What were Square Enix's biggest mistakes?

Firstly, this applies to Squaresoft and Square Enix. So please avoid arguing the differences between the two. I personally think of these two as the same company, because despite their mistakes, they both put out fantastic games.

A couple rules for this: you can rant, but keep it short. Only 3 mistakes per person. Don't gripe if you disagree with someone.

Here are my choices:
1. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Nuf said.

2. Final Fantasy X-2. Take FFX, Charlie's Angels, put lame 70's porn music in the background, and add a horrible ending. What do you get? This piece of junk. I have only maybe 30-40 hours of gameplay on it, and I haven't played it again since I beat it.

3. Final Fantasy XI. No offense, I know that some people love this game, but to me, Square Enix seems to be a little short on money to put this on the shelves. "I know, let's make a game that completely branches off from the actual series, and make it so that people keep paying us, even after buying the game!" Jerks... Besides, I really don't consider it a real game, because, of couse, YOU CAN'T BEAT THIS GAME.

Those are mine. Feel free to write your own.

Spirit Within for sure.

X-2, XI and the Spirits Within

I liked Spirits Within AND X-2 AND XI. :?

Mine?

1. Unlimited SaGA-Hardcore flop.

2. Romancing SaGa on the PS2-Suckage to teh max.

3. Front Mission 4-'Nuff said.

I have to agree that Spirits Within was a mistake from a final fantasy stand point but not as a movie. If it was just called "Spirits Within" directed & created by the makers of Final Fantasy, I think the movie would have not been such a bomb with FF fans. All it needed where some chocobos & a summon or two & that would have made it a FF movie. Cid's name only doesn't carry that much weight.

X-2 was definitely a pocket filler for SE. That game used just about everything from X & had no male fighting characters. That right there was the ultimate mistake. As a guy I could not connect with that game for nothing & never finished it (mainly cause I got stuck toward the end, but it had no substance for me to continue)

I liked XI even though it really didn't feel Final Fantasy-ish, it still had FF content. Though the most important content was missing which was a good story.

I think all FF gameboy games where a mistake IMO. Those games sucked.

X-2, spirits within and XI

X-2 No Doubt.

Well, I personally liked The Spirits Within, but thats my opinion. Yes, people were expecting it to be something like the RPGs that we know and love, but it wasn't, and we got ticked over it. I liked it, and thats all I'll say about that....

As to the FFX-2 topic, I do agree that there was too much "girl power." Way too much. I liked 2 songs (1000 Words and Real Emotion), and I liked the Garment Grid set-up, but thats basically it. It would of been better if they added some more places and maybe even an :o overworld. (What an idea! :P)

I can't give my opinion to the FFXI topic, because I have yet to play it.....

Well, another thing would be (dare I say it....)

Ehrgeiz.......

AH! I said it! Oh, I feel sick.....:P

I think thats all I have to go into about.........what I said.....:P

FF X-2 was a horrible game, i mean they ruined yuna into a ditzy dancer and made3 it all really stupid, i liked the job spheres but that was it, o an Spirits Within was the most horrible movie i've ever seen i wanted to see it so bad and when i did i actually threw it out a window lol

well thats most of their mistakes

The only mistake I think they made was the movie Spirits Within, which wasn't a bad movie at all in general, but considering it was a Final Fantasy movie, it was horrible because the only thing it had to do with the games is a guy named Cid was in it. Other than that, I really don't think they made any mistakes.
XIIAxelCrossIIX

Yeah, and if people say the FF: Unlimited was a msitake,. then they are worng, that Anime was great, and fr all that haven't watched it, I suggest that you do.  I mean it has Summons, Cid is in it of course (A very cool Cid by the way), Chocobo's, Cactuars, Moogles, and to top that off the very last thing that is totally SWEET I will say in two words "The Magun" :D

Final Fantasy Spirts Within - Boring   

Final Fantasy XI - Has none of the formula that made all the  FF's  good

Ergheiz - The fighting genre is not Square's expertise  

Final Fantasy X2 in my opinion was not a mistake jus a disapointment.The whole thing about Tidus giving his life to the girl he luvs is all fine and dandy,and I know that some of us like 2 speculate about wat happened afterward.But I kinda like the fact that they made such a drastic difference in Yuna and that she finally is able to see him again.Although the normal ending needs some fixing up to do,all in all,the game was pretty good(I must admit,it was too girly).I'm not saying the game has no flaws(cus it does)but I think it's a little underrated by some.Plus I like SOME of the music.1000 words sounds great,Real Emotiion is jus lame.This game is the meaning of GIRL POWER!

