Anyone playing the new online only one? FF 11 or so I think it is.

A friend is playing but I havent gotten involved yet. Is it worth my time to pay attention?

I love the FF series, but I'm not going to start playing this one. I've never liked MMORPGs. I don't have the time, money, or inclination to play it, despite having the FF name. But that's just me.

From the reviews I've heard, if you're into that sort of thing, it's as good a game as any. For me, I'll wait another month or two to take a look at FF X2 for my Final Fantasy cravings.

I played Everquest Online Adventures for several months and finally just grew tired of it. I figure the Final Fantasy game would be about the same for me.

I am however playing Final Fantasy Tactics Advance alot.

I just received it in the mail today, FFXI, and I will be trying it out within the next week, PM me if you want my opinion when I try it out...

The recent FFs are all fluff. FF9 was pretty good. But 8 & 10 both had lousy stories.

Square has put out some good games. FF: Tactics was great. Xenogears was one of the best RPGs ever made. I laso really like Vagrant Story.

The big news in Japan is that they are making a sequel to FFVII, the last great FF game.

I've been playing Final Fantasy Tactics for the PS lately. Right now I'm at the Roof of Riovanes Castle. It's annoying me because I'm suppose to have this chick, but I don't even get a turn! She gets killed before I even get to make a move (I even have a ninja in).

The last decent FF was 8, for no other reason than the jaw-dropping graphics (way ahead of anything else). The last FF with an actually good story was 3/6.

I was a FF fanatic until 9 came out, which I utterly hated. The little I saw of 10 turned me totally off.

Zero interest in a MMORPG of Final Fantasy.

I actually liked 9 a lot. 8 sucked, though the graphics were great, and 10 was way too linear. I totally agree than the last FF with a good story was 6 (3 in the US), and I'd go so far as to say it was one of the best storylines in a video game I've played (emphasis on the ONE OF part). I'm not excited about 11 at all...MMORPG aren't my cup of tea. But if it gets some decent reviews, I'll probably end up breaking down and getting it, just because the FF Franchise is one of my favorites, and I own all of them so far (waiting for the last 'Anthology' type to come out, with US 2 and the last one they haven't released in the US...I think that would make it 3 and 4 in the Japanese numbers).

Bearcat: Tactics Advance? Is that any different than Tactics? The one I have was for Playstation, and a very good game.

TP - That's a pretty annoying feature of the Tactics game...on those 'Save XXX' missions, you can get screwed pretty easily. I'd say just keep restarting it until you get lucky...especially if it's not working with a Ninja in there now.

EDIT: oykib, you rock my world. Vagrant Story was an amazing game...I'm puzzled why I never heard more press about it.

The big news in Japan is that they are making a sequel to FFVII, the last great FF game.

Aren't they making that for the new Playstation handheld that's coming out?

Actually, it's not a game, strictly speaking.

So far, the only FFVII sequel that's been announced is an hour-long movie feature on DVD. In Japan.

There's been spec that a sequel to FFVII might appear on the PSP, but for now, no game sequel is in the works.

I'm suprised how little love FFVII is getting here. I loved that game. I put it up with Chrono Trigger as my favorite gme of all time (Xenogears being just a cut below).

As for the rooftop mission in FFT, I was a Lancer. The Jump Skill really helped me in a number of missions. Eventually, it's best to go back to being a squire as your main class. But I almost always had Lancer as my second active skill, two-handed sword (which is better than two hands once you get to the really powerful, limited-quantity weapons like Excaliber) as my support abililty, and Blade Grasp (from Samurai, like Two-handed swing) as my defensive ability, IIRC.

Originally posted by Vince
[B]Bearcat: Tactics Advance? Is that any different than Tactics? The one I have was for Playstation, and a very good game.
/B]

Tactics Advance came out a little while ago for the Game Boy Advance. It's pretty good game.

