final fantasy 7 for the next gen

What is the point in remaking the game if you can already play it? What is the point in updating a decade old game to modern standards? Why not just make something new and exciting instead of something we have already seen?foxhound_fox

At this point Final Fantasy 7 is pretty hard to find unless you ebay it and also there are enough fans that want a remake that it would certainly be worth looking at from a financial perspective. I think Final Fantasy 7 is completely overrated in comparison to 6 and 9 but heck the Final Fantasy 7 fans see Final Fantasy 7 as "the perfect game".

At this point Final Fantasy 7 is pretty hard to find unless you ebay it and also there are enough fans that want a remake that it would certainly be worth looking at from a financial perspective. I think Final Fantasy 7 is completely overrated in comparison to 6 and 9 but heck the Final Fantasy 7 fans see Final Fantasy 7 as "the perfect game".Haee

Last rumor about a FFVII remake I read was that SE is trying to get EVERYONE from the original project together for a possible remake. Nothing set in stone however...bjrossiter

I don't think that would be very necessary. Just port the game directly in the new graphic engine. Add voice overs but have the option of turning them off.

[QUOTE="Haee"]At this point Final Fantasy 7 is pretty hard to find unless you ebay it and also there are enough fans that want a remake that it would certainly be worth looking at from a financial perspective. I think Final Fantasy 7 is completely overrated in comparison to 6 and 9 but heck the Final Fantasy 7 fans see Final Fantasy 7 as "the perfect game".foxhound_fox

Shhh... Don't speak rationally! Final Fantasy 7 fans won't understand!

Really though, it doesn't make sense from my perspective. I still have my copy of the game and it is totally playable. If I ever wanted to replay it (and I don't) all I have to do is put the game back in. It is still the game I remember, and there isn't anything in it that makes it dated or unplayable unless you really hate reading. Also, in a game where the main enjoyment comes from a battle system not dependent on technology and a plot that, once again, is not dependent on technology, a remake is pointless. It would be the same game, but with a better presentation.

However, from a financial perspective, Square would be stupid not to make it. They could put dead puppy meat into a PS3 game case, charge $70, and get millions of sales before anybody even caught on. Really, the fanbase will buy anything with Final Fantasy 7 on the box, and it is that attitude that has doomed all the spin-offs to suckdom.

[QUOTE="Haee"]At this point Final Fantasy 7 is pretty hard to find unless you ebay it and also there are enough fans that want a remake that it would certainly be worth looking at from a financial perspective. I think Final Fantasy 7 is completely overrated in comparison to 6 and 9 but heck the Final Fantasy 7 fans see Final Fantasy 7 as "the perfect game".foxhound_fox

wow im surprised it got this many responses i wasnt expecting to get any. but with what HAZE-Unit said about xenogears i remember i played a demo of that game and was hooked but i could never find it in stores or on ebay i was so pissed it was the only game iv truly could not wait to have. sad to say though i still have never gotten it :(thebeardof

In that case we have to demand for a remake.

Seriously though, alot of people are forgetting some other memorable games, Xenogears is one of them, if you didn't play it, you must get it, it has one of the best stories ever, the gameplay mechanic was unique, I don't know why Square didn't go with this gameplay mechanic with other games?

Anyways, get it and you wouldn't regret it.

A PSN re-release would probably bring them more profits than a remake... considering all they have to do is put the file up and let people pay to download it. I really don't think a remake is necessary, we should just leave past games in the past... because I would bet updating the game would probably show us how bad the game is in comparison to games that have come out recently, specifically, the Shin Megami Tensei games.

Final Fantasy VII introduced a new styIe of story telling, the cinematic, and it did it well. Compared to most other JRPG's it is nothing special though. Just another member of the crowd.foxhound_fox

Considering how much money Square is making by remaking old games, Square will NEVER release their old games on PSN.

And as for FFVII remake being exciting, yes it will be more exciting than new games because new materials so far hasn't been so great especially in FF world after VII.

Heck even before VII FF stories pretty much stunk.

As for comparison, Shin Megami Tensei games vs FFVII, I'd pick FFVII. The old school ATB battle system with unique and fairly well balanced materia system. I think FFVII gameplay stands very strong especially because unlike Shin Megami Tensei series, FFVII did have careful pacing that balances story and gameplay extremely well.

