No, Square-Enix still has NO idea how stories are written. FFX in particular relies on coincidences, deus-ex-machina and characters making bizarro-logic choices to keep the story going, and the writers practically write themselves into a corner after every major quest. Go through it again and take a sip for every plot inconsistency - you'll be in a coma before you leave Besaid.Mysnomer said:I dunno, I think Megaman Legends and Zero are pretty redeeming in their quality, but I definitely think Squeenix is a cut above Capcom.Tom Phoenix said:Wouldn't it be more correct to say "In Hell, stories are written by Capcom"? While I am sure recent stories written by Square Enix are bad, they still don't have the reputation of being elementary student bad.
Nevertheless, one of your best comics yet. Hilarious and quite true.
My true complaint is how you fudged Square Enix into the stories for Hell. Every game (barring the already simplistic) will sound stupid when you reduce it to only it's most absurd elements and then string them together. Hell, even FFXIII, possibly the most reviled Final Fantasy had a good story (or at least a good 3/4ths of a story, I haven't beaten it yet). It feels like a cheap dig, rather than true parody. Maybe it's just because I associate the argument of "ridiculous story" with bandwagon FFVII haters. Sorry if I'm just misplacing my rage.
Edit: Snaps, I just remembered the FFXIV debacle. Okay, second most reviled FF game.
Thank you for quoting Yahtzee on that XDHankMan said:"But basically the jist of it is that Italians are all tossers."
Great catch! Yeah, Sorry Shamus, but a snarky British guy beat you to the joke.HankMan said:"But basically the jist of it is that Italians are all tossers."
So are you saying conceptually, they make good stories, but they are poor writers? Because I would agree with that to an extent. Also, I think FFX was better because of all the interactions and characters you meet along the way, the various minigames and distractions, interesting leveling concept, and overall lively tone. FFXIII on the other hand is barren. The characters you can talk to have nothing interesting to say, there's nothing to explore and no minigames or sidequests until chapter 9 or so. And the environments are generally bereft of life or anything interesting to look at. Oh, and even your character advancement is linear and restrictive.Seneschal said:No, Square-Enix still has NO idea how stories are written. FFX in particular relies on coincidences, deus-ex-machina and characters making bizarro-logic choices to keep the story going, and the writers practically write themselves into a corner after every major quest. Go through it again and take a sip for every plot inconsistency - you'll be in a coma before you leave Besaid.
The thing is, it's not a bad story, it's just put together by an idiot instead of a professional writer. Things like plot structure, consistency, cohesion and pacing are nowhere in sight, and they really complicate the plot WAY beyond what they're capable of handling. It's weird because FFVII was at least competently told, and IX had a charming simplicity to it.
The reason why people (myself very much included) love FFX is that Yuna, her quest and the romance subplot work well and the game is very focused, almost a precursor to the "60-hour-linear-corridor" that was FFXIII. Except it worked in the game's favor in FFX.
Yes, the concept is rather strong in many FF games. For examply, Sin is a great plot device, it adds a bit of "FF meets Godzilla/Cloverfield" vibe, and Yuna's quest is rather well-structured, having a sort of "road trip" feel to it. The game lacks a true villain, but some may say that it's its strength, keeping the story about "humans vs. catastrophe". And of course, the combat system and character advancement in FFX is great.Mysnomer said:So are you saying conceptually, they make good stories, but they are poor writers? Because I would agree with that to an extent. Also, I think FFX was better because of all the interactions and characters you meet along the way, the various minigames and distractions, interesting leveling concept, and overall lively tone. FFXIII on the other hand is barren. The characters you can talk to have nothing interesting to say, there's nothing to explore and no minigames or sidequests until chapter 9 or so. And the environments are generally bereft of life or anything interesting to look at. Oh, and even your character advancement is linear and restrictive.Seneschal said:No, Square-Enix still has NO idea how stories are written. FFX in particular relies on coincidences, deus-ex-machina and characters making bizarro-logic choices to keep the story going, and the writers practically write themselves into a corner after every major quest. Go through it again and take a sip for every plot inconsistency - you'll be in a coma before you leave Besaid.
The thing is, it's not a bad story, it's just put together by an idiot instead of a professional writer. Things like plot structure, consistency, cohesion and pacing are nowhere in sight, and they really complicate the plot WAY beyond what they're capable of handling. It's weird because FFVII was at least competently told, and IX had a charming simplicity to it.
The reason why people (myself very much included) love FFX is that Yuna, her quest and the romance subplot work well and the game is very focused, almost a precursor to the "60-hour-linear-corridor" that was FFXIII. Except it worked in the game's favor in FFX.