Spirits Within.  I would like to point out that the only reason X-2 happened was because Spirits Within was such a financial flop.  They did X-2 to save development costs by essentially reusing just about every environment found in FFX; at that point they pretty much couldn't afford to make a whole new FF game.  They needed a cheap game that's a guaranteed seller to fill their pockets, and that it did (whee 5 million sold).argianas

So did u like the game or not?

[QUOTE="argianas"]Spirits Within.  I would like to point out that the only reason X-2 happened was because Spirits Within was such a financial flop.  They did X-2 to save development costs by essentially reusing just about every environment found in FFX; at that point they pretty much couldn't afford to make a whole new FF game.  They needed a cheap game that's a guaranteed seller to fill their pockets, and that it did (whee 5 million sold).gamerrgurrl9

So did u like the game or not?

FFX-2?  I liked it.  It wasn't as good as other FF's, for sure, but it certainly isn't as horrible as the average person would have you believe.  The mission thing is a nice new take on the series (for a direct sequel anyway), as is being able to go anywhere right from the start.  Yeah they went overboard with the teenybopping, but it was still good, plus the return of the job system was very nice.

[QUOTE="gamerrgurrl9"]

[QUOTE="argianas"]Spirits Within.  I would like to point out that the only reason X-2 happened was because Spirits Within was such a financial flop.  They did X-2 to save development costs by essentially reusing just about every environment found in FFX; at that point they pretty much couldn't afford to make a whole new FF game.  They needed a cheap game that's a guaranteed seller to fill their pockets, and that it did (whee 5 million sold).argianas

So did u like the game or not?

FFX-2?  I liked it.  It wasn't as good as other FF's, for sure, but it certainly isn't as horrible as the average person would have you believe.  The mission thing is a nice new take on the series (for a direct sequel anyway), as is being able to go anywhere right from the start.  Yeah they went overboard with the teenybopping, but it was still good, plus the return of the job system was very nice.

Completely agree wit u.

Final Fantasy Spirits Within. It was a good movie and all but it was:

To short

Didn't follow the rest of FF well but still did the whole save the world thing

Spirits Within wouldn't be as bad but they had to slap the FF name on it. FF isn't sci fi and therefore they shouldn't of put it on the title.Roxas754

Eh, 7 and 8 specifically have a bit of futuristic, sci-fi-like elements to it.  Even 4 had spaceships to the moon.  And frankly, changing the name on a game/movie (be it Spirits Within or FFXI) has no effect whether it's good or bad.

Spirits Within was a horrible movie and I think that it shouldn't have been made. It should not have the FF name in front of it but thats just me. They should've done a it as a CGI for like FFVIII or any other good game. FFVII: AC is a CGI, has great production values, follows a storyline and answers some of the questions that FF fans have had because of FFVII's ending.

FFXI is a mistake because it is numbered. I agree with the fact that it should be called FF Online. I hate the fact that you cant beat it and that you still have to pay for stuff after you buy it. That to me isn't what a FF game imbodies. It should be beatable and you shouldn't have to pay for it for the rest of your life if you keep playing it.

FFX-2 was a mistake because it's a completely different game than FFX. This game was not interesting after a while of gameplay and the endings were just horrible. The only one that was good was the Perfect ending because it made us happy, but the others are garbage. So basically, it should've had the same playable characters and go with the story, but it didn't.

Alright, alright. First things first.

Square-Enix IS NOT Squaresoft. I would hope that much is clear. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was released when Squaresoft was around Square-Enix didnt exist until 2002 so please correct post. Next of all, what do we consider mistakes? Financial mistakes, or opinionated mistakes

Because not only did Final Fantasy X-2 go on to sell well over 5 million units at VERY little additional cost to Square-enix but Final Fantasy XI has been a massive success with somewhere in the vicinity of a million subscribers (when I was still playing). Thats not including how many people have actually purchased the game. So people keep the thread somehow focused. The way everybody is jumping around is giving me a headache.

Also the company as such has had few mistakes (financially) with the exception of course being The Spirits Within.

[QUOTE="Roxas754"]Spirits Within wouldn't be as bad but they had to slap the FF name on it. FF isn't sci fi and therefore they shouldn't of put it on the title.argianas

Eh, 7 and 8 specifically have a bit of futuristic, sci-fi-like elements to it. Even 4 had spaceships to the moon. And frankly, changing the name on a game/movie (be it Spirits Within or FFXI) has no effect whether it's good or bad.

