The Final Fantasy Series Thread

[Cayal]

Originally Posted by Lioness

Why is that?

The lack of open environments.
The horrible, just horrible voice of Tidus. That laughing scene was an embarassment.
It was really just not interesting.

[Sephiroth]

Tidus' voice I give you. Dire, just dire. But seriously, Vaan and Penelo?





The lack of open environments, well, it bothered me at first, and I will admit to wanting a world map and feeling that it was weird not having one. But I got used to it, and later in the game it isn't such a big deal, once you get to the Calm Lands, and then once you have other ways of getting around.

The game has good FMVs, good music, great fights, and the story only really begins to disappoint late on, IMO.

[Commonmind]

So, not to derail the current conversation, but what does everyone think of sacrificing the immersion one experiences while trekking across a linear environment which is proportionally correct to the character model (e.g., Final Fantasy X and XII) for the return of the world map, exploration and the satisfaction of freedom of movement?

I'm so torn on this that I'm glad someone else is making the decision for me at SE, but there are times I miss it, and times which I enjoy it not being there.

[Sephiroth]

Hmm.

This is difficult for me, too, CM.


I do miss the world map, and I felt that even in XII, the linear enviroments were a bit too small, and the world itself was way too small, with not enough places in it.

So part of me says, "Give me back my world map."


But, at the same time, the realism of the immersive experience really adds something to the game, and I'm sure I'd be complaining that the world 'didn't feel real enough' otherwise. So it's a difficult balancing act.

Is there a way to have the best of both worlds, do you think?

[Cayal]

No, you'd have to have a massive, proportionate environment which would be near on impossible without sacrificing a lot of things, an even then probably still impossible. It's like mapping earth exactly as is and having the character run across it in the same time it would take a human to run across it.

[Commonmind]

I don't think it would be that difficult to strike a balance. Using FFXII as an example, there could've been a world map which one traversed on a rudimentary level, a la Lost Odyssey, to emulate the idea of freedom of movement, while adding a few areas which weren't necessarily tied to the game's linear progress, further driving away the notion that the world is much larger and expansive. These areas could've been grinding spots, places in which to complete sidequests, find rare monsters/spells/items/crafting materials, etc.

I mention Lost Odyssey only because it used a similar system and was, although somewhat shallow, fun to explore, bringing back a certain sense of nostalgia that was lost with the last few iterations of FF.

[Sephiroth]

I haven't played Lost Odyssey but I get what you are driving at, and it's sort of what I had in mind too.

The fleshed-out, detailed linear environments could exist as 'hotspots' accessed via the wider world map. Sort of like in X when you have the airship, but being able to land on the world map as well.

That sense of exploration is definitely what is missing from the newer games, where you can't even go off in the wrong direction, and are always guided to wherever you are supposed to be going next.



But I like Cayal's idea of mapping the earth exactly as it is, and having the character run across it in the same time it would take a human. That sounds like my kind of game......

[Commonmind]

Definitely my kind of game as well. If only we had the technology and manpower to produce a 1:1 interactive experience. Maybe some day...

[Sephiroth]

This is getting way off topic (someone should really warn me), but I've been flying around in the flight sim on Google Earth, of all things.

It does give you a sense of the proper scale of things.

[Commonmind]

Google Earth is too powerful. It must be stopped...

(this is me, not helping)

[Sephiroth]

I've had the same thought. With this 'street view' thing they're doing now...


Fascinating to look at, though, you gotta admit? Especially for those of us who create worlds...





(This is me, doing what I normally do. )

[Lith]

Amazing thing, GoogleEarth. Yet I still can't find a mile-wide hole in the ground while I'm on the ground, while clearly visible from the air (it's a long story...)

I hate the world map. Almost as much as I hate random encounters. Glad it's gone, hope it never comes back. For those that want it, maybe some optional version, but NOT mandatory.

Games can't afford to build environments at true human scale. It would take far too long to traverse the world (btw, why does a game feel the need to have you traverse the ENTIRE world, anyway?), and you'd be forced to invent a faster form of travel, thereby destroying the sense of scale in the same world...

A game's storytelling potential is immense, but it's also a potential likely never to be explored in any real depth because of practical development limits. I've yet to play a game and not feel the limits of it. Books can go a little further in that direction, but still must generally be linear, again because of practical limits. Anyone remember the "choose your own adventure" books? And then there's the issue of free imagery a book provides, which games never can, but that's an entirely different matter...

I place FF above the aforementioned books largely because the stories resonate more, and I've spent MUCH more time contemplating them than the others, skill of the writers aside.

[Cayal]

A theory on SE event later this month and VII remake

Square-Enix DKΣ3713 event this weekend kinda looks like Remake7 | Aeropause Games

[MistingWolf]

^^; I'm actually still working on playing FF VII... It's on my computer, and I really am not a fan of playing games on the computer. Wish it were on a disc for my playstation, but oh well. I would have to say that FF VIII and FF IX are my favorties. In VIII, I love the gunblades, and the Phoenix Pinion is awesome to have for the second-to-last battle before the final boss. It's been so long since I've played, though, that I can't remember the names x.X The characters are great, and I love how they develop throughout the game. Favorite summon? Hmm.... Mmboy, I can't remember ^^;

In IX, I really like how all the individual characters have their own small plot lines. Vivi's great, and Zidane's my favorite. For the summoning, I suppose it'd be the one with the wolf, though the name escapes me.

So far VII is great; Red XIII is my favorite so far. Gotta love the beasts ^^ Now if only there was a wolf character on the good side... Don't have many summons yet, so I can't claim a favorite.

In FF X, the summons are so sweet ^^ Bahamut is my favorite summon; it's so COOL! Next I suppose would be Ixion, then Ifrit, then Valefor. I've never gotten Anima or the sisters. Never really cared for Shiva.

Anyways, that's my ramble.

[Overread]

^^ we gots us anothe site wolf
always good to have another one!

and yes FF does need more wolves on the good side!