Author Topic: It's time to face it: Final Fantasy is dead, let's pour a 40 (Read 6063 times)

Himu · « **on:** January 20, 2013, 12:04:10 AM »

http://kotaku.com/5977118/the-slow-excruciating-death-of-final-fantasy

My first memory of Final Fantasy was in 1994 when I looked behind a game mag and saw an ad for Final Fantasy V's japanese sfam cart imported. I used to draw the characters because I thought they were cool.

I didn't have a Super Nintendo, and I didn't know what an rpg was until super mario rpg, because on sega genesis we mostly just had action games.

But I kept up with a lot of game news. I remember this GamePro where I first got excited for Final Fantasy VII. I was 10 years old when that issue came out in I think early 1997.

I got a playstation later that year with VII for Christmas. Been a fan ever since. In 1998, I went backwards and started playing from III (snes) to II (snes), and then went down the nes line and played through those with fan translations. I was 11 years old, so it's been years and years. But after all of this, I can't accept it anymore.

It's time to abandon this ship. The dream is over. Final Fantasy, like God, is dead.

Let's muse about good memories of a once legendary franchise.

MCD · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:07:22 AM »

Positive Touch · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:08:51 AM »

13-2 is pretty fun

Himu · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:11:12 AM »

For those looking for a proper funeral, you can do no better than Theatrhythm for the 3ds. Uematsu said it made him cry. It will make you cry as well.

Positive Touch · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:15:42 AM »

lemme borrow yr 3ds so I can play it

demi · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:16:46 AM »

No thanks, I didnt buy this and got Dimensions instead. Or I suppose flapping your arms like the sky is falling requires less effort.

Himu · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:18:11 AM »

This is a thread for good memories, not your cynicism.

Himu · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:18:55 AM »

Quote from: Positive Touch on January 20, 2013, 12:15:42 AM

lemme borrow yr 3ds so I can play it

iie

MCD · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:21:31 AM »

Dead = Suikoden.

Final Fantasy is as strong as ever. You are just too Himu to realize that.

demi · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:21:42 AM »

Square is targeting Himuro just the same. Bet you can't wait to replay all those classics again when they release them on iOS

Himu · « **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:24:47 AM »

Quote from: Oscar the Grouch on January 20, 2013, 12:19:58 AM

It's not dead. It's changed a lot trying to keep focus on its main demographic and you've changed a lot, out of its demographic. It's like an adult saying action figures are dead cuz they aren't ninja turtles anymore.

And linking Kotaku - shame on you. Did you see the idiot piece they wrote on Yakuza 5 last night? Morons.

Yeah, I read it. That kotaku article isn't bad though. It's written by someone who actually knows what they're talking about.

Himu · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:25:22 AM »

Quote from: demi on January 20, 2013, 12:21:42 AM

Square is targeting Himuro just the same. Bet you can't wait to replay all those classics again when they release them on iOS

fuck you

*takes out wallet*

*unzips pants*

*raises ass for penetration*

Himu · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2013, 01:07:58 AM »

That butt tard.

Robo · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2013, 01:08:48 AM »

I haven't played a Final Fantasy since FF8. What a terrible game.

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2013, 01:08:54 AM »

"fuckskate"

tiesto · « **Reply #15 on:** January 20, 2013, 01:22:14 AM »

13-2 was good but other than that, the series sucked after 9... this new IOS game sounds distinguished mentally-challenged though.

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2013, 01:41:09 AM »

Let's face it, producing these games on current/next gen hardware costs a buttfuckingly large amount of money and takes a while. So, you get into a situation where companies will reuse assets making knockoff sequels... kind of a lame business model that doesn't seem like it has much chance of producing awesome games, but whatever.

As far as what Oscar says, I can agree with that. I've grown out of the demographic for FF games. I kind of enjoyed FF XII because it at least tried some new stuff and didn't have your prototypical angsty lead, but look where that got them. I will be honest and say that I haven't played a minute of XIII or the sequel and have no urge to do so. People just grow out of certain stuff... unless you're Borys I guess, but apparently the only things to do in Poland are hate black people and play bad games.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:16:49 AM »

Unfortunately I think 13 was the dagger for me ever playing another final fantasy. Too many fundamental issues of them not knowing what to do with the series anymore.

Rahxephon91 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:26:48 AM »

Nah. 13 was fun. XIII-2 fixed some problems. XIII-3 looks to even more ambitious. 14's reboot looks like it may be as good as well.

So nope, I still greatly enjoy the series. Best jrpg series by a mile.

