Square-Enix Isn't Sure Where to Take Final Fantasy

[MattAn24]

You're right.

But please be aware that there are some of us who do enjoy both kinds. Just not every instance of both (for example, I like Oblivion & Fallout 3, but thought DA:O was a generic turd - I like Trinity Universe & FFXIII but think any remaining copies of Thousand Arms should be fired into orbit).

Anyway, I do think that both JRPGs and WRPGs should try to stay true to their roots. However, there's nothing wrong with examining what works on the other side and incorporating some of those elements. Demon's Souls is a good recent example of a JRPG that has successfully borrowed from Western ideals. Contrary to popular belief, it's the Japanese who are leading the evolutionary charge. The Western devs are often too busy believing their own hype and wallowing in their own crapulence to make any attempt to evolve in any meaningful way.

Some games should remain true (Dragon Quest for example). Others, like FF, have always been about pushing boundaries and testing limits. Why not incorporate some of the better Western ideals? Note: that is not to say make it completely Western.

Brilliant post, and I believe I should have clarified that I understood there were those who enjoy a bit of both or neither as well. Thanks for reminding me! I never actually saw or got to play Demon's Souls.. But yeah.. When it comes to JRPG's, I've usually liked my Final Fantasy games a lot more. Never really cared for Star Ocean, etc.. Infinite Undiscovery was a JRPG trying to be a Western action RPG and it failed. Miserably. Real-time action combat, AI was pretty intelligent and even had co-op moves, but it just didn't work as a game. The story was pretty weak. I just don't want Final Fantasy going BACKWARDS or turning into the other generic Western RPG's out there. It HAS a demographic. Keep it.

 

[MatsVS]

Jesus, this thread is like a dozen retarded kids desperately pulling at the same piece of cloth in a dozen different direction, each and every one stomping their feet, froth around their mouths, proclaiming that they are totally the best seamstress. How constructive...

If this 'tard-fest has made one thing abundantly clear, though, it is that it is the story and the setting that should be the centrepiece of a good Final Fantasy game. Nail the literature, and the rest will follow.

 

[Precision Burrito]

Perhaps they could try to get some real characters with personalities beyond:

"HI! I'M THE PEPPY GUY WHO FIGHTS FOR JUSTICE!"
"HI! I'm the bumbling but lovable idiot"
"I'm the angsty loser who hates everyone. I hope you die"
"OMGEES I'm, like, the ditzy tard chick that isn't worth a damn as a character but will have gratuitous amounts of porn written about me within a week of release!"
"..." (the silent type)
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE"

Every character I can think of from the series is one of these or some combination there of. It kinda sad in my mind that the story telling of the series is lauded as being great.

Now don't get me wrong, I thought FFX was ok, and I really liked FFXIII, but it definitely was not because of the characters. Snow, Lightning, Hope, and Vanille were completely stereotypical for their designated roles (see above), it was actually kind of painful to watch through the first half of the game. Fang was something of a wild card as I wasn't expecting a character with a level of maturity and reserve, unfortunately it made her rather bland as I can't actually name any remarkable scene with her in it. Sahz was bumbling, but lovable, and the only character I actually liked through out the game (woot, father figure that isn't retarded in a video game).

In all honesty, Square should take some ques from the Tales studio for good characters. Every character from Vesperia was friggin awesome (minus estelle). Jade and Guy from abyss were great and there are plenty more.

Edit: For the folks who think that basing FF off of it off-shoot Kingdom Hearts. No. The battle system does its own thing very well, but don't start bringing it into Final Fantasy. Also, for the love of god and all that is holy, never ever suggest that they take story telling ques from that series. I dare anyone here to try and wade through the KH wiki and try to come out with any sense of what the hell the series is about.

 

[jdodd91]

[http://photobucket.com/images/facepalm%20emoticons]

 

[MattAn24]

[http://photobucket.com/images/facepalm%20emoticons]

So.. You have already seen Chocobo Racing? They made that YEEEEEARS ago. Squall was in it (on a motorbike, I believe, which screws Cloud over..) and Cid Highwind in his airship.. And let's all forget Ehrgeiz..

 

[whaleswiththumbs]

How about to the FINAL fantasy, like blow large amounts of shite to the nether-regions of Netherlands. As in, make a very good last game and then let fans make the games from now on? I would actually like you if you did this Enix.

 

[Mrsoupcup]

Honestly, after 13 games and God knows how many spinoffs, how about make one last game and and make it THE FINAL FINAL FANSTASY? HMMM?