FF7 was alright, but when they went to PSX and started putting graphics over gameplay the series went downhill quickly. I'd rank 6 and 4 (and Chronotrigger) better than any of the ones after 6 (i did enjoy 7 a lot, it just doesn't hold up the older ones IMO). Probably put 1 and 7 about equal in that they were both pretty amazing in their own times, but neither one held up with age as well as 6 and 4. FF8 had a great ending I thought, but it was pretty terrible through most of the game; FF5 had an amazing character system that could probably get me through the game again, but was total crap for story (why did they chose that one to base the anime on?!). Tactics is probably my favorite FF branded game overall though.... I don't think that game will ever get old or dated.

Well, honestly, I didn't think this many sports fans liked RPGs ;)

I thought I was the only one.

Anyways, Tactics is my favorite (look at the username).

I have played Tactics Advance and I just can't get into it like Tactics PSX, the Advance version' story line is a little too childish for me. The Tactics storyline (although at times, poorly translated), the job system and music made the game the best FF I have ever played.

oykib - gives a good way of getting past that part in Riovanes castle, if you still need help 'Targetpractice6' you can PM or AIM me, I can help you with another way.

Vagrant Story was a great game and I had initially heard about it because the creators of Tactics were on the Vagrant Story team. If you can find it, pick it up, it is well worth your time.

FF7 wasn't just alright, it was ground breaking, while it did put graphics over gameplay slightly (the storyline was excellent), you cannot overlook the fact of how influential it was to RPG's post 1997.

I have decided to try FFXI, even though I have no time, money and a nagging girlfriend I now live with, for tradition sake. I have played and beaten all the American FF's, I am drawn to give it a shot.

FF7 had great graphics. That much is certain. And the materia system was pretty good as far as a battle/leveling system. Not only that but there were a ton of side activities such as the Golden Saucer and Chocobo breeding that hadn't really been done all in one game before. Heck, the snowboarding game in there was as good as some whole games at the time. It revolutionized what RPGs were about and basically created the term "neo playstation rpg's" with it's huge emphasis on 3-d graphics and that style of world.

But you know what? It was a chore to play. The plot was no fun and the character design was awful. The first time I played through, I stopped just outside the Macau Pit just because I could give 2 rips if everyone died- the plot was crap and I could have cared less about the characters (I had seen the ending on a friends game). It's not fun- in fact, all 3 playstation RPGs were lacking in fun for one reason or another: FF8's plot fell apart after the second disc and they battle system was atrocious while FF9 was a decent attempt at recapturing the "old magic" but in the end fell flat as derrivative- you kept saying to yourself "oh, they just copied that from earlier- this isn't an homage, it's a travesty".

I suppose all has not been lost for me from Square, however. There were a couple good PSX games they made that were actually fun. As odd as it sounds, I really liked Parasite Eve- it really felt like playing a movie even if it's a movie based on the dare "you can't make a movie based on the word mitochondria" (anyone who has played the game will know what I mean). And, on the PS2- Kingdom Hearts was tremendously fun. They actually remembered what it was like to make people want to play a game and that's restored a bit of hope in me for future Square games after they were pretty much my favorite gaming company in the SNES age.

SI

SI - I agree a lot, but not completely. While I myself enjoyed FFVII as the 'last great RPG,' it wasn't nearly the best. I thought it was solid, but a cut below 6 and what we in the US know as 2 (Final Fantasy 2 for the SNES is one of my top five video games of all time). For these reasons, I don't understand why everyone and their brother thinks that FFVII is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It's great, but not legendary.

PS - Ramzavail, you have a PM.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I really liked FFX. Blitzball, once I got the hang of it, was the first side game I've ever been able to get into. The wannabe magic games just did nothing for me. I would hold FFVII up as one of my favorites as well.