If FFVII never came out before and just came out on DS or something, it would still be considered as one of the best JRPG to be ever released.... except

It just wouldn't have the popularity due to lack of Sony's HUGE advertisment campaign and lack of industry leading graphical presentation.

A PSN re-release would probably bring them more profits than a remake...foxhound_fox

Agreed, though Square will not release their games for services like VC, PSN, or XBL, any such rerelease of FF VII in any form would likely be a slight facelift with some irrelevant extra content, sort of like all of their rereleased games. SE has taken this approach for a reason, its just more profitable.

And as for FFVII remake being exciting, yes it will be more exciting than new games because new materials so far hasn't been so great especially in FF world after VII.

Heck even before VII FF stories pretty much stunk.

As for comparison, Shin Megami Tensei games vs FFVII, I'd pick FFVII. The old school ATB battle system with unique and fairly well balanced materia system. I think FFVII gameplay stands very strong especially because unlike Shin Megami Tensei series, FFVII did have careful pacing that balances story and gameplay extremely well.

TriangleHard

Surely you jest. Nothing has been so great post-FF VII? We'll have to agree to disagree om that. FF games only got better after VII, IMO.

How exactly did you feel FF VII was well paced in terms of gameplay, I'm curious about your opinion on that.

[QUOTE="TriangleHard"]

And as for FFVII remake being exciting, yes it will be more exciting than new games because new materials so far hasn't been so great especially in FF world after VII.

Heck even before VII FF stories pretty much stunk.

As for comparison, Shin Megami Tensei games vs FFVII, I'd pick FFVII. The old school ATB battle system with unique and fairly well balanced materia system. I think FFVII gameplay stands very strong especially because unlike Shin Megami Tensei series, FFVII did have careful pacing that balances story and gameplay extremely well.

MarcusAntonius

Surely you jest. Nothing has been so great post-FF VII? We'll have to agree to disagree om that. FF games only got better after VII, IMO.

How exactly did you feel FF VII was well paced in terms of gameplay, I'm curious about your opinion on that.

I give credit to FFVII for pacing because the size of dungeons, the cut scene length, the mixture of different gameplay and mini-games, the cinematic story sequence mixed in the middle of exploration, etc etc etc.

Unlike many RPGs, I never wandered in dungeons in FFVII without having story cut off from the game. Also FFVII didn't have extended story sequence without some kind of gameplay element whether it is exploration or battle. The mixture of having player into the story and not disconnecting them from gameplay is to me a perfect pacing. I was always interested in FFVII story due to that pacing and I never felt like I'm not playing a game because gameplay sequence would follow right away, and FFVII mix things up constantly so you won't feel like you are just stuck doing repetitive things by use of mini-games and change of scenary.

Only pacing problem FFVII had was those long long summon sequence. Other than that, the pacing was quite perfect.

As for story, I guess that is subjective so yea let's agree to disagree. Personally I do find FF stories to be lacking except for VII.

What is the point in remaking the game if you can already play it? What is the point in updating a decade old game to modern standards? Why not just make something new and exciting instead of something we have already seen?foxhound_fox

Because it's still better than most of today's games, and the game was ahead of it's time and would benefit drastically from a next gen facelift. Besides, the game is very hard to find now, post Advent Children the remaining copies were the victim of a buying frenzy.

Because it's still better than most of today's gamesVegetaJr

Are you sure it isnt your nostalgia thats getting the better of you? I think that there are ALOT of JRPGS that makes Final Fantasy 7 feel archaic in comparison.

Final Fantasy VII REMAKE!! AAARRGHH----It's about time that Square Enix stops with the FFVII overkill and make more original games for once!!!!

Because it's still better than most of today's games, and the game was ahead of it's time and would benefit drastically from a next gen facelift. Besides, the game is very hard to find now, post Advent Children the remaining copies were the victim of a buying frenzy. VegetaJr

[QUOTE="MarcusAntonius"][QUOTE="TriangleHard"]

And as for FFVII remake being exciting, yes it will be more exciting than new games because new materials so far hasn't been so great especially in FF world after VII.

