The Final Fantasy Thread

[Übertroon]

FF11 and 14 are the two highest-grossing FF games in general, so I think any shortsightedness has been blown past by now.

That would be in spite of rather than because of the name, FF14 has been very dependent on good word of mouth

 

[Soycast Guy]

FF11 and 14 are the two highest-grossing FF games in general, so I think any shortsightedness has been blown past by now.

Exactly right. The only game to reach the numbers of XI and XIV is XV, with all three grossing over one billion each.

 

[Coldgrip]

So FF8 is on sale on PSN, is it worth picking up? I've been eyeing it for a while since i'm only familiar with Squall due to Kingdom hearts and the "Squall is dead theory" but outside of that I know nothing.

I recently picked up the original FF7 and so far naming my party weird shit has been one of the best decisions of my life, but i'm still super early in the game. Also watched internet historian's video on it, yea still not a damn clue what I witnessed so i'm still going in the game pretty blind all things considered.

Also dumb question #2. Anyone think in the future we'll get something like a "complete" FF15 or something? Part of me is like "no we won't" since the guy who was the head of it left square, but the other part of me is like "yes it will or something kinda like that" but that just might me being overly optimistic.

If it's on sale and cheap, sure. It's got it's problems, but over all it's not bad. One big thing to remember is: Don't go into it expecting another FF7.

 

[Soycast Guy]

BRUH LMAO

 

[eternal dog mongler]

Yeah no, 8 doesn’t compare to either of those. I’m close enough to the end to confidently say it’s a clusterfuck of a game with possibly the worst battle system I’ve ever come across.

The only real problem with the battle system is Draw. Sitting at a boss forever who can barely tickle you just because you need his spells. If that was fixed then the game as a whole would be more enjoyable.

Greater problem with FF8 is that it usually takes two playthroughs to fully understand the story and characterization of everyone, but most people just give up after one.

 

[Captain Syrup]

greater problem with FF8 is that it usually takes two playthroughs to fully understand the story and characterization

Much of the villain's backstory and motivation is conjecture or hidden in an artbook. The game doesn't explore the concept of "witches are persecuted in the future" in any way as to suggest she wasn't totally evil already. Even as Edea, much of her dialog consists of muahahaha SeeDs must die!!

Stuff like the time loop are interesting plot elements, but they don't elevate her as a character.

 

[Drag-on Knight 91873]

Are spells even necessary? Can you get by just on your salary and potions? I don't have a clear enough memory of 8.


Much of the villain's backstory and motivation is conjecture or hidden in an artbook. The game doesn't explore the concept of "witches are persecuted in the future" (boo f*cking hoo)( in any way as to suggest she wasn't totally evil already. Additionally, even as Edea, much of her dialog consists of muahahaha SeeDs must die!!

Stuff like the time loop are interesting plot elements, but they don't elevate her as a character. The story would have been better served if Adel was the mastermind or if it involved Ellone turning evil somehow. It’s just a shame the translation makes no sense.

Potions are more reliable as they heal set amounts and aren't effected by silence. Counter-intuitive thinking is the core problem with FFVIII as a whole. Early game, you think GFs are the way to go since they do consistent magical damage and buff/debuffs, then in the final battle, they get insta-killed. Magic functions like equipment, which disincentivizes using magic (especially when MP had been around since I), item refinement skills can break the difficulty curve because high level magic gives dramatic improvements to stats while leveling is often a detriment. Grinding for AP is vastly more important than EXP.

 

[eternal dog mongler]

It’s just a shame the translation makes no sense.

I assume you've read the actual Japanese monologues for the final boss. Doesn't explain anything but does a great job of tying the theme to the game together.

I don't think you're really supposed to know who the final boss is or understand her motivation.

 

[Cisna H. Scumale]

I don't think you're really supposed to know who the final boss is or understand her motivation.

Because they didn't write anything and relied on contrived bullshit like much of the game's plot (everything about the disc 1 assassination plot is retarded).

 

[The Fair Lady]

The only real problem with the battle system is Draw. Sitting at a boss forever who can barely tickle you just because you need his spells. If that was fixed then the game as a whole would be more enjoyable.

Greater problem with FF8 is that it usually takes two playthroughs to fully understand the story and characterization of everyone, but most people just give up after one.

I dunno man I found the whole thing annoying even after finally getting the hang of it. I still don’t get why they made it so convoluted.

I don’t blame them, the plot lost me early on.

Also is Ultimecia really that shit of a main antagonist? Not surprised though.

