Fabulous Final Fantasy Franchise Discussion Catch-all

God, never read the comments, what is wrong with me? Every mention of FFXV on a mainstream site unleashes a torrent of complaints from people who hated the game.

Well, I've shamelessly said here that I love it (even though I understand it is imperfect and isn't for everyone) and I'm really bummed about this news.

On the other hand, the true "completion" of new content for the game will be the perfect excuse to run through it a third time next year. (Or is it fourth? Thanks to Chapter Select I've kind of lost count.)

Looking forward to seeing progress on FF16 and the FF7 remake, though. Long live the weird crazy franchise that has brought me so much joy.

Speaking of games that everyone hates, the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy is now backward compatible on Xbox One with enhancements for Xbox One X. XIII-2 and Lightning Returns both now run at 4K on Xbox One X; XIII has unspecified enhancements, but it looks like 1080p, smoother framerate, and texture filtering. I played Lightning Returns briefly last night and it looks gorgeous in 4K. I'd still love a remastered release of the trilogy on the Switch, but I'm happy to be able to play enhanced versions of the 360 releases.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Speaking of games that everyone hates, the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy is now backward compatible on Xbox One with enhancements for Xbox One X.

I've seen this posted like three or four times over the past week and every time I read the first half I feel excited, only to be let down when it's not an HD-trilogy box set/port.

Why do you lift me up just to let me down?

beeporama wrote:

God, never read the comments, what is wrong with me? Every mention of FFXV on a mainstream site unleashes a torrent of complaints from people who hated the game.

Well, I've shamelessly said here that I love it (even though I understand it is imperfect and isn't for everyone) and I'm really bummed about this news.

On the other hand, the true "completion" of new content for the game will be the perfect excuse to run through it a third time next year. (Or is it fourth? Thanks to Chapter Select I've kind of lost count.)

Looking forward to seeing progress on FF16 and the FF7 remake, though. Long live the weird crazy franchise that has brought me so much joy.

Emotions run so high with FFXV, I've been finding. I really enjoyed the game but cannot help but call it an incomplete mess, and no matter how many chapters they add (Ardun is now the last so dunno about any "true completion") you're never going to "fix" FFXV. The only way to "fix" it is to go back in time and manipulate events so that Square never does Brotherhood or Kingsglaive and keeps all the relevant information in the game as it develops for another year or two.

An impossible task given the game's already lengthy development time, and there are still people that believe Square-Enix's claim that "it was profitable on day one". Heh... yeah, I'm sure a clever enough accountant can rearrange the name of its development costs in such a fashion that it "technically" didn't start until Tabata took over, but come on. There's no way that game sold enough units on day one to make a profit when so many other games with less tumultuous development cycles were "disappointing". Square Enix was just putting as pretty a bow on a disaster for investors and fans as they could.

I have no clue what's happening with FFXVI, or how Square is going to conduct project management from here on. I have a feeling, though, that they'll be a bit more careful with their announcements going forward.

beeporama wrote:

God, never read the comments, what is wrong with me? Every mention of FFXV on a mainstream site unleashes a torrent of complaints from people who hated the game.

Well, I've shamelessly said here that I love it (even though I understand it is imperfect and isn't for everyone) and I'm really bummed about this news.

On the other hand, the true "completion" of new content for the game will be the perfect excuse to run through it a third time next year. (Or is it fourth? Thanks to Chapter Select I've kind of lost count.)

Looking forward to seeing progress on FF16 and the FF7 remake, though. Long live the weird crazy franchise that has brought me so much joy.

I'm a firm believer that internet comments can lead to all sorts of cancer.

I'm with you there with the love. I actually really liked FFXV, though I haven't touched it since my original playthrough. I sold my physical copy soon after, once my daughter had had her time with it and moved on to another game. I've been waiting for the entire suite of DLC to be released - which now, for better or for worse, is done - in order to pick up a discounted complete digital package thereof and have a second go at it.

Given the shift in S-E's internal structure, I wonder if we will actually see the FFVII remake come to fruition in any way, shape or form, despite the hints at possible additions of the original game's post-release peripheral content to the remake. As for FFXVI, it seems too far off for me to even consider it for more than a minute.

Hopefully, S-E will pull through whatever it is that's going one over there and we'll all get to experience the remake so many fans have been wishing for since the PS3 tech demo planted that seed in our collective consciousness.

brokenclavicle wrote:

Hopefully, S-E will pull through whatever it is that's going one over there and we'll all get to experience the remake so many fans have been wishing for since the PS3 tech demo planted that seed in our collective consciousness.

You won't, and largely because Square Enix cannot ever, ever develop a game that could appease whatever comes from that collective consciousness. If FFVII played precisely the same as it did back on the PlayStation, it would disappoint. Now that they're changing it, we know it'll disappoint. Minor changes in character designs will be met with disappointment. Choice of voice actors will disappoint. Change in dialogue will disappoint. Gratuitous additions to lore from Crisis Core, Dirge of Cerberus, and Advent Children will disappoint.

The only thing more disappointing is the knowledge that the FFVII remake means no official and improved retranslation of the original game will occur, which is really all I want out of it.