I have no plans to play FFXI online, but I will definitly be purchasing X-2 when it is released.

i have only played, i think, 3, 6, and 10. i really liked ffx. one of the best, well -thought out story lines i've ever seen. i got choked up at the end. i hadn't done that since mega man 3 when i was a kid, and i found out that red guy was mega mans brother or something

but anyway, i vote for ffx kicking ass. ff7 is next, as i heard it was the best one. we'll see

Originally posted by Vince
SI - I agree a lot, but not completely. While I myself enjoyed FFVII as the 'last great RPG,' it wasn't nearly the best. I thought it was solid, but a cut below 6 and what we in the US know as 2 (Final Fantasy 2 for the SNES is one of my top five video games of all time). For these reasons, I don't understand why everyone and their brother thinks that FFVII is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It's great, but not legendary.

Well, I'm debating 7's place in history- it's one of the most influential games in the history or video games. It's just not fun.

FF4/2- whatever you want to call it is my personal favorite because it's so fun and had such a delicious plot. Not only that, but it really revolutionized how RPGs were made, but it wasn't as visible as 7.

That said, the difference between favorite and best can be seen when I say Chrono Trigger is the best RPG of all time. It has a level of polish that was lacking in FF4. The plot was still great and the characters were well developed and endearing. What it had over FF4 is that the interface was better and the translation was much better (no more "you spoony bard"- even though it's one of the most famous video game lines ever). The graphics were the best of a generation and the music was top notch.

Obviously this is all opinion. And even better was that FF7 was left off of IGN's top 100 games of all time basically to create controversy- good times on that board were had by all.

SI

FFVII wasn't fun?

Thanks for pointing that out. I've been so misguided all these years.

FFVII was the only game that I've ever played that pulled off thaat whole interactive movie thing that was supposed to be all the rage. The sidequests and mini-games were fun. It had a soundtrack that still is yet to be topped.

I also read somewhere that the character designs were bad. While this isn't exactly empirical evidence-- when GameFAQs had there recent great character battle (popularity contest) the finals were Cloud vs. Sephiroth.

Also, this isn't revisionist history from someone who loves the game. FFVII was the biggest jump in video games from an overall standpoint in history. That's the case when you take into account graphics, music, gameplay, dram, and the level of graavity in the story.

Final Fantasy VII is the greatest rpg I ever played. Runnig a close( and I mean close) second was Xenogears. How could you not like Cloud, Aeris, Barret, that lion looking cat, tiffa, etc. Cmon now I'll admit I got a bit misty eyed when Seproit(sp?) killed Aeris in the church while she was praying.... what about the summons Knights of the round table.... damn I miss that game.

Originally posted by Noop
Final Fantasy VII is the greatest rpg I ever played. Runnig a close( and I mean close) second was Xenogears. How could you not like Cloud, Aeris, Barret, that lion looking cat, tiffa, etc. Cmon now I'll admit I got a bit misty eyed when Seproit(sp?) killed Aeris in the church while she was praying.... what about the summons Knights of the round table.... damn I miss that game.

I'd rank FFVII as the greatest adventure game, but not RPG as it was really lacking in RPG elements. Still damn good though.

huh

i think that once the FF series went to the PS it went downhill fast. I played VII and it was ok. Not great. Too much fluff and graphic prowess and not enough story. My brother played 8 and 9 and didn't really like them. I tried 8 and coulnt' get into it. I never had the interest in 10.

2 and 3 for the SNES where amazing. Two of my favorites of all time. I tooled around with the japanese versions that weren't released over here (2 and 3 for nes and 5 for snes) and found them enjoyable.

Though i am replay FF1 on the NES (origanal hardware and all!) right now and having a ball. I wish Square would go back to making a game before making awesome graphcis

Originally posted by oykib
FFVII wasn't fun?

Thanks for pointing that out. I've been so misguided all these years.

Thank you for taking this personally when the first sentence in my closing was "Obviously this is all opinion" which would imply it open to debate and not meant to be a personal attack on anyone who likes the game. But since you've taken such time to take this personally, I might as well respond to these points in kind.