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:27:36 AM »

Quote from: Rahxephon91 on January 20, 2013, 02:26:48 AM

Nah. 13 was fun. 14's reboot looks like it may be as good as well.

So no you can cry why I keep enjoying the series.

There's no need for anyone to cry; you have FF, we have taste. Winning all around.

Rahxephon91 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:30:57 AM »

Quote from: Creepy Old Guy on January 20, 2013, 02:27:36 AM

Quote from: Rahxephon91 on January 20, 2013, 02:26:48 AM
Nah. 13 was fun. 14's reboot looks like it may be as good as well.

So no you can cry why I keep enjoying the series.

There's no need for anyone to cry; you have FF, we have taste. Winning all around.

What the heck is your problem with me. You seem to like to point out my liking in games. Here and in the top 5 games thread and so on. I mean I really didn't say anything beyond what say MCD or demi said, yet you don't seem to feel the need to comment about them. Does it upset you or something? Deal with it I guess.

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #21 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:37:11 AM »

Trolls gotta troll, son.

Rahxephon91 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:38:14 AM »

Drama queens gotta drama.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #23 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:38:31 AM »

I'm just not that big on JRPGs anymore. And this is coming from some one who played virtually nothing but back in the ol' PS1 days, that and Nintendo games on the 64. Sure, there are a few that I'll play and enjoy, but for the most part I've moved by the target audience of the genre. It just doesn't offer the sort of thing I look for in RPGs anymore. Well, whatever, there are RPGs still being made that do, so I'll keep playing those and not get myself worked up too much in worrying about the games that don't.

Himu · « **Reply #24 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:40:46 AM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on January 20, 2013, 02:38:31 AM

I'm just not that big on JRPGs anymore. And this is coming from some one who played virtually nothing but back in the ol' PS1 days, that and Nintendo games on the 64. Sure, there are a few that I'll play and enjoy, but for the most part I've moved by the target audience of the genre. It just doesn't offer the sort of thing I look for in RPGs anymore. Well, whatever, there are RPGs still being made that do, so I'll keep playing those and not get myself worked up too much in worrying about the games that don't.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #25 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:45:20 AM »

Euro-Jank RPGs

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #26 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:47:00 AM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on January 20, 2013, 02:38:31 AM

I'm just not that big on JRPGs anymore. And this is coming from some one who played virtually nothing but back in the ol' PS1 days, that and Nintendo games on the 64. Sure, there are a few that I'll play and enjoy, but for the most part I've moved by the target audience of the genre. It just doesn't offer the sort of thing I look for in RPGs anymore. Well, whatever, there are RPGs still being made that do, so I'll keep playing those and not get myself worked up too much in worrying about the games that don't.

I don't play very many JRPG's anymore either as my tastes have migrated elsewhere but I still respect the ones that feel like they have a vision. I don't feel like Final Fantasy has a vision anymore. It feels like this very cynical and half-hearted attempt to appeal to westerners. I feel roughly the same about the Resident Evil series now.

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #27 on:** January 20, 2013, 02:54:54 AM »

I think that there's something missing that made jrpgs fun/charming/whatever on next gen hardware. The last non-handheld jrpg that I would rate as "very good" or better is P4... most of the stuff that I've enjoyed in the past 5 years or so has been on handhelds.

benjipwns · « **Reply #28 on:** January 20, 2013, 03:07:03 AM »

Another developer who didn't lead with the Wii at their own peril.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #29 on:** January 20, 2013, 03:11:32 AM »

Quote from: Creepy Old Guy on January 20, 2013, 02:54:54 AM

I think that there's something missing that made jrpgs fun/charming/whatever on next gen hardware.

That's what I think, too, could just be nostalgia talking, though.

Damian79 · « **Reply #30 on:** January 20, 2013, 03:20:47 AM »

It is called the "jank". IMO even Star Ocean was better than FF games this gen because of the jank but they went overboard with it. FF13 was to serious.

Damian79 · « **Reply #31 on:** January 20, 2013, 03:34:42 AM »

I just made that word up. No such think as jank on its own.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #32 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:10:49 AM »

13 was a great RPG. someone's blinded by dumbfucking nostalgia.

Damian79 · « **Reply #33 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:25:24 AM »

My probelm with FF13 is that it takes itself way too seriously when it shoudlnt.

Seriously how can you take that seriously looking at that?