Despite how close to my heart I hold FFVII, I am apathetic towards this remake. Aspects of the trailers look neat, but I'm just too skeptical because... well, because I guess I'm an old fuddy duddy that sees a remake as pointless. At the same time, I don't think the remake is really for me anyway, so those that look forward to it are welcome to do so.

I'd just caution to keep your hype at a controlled level. This isn't going to be the FFVII you've always dreamed about.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Speaking of games that everyone hates, the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy is now backward compatible on Xbox One with enhancements for Xbox One X. XIII-2 and Lightning Returns both now run at 4K on Xbox One X; XIII has unspecified enhancements, but it looks like 1080p, smoother framerate, and texture filtering. I played Lightning Returns briefly last night and it looks gorgeous in 4K. I'd still love a remastered release of the trilogy on the Switch, but I'm happy to be able to play enhanced versions of the 360 releases.

That game aged in my head so well. I wish I had the time to revisit it. Actually, I kinda wish I had time to revisit the whole trilogy. I never did play the second game.

ccesarano wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

Speaking of games that everyone hates, the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy is now backward compatible on Xbox One with enhancements for Xbox One X.

I've seen this posted like three or four times over the past week and every time I read the first half I feel excited, only to be let down when it's not an HD-trilogy box set/port.

Why do you lift me up just to let me down?

This basically is a remastered trilogy, it's just an Xbox One exclusive.

ccesarano wrote:

You won't, and largely because Square Enix cannot ever, ever develop a game that could appease whatever comes from that collective consciousness. If FFVII played precisely the same as it did back on the PlayStation, it would disappoint. Now that they're changing it, we know it'll disappoint. Minor changes in character designs will be met with disappointment. Choice of voice actors will disappoint. Change in dialogue will disappoint. Gratuitous additions to lore from Crisis Core, Dirge of Cerberus, and Advent Children will disappoint.

Oh, don't misunderstand me; I am in no way expecting anything and am not actually thinking I'll get anything like I might imagine. But I do want to experience whatever it is they release, if they release anything at all. My expectations are quite literally none. There is only the desire to see what is eventually shoved out the chute.

Of course, as you say, someone, if not most everyone, will end up disappointed, but that's inevitable given the nature of the title and all the baggage attached to it.

My dream FFVII remake already exists, in the form of graphical-overhaul mods for the Steam version that make it look how it looks in my memory instead of how it looks when you actually go back and look at it in 2018, while still playing exactly the same.

I hope whatever Squeenix is making winds up servicing someone else's needs, because mine are good, thanks.

I've replayed FF7 twice in recent years. For me, the old graphics and everything still hold up, still make me happy. I actually like the bad translations.

I kind of don't care what they come out with for the remake, I'll probably enjoy it no matter what it is, possibly because my expectations are legitimately non-existent. Also possibly because I haven't played anything since 12.

Personally I hope that nobody lets their nostalgia for the original VII cloud their impression of the remake.

I mean, by the time it gets released (if ever), my boy will probably be in his early teens, which is when I played VII. I want to see him experience it for the first time. FMVs (and lots of them). Shock moment towards the end of Disc 1 (or was it 2? it's been so long); will it move him like it moved me? Will he find every character like I did? Will he find the overpowered blue magic spells? The list goes on.

Anyway, I just think the whole fidelity to original vs enhancement thing a little overdramatic at times. Can't we just enjoy both? With VII you can, since they put it on Steam.

I'll always have the original game. On steam, and ps3 and ps4 and physically along with my Prima guide (RIP). I've also played every major FF since VII and was able to take them for what they were. I'll be good with whatever they drop.

Final Fantasy XIV's next expansion, Shadowbringers, has been announced. Here's a fancy trailer!

I need some help with FF X. I'm about 3-4 hours in, just finished the first Blitzball match, and I think I hate it. The story is choppy, the cutscenes are nicely rendered but stiff as hell, and Tidus is just not somebody i want to spend time with. I like the sphere and combat systems well enough, and the live-swapping of characters feels good, but i usually like to like the characters when i play JRPGs. Does it get better? And if not, would skipping to X-2 be worth trying?

Tidus does not get better. I found him a little annoying but not enough to not play. If you hate him, I don't think your opinion will change much.

You haven't even gotten to the laughing scene yet....

It gets a bit better once the story opens up a bit more, but not a ton. Blitzball is far better once you get a couple good people on your team, but it's still an acquired taste.

X-2 is an entirely different game. I'd give it a shot if you like the aesthetic of the original.

FF games are supposed to have a mopey douchebag as the hero, so no, Tidus doesn't get any less insufferable, ya?

I liked Tidus. I was a lot younger when I played FFX though. I never "completed" the game although I did finish it. The whole finding bits of the language thing was a little annoying for a noncompletionist like me. But not as confounding as the blasted terminology in FFXIII which really turned me away. Only got up to the point XIII opened up, too.

tuffalobuffalo wrote:

That game aged in my head so well. I wish I had the time to revisit it. Actually, I kinda wish I had time to revisit the whole trilogy. I never did play the second game.

If it makes you feel any better, the second game is by far the worst of the three. Still good, but not the shining star that 13 and 13.3 were.

