeal. That said, it still had plenty to offer more hardcore players. I would say that I replay this game once every two years or so...

After that, I'm torn between FFVI and FFXII. The former holds a little more nostalgic value (still love old school RPGs), while FFXII was just an all-around solid game that was extremely fun to play (I think it is particularly underrated by FF fans). Also, Balthier. 'Nuf said.

Looking forward to the next installement... I watched the ten minute preview that came with Advent Children Complete on Blu-Ray and it looks simply amazing. In particular, the gameplay should easily surpass FFXII's innovative style.

So, let's get this discussion going... favorites and thoughts on the future of the series. Go!

 

[eastman23]

I have played I to VI and VIII. Plus Mystic Quest, which is practically "Final Fantasy for Dummies".

Of those, VI is easily my favourite, followed closely by IV. I have both in their original SNES versions and still in working condition.

I'm still trying to get through III (on the DS) and haven't completed VIII yet (on the computer). I don't know why, but III just hasn't captured my attention. I had a similar problem with II on the GBA. Didn't really care for that one.

I really need to get a PS2 in order to get caught up on Final Fantasy games...

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I've played I-X, Tactics, Tactics Advance, Tactics A2, the GBA versions of I & II, and the remakes of III and IV. Out of all those, my favorite storyline is VI, with IV being very close behind. X had a good story and graphics but the gameplay felt a bit too simplified.

I'm someone that honestly does not care for VII. I didn't find the characters, storyline, or gameplay engaging. I actually prefer VIII, which pretty much has the only thing I liked about VII (limit breaks.)

Out of all the little offshoot series, Tactics is probably my favorite. I played through the original, Advance, and now I'm working my way through A2. I'm tempted to get Revenant Wings, but I'm curious about the gameplay style. I know it's not a Tactics game, but it's a strategy game set in Ivalice so it's close enough for my liking. Anyone here played it and have anything to say about it? What about Ring of Fates (a Crystal Chronicles game)?

For anyone who has a DS, the remakes of III and IV are excellent. III is a little clunky in comparison to IV, although it has the benefit of the job system, which IV does not have.

 

[Jim Steele]

I've only ever played VII to my eternal shame, which I'll remedy when FFXIII hits.

FF VII is now available on PSN so I can't wait to get it downloaded onto my PSP.

 

[P0sitr0nic]

If youve never played FFVI (6, which was released as FF3 in the US) youve missed out on one of the best storylines ever written. Its not about the graphics, its about the story, and this one has it all.

 

[Griever]

If youve never played FFVI (6, which was released as FF3 in the US) youve missed out on one of the best storylines ever written. Its not about the graphics, its about the story, and this one has it all.

I can't wait for the inevitable remake. I may be moved to actually reenter the fray.

As you can tell from my name, I am a huge fan of VIII. Looking back, I guess I identified with the angsty and brooding Squall...

Am I the only one that thought XII was repetitive? I liked it, but I wasn't a fan of the interchangeability of characters.

(stop using the number sequence for the MMOs!)

I agree. It should be FFO II.

But it doesn't matter to me as much as it used to. I still don't have a PS3, Wii, or 360...I don't know if I ever will. But I still have fond memories of all night Final Fantasy binges fueled by Mountain Dew.

 

[Skywalker]

I've played FFVII, VIII, IX, and X, but I kind of lost interest after X. I tried to play XII, but had a hard time getting into it. I also played some of FFIV and V, but never got very far into either.

I hold a bit of a soft spot for VIII. I know it's not the most popular game in the series, but for some reason I really liked it.

 

[Da'an]

My favourite is VII closely followed by X-2.

I got a PS3 last week and have played nothing but my PS1 discs of VII on it.

Now that it's also available for download through the store, I may have to get that so I can play it on my PSP.

I hate that my PS3 can't play PS2 games, it means I have to keep my PS2 around for when I want to play FFX-2 again.

 

[Rob Hal]

I bought my PS3 right before they discontinued the version with the PS2 playback feature. I really don't understand why a feature like that isn't just built into every model they make.

A few people mentioned having a soft spot for VIII... I really liked the stories and the characters in VIII, but the battle system just didn't feel quite right. Of course, then they went back to simpler mechanics in IX, which worked well with the feel of that game. Then, X and XII really tried to get innovative with the battle and attributes, and I thought they really succeeded in those two games (in addition to great stories and memorable characters).

 

[Skywalker]

I'm a little annoyed that my PS3 can't play PS2 games, too. I don't like to keep old consoles around. My NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, and PS1 are all long gone.

 

[firehawk12]

Anyone play the new FF4 sequel on WiiWare? Final Fantasy 4... THE AFTER YEARS!