FFVII was the only game that I've ever played that pulled off thaat whole interactive movie thing that was supposed to be all the rage. The sidequests and mini-games were fun. It had a soundtrack that still is yet to be topped.
As for the interactive movie thing, I think the horror genre does that much better (Resident Evil, Parasite Eve, Eternal Darkness, etc) and I already said as much. However, the first cutscene I saw in FF7 was truly breathtaking. And, while I haven't played X, the best PSX game at melding story and cutscene was FF8- amazing cutscenes, especially Balamb Garden and the dance. Too bad the plot fell apart by the 3rd disk and even before that, it was standing on weak legs.

As I said above- interactive movie, sidequest, and mini-games: these are shiny frills and cheap thrills but not something to define a role playing game by. If you kept picking up FF7 because you wanted to beat the sub game or the snowboarding game or chocobo racing, well, so be it. But that's not what makes an rpg, in my mind. Plot and characters are their bread and butter with battle system being fairly important- everything else is just extra. FF7 fails on two of these three (the battle system is very good!) and no amount of Golden Saucers is going to make up for that.

As for the music, FF7 had some good tracks on the sountrack but when it followed up the FF4, 5 (in japan), 6 and Chrono Trigger (not Uematsu) soundtracks, there were already whispers that Uematsu was on the downside of his video game music career and he was going to get pushed aside for the next generation. While he did 8 and 9, he almost didn't get the call to do 9 and they brought in new blood for 10. His music was starting to sound stale and similiar. If you played FF1, 4, and 6 you started hearing the same repetitive tunes. If FF7 was your first, then, sure it's new to you. It's a pretty good soundtrack but the FF music peaked at 6.

I also read somewhere that the character designs were bad. While this isn't exactly empirical evidence-- when GameFAQs had there recent great character battle (popularity contest) the finals were Cloud vs. Sephiroth.

Also, this isn't revisionist history from someone who loves the game. FFVII was the biggest jump in video games from an overall standpoint in history. That's the case when you take into account graphics, music, gameplay, dram, and the level of graavity in the story.
That was fun stuff on GameFAQs, especially after Mario v Chrono II when all the neo playstation fanboys made sure to "spread the word about this travesty" and call out to every Square fan site between here and Japan to vote for Sephy and Cloud, but that's neither here nor there.

But again, we're back to missing the point. I think I've already conceded that it's a huge historical jump. At least twice in this thread, already. And, for a third time right here: FF7 was a huge jump forward in gaming- I disagree with the claim that it's the top jump but it's in the top 10. I still don't think it was fun. Again, for the third time, these are two different points: Progress doesn't mean I have to enjoy it especially when progress of one facet of the game (graphics) causes a decline of emphasis in others (plot and character).

As for the characters, that was my comment I believe you were addressing so I figure I should respond:

It was the 90s, so brooding unlikeable characters were in. Cloud was the stereotypical anti-hero: he whines, he complains, he carries a big sword, He's Captain Brooding! I'm not saying I have to like every character in every movie that I watch or book that I read. However, when I'm playing a game, I want someone who I don't repeatedly want to shove in the nearest manhole cover or leave stranded on a deserted island. He wasn't even "human" in the humans are flawed sense, he was just one sided angst with legs.

Sephiroth wasn't very well developed- he's the Boba Fett of the Final Fantasy universe- he's cool because he's silent and mysterious and we don't know much about him. That's not characterization- that's a cheap cop out to avoid having to write in a character.

Aeris and Tifa were likeable characters- unfortunately one dies before you barely get into the plot while I thought Barrett was cool but you could tell he was Mr T but with arm actually replaced by instead of just carrying a gun.

Yuffie and Cait Sith fall back into that "I just want to pitch them into a volcano and be done with them" category while Vincent was a completely forgettable character (ala Gogo in FF3). Red, was, well, a dog. And if I'm leaving any characters out- that's even more sad since I played through the game twice and I still don't remember them.