 

[Drag-on Knight 91873]

I dunno man I found the whole thing annoying even after finally getting the hang of it. I still don’t get why they made it so convoluted.

I don’t blame them, the plot lost me early on.

Also is Ultimecia really that shit of a main antagonist? Not surprised though.

Very shit. Most one dimensional villain who tries to complete an extremely convoluted scheme that leads to her ultimate defeat when if she didn't engage in it, the heroes wouldn't have been able to access her. The reason the Rinoa=Ultimecia fan theory exists is because Ultimecia lacks a motivation to do what she does.

Cool castle though.

 

[Captain Syrup]

The reason the Rinoa=Ultimecia fan theory exists is because Ultimecia lacks a motivation

And the developers disavowed it.

 

[Smug Chuckler]

From what I hear FFVIII is on the same tier as XII or XV. Good but not fantastic. But hey, take what I say with a grain of salt. I haven’t played it.

It's near the bottom of the barrel with II, broken as fuck but fun entries. But yeah XII and XIII eeeeeh...

 

[Captain Syrup]

It's near the bottom of the barrel with II, broken as fuck but fun entries.

2 had one of the best Cids.

 

[Soycast Guy]

Ok, so the title of the article itself was already weird but take a look at this shit.

furry and coom-brain.

 

[MirrorNoir]

So why make the MMOs part of numbered franchise anyhow? Is there a particular reason for it? Because I could see a myriad of reasons why having a big numer behind a MMO title with games with even bigger numbers in the same franchise coming out years after its release might scare potential customers away

IIRC, FF 11 was made the name for their first MMO for two reasons:

1. They thought it would give it a sales boost PLUS make it more important in the eyes of casuals, who didn't buy FF Tactics and the SaGa/Mana rebranded Game Boy games because "they were side games and as such, don't count"

2. As pre-production began, Square realized upfront that FF 13 was going to require a LENGTHY production cycle to get made, especially after the decision was made that it would bypass the PS2 and go straight to PS3 (and late Xbox 360). So the MMO got the FF 11 name purely as a stopgap measure, to keep the franchise in the public's eyes

FF 11 sold so well that they decided to repeat it for the next MMO, which became FF 14

The only real problem with the battle system is Draw. Sitting at a boss forever who can barely tickle you just because you need his spells. If that was fixed then the game as a whole would be more enjoyable.

Greater problem with FF8 is that it usually takes two playthroughs to fully understand the story and characterization of everyone, but most people just give up after one.

I'll also toss in:

the bullshit card game, which you are outright forced to fucking master to get cards to burn to get high end spells and parts to upgrade your weapons

the motherfucking Laguna subplot that utterly KILLS the pacing of the game in the first half; as EVERY EVERY fucking time the story starts picking up steam, you get forced to play as Laguna and deal with his simp shit.

the only redeeming thing about the game is that it syncs the bad guys to your experience level, to allow you to bypass leveling up, grinding, and playing the bullshit card game to get spells needed to survive in the later parts by keeping the bad guys at a reasonable power level you can handle without wasting time playing the card game for shit to survive with

 

[Captain Syrup]

EVERY EVERY fucking time the story starts picking up steam, you get forced to play as Laguna and deal with his simp shit.

Laguna and his posse have the same junction setups as Squall's party?

Did they give a reason for Squall's acid trip visions? Something to do with Ellone? But they never happen when she's in proximity.

 

[Coldgrip]

Did they give a reason for Squall's acid trip visions? Something to do with Ellone? But they never happen when she's in proximity.

I still think it's odd that Laguna and his posse have the same junction setups as Squall's party.

I dunno. Maybe changing POV was the style back then. Chrono Cross, Breath of Fire 4, Suikoden.

It was Ellone. How she was doing it I don't remember though.

 

[Buttigieg2020]

I just found out that it’s FFIV’s 30th birthday as well.

View attachment 2362443
I feel awful for not realizing that.

FFIV DS was my first final fantasy, rented it from blockbuster, absolutely loved it. Apparently everyone hates it for being ugly and hard, go figure.
This game convinced me to play a bunch of other final fantasy games afterwards and made me realize I don’t actually care for the rest of the series at all. Bravely Default FF is cool though.

 

[Overcast]

FFIV DS was my first final fantasy, rented it from blockbuster, absolutely loved it. Apparently everyone hates it for being ugly and hard, go figure.
This game convinced me to play a bunch of other final fantasy games afterwards and made me realize I don’t actually care for the rest of the series at all.

That was the version of IV I played. I enjoyed it for the most part and I kinda liked the art style and difficulty. Not my favorite in the series, but it was a solid game all around.