Well, if you're looking for that, there's always The Last Story. Y'know, that Wii JRPG that's coming from Hironobu Sakaguchi, the guy who created Final Fantasy in the first place. The game seems to already fit into that niche of yours perfectly. =P

I don't really play JRPGs anymore. I just wish to see this series end before the fans hate Enix as much as Sonic Team. (Dev's need to know when a series needs to be laid to rest)

 

[jdodd91]

I had no clue they made a chocobo racer...

 

[DRTJR]

You want my suggestion Square, Do a bit of Introspective soul searching to find out what made your old titles timeless classics.look at Chrono trigger, FF I-VII and look to see how to make a compelling story and world. Next you go for Combat you need to either make it slick or intuitive or balls out Original for good examples FF VI, VII, X, XIII, Crono Trigger, and Chrono Cross. then look for your Level design Look at possibilities the best would be a format similar to VII and VIII for the over world and cities. now the Clincher an Epic Boss not only does the boss batle have to be Epic but the Villain must be well written and their are three paths,
Path 1 the Sephiroth path in which you constantly aloud have flash backs and are confronted by this antagonist,
Path 2 the Lavos path you don't introduce the Antagonist until neer the end of the second act but have events caused buy this Mysterious Villain that are attributed to others after his revel you then put 1 and 2 to make 3.
Path three is an Evil you as the hero awakes and must defeat. simple yet effective.

with a solid story, Great Battle mechanics, Easy to navigate over world, and a Memorable Villain you have the next FF classic.

 

[Weofparadigm]

The series REALLY should have ended with FFX. 11 was lame, 12 was god awful, and 13 was just riding a waterfall of shit

 

[jdodd91]

The series REALLY should have ended with FFX. 11 was lame, 12 was god awful, and 13 was just riding a waterfall of shit

[http://photobucket.com/images/i%20agree%20emoticon]

 

[jdodd91]

In my opinion.... it seems each game to come out, following ff10, has been a letdown. Yes, some will argue that they each add something to the series as a whole, but if you really think about it> Would it kill you if Square Enix started something new? Hell, I would be up for it....

 

[Eponet]

Well, thety are recognising a problem. I did enjoy 13, ill admit it, a great ride and every moment of it was a pleasure...yeah, characters started off dull, but, did get better (Exception of Sazh who was alwauys awesome!)

But...where could they take it...? Thats the question. Id like to see a mixed kinda Dragon Age meets FF sort of approach myself

I felt that Snow was always awsome too, just in different ways throughout.

Regardless, aren't unlikable characters who become a lot more appealing as the story progresses a sign of character development?

 

[Ligisttomten]

The problem is they changed the game TOO MUCH not too little. Keep the story and atmosphere that made Final Fantasy great, and get rid of this new linear corridor crap. And bring back the FF1-10 combat.

 

[MaVeN1337]

Take it to it's grave.

What's the most recent one like...The 304th?

 

[Hiphophippo]

I'd probably be happiest if they went the capcom route and made a strictly old school FF game, you know, Super Nintendo style. Dropped that ***** on psn and xbla for a 20 spot and called it a day.

Oh man.

A man can dream.

...I honestly still don't understand this.. They changed the entire game style several times because fans COMPLAINED IT WAS THE SAME. Fans didn't like the generic SNES gameplay anymore! IX was pretty much the only one (not VIII or VII) to really give the SNES games a memorable call-back.. Yet it's one of the most under-rated games of the series! IX had pretty much everything people loved about IV and V, with a little of VI's comedy.. Yet it's never talked about. Everyone mentions VII and VIII.. But VII was way too over-hyped and it wasn't as grand as everyone claims it is.. And VIII just tortured itself with an absolutely insane and asinine plot explanation. Nothing made sense in that damn game!

It's not complicated. Out of the ps1 entries 9 was the only one I really, REALLY liked. I just like old school games. It's my niche. Just because "fans" complained about snes style does not mean "fans" are all of the fans.

 

[digital warrior]

FF13 sucked if it didn't have FF on the title not one person would care about it.

Look its not hard give us choice, even in a very small amount. All of FF13 is a linear corridor, they could of just had a rail system in place for all the input it gave me.

I say bring back the world map and epic stories. And i know world maps are unoriginal and they probably don't like them because of how the world kinda scales down for the hero's and looks unrealistic, but it doesn't have to be.

Lets take DQ8 for the ps2 as an example, their solution was simple don't scale the world down scale it up for the hero's with large vistas and optional paths that reward exploration. hell getting around wouldn't be a problem in most of you settings, airship and Chocobos could be rented for faster travel.

Well i could go on forever how the main branch of square-enix has just gotten worse and worse at story, characters, and world building but ill end here saying that square should invest in a new team of writers and designers.