Didn't FFXI come out under Squaresoft?  XI also was a huge hit from what i could tell when i played the game.  It stole a lot of the EQ players for a little while and was fun.  And it did have a storyline so in theory, it could be beaten, contrary to an earlier post.

As to Biggest Square-enix flop...X-2.  It may have sold 5 million units but, i doubt that was enough to actually give them that much of a profit, if any.  X-2 was really girly becuase they were targeting the female fans.

I don't think Square-enix has made that many mistakes but, what do i know?  I only play the games.
Rongaryen

Well Final Fantasy XI began development while Squaresoft was still around, but was released sometime around the merger. Also like you stated the storyline of the game could be beaten, Final Fantasy XI had everything that makes a Final Fantasy title. People need to get beyond the limitations they think exist for the series, because there are none.

Not give them that much profit!? 5 million units!? The best Xbox RPGs havent sold that well. Some games never sell that much and are still commercial successes (God of War and Resident Evil 4 both sold less). The technology for X-2 was already there they didnt have to create a new engine or models, just restructure the game. It was a VERY cheap means of making a lot of money. It was made to recoup some of the costs lost from Spirits Within. Also they were not targeting the female fans. Rather the male audience through fan services, although it backfired on them.

I am glad you enjoy the games for what they are not for who makes them or why? ^__^

The technology that they have in Spritis Within isn't in any of the game. And I think if Final Fantasy wasn't in the title it might of done better. Fans of the game went to see the movie expecting a Final Fantasy experience which wasn't what you got.
Roxas754

Branded does better than non-branded. People dont know what they want. After the huge success of Final Fantasy VII and VIII what fans wanted was Squall or Cloud in a movie. As a lot of the fans at the time knew nothing about the genre/series and its lack of boundaries (i.e. it has none) they were dissapointed when characters they expected where not present. Advent Children should have been released back in the day, it would have made Square-Enix rich.

The mistake on Squaresofts part was investing the money in the project they did. Having not even put that much money in both VII and VIII combined they should NEVER have assumed they would have made back that amount of money (they made over 80 million worldwide, but they spent over 180 million on marketing and development. Insane. Total loss estimates at around 130 million to Squaresoft (not all money went to the film studio)).

[QUOTE="argianas"]

[QUOTE="Roxas754"]Spirits Within wouldn't be as bad but they had to slap the FF name on it. FF isn't sci fi and therefore they shouldn't of put it on the title.Roxas754

Eh, 7 and 8 specifically have a bit of futuristic, sci-fi-like elements to it. Even 4 had spaceships to the moon. And frankly, changing the name on a game/movie (be it Spirits Within or FFXI) has no effect whether it's good or bad.

There lies the whole biasis of saying that Spirits Within was a mistake. The movie itself wasn't terrible and I for one liked it, but it was called a disappointment because it didn't have the "Final Fantasy Feel". What exactly is this "Final Fantasy Feel" which was a reason XI was called a mistake.

[QUOTE="Roxas754"] [QUOTE="argianas"]

[QUOTE="Roxas754"]Spirits Within wouldn't be as bad but they had to slap the FF name on it. FF isn't sci fi and therefore they shouldn't of put it on the title.Master_Odin

Eh, 7 and 8 specifically have a bit of futuristic, sci-fi-like elements to it. Even 4 had spaceships to the moon. And frankly, changing the name on a game/movie (be it Spirits Within or FFXI) has no effect whether it's good or bad.

There lies the whole biasis of saying that Spirits Within was a mistake. The movie itself wasn't terrible and I for one liked it, but it was called a disappointment because it didn't have the "Final Fantasy Feel". What exactly is this "Final Fantasy Feel" which was a reason XI was called a mistake.

As to Biggest Square-enix flop...X-2.  It may have sold 5 million units but, i doubt that was enough to actually give them that much of a profit, if any.

Uh, I'm pretty sure it had huge profits.  They sold *5 million* units, and a lot of the environments were recycled so they saved a ton of money on development costs there.  They made so much money off of it, I wouldn't be surprised to see direct sequels again in the future.  That plus the success of X-2 led to the VII Compilation games (which I have mixed feelings about - they killed the good ending and are revisiting the game just a bit too much.  More original stuff please!).

As to Biggest Square-enix flop...X-2.  It may have sold 5 million units but, i doubt that was enough to actually give them that much of a profit, if any.argianas

Uh, I'm pretty sure it had huge profits.  They sold *5 million* units, and a lot of the environments were recycled so they saved a ton of money on development costs there.  They made so much money off of it, I wouldn't be surprised to see direct sequels again in the future.  That plus the success of X-2 led to the VII Compilation games (which I have mixed feelings about - they killed the good ending and are revisiting the game just a bit too much.  More original stuff please!).