On a final side note, if the scene of Spehy killing Aeris was your pinnacle of gaming drama, then I lament that fact that you didn't play through FF4 before your mind was told that it has to be in 3-d polygons to be dramatic. Just mentioning Kain, Rydia's return, Polom and Porom in Baron will bring a little gleam of remembrance into an "old school" rpg'ers eyes- those scenes were that well done that even through questionable translation and only 16-bit graphics, they are still remembered today. FF6 and CT had similar moments of greater gravity (although theirs typically revolved around the destruction of the world).

SI

I love FF2(US). I wish they would have came out with it in an anthology disk like they did not too long ago with Origins.

I'm hoping that they finally release another Tactics on the PS2 or work the job system into a future Final Fanasy game.

Originally posted by Bearcat729
I love FF2(US). I wish they would have came out with it in an anthology disk like they did not too long ago with Origins.

They did. It's called Final Fantasy Chronicles. It includes FF4 (2 in the US) and Chrono Trigger. There is also Final Fantasy Anthology that includes 6 and 5 (previously unreleased in the States).

Edit: FF5 actually has a more primitive version of the FFT job system.

Originally posted by sterlingice
On a final side note, if the scene of Spehy killing Aeris was your pinnacle of gaming drama, then I lament that fact that you didn't play through FF4 before your mind was told that it has to be in 3-d polygons to be dramatic. Just mentioning Kain, Rydia's return, Polom and Porom in Baron will bring a little gleam of remembrance into an "old school" rpg'ers eyes- those scenes were that well done that even through questionable translation and only 16-bit graphics, they are still remembered today. FF6 and CT had similar moments of greater gravity (although theirs typically revolved around the destruction of the world).

I love you man.

That entire post was very well thought out and beautifully argued. I highlight this point because Final Fantasy 2 (4) gets very little love, and had one of the most amazing storylines I've ever seen in a video game. Final Fantasy 3 (6) was amazing as well...I just think that they had too many characters at once, which watered down what were actually some amazing plotlines that could have filled entire other games. Terra's struggle with acceptance as a mixed breed, Cyan's despair over his murdered family, the Figaro story between Edgar and Sabin. Locke is to this day probably my favorite video game character, and watching his actions around Terra and Celes are great because it seems that his past really shapes that.

Your argument that the bells and whistles of FFVII weren't good enough to hide a weak story are right on. I always felt that they could do more with the story, and they just didn't. The ending was pretty terrible too, in my opinion. That being said, I still enjoyed the game, it just wasn't nearly at the same level as final fantasy 6 or 4.

SI, I wasn't taking it personally. I was justpointing out that plenty of people loved FFVII. They didn't just watch the cutscenes and slog through ten hours of boring gameplay to get to the next one. They enjoyed it.

I thought that the plot of FFVII was great and the the character designs were great also. As you mentioned, the fighting and improvement systems were top notch.

I also agree that the series has basically sucked since '7'. Although I did like Blitzball. Hell, Square might have been better off making a Blitzball game.

I'm not too keen on FFX-2. I've heard that while the battle system is much improved, the game's other aspects, besides music, leave much to be desired.

Here's to waiting a year for Square/Enix to get it's act together for an English Star Ocean 3.

Actually the series that I'd most like to play in english are the Spectral Force series and the FIre Emblem series. There was a team emulating Fire Emblem 3 in English that was 60 or 70% done a while ago. I should go look them up.

I definately fall on the FF4/FF6 side. Those are probably my #1 and #2 overall console games in history. While certainly not true for everyone, I've noticed that for the most part you can tell when someone was introduced to the series... the people who say FF7 was the greatest of the series usually started the series with that game while the people who hold up 4 and 6 as the best started with them (or earlier). I can understand that... FF7 wasn't bad, it just wasn't on the level of 4 and 6. It was still probably light years ahead of all the other crap available at the time.

Originally posted by TargetPractice6
They did. It's called Final Fantasy Chronicles. It includes FF4 (2 in the US) and Chrono Trigger. There is also Final Fantasy Anthology that includes 6 and 5 (previously unreleased in the States).