Heck even before VII FF stories pretty much stunk.

As for comparison, Shin Megami Tensei games vs FFVII, I'd pick FFVII. The old school ATB battle system with unique and fairly well balanced materia system. I think FFVII gameplay stands very strong especially because unlike Shin Megami Tensei series, FFVII did have careful pacing that balances story and gameplay extremely well.

TriangleHard

Surely you jest. Nothing has been so great post-FF VII? We'll have to agree to disagree om that. FF games only got better after VII, IMO.

How exactly did you feel FF VII was well paced in terms of gameplay, I'm curious about your opinion on that.

I give credit to FFVII for pacing because the size of dungeons, the cut scene length, the mixture of different gameplay and mini-games, the cinematic story sequence mixed in the middle of exploration, etc etc etc.

Unlike many RPGs, I never wandered in dungeons in FFVII without having story cut off from the game. Also FFVII didn't have extended story sequence without some kind of gameplay element whether it is exploration or battle. The mixture of having player into the story and not disconnecting them from gameplay is to me a perfect pacing. I was always interested in FFVII story due to that pacing and I never felt like I'm not playing a game because gameplay sequence would follow right away, and FFVII mix things up constantly so you won't feel like you are just stuck doing repetitive things by use of mini-games and change of scenary.

Only pacing problem FFVII had was those long long summon sequence. Other than that, the pacing was quite perfect.

As for story, I guess that is subjective so yea let's agree to disagree. Personally I do find FF stories to be lacking except for VII.

From VI and on, I've believed that Square has done a pretty decent job with dungeon levels, so I would agree with you on that aspect of VII. However, the gameplay just didn't do much for me, after having played VI, I had expected so much more.

As for the story, no FF story has really been much of an issue for me nor have I made it an issue having long been resigned to the fact that I'm going to be handed a textbook of RPG cliches, though FF X surprisingly broke from a lot of that, too bad the game was so oppressively linear.

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]What is the point in remaking the game if you can already play it? What is the point in updating a decade old game to modern standards? Why not just make something new and exciting instead of something we have already seen?VegetaJr

Because it's still better than most of today's games, and the game was ahead of it's time and would benefit drastically from a next gen facelift. Besides, the game is very hard to find now, post Advent Children the remaining copies were the victim of a buying frenzy.

I couldn't disagree more with that statement. FF VII was absolutely NOT ahead of its time. In fact, it was a step backward in some respects, most noteably, gameplay. The materia system was just a clunky version of the Espers from VI, IMO.

Still better than most of today's games? I won't harass you over your own personal tastes in gaming, but that is a really bold statement you've tossed out there.

I couldn't disagree more with that statement. FF VII was absolutely NOT ahead of its time. In fact, it was a step backward in some respects, most noteably, gameplay. The materia system was just a clunky version of the Espers from VI, IMO.

Still better than most of today's games? I won't harass you over your own personal tastes in gaming, but that is a really bold statement you've tossed out there.

MarcusAntonius

Amen. Really saying the materia system was ahead of it's time is silly. Like you said Materia was a heck of a lot like Espers from FFVI, and to be honest besides the fact materia gave you skills it is not very different from FF2's system. For those of you who have not played FF2 you equip magic and weapons and increase your stats by using them (for example using "Fire 1" constantly will increase your MP and the level of the fire spell). Materia was nothing groundbreaking or ahead of its time in the least.

Course all that may sound like hate, but I like FF7. Not enough to warrent wanting a remake, but I still like it. What I want to see if a majorly redone FF1 for DS like FF3 with the "easy" difficulty returning from the PS remake (which was not really "easy" btw, they should of named that differently) and actual characters that you can get attached to like FF3 tried to do.

[QUOTE="VegetaJr"]

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]What is the point in remaking the game if you can already play it? What is the point in updating a decade old game to modern standards? Why not just make something new and exciting instead of something we have already seen?MarcusAntonius

Because it's still better than most of today's games, and the game was ahead of it's time and would benefit drastically from a next gen facelift. Besides, the game is very hard to find now, post Advent Children the remaining copies were the victim of a buying frenzy.

I couldn't disagree more with that statement. FF VII was absolutely NOT ahead of its time. In fact, it was a step backward in some respects, most noteably, gameplay. The materia system was just a clunky version of the Espers from VI, IMO.