Minarchist wrote:
tuffalobuffalo wrote:

That game aged in my head so well. I wish I had the time to revisit it. Actually, I kinda wish I had time to revisit the whole trilogy. I never did play the second game.

If it makes you feel any better, the second game is by far the worst of the three. Still good, but not the shining star that 13 and 13.3 were.

I actually have enjoyed my time with XIII-2 far more than with XIII. I dig the time-travel shenanigans and mechanics. At least, it allows me the opportunity to play with the universe's mechanics from very early on.

brokenclavicle wrote:
Minarchist wrote:
tuffalobuffalo wrote:

That game aged in my head so well. I wish I had the time to revisit it. Actually, I kinda wish I had time to revisit the whole trilogy. I never did play the second game.

If it makes you feel any better, the second game is by far the worst of the three. Still good, but not the shining star that 13 and 13.3 were.

I actually have enjoyed my time with XIII-2 far more than with XIII. I dig the time-travel shenanigans and mechanics. At least, it allows me the opportunity to play with the universe's mechanics from very early on.

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/0OGBsQR.jpg)

Dryden wrote:

I need some help with FF X. I'm about 3-4 hours in, just finished the first Blitzball match, and I think I hate it. The story is choppy, the cutscenes are nicely rendered but stiff as hell, and Tidus is just not somebody i want to spend time with. I like the sphere and combat systems well enough, and the live-swapping of characters feels good, but i usually like to like the characters when i play JRPGs. Does it get better? And if not, would skipping to X-2 be worth trying?

In my opinion, the story gets better, but it takes a long time. You almost need spoilers to appreciate it maybe; at least, I liked it better when I replayed it, and caught more of the subtext. Barring spoilers, it might help if you think of Yuna as the main character, not Tidus.

For what it's worth, you are expected to lose the first Blitzball match. (It's possible to win with a FAQ, but difficult.) You never need to play it again unless you want to.

As you might know, X-2 is tonally VERY different from X, and spoils the heck out of it.

I know this gives you no clear answers, but I hope it helps? I guess I would suggest sticking with it to see how you feel about the other characters, but don't dump too much time in it, as Tidus does not change enormously?

You can safely ignore all of the Blitzball after that first tournament, unless you want to go after optional content, ultimate weapons, etc.

Agreed that the story is really about Yuna, but it's hard to say why without spoiling.

I found the setting beautiful, and the circumstances of the world compelling to dig into. If you don't enjoy those aspects, feel free to move on.

I find that most of the Final Fantasy games are better with spoilers. There are usually some nice character moments and interactions that make sense in retrospect, but the first time through, when you don't know the game's Big Secret, most of it just comes across as the writers waving their hands at you and going, "WoOoOoOo! BiG SeCrEeEeEt!"

I liked the reveal for FFX's big secret because it wasn't a big secret. Almost nobody believed that Tidus was from another world and the ones that did would tend to forget in little ways and become annoyed that they had to explain sh*t (I'm looking at you Lulu).

Nomura tweeted that Kingdom Hearts 3 is finished. I'm not sure whether to believe him. I'm still mourning the loss of Episodes Noctis, Aranea, and Luna.

With all this talk about FFX the completionist just did a big episode on it.

https://youtu.be/RLB82RvGOZI

I'm deciding if I want to pick this up on a steam or psn sale to go through it again. I haven't played it in 17 years....and now I feel old.

Yoreel wrote:

With all this talk about FFX the completionist just did a big episode on it.

https://youtu.be/RLB82RvGOZI

I'm deciding if I want to pick this up on a steam or psn sale to go through it again. I haven't played it in 17 years....and now I feel old.

That episode actually made me want to buy it for PS4... but that'll come later... much later.

Grenn wrote:

I liked the reveal for FFX's big secret because it wasn't a big secret. Almost nobody believed that Tidus was from another world and the ones that did would tend to forget in little ways and become annoyed that they had to explain sh*t (I'm looking at you Lulu).

It's not the "big secret" that made the story impact to me, it's (might as well mention it and get into my Feels):

Spoiler:

Everybody on this trip, including Yuna, expect it to end with her dying. Every moment is more poignant with the knowledge it's the last/only time she'll be in these places. Tidus being a giant dork is way more forgivable because he is giving her some final chances to put aside the burden she carries and enjoy... anything.

If you've ever known anyone with a terminal illness, this might be super relatable. It was for me, at least. Anything that could make them laugh or enjoy themselves or forget their illness is a blessing. Every trip, every holiday, is seen through the lens of it being the last one.

If you are aware of the existence of X-2, you know there are twists I haven't spoiled here... but once you know about the fatalism of the trip, it can really stick the knife in your gut. Or, at least, it did for me.

That's the kind of thing I'm talking about. Or an example from 13:

Spoiler:

Knowing ahead of time that Fang and Vanille are from Pulse in the distant past, and are largely responsible for everything that's happening, puts a lot of Vanille's behavior early in the game into an entirely different context. Without that knowledge, she reads like a silly airhead. With that knowledge, you can see how she's consistently trying to manipulate the situation to get back home.