Olivia Wilde Homo · « **Reply #34 on:** January 20, 2013, 04:26:15 AM »

That feel when you realize you're getting older and are now outside the target demographic of most games

Diunx · « **Reply #35 on:** January 20, 2013, 08:46:14 AM »

Quote from: MCD on January 20, 2013, 12:21:31 AM

Dead = Suikoden.

archie4208 · « **Reply #36 on:** January 20, 2013, 08:58:20 AM »

Quote from: The Experiment on January 20, 2013, 04:26:15 AM

That feel when you realize you're getting older and are now outside the target demographic of most games

That feel when you realize you're getting older and appreciate games you couldn't in the past.

tiesto · « **Reply #37 on:** January 20, 2013, 10:43:46 AM »

There are plenty of RPGs I've enjoyed this gen that felt like they had the 'charm' of previous gens - Xenoblade, Resonance of Fate, TWEWY, Tits, the DQ remakes, Vesperia, Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey... just that the FF series has been very very weak lately, like Stony said, with no clear vision at all. From everything I've seen and heard, Bravely Default looks awesome and sounds totally like my type of game, so it's clear that SE hasn't completely lost it.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I'm still gonna get and play through Lightning Returns though

[close]

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #38 on:** January 20, 2013, 11:24:24 AM »

Quote from: Formerly Known As Himuro on January 20, 2013, 12:11:12 AM

For those looking for a proper funeral, you can do no better than Theatrhythm for the 3ds. Uematsu said it made him cry. It will make you cry as well.

so how does Theatrhythm manage to evoke the feelings and emotional reactions that the mainline series is constantly fishing for but never catches?

Trent Dole · « **Reply #39 on:** January 20, 2013, 11:24:53 AM »

Yeah, RPGs aren't dead, it's just that what was the eastern flagship for them in the west has been kinda shit lately.

Momo · « **Reply #40 on:** January 20, 2013, 11:41:32 AM »

Well I feel Final Fantasy have been getting poo since PSX with rare sparks inbetween. Playing Star Ocean on mute while not giving a single fuck about the story is great too

Cerveza mas fina · « **Reply #41 on:** January 20, 2013, 11:52:31 AM »

FFX, FFXI and FFXII were still really good.

Just this gen they fucked up completely with XIII and XIV being dogshit.

Maybe they can comeback next gen but it will be tough, two shit games in a row... basicly 10 years without a good final fantasy

Momo · « **Reply #42 on:** January 20, 2013, 11:53:52 AM »

Quote from: Premium Lager on January 20, 2013, 11:52:31 AM

FFX, FFXI and FFXII were still really good.

Just this gen they fucked up completely with XIII and XIV being dogshit.

I agree with X, but I cannot agree with XII

EDIT: Didnt notice your edit. will rather not mention FFXI since no one really cares

Momo · « **Reply #43 on:** January 20, 2013, 11:55:33 AM »

Dammit stop editing

Cerveza mas fina · « **Reply #44 on:** January 20, 2013, 11:58:15 AM »

Think what you want about FFXI but it was really popular and a solid mmo. Ive put at least 100 hours into it before I decided it was too hardcore. Sure its only mainline in name and number, but such a quality product.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #45 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:03:41 PM »

Square can only blame themselves for hitching to the wrong horse. FF13 could have came out much sooner if they had just gone multiplatform right from the start and not tried to do something special on the complicated PS3. By the time FF13 dropped, hype had died down and hardcore fans' expectations were much higher because of the long wait.

maxy · « **Reply #46 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:04:12 PM »

Road has made some nice Japan charts

Quote

Final Fantasy X sales (3 million) = 100%.
Final Fantasy X-2 sales (2.3 million) = 2.3/3 = 77%.
That indicates 77% of the FFX buyers came back for FFX-2.

People were really pleased with FF13

spoiler (click to show/hide)

not

[close]

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #47 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:05:11 PM »

Quote

The results for Japan’s female character vote is now in.

Much like the earlier male character poll which saw Zack (FFVII) as the over all winner, the fight for the top appears to have been fierce. Lightning came in at #1, just narrowly beating out Aerith after taking what was seemingly an early runaway lead. Aerith and Yuna, however, were fighting for the top spot from the very beginning and lost out to Lightning by only two votes.

46 character names in total were posted by fans and the results – although not as detailed as the previous poll – reflect a general opinion of Japan’s Final Fantasy Forum using fans.

Those with duplicate rankings held the same amount of votes, and are thus counted as a tied ranking. Check out the full compiled list below. Note that not all 46 names are represented here, as characters with too few votes are not represented.