Silly title aside, it's a total bast to the past... perhaps a little too much so since a lot of the art and music is essentially the same as the assets from the old SNES game, but still... it's nice to be playing a new 16 bit RPG after all this time and it's just as nice to meet some old friends again.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

I still have a few gaps in my Final Fantasy playing. I've yet to play V, VIII, or IX. Of the ones I've played, VI, X, and IV are easily the "elite" ones. Don't get me started on VII. I feel that it's the most severely over-rated game ever created.

 

[Rob Hal]

Don't get me started on VII. I feel that it's the most severely over-rated game ever created.

I won't jump on you and attempt to strangle you, because I understand what it's like to go against popular opinion. I get it all the time when I say that The Dark Knight is the most over-rated movie ever created.

What I will ask though, is if you played FFVII in the era when it came out? People who played it years after its release tend to look at the game much more critically than those who played it right away, possibly because they fail to understand how significant it was for the genre at the time.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I don't know, I didn't play any of them soon after they came out, except for IV. I tried to give each one a fair shake. I thought VI was excellent, VII just didn't really hold any appeal, and VIII seemed like a big step up. IX, I'm not really hot or cold toward. It's a nice game but it just felt kind of vanilla.

I think what I don't "get" about VII is the way some think of it as the second coming of RPGs, and it just doesn't resonate with me in that way. Yes, the graphics are better, the battle system is more complex, it has FMV, etc. etc. And I know it's not having something against the later games, because I love VIII to death, and I very much enjoyed X. If I had to rate each game by whether it's over/underrated:

IV - About right
VI - About right
VII - Highly overrated
VIII - Highly underrated
IX - Slightly overrated
X - Very slightly overrated

The ones past X, I have not played.

I don't hate VII, I think the problem it has is the same problem a lot of franchises have once they make it big--a plethora of fans who are, shall we say, a bit too enthusiastic in their praise, and not very eloquent in their discussion.

I would be surprised to see anyone like that here. I'm sure those of you who love VII do so sincerely and not just because it is (or was) cool to do so.

 

[Rob Hal]

*rolls up the sleeves of his FFVII fanboy sweater*

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

No, I did not play it in the era of it's original release. I can entirely understand and respect what the game did to revolutionize the genre and for that I give the it props it deserves. However, I cannot help but look at how far games have come since then, or how many great games that did it better were there before FFVII. I'm not going to go off bashing here, but I would like to bring up a few of my personal problems with the game:

1. I hated the characters. I wanted to beat the crap out of Cloud. Not only is he a total basket case, he's completely oblivious to the feelings of two certain individuals towards him. Sephiroth is a complete non-entity in the game. Yuffie grated on every last nerve I had. Cid and Barret were walking cliches. Cait Sith, well even the most hardcore fans of the game will admit that he sucked.

2. The graphics. I will always be the first person to say the graphics do not make a game great, and I understand the limitations of the technology at the time. However, it is just so difficult for me to accept the so called "epicness" of the game when the character models look like Lego figures.

3. The magic system removes all sense of individuality from the characters. It didn't matter what character you used. All that matter was how you loaded them up with materia. And by the end of the game, Knights of the Round and Omnislash are the only things you ever use anymore. Oh, and Mime in order to mimic Knights of the Round and Omnislash.

4. The chocobo breeding sidequest is the most unnecesarrily drawn out, frustrating, impossible to even know how to do without a guide quest in any game I have ever played.

 

[Skywalker]

But...but it's got Sephiroth!!!

Oh, I fall firmly in the "VII is overrated" camp, too.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Basically, the things VII is known for are...

Spoiler: FFVII

* Aeris dying.
* Cloud being a clone of Sephiroth. (I don't remember if this turned out to be the truth or not, it's been a while.)

And either one of those are typical FF "plot widgets" you could find in any other FF game. Their usage in VII was not what I would call innovative. So, I just don't "get it," I suppose.

 

[eastman23]

Anyone play the new FF4 sequel on WiiWare? Final Fantasy 4... THE AFTER YEARS!

Silly title aside, it's a total bast to the past... perhaps a little too much so since a lot of the art and music is essentially the same as the assets from the old SNES game, but still... it's nice to be playing a new 16 bit RPG after all this time and it's just as nice to meet some old friends again.

Been thinking about getting this. Probably will at some point down the road. Especially if it's done in the "old" style. I feel nostalgic from time to time.

 

[Kelthaz]

Anyone play the new FF4 sequel on WiiWare? Final Fantasy 4... THE AFTER YEARS!

Silly title aside, it's a total bast to the past... perhaps a little too much so since a lot of the art and music is essentially the same as the assets from the old SNES game, but still... it's nice to be playing a new 16 bit RPG after all this time and it's just as nice to meet some old friends again.

I purchased it yesterday. I've only played for about an hour, but so far it's incredible. If you're a fan of FFIV and you want to spend some time with Cecil, Rosa, Cid, etc. you'll love it.

Oh, and Final Fantasy VII sucks. Really sucks.