FF XIII Timeframe Set, FF XIV Confirmed 140
Square Enix announced at E3 that Final Fantasy XIII is planned for release this winter in Japan, and spring 2010 for North America. A new trailer was released as well. A separate announcement brought details about Final Fantasy XIV Online, an MMORPG due out in 2010 for Windows and the PS3. A teaser website was launched, with a trailer and some information about the developers working on the project. "Final Fantasy XIV Online is being developed with a simultaneous worldwide release in mind. The game will be initially released in English, Japanese, French, and German. The game will be produced by Hiromichi Tanaka (Final Fantasy I, II, III, and XI) and Nobuaki Komoto (Final Fantasy IX and XI) will serve as director. Longtime Final Fantasy fans will be happy to hear the Nobu Uematsu will return to provide the score."
Hmm... (Score:4, Interesting)
So more insanely difficult piano pieces to learn.
Re:For the record (Score:4, Interesting)
even if the game mechanics are old and have evident flaws).
Like de-leveling? Having to wait 10 minutes while "resting" to gain your HP/MP back? I've never before been so disappointed in a game that could have been a lot of fun if it weren't for things like that.
Re:Eh. (Score:3, Interesting)
A lot of people beg to differ.
Final Fantasy VII was arguably the most popular of the Final Fantasy series.
I've heard from several people, who've played both VI and VII, and most of say VI was better in most aspects, but VII was very close.
I wouldn't had minded if you had said "Final Fantasy went downhill after VII", because I deem VIII and IX both failures (yes I know people disagree with me on VIII, but it just never catch on to me). X was great though, imo, and is on my second place, whereof X-2 isn't even on my list. It's toilet paper mostly. Haven't tried XI, and got very disappointed with XII. Not sure why, but it didn't appeal to me the same way.
So in conclusion, I'd agree somewhat if you shifted the version one up.
Re:Eh. (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:For the record (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Eh. (Score:3, Interesting)
Behold, a review of the characters and character portrayal in each (real) Final Fantasy!
FF I -- 0/5 - Your characters don't really have... "characters". Personality had not yet been invented. I still love the game.
FF II -- * To be honest... I never played this one.
FF III -- 2.5/5 - Even without individualized personalities, both PCs and NPCs manage to come off as quite lovable and entertaining in this NES classic, though it gets awkward when Princess Sarah expresses her love for you
FF IV -- 2/5 - Each character now has a specific personality, but these personalities tend to be more stereotypes than actual characters-with-dimension: I'm a bad guy! Rarrr!
FF V -- 3/5 - Similar style to FF IV, but a definite improvement. This is the earliest FF with real individualized character attachment (who doesn't love Galuf?), and the game really plays on this. The enhanced dialogue and translation in FF V Advance would give the game another half point, in my opinion.
FF VI -- 5/5 - A slew of characters are presented, but this doesn't stop the game from giving each one a back story, personality, and room for growth. The myriad side-quests let you explore more of every character if you so desire, and the well-written dialog (no more "You spoony bard!") is a plus. Also, Final Fantasy's tradition of leitmotifs and variations arguably reached its pinnacle in FF VI (despite being pre-MIDI), being used to supplement the limited on-screen portrayals of personality and emotion.
FF VII -- 3/5 - Fewer playable characters are in this game, but, somehow, they are not as well done as those in FF VI. Though the characters are developed more, they also seem to grow less. It feels like character development just halts as everyone is waiting for Aeris to come back or something.
FF VIII-- 1/5 - Beginning of game: I'm emo, I'm goth, I'm a punk. *whine*
[When I was 15, I had a crush on Rinoa, though. Looking back, I can't see where that came from]
FF IX -- 5/5 - An excellent combination of VII's character scheme with VI's character development. Good guys and bad guys and the rest cover every available character niche, and even move between them as the story progresses. People lose their naivete, power corrupts, the lonely find family, etc. etc. etc. This game focuses more on the characters in your party than the world around them, and does it well.
FF X -- 4/5 - Similar to FF VII, but with a bit more simulated character growth. That, and Wakka is debatably the best FF character, ever.
FF XI -- NaN/5 - This game does not exist. Heathens!
FF XII -- 3/5 - Unfortunately, Vaan just seems to get stupider as the game goes on. Other than that, Balthier rivals Wakka in many ways, and you do kind of get worried that Ashe just wants to rule the world. Some of the most *interesting* characters come from this game, but there is nary a side quest to develop them further. Sadly, all the side quests were converted from miniature storylines to MMO style grinds and runs.
And there you have it!
Discuss.