1. Lightning (FFXIII)
2. Aerith (FFVII)
3. Yuna (FFX)
4. Tifa (FFVII)
5. Celes (FFVI)
6. Tina (FFVI)
7. Serah (FFXIII)
8. Garnet (FFIX)
8. Faris (FFV)
10. Rinoa (FFVIII)
10. Rydia (FFIV)
12. Selphie (FFVIII)
13. Rikku (FFX)
14. Beatrix (FFIX)
14. Yuffie (FFVII)
16. Ashe (FFXII)
17. Rosa (FFIV)
17. Eiko (FFIX)
17. Agrias (FFT)

Momo · « **Reply #48 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:06:27 PM »

Quote from: Premium Lager on January 20, 2013, 11:58:15 AM

Think what you want about FFXI but it was really popular and a solid mmo. Ive put at least 100 hours into it before I decided it was too hardcore. Sure its only mainline in name and number, but such a quality product.

nah, i like XI. Just weird discussing it in this thread as that and XIV has always been its own thing.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #49 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:33:28 PM »

Quote from: Oscar the Grouch on January 20, 2013, 04:05:22 AM

Voice acting really hurt JRPGs for me. For some reason, reading the shitty dialogue was okay, but hearing it out loud? Blah.

That, and "realistic" 3D animu characters.

2D sprites. No voice acting. I can handle all that just fine!

tiesto · « **Reply #50 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:41:04 PM »

Quote from: Smooth Groove on January 20, 2013, 12:03:41 PM

Square can only blame themselves for hitching to the wrong horse. FF13 could have came out much sooner if they had just gone multiplatform right from the start and not tried to do something special on the complicated PS3. By the time FF13 dropped, hype had died down and hardcore fans' expectations were much higher because of the long wait.

I don't think hitching themselves to the PS3 early on was the problem. Development was fucked from the get-go, large teams with little communication and no clear-cut vision for the game. It wasn't until the small demo of FFXIII included with Advent Children that they even bothered with a vertical slice (this was ~1 year before its release), before that it was just a bunch of concepts and tons-upon-tons of art assets. There's a story of a guy spending a few months drawing a rock texture just because there was no direction from management.

FFXIII-2 seemed like it was made as a checklist of all complaints with XIII, so part of it feels very cynical... even if I had more fun playing through it than the last few FF games.

Cerveza mas fina · « **Reply #51 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:45:14 PM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on January 20, 2013, 12:33:28 PM

Quote from: Oscar the Grouch on January 20, 2013, 04:05:22 AM
Voice acting really hurt JRPGs for me. For some reason, reading the shitty dialogue was okay, but hearing it out loud? Blah.

That, and "realistic" 3D animu characters.

2D sprites. No voice acting. I can handle all that just fine!

This is an issue for me too.

As long as everything was small and blurry like on the PSX I didn't have to look at animu characters.

Positive Touch · « **Reply #52 on:** January 20, 2013, 12:55:19 PM »

people have been saying that the current gen's FF games suck since the ps1 days, yet the series still sells shitloads. i dont like some of the current games, but obviously there are plenty of people who do, so the brand is hardly dead or lost. i think the real problem is that the company's management has always felt fucked since all the back to the square & enix merger. poor communication with medai, (seemingly) sharing of assets, unchecked crazy dev time, bad brand management, etc. they still put out good games, they still have strong sales, but their footing has seemed off for a long time now.

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #53 on:** January 20, 2013, 01:16:28 PM »

I forgot about Tales of Vesperia. That's a really solid, good jrpg too.

Tasty · « **Reply #54 on:** January 20, 2013, 03:11:07 PM »

Why the hell can't Square just make a proper Crystal Chronicles sequel before they die.

Fricking Kawazu.

Robo · « **Reply #55 on:** January 20, 2013, 03:37:27 PM »

Make a Tactics game that isn't for babbies, please.

Positive Touch · « **Reply #56 on:** January 20, 2013, 05:44:28 PM »

MAKE A NEW CHRONO TRIGGER SQUARE COME ON

Tasty · « **Reply #57 on:** January 20, 2013, 05:58:02 PM »

Quote from: Positive Touch on January 20, 2013, 05:44:28 PM

MAKE A NEW CHRONO TRIGGER SQUARE COME ON

It'd suck, be on iOS, and have microtransactions out the ass anyways. If you still want it, sure, ask Square for it.

SantaC · « **Reply #58 on:** January 20, 2013, 06:05:34 PM »

why does himuro get a free pass.

When I make a thread like this, everyone comes in and say oh look it is a SantaC thread

oh and kotaku is beyond terrible.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #59 on:** January 20, 2013, 06:06:23 PM »

himu gets anything but a free pass.

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Author Topic: It's time to face it: Final Fantasy is dead, let's pour a 40 (Read 6063 times)