Still better than most of today's games? I won't harass you over your own personal tastes in gaming, but that is a really bold statement you've tossed out there.

You are stretching it a bit.

Materia system was nothing like Esper system. Materia system was unique as it is bounded to equipments and you need to equip them to use whatever skills materia had. Also materia system allowed you characters to be flexible for you to adjust how you like, so any character can be very effective as long as you mix materia very well.

Not only that, materia's gave "birth". I've never seen aynthing like that before.

Also junctioning materias with support materia cause many unique results which haven't been seen before. It made you experiment. Esper system restricts you from being too creative due to stats bonus.

To me, FFVII wasn't about the graphics or the gameplay. Sure it was fun, and it was the first Final Fantasy game to feature 3D characters and pre-rendered 3D backgrounds, but that wasn't what made the game great. Those two things were good at the time, but they didn't make FFVII for me.

What made the game was the story and setting. All of the Final Fantasies that have come since then have taken a turn towards brighter, more optimistic, more fantasy oriented settings. Seven had this really deep, dark tone to the setting - something that all of the following games have drifted away from. The technology level was far ahead of all the others, and dealt with more modern ideas, like oppresive megacorporations and how our need for technology and power is sucking the world dry of its lifeforce. It had an element of cyber-punk near-future dystopia that was not, and has not been featured in any other Final Fantasy games, which made it a much more "mature" game then all the others.

On topic though, I'd like to see a remake. I haven't gotten the same feeling from any of the follow-ups. However, everything would need to be the same - same battle system, same exact dialog, same everything. All they should need to do is update the graphics. I'd buy it.

On topic though, I'd like to see a remake. I haven't gotten the same feeling from any of the follow-ups. However, everything would need to be the same - same battle system, same exact dialog, same everything. All they should need to do is update the graphics. I'd buy it.SentientGames

No voice acting? I actually liked the voices used in the english advent children and if a remake did happen would like for all those voices to be in it too personally.

The FMVs were ahead of their time not materia system. It was rather furstrating imo.

When FFVII came out there was nothing like it. Gameplay wise sure maybe it wasn't as advanced as other FF games but the presentation, graphics, and just the sheer epicness of it all was incredible.

dvader654

And that's fine, really. As far as nothing like it goes, sure, but only because it was the first high-profile RPG to be released in the 32-bit age, and that's all. VIII had a lot more of that breathtaking impact on me than VII ever did. I've always believed that VIII was what VII should have been.

The FMVs were ahead of their time not materia system. It was rather furstrating imo.

gamingqueen

Yep, the most notable things it did all relate to presentation. If it wasn't for that, it could have easily been done on a Super Nintendo without making any sacrifices to the actual game. That's not a bad thing at all, but to act like FF7 pushed RPGs forward in any way but through FMVs and pre-rendered graphics is being generous.

Also, I understand I'm in the minority here, but here is how my thinking went when I first played the game way back!
1. ZOMG this game looks amazing!
2. Wait, why can't I move the camera?
3. Huh, why does everybody have cubes for hands?

[QUOTE="MarcusAntonius"][QUOTE="VegetaJr"]

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]What is the point in remaking the game if you can already play it? What is the point in updating a decade old game to modern standards? Why not just make something new and exciting instead of something we have already seen?TriangleHard

Because it's still better than most of today's games, and the game was ahead of it's time and would benefit drastically from a next gen facelift. Besides, the game is very hard to find now, post Advent Children the remaining copies were the victim of a buying frenzy.

I couldn't disagree more with that statement. FF VII was absolutely NOT ahead of its time. In fact, it was a step backward in some respects, most noteably, gameplay. The materia system was just a clunky version of the Espers from VI, IMO.

Still better than most of today's games? I won't harass you over your own personal tastes in gaming, but that is a really bold statement you've tossed out there.

You are stretching it a bit.

Materia system was nothing like Esper system. Materia system was unique as it is bounded to equipments and you need to equip them to use whatever skills materia had. Also materia system allowed you characters to be flexible for you to adjust how you like, so any character can be very effective as long as you mix materia very well.