FFVII was like FFX because it left so much untold. What happened to Vincent? What happened to all the other characters? (yes, Vincent is my favorite character in FFVII) This compilation games were made due to X-2's success and also because FFVII was so popular and left fans hanging at the end. I'll refain from spoiling the ending and only say that the only character it left any clues about was Red XIII.

[QUOTE="argianas"]

As to Biggest Square-enix flop...X-2.  It may have sold 5 million units but, i doubt that was enough to actually give them that much of a profit, if any.Master_Odin

Uh, I'm pretty sure it had huge profits.  They sold *5 million* units, and a lot of the environments were recycled so they saved a ton of money on development costs there.  They made so much money off of it, I wouldn't be surprised to see direct sequels again in the future.  That plus the success of X-2 led to the VII Compilation games (which I have mixed feelings about - they killed the good ending and are revisiting the game just a bit too much.  More original stuff please!).

FFVII was like FFX because it left so much untold. What happened to Vincent? What happened to all the other characters? (yes, Vincent is my favorite character in FFVII) This compilation games were made due to X-2's success and also because FFVII was so popular and left fans hanging at the end. I'll refain from spoiling the ending and only say that the only character it left any clues about was Red XIII.

I've argued many times in the past that leaving it unresolved and up to the players' imaginations is preferable to having every loose end tied up.  By doing all these projects, Square is basically saying that "your ending" is "wrong".  Oh well.

SPIRITS WITHIN - good movie, nothing to do with FF other than mr.cid.

UNLIMITED SAGA- play it, then regret buying it.

.........cant think of anything else.

Their biggest mistake in my opinion is when they came of with Final Fantasy Spirits Within. That movie was terrible and it didn't follow the FF storyline. What made it worset is it wasn't directed by the creators of FF. Soulja_West

I compleatly agree, I meen if your going to make a FF movie here is a little advice............ACTUALLY MAKE IT ABOUT FF YOU  *&^%$%$#*^%!#$*$#........................Pardon my french.

Alright, alright. First things first.

Square-Enix IS NOT Squaresoft. I would hope that much is clear. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was released when Squaresoft was around Square-Enix didnt exist until 2002 so please correct post.

Arath_1

Squaresoft and Square-Enix are the same damn thing, Same company, Same games, Same developers, The only thing different is  the name

                                         No disrespect intendid To Arath_1

Squaresoft and Square-Enix are the same damn thing, Same company, Same games, Same developers, The only thing different is  the name

                                         No disrespect intendid To Arath_1

the_unbroken

None taken. Squaresoft was one company, Enix was another. Two seperate industry enteties that merged to form one company. Meaning that NEITHER Squaresoft or Enix as we knew them exist. In the place of two companies we have one. Also numerous people have left be it Hironobu Sakaguchi (founder) replaced byYoichi Wada to Nobuo Uematsu who has gone free lance.

One would assume from the merger (it was a takeover to an extent) that the now Square-Enix is bigger AND better than either Squaresoft or Enix where before it. Whether that is the case will be proven next generation. 

i agree with it all:

FF11

Spirits Within

FF10-2

and maybe even...FF12. but we'll all find that out once the time comes.

Mistakes from from Square-Enix:

1. FF X-2

2. FF XI

3. Canceling the Chrono Trigger Ressurection project! (Chrono Trigger remake)

I am happy to see many people writing FF X-2 is not as good as its predecessors, since almost any review on the net gives it not less than a "8" so I was starting to feel The problem was me not liking the game, rather than the game itself. The point is: Square Enix gave us some of the best gaming moments in the last years, and all of us hopes to see Square develope another masteriece. The gaming world is changing fast, though. Game are getting shorter and shorter...am I the only one noticing it? It's a marketing tactic I guess...People finish their games faster than before, ready to spend their money on another one. Someone is killing the genuinity of the games. As examples of this "involution" I can cite FFX, being an absolute beauty, and FF X-2, being an easy-money giver! That's my opinion, ok. But please! compare objectively the two games...FF-X? Great story line,heartshaking soundtrack, incredible longevity due to the many many challanges the game has to offer. Now look at FF X-2. Other mistakes by Square? Ok, that movie was a big flop, at least for the people who were expecting something more inherent from the FF series. Other mistakes? Well I did not like FF 9, but that's probably just my own opinion and many people I know liked it a lot. Bye