Final Fantasy Series: Unique games or not

[Kayode]

I dare anyone to prove to me how more Final Fantasy games = milking especially since there are years between them all and every game is unique save for one game with a direct sequel.

Every Final Fantasy game is unique?


Well yes.
                     

[camrE]

Kayode summed up my sentiments perfectly.

lol @ Final Fantasy                    

[Exar_Kun]

Every Final Fantasy game is unique?


Well yes.

Defend,don't duck.
Tell me then what characteristics the installments share that would make them unsuitable as stand alone games.

If each FF game was released on its own under its own name,an observer would never be able to tell that it should have been a 10 part series.
Of course FFX-2,being a direct sequel,is excused.
                     

[Kayode]

Brotherman...you reading what you posting there?

The FF games are marginally modified for every installment. Between VII and X, the control scheme remained the same, the graphical scheme remained the same, the menu remained the same, many of the plot themes remained the same, the battle system changed only slightly, the cinematic presentation, some of the characters...come nah man.

Turn-based battles with enemies on one side and players on the other. Summons. Random encounters. Many of the same items throughout the series. Many of the same abilities throughout the series with the same names.

Yeah, there have been modifications made between VII and X (most notably the grid sphere in X), but except for the story changes, the FF series follows the same production formula as Madden or Resident Evil or Street Fighter or any other big franchise.

Same game, different package.

Unique? Steups.


And I love the series as much as anyone else, but to say that the FF titles aren't deeply derivative of each other is a lie.

And lewwe not start up on the SNES FFs.

FFXII will probably shake up the series with its real-time battle system, but come nah man.                      

[camrE]

Oh Heavenly Father, forgive Exar, he know not what he has done. Never attack Kay! He is the pitbull of gatt, and he will eat you alive, especially if you make an invalid point. Even worst is to attack him for not entertaining your invalid point.

*shakes head they never learn*

                     

[Kayode]

That really unnecessary.                    

[Exar_Kun]

You even realize what you're writing?

Graphical style remain the same?What style is that?Pre-rendered backgrounds?That was a norm for 32 bit RPGs.All the ones that tried for good looking 3D graphics used pre-rendered backgrounds?Maybe you mean character models?That about the texture mapping upgrade that FFVIII received.Additionally Chrono Cross used the same kinda graphics.I'm waiting for you to say Square used a FF template and shot out CC.

Battle system.Turn based battles are again a norm for Japanese RPGs.If you want to blast FF for being imitative then that would be a symptom of the genre as a whole and if that's the case then it isn't just a Square problem you have,but a problem with all jrpgs.

Plot themes?You mean other than teen heroes trying to save the world?I'd like you to find some common ground between Cloud,Squall and Zidane.

The changes between the games amount to graphics,development system,characters,story,battle system.Amazingly enough,that's what it takes to create a whole new game.
*gasp*
*shock*

                     

[Kayode]

Whether it's a norm or not is irrelevant.

Particularly since Square is an industry leader...a lot like EA.

The point is that the improvements between the Final Fantasy games were marginal. Improvements. Slight modifications. Seldom full-blown changes.

The fact is that innovation between the Final Fantasy games was minimal.

A lot like the Madden franchise.


Similar plot themes? Central deep love story. Badguys who mess with fundamental forces of existence (FF7: Nature, FF8: Time, FF9: Life, FFX: Death). Cloud, Squall, Zidane and Tidus are all bishounen, and Tifa, Rinoa, Garnet and Yuna look very similar. Cloud and Squall are both angsty dark-haired military types. Zidane and Tidus are both upbeat blondes. All have mysterious pasts.

And again, the state of the genre is irrelevant. The point is that Square has chosen not to significantlyy innovate, and have followed the same formula for more than 8 years.



I'm not blasting a thing. I'm simply showing how similar the FF titles are and how wrong it is to call each of them "unique".


I find yuh being real defensive. Be careful before the word "fanboy" enters the discussion.                    

[New Era Outlaw]

Okay, guys....simmer, simmer....
Now, the both of you bring up some very valid points.

