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Post by Xeogred on Jan 3, 2024 19:04:50 GMT -5
I'm the Xenoblade fanatic here and yeah even I have plenty to knock on with XB1. Everything improved tenfold sequel by sequel, to the point of me 100%'ing XB3. It's still insane for me to think about.
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Post by Chema on Jan 19, 2024 13:32:22 GMT -5
For the last topic of 2023, I attempted to finish Final Fantasy XIII, a task that I didn't accomplish. I dropped the game after making it to the second to last chapter, where I think the pacing falls off a cliff.
I think I've played enough to conclude that the complaints of the gaming press were correct, but also overblown. Reviewers were expecting an open world RPG and not this experimental RPG. I remain fascinated by the choices Square Enix made. Like in Final Fantasy X, the linearity of the game maps make grinding unnecessary; everything is designed so that you have to learn the combat system to progress. The combat system is, as many other players have said, excellent. It might be one of my favorite combat systems in a RPG ever. The graphics are amazing, too. I'm sure this is the prettiest RPG of the seventh gen. I was in awe of the landscapes and vistas that Sqaure's artists designed. The soundtrack, as is to be expected from Square, is excellent.
However, Square got so many other things wrong. The plot takes too long to become interesting. For most of the playtime, all the characters did was run away from the evil guy through forests, caves, temples and hills. There are no shops, villages or NPCs that can add some variety. The fact that most of the game is an extended escape sequence makes going through the dungeons feel boring and pointless. The dungeons could have been shorter, too; they overstay their welcome, specially because Square's map designers seem to hate curves and slopes and any other shapes that could make the maps more interesting. Sometimes it does feel like you're going through a never ending hallway. This feeling is reinforced by the plot providing no objectives beyond moving forward. Moreover, it takes a lot of time for the game to unlock the full potential of the battle system. A lot of skills and spells are not awarded until much, much later than they should. It's like the developers didn't think players could master the combat rules faster.
Then, there's Grand Pulse. A boring, big, empty space that takes an eternity to traverse and has boring MMO-like sidequests and uneven difficulty. It was too much for me, and I quit right there.
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Post by Sarge on Jan 19, 2024 14:50:37 GMT -5
Supposedly that's where the game gets good according to a lot of folks! I think it's indicative of the times and the sort of RPGs folks were wanting, for whatever reason. I always half-jokingly call FFXIII the best corridor-RPG/RTS I've ever played. It was a unique experience, and when the battle system sings, it really sings.
I don't even remember doing much in Gran Pulse. I think you can still mostly straightline things from there, but it has been... almost 14 years ago. Yeesh!
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Post by Ex on Jan 19, 2024 15:43:56 GMT -5
I still haven't played it.
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Post by Sarge on Jan 19, 2024 15:53:20 GMT -5
I still haven't played it. Hey, it's okay, lots of stuff I haven't played yet, either! Kid me would have thought me insane saying it, but there's too many games now. And that number obviously keeps shooting up.
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Post by Ex on Jan 19, 2024 15:59:28 GMT -5
there's too many games now As someone who questionably owns too many games, no argument there.
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Post by Xeogred on Jan 19, 2024 16:07:56 GMT -5
Chema : What if I told you a game existed that...
- Let's you customize its awesome battle system from the start - Has more nonlinear level/hub design - Has likable characters that actually speak like human beings and a good villain
...
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Post by toei on Jan 19, 2024 16:12:00 GMT -5
I've become curious about later FFs in recent times. When I played RPGs and nothing else I know I would have hated FFXIII, but today, I don't know. I'd probably play XIII-2 first and then possibility other related games if I like it that much. I'm in no hurry to do that, though. More of a "maybe one day" thing.
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Post by Sarge on Jan 19, 2024 16:23:37 GMT -5
In my opinion, Final Fantasy has been really uneven since FFX, which is the last truly "great" one in my opinion. Yes, I know FFXII has its fans here, haha! It's just too MMORPG-ish for my tastes, and exploration was pretty unrewarding. I've only played through FFXIII (a few hours into FFXIII-2 and about an hour into Lightning Returns) and while it didn't hit those heights it still felt at least a little bit like a return to form. FFXV has its haters, but I also mostly enjoyed it. Would have been better without the pretense of an open world, though - it's too empty and uninteresting to go that route. FFXVI completes its action-game metamorphosis, to the point where I question how much of the series DNA actually remains at this point. (And don't get me started on making the MMORPGs part of the mainline series.)
Basically, what I'm saying is that it's high time Square Enix went back to the well with FFXVII and actually crafted a throwback RPG with an ATB system. I know it's a slightly different audience, but games like Baldur's Gate 3 prove that turn-based RPGs can still sell, and sell well. (Heck, I'd even take something like FFXII if it integrated more of Xenoblade's exploration focus to the mix.)
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Post by Ex on Jan 19, 2024 16:34:48 GMT -5
FFX last truly "great" one Not sure the last time you played FFX, but I strongly disagree FFX is "truly great". I have started and fallen off FFX no less than three times. It's not