Not only that, materia's gave "birth". I've never seen aynthing like that before.

Also junctioning materias with support materia cause many unique results which haven't been seen before. It made you experiment. Esper system restricts you from being too creative due to stats bonus.

I get all that, but it just seemed bloated and an artifical way of lengthening gameplay, IMO. I actually preferred the junction system in VIII more.

[QUOTE="SentientGames"]On topic though, I'd like to see a remake. I haven't gotten the same feeling from any of the follow-ups. However, everything would need to be the same - same battle system, same exact dialog, same everything. All they should need to do is update the graphics. I'd buy it.zoradude

No voice acting? I actually liked the voices used in the english advent children and if a remake did happen would like for all those voices to be in it too personally.

Yeah, I suppose voice acting would be good too, just as long as the actors are quality. The actors from Advent Children were good.

[QUOTE="zoradude"]

[QUOTE="SentientGames"]On topic though, I'd like to see a remake. I haven't gotten the same feeling from any of the follow-ups. However, everything would need to be the same - same battle system, same exact dialog, same everything. All they should need to do is update the graphics. I'd buy it.SentientGames

No voice acting? I actually liked the voices used in the english advent children and if a remake did happen would like for all those voices to be in it too personally.

Yeah, I suppose voice acting would be good too, just as long as the actors are quality. The actors from Advent Children were good.

I love voice acting as of FF12, it can greatly change how I view a character. Love Balthier

I get all that, but it just seemed bloated and an artifical way of lengthening gameplay, IMO. I actually preferred the junction system in VIII more.

MarcusAntonius

How did materia system lengthen the gameplay? I never had to stop to level in FFVII whether it was materia or characters. Just use materia and it levels up nicely as you progress through the game. FFVII never forced you to grind.

On the other hand, junction system REALLY made you waste your time. You had to waste your time finding enemies and draw the darn magic. Not only that, it discouraged you to use the magics you earned due to stat bonus. Junction system to me is one of the worst magic system I've seen other than sphere grid system in FFX.

Also junction system was broken system because you can always summon your GF for massive damage without costing MP or anything. Indefinite use to summons just broke the game.

FFVI also made you waste your time grinding especially because of Espers and their stats boost. If you ignore the stat boost and just use whatever Espers you like to either learn magic or you use summon, chances are you would get rather broken character that doesn't justify their levels. The system itself discouraged me from progressing the game normally as I happend to be more anal than most people out there and happens to be perfectionist when it comes to RPGs (at least I used to be when I was younger and had more free time) and often made myself run away most of the early battles until you can get +2 magic stats boost so I can make super Terra before moving on with the story.

FFVI was grind-tastic as many of the stuff required you to do mindless repetitive actions like uncursing cursed shield, learning Esper magic, stat bonus etc.

I ended up spending equal time grinding as much I progressed. FFVI also discouraged players from progressing because enemies were often out of your level reach especially when you get to world of ruins.

FFVII never discouarged you from leveling. There was no draw back. It also didn't force you to grind because you would be appropriate level if you just progress the game normally. The amount of gil was never too little or too much, the materias would grow appropriate rate, and you would gain new materias at right place at the right time.

Such is reason why FFVII to me is a game that comes close to perfection. It never failed to entertain me either with story or with gameplay. The materia system was always fun to use and with limit break, you always had something to play with. Also getting new equipment had plus and negatives so you wouldn't always be rush to buy new weapons because you want to know how it will effect your materias. All this while nothing being complicated. It was easy to pick up and use without punishing you for tinkering with it. Other than job system, I consider materia system the best magic system created in FF series.

the cinematic presentation is what really pushed FFVII as new era RPGs, but limit breaks and unique magic system was overlooked by many fans. Also since FFVII, not many RPGs have perfect pacing like FFVII and that alone is great accomplishment in my book.

[QUOTE="MarcusAntonius"]

I get all that, but it just seemed bloated and an artifical way of lengthening gameplay, IMO. I actually preferred the junction system in VIII more.

TriangleHard

How did materia system lengthen the gameplay? I never had to stop to level in FFVII whether it was materia or characters. Just use materia and it levels up nicely as you progress through the game. FFVII never forced you to grind.