Square-Enix has pretty much been employing the same basic strategies behind each and everyone of the games in the Final Fantasy series. You walk around, run into an enemy, BAMF = battle. Sure, there have been many variations on the whole concept, such as the developments of very well-scripted storylines and sidequests to help add rhyme to reason, but in all, pretty much the same thing. And yes, Kayode, I agree with you on the SNES Final Fantasy games...each pretty much plays like the same game with different characters.

But, there is one thing you have to understand....Final Fantasy is a game that has a tried-and-true formula for success. After all, let's not forget that it was this game that pulled the then-fledgling company Squaresoft out of bankruptcy, and really raked in the dough. Since then, Square has tried to put as much effort as they possibly can into each and every one of their FF titles, without straying too far away from the formula that put them on the map to begin with. After all, like the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, why fix it?" Fact is, that while FF games have this similar appeal to each of them, it's that very appeal that made them a success to begin with.

Now, Kayode, you have emphasized very clearly on what makes the games similar to each other, and have made valid arguments on why Square-Enix shouldn't really consider each title unique. Now, what if we emphasized on what made each FF different? You know, flip this discussion a bit and see it from another P.O.V. Now, I have to warn you.. I'm not very verse in the series, so what I know in terms of specifics is scant. Maybe somebody can help me out here with this. but what I'm getting at is this....there was something Square added to each and every one of those games....well, maybe a good few of them, that makes them somewhat unique in their own way. I mean, it's not like you're going to walk up to somebody and they'll tell you "Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy X? They're practically the same..." Some people would say they'll prefer the sooner, some the latter, and some even both. Where their preferences lie will depend on what differs between the two, and what sets this one apart from that one.

Exar Kun, you raised a few good points as well, but you have to understand that while some things may appear differently, they really are, in essence, the same. The graphical bells and whistles, the various forms of turn-based combat, and even the aeon summoning system are all somewhat characteristics that puts some common ground between the FF titles. Even the characters, per se, suffer some repitition from time to time. I've seen a transformation in Cloud's character that makes him as listless as Squall (Kingdom Hearts, though not canon, is something to be considered). Rinoa could easily be Yuna with longer, darker hair. And don't get me started on Cid. Nearly EVERY game has this wise-cracker. Not a complaint, though...Cid rocks no matter what form he's in. :)Sephiroth, Auron, Vincent- mysterious characters that are badass. Like the saying goes, "A rose by any other name is still a rose." On the outside, these characters may seem 100% original, but scratch the surface and you'll see previous incarnations of past FF characters showing up through them.

The same can be said about the style of battle, really.
Turn-Based, Conditional Turn Based System, Real time...all different ways to confront a nemesis, but virtually the same approach. You run around, BAM, screen changes, you and your minions are facing the enemy. That's the way it has been for the last eleven or so games.

Well, I think I've added more than my two cents here.
I'm no FF guru, by any means, don't get me wrong, but I just had to add my P.O.V. and let you guys know, from an impartial stance, what I see. The FF titles have their similarities, some of them inherent throughout the whole series. And yet, they have their differences as well. so, I guess, to some extent, we can say that while Final Fantasy titles are definitely NOT, by any means 100% unique from each other, they do have some discerning qualities about them that sets them apart from the rest.                    

[Lionheart]

Well I think most persons who play final fantasies fall in love with it because of the suberb storylines.
Each game is definetily unique.

[Gunblade Master]

I believe that any series of games has to have some similarities for it to be considered a series (and not just the name) but come on, of course they are unique.

CONSIDER THIS:
We all have 2 eyes, 2 ears, eat to survive, marry, have kids etc...but with all that similarity don't you still consider yourelf unique ?

I think that the same would apply with FF.....just my $0.02.....

[TriniXaeno]

pretty damn good point.

simple and sweet.

[shivadee]

Each FF has its unique storyline. Its one of the few RPG series i play. Thats just my 2 cents. And i know i gettin XII. You cant go wrong with a FF game. When you want to try an RPG 10 to 1 ppl go tell you get a FF game.