Edit: FF5 actually has a more primitive version of the FFT job system.

I've heard rumors that FFX-2 is going to have a job system too. I'll have to wait and see.

FFX-2 has a job system, but it's funky in the sense that it's all tied to what the chicks are wearing. Different dresses/clothing = different job.

Originally posted by SackAttack
FFX-2 has a job system, but it's funky in the sense that it's all tied to what the chicks are wearing. Different dresses/clothing = different job.

What have you heard about the remake of FFVII?

Its not a remake but a movie sequel to the video game.

Originally posted by oykib
Here's to waiting a year for Square/Enix to get it's act together for an English Star Ocean 3.

You and a guy I know online, both. He can't stop talking about SO3.

SI

In my humble opinion, I think that Final Fantasy 3 - USA (6 - JP) was the best of the Final Fantasy Series. (Excluding Tactics, because of the beautiful plot and awesome characters)

FF3 was revolutionary for its time, the first actual console RPG that dealt with adult matters... murder, suicide, pre-marital sex... and of course, the usual world domination by an evil empire.

Call it nostalgia, but I will never forget Terra, and her search for her true self, Edgar and Sabin, heirs to the throne of Figaro, Locke's quest to revive his lost love, and his love for Celes, the imperial general turned good-guy. Shadow, his murky past and his obvious connection to Relm (father-daughter?). Cyan's quest to avenge the murder of his family and his people.

Kefka was probably the best Villain of the entire FF series. He had wit, and a certain charm that no other FF Villain could pull off. you knew something fishy was going on once you heard his familiar music. He was the only one who wasn't totally bent on world domination for his own purposes, his quest of supreme power ultimately drove him to insanity, and eventually, the desire to destroy the entire world. He wasn't evil for a cause, he was evil personified.

I found FFVII to have tried too many new things at once... that it got so boring by disc 3.

FFVIII was a jaw-dropping graphical experience, but they ventured too far away from the essence of FF to get me hooked...and the magic system was terrible.

FFIX, tried to recaupture lightning in a bottle... uh-uh. Too little, too late... I felt it was rushed to usher in FFX for the PS2

FFX - I do not have a PS2, so I've only watched my friends play the game. From what I've seen, it's a nice game, but I probably won't be as hooked as I was on FF3.

Anyway that's my take on it. :)

My FF3 SNES Cartridge is safely hidden in my personal safe. :)

Originally posted by PsychoCop
My FF3 SNES Cartridge is safely hidden in my personal safe. :)
Hopefully the battery still functions :)

Originally posted by Daimyo
Hopefully the battery still functions :)

i'm currently playing Final Fantasy 1 for the origanal NES. Origanal hardware and alll, and the battery has been working like a charm. :::knock on wood:::

I agree with SterlingIce wholeheartedly. I just got bored to tears with FF 7. Let's see...go to town, do linear "adventure game" type quest, go into wilderness, get jumped on with random combats, go to next town, do linear "adventure game" quest...etc.

I enjoyed a lot of the initial story and setup. Ongoing, the story at times was good and I liked the cutscenes. The minigames could be fun as well. But I got so bored with the game that I quit. I kept waiting for the payoff, but for me it was too little after the first city. That game still holds the record for me on most hours put into a RPG where I didn't finish.

I hate linear RPGs and that's probably the problem. It got too linear too fast. Planescape Torment and Baldur's Gate get linear, but later in the story.

This was from two months ago.. is anyone playing Final Fantasy Online now?

When I think about it...I never really did 'finish' any of the FF lines. The only RPG I think I've actually completed, was Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. Dragon Warrior VII and Star Ocean 2 were very...very...lengthy games that I can't fathom finishing, or picking up anytime soon. From what I understand from a few friends of mine, the 'guidebook' for Star Ocean 2 sets the standards for RPG guides in terms of it's depth.