On the other hand, junction system REALLY made you waste your time. You had to waste your time finding enemies and draw the darn magic. Not only that, it discouraged you to use the magics you earned due to stat bonus. Junction system to me is one of the worst magic system I've seen other than sphere grid system in FFX.

Also junction system was broken system because you can always summon your GF for massive damage without costing MP or anything. Indefinite use to summons just broke the game.

FFVI also made you waste your time grinding especially because of Espers and their stats boost. If you ignore the stat boost and just use whatever Espers you like to either learn magic or you use summon, chances are you would get rather broken character that doesn't justify their levels. The system itself discouraged me from progressing the game normally as I happend to be more anal than most people out there and happens to be perfectionist when it comes to RPGs (at least I used to be when I was younger and had more free time) and often made myself run away most of the early battles until you can get +2 magic stats boost so I can make super Terra before moving on with the story.

FFVI was grind-tastic as many of the stuff required you to do mindless repetitive actions like uncursing cursed shield, learning Esper magic, stat bonus etc.

I ended up spending equal time grinding as much I progressed. FFVI also discouraged players from progressing because enemies were often out of your level reach especially when you get to world of ruins.

FFVII never discouarged you from leveling. There was no draw back. It also didn't force you to grind because you would be appropriate level if you just progress the game normally. The amount of gil was never too little or too much, the materias would grow appropriate rate, and you would gain new materias at right place at the right time.

I wouldn't be so sure that FF VII was so grind free, it had pretty much the same grinding as any other RPG.

The draw/junction system really isn't as drastic as you think, unless you're using up magic until you're bottomed out, it wasn't that much of an issue when I played, especially with the versatility in attacks available.

What I'm failing to understand is your opinion on VI, I didn't encounter any of the troubles that you describe other than the grinding, which was pretty much standard fare for most old-school RPGs, even throughout the 32-bit gen.

[QUOTE="SentientGames"][QUOTE="zoradude"]

[QUOTE="SentientGames"]On topic though, I'd like to see a remake. I haven't gotten the same feeling from any of the follow-ups. However, everything would need to be the same - same battle system, same exact dialog, same everything. All they should need to do is update the graphics. I'd buy it.zoradude

No voice acting? I actually liked the voices used in the english advent children and if a remake did happen would like for all those voices to be in it too personally.

Yeah, I suppose voice acting would be good too, just as long as the actors are quality. The actors from Advent Children were good.

I love voice acting as of FF12, it can greatly change how I view a character. Love Balthier

Finally, another Balthier fan! A lot of people say the cast of FFXII was very weak, but I thought it was the best one since VII. Balthier is probably my favorite FF character ever in the series, he was just so well voiced and animated, and his relationship with Fran was cool to see develop.

Ontopic, FFVII for the next gen just came out. Its called Lost Odyssey.

[QUOTE="TriangleHard"][QUOTE="MarcusAntonius"]

I get all that, but it just seemed bloated and an artifical way of lengthening gameplay, IMO. I actually preferred the junction system in VIII more.

MarcusAntonius

How did materia system lengthen the gameplay? I never had to stop to level in FFVII whether it was materia or characters. Just use materia and it levels up nicely as you progress through the game. FFVII never forced you to grind.

On the other hand, junction system REALLY made you waste your time. You had to waste your time finding enemies and draw the darn magic. Not only that, it discouraged you to use the magics you earned due to stat bonus. Junction system to me is one of the worst magic system I've seen other than sphere grid system in FFX.

Also junction system was broken system because you can always summon your GF for massive damage without costing MP or anything. Indefinite use to summons just broke the game.

FFVI also made you waste your time grinding especially because of Espers and their stats boost. If you ignore the stat boost and just use whatever Espers you like to either learn magic or you use summon, chances are you would get rather broken character that doesn't justify their levels. The system itself discouraged me from progressing the game normally as I happend to be more anal than most people out there and happens to be perfectionist when it comes to RPGs (at least I used to be when I was younger and had more free time) and often made myself run away most of the early battles until you can get +2 magic stats boost so I can make super Terra before moving on with the story.

FFVI was grind-tastic as many of the stuff required you to do mindless repetitive actions like uncursing cursed shield, learning Esper magic, stat bonus etc.

I ended up spending equal time grinding as much I progressed. FFVI also discouraged players from progressing because enemies were often out of your level reach especially when you get to world of ruins.

FFVII never discouarged you from leveling. There was no draw back. It also didn't force you to grind because you would be appropriate level if you just progress the game normally. The amount of gil was never too little or too much, the materias would grow appropriate rate, and you would gain new materias at right place at the right time.

I wouldn't be so sure that FF VII was so grind free, it had pretty much the same grinding as any other RPG.

The draw/junction system really isn't as drastic as you think, unless you're using up magic until you're bottomed out, it wasn't that much of an issue when I played, especially with the versatility in attacks available.

What I'm failing to understand is your opinion on VI, I didn't encounter any of the troubles that you describe other than the grinding, which was pretty much standard fare for most old-school RPGs, even throughout the 32-bit gen.

I wouldn't call it standard fare.

16-bit era had plenty of great RPGs that had good pacing like Chrono Trigger and Breath of Fire.

Those two games allowed you to progress freely along the storyline. As long as you don't run away from battles, you are properly level to fight the bosses. FFVI on the other hand, if you don't grind there are chances you might even have troubles with regular enemies you encouter, especially when you get to world of ruins.

I seriously doubt anyone was able to beat FFVI without leveling your characters up on the side. Chrono Trigger and Breath of Fire didn't force me to level. The bosses ended up fairly challenging if you didn't level on the side, but I see that as good challenge because you can defeat them as long as you plan your fight. FFVI on the other hand made you level on the side or you can't progress to the end.

As for FFVIII, the junction system was painful system. There were draw points, but that was never really enough to refill you magic enough. If you do use magic fairly regularly, the system forces you to constantly draw as you progress the game and I found that a major pain in the arse. Also it discourages players to use magic due to stats boost. I don't think I ever used magic in that game other than healing types, which I never junctioned with. Most of the times, I was just doing basic attacks which is powered up by stats boost and if tough enemies come, I just pound square away for GF. It completely sucked the strategy out of battles.

It was easily the most broken system in FF series. That system didn't have much balance as it was rather easy to take advantage of, and often I ended up running around trying to find monsters that have cure spells to draw, which was distracting.

Finally, another Balthier fan! A lot of people say the cast of FFXII was very weak, but I thought it was the best one since VII. Balthier is probably my favorite FF character ever in the series, he was just so well voiced and animated, and his relationship with Fran was cool to see develop.

Ontopic, FFVII for the next gen just came out. Its called Lost Odyssey.

TheCrazed420

I am quite scared... another person on the planet that likes FF12 AND Balthier? I am not sure what to say.. FF12 is certainly my favorite in the series... That makes a whole 3 people not inlcuding myself that like the game.

Anyway, to the people talking about grinding through the series, WHAT? Grinding in 7, 8, or 6 is silly to me. I have beat all three (okay, not 8 but I could not stand the final fight enough to have the will to beat it) and I did not grind in any of them. Ever. In fact the only games in the series I have found myself grinding on was 1, 4, and 12. I found on all the other FF games through the series if you just never run away from a fight you will usually be powerful enough to beat any boss through the actual main story (side quests/bosses are another story). That is just from my experience though.

[QUOTE="MarcusAntonius"][QUOTE="dvader654"]

When FFVII came out there was nothing like it. Gameplay wise sure maybe it wasn't as advanced as other FF games but the presentation, graphics, and just the sheer epicness of it all was incredible.

dvader654

And that's fine, really. As far as nothing like it goes, sure, but only because it was the first high-profile RPG to be released in the 32-bit age, and that's all. VIII had a lot more of that breathtaking impact on me than VII ever did. I've always believed that VIII was what VII should have been.

Oh I am a FFVIII guy all the way, its still my favorite one and I do think it was a better game than FFVII but I dont think it had as many iconic moments like FFVII. The way I see it is something like FFVII is SW: A New Hope, the first time you see it there was nothing like it, FFVIII is more like ESB, you have seen it before but its improved in many ways.

I've held that to be the basis over the sentimentality of FF VII as well. For many gamers as well as the era of more modernized gaming in general, it was the "first time" and you never forget the "first time."