[Lionheart]

Final Fantasy is great for multiple reasons, but it is hard for me to put it into words. Final Fantasy seems to be more than a game to me, its a world. Final Fantasy has always been there for me if you will, much more than physical love. I guess it is just the fact, and this is for all games, even non-Final Fantasy ones, that a video game world is one you can escape to, one to get away. Final Fantasy is just so well created, its more of an experience than a game. As a result, the aura of "getting away" is much greater in those games. Final Fantasy is of such a quality is so many areas, picking one is impossible, so the compiled, finished project is far and beyond that of other games.

There is also the fact that the Final Fantasy empire has reached much more than the shelves of gaming stores. Final Fantasy is an amazing game that set the standards of hundreds of followed up games. As a result, it has a long and compelling history. You have 20 years of art to look at, to see the games change, to grow, to rise and to fall. The goods and the bads. You have seen the many lives the series has touched, just look at all the people that post on this board alone, times that by thousands, and you have the current fanbase. Final Fantasy is much more than just a game, its much bigger than that to me, and many others.

Polish and Presentation are definitely a huge part of the Final Fantasy experience. It's not that any one aspect of a Final Fantasy game is the best of its kind, but two or three components will always be excellent, and often there's a song, a location, or an ability system that will sneak into the top five.

[TrinireturnofGamez]

Final fantasy set the stage for the RPG as we know it, FF on the snes was one of the first games where character emotional conflict actually affected the storyline to a great extent ... Many of the final fantasy games have alot in common eg. CHOCOBO ! Moogles,  airships ..... but the storline is always different for each one , though the characters and their relationships with one another are pretty similar in each game

[ProtoJoe]

FF game would tend to sell more to the fans (and there ALOT). Yea, the games have are all different in ways, but lately square has been moving away from "traditional" FFs and doing...different things. Take example FFX and that whole grid thing (which was ghey beyond belief). And they say that how FFXII isnt going to have the whole random encounters thing. Eitherway I mostly play FF games for the storyline. For me, a game doesnt NEED to be pretty to be good.

[Drl Ahye // dRL RaGe]

I don't like how they churn out Final Fantasy games so frequently....and thats mainly because they are all turnbased RPGs.
If they covered different genres of games, it would be a different story. I'd probably want to play the game more then.

I like the graphics produced by SquareEnix...so I think they should make more movies....as well as games.
IMO...the movie was the only unique Final Fantasy. It looked really great, but it was a bore.

Hey, I'm straying from the topic...which is okay.....since this topic SUCKS!!

[W1nTry]

I don't agree that the controls for FF have been the same over the years... but then I play the PC more than anything else.. and well Square seems to have abandoned us in a big way so I have to say i'm more than a lil miffed. That aside, I think that all FF games retain a certain level of uniqueness as well as a generic feel. And of course some coherent species as someone mentione chocobos. Be that as it may, each title tries its best to change the feel and char development and most games allow the player to be immersed into the story. IMHO FFVII and FFX were the better of the latter series and well X2, whaev fiah and VIII was umm too easy. I look foward to future releases and hope that one day they return to us livid RPG FF fans on the PC

[ProtoJoe]

I don't like how they churn out Final Fantasy games so frequently....and thats mainly because they are all turnbased RPGs.
If they covered different genres of games, it would be a different story. I'd probably want to play the game more then.

I like the graphics produced by SquareEnix...so I think they should make more movies....as well as games.
IMO...the movie was the only unique Final Fantasy. It looked really great, but it was a bore.

Hey, I'm straying from the topic...which is okay.....since this topic SUCKS!!

FF games dont come out so frequently, in fact, the come out like almost every 3 years, or more! FF for the ps3 prob wouldnt come out for next 4 to 5 years!

And as far as movies goes, they are now getting into that, yea they did that movie, but they are also doing advent children which has been in the making for a very long time now.

[W1nTry]

THey aren't doing advent children, thats done, they just sticking in the English release. As for FF coming out often, I have to agree there with u, they DON'T come out that often. They may have different platform releases, say like crystal chronicles vs. X2 but that is no case for saying they are too frequent. I think they could make more RPG games and definitely more for the PC. That aside we will expect really awe inspiring graphics from the next FF games whether it be on an Xbox (not likely) or the PS3, as someon said in about 2-4 yeas (ok he said 3-5 but I think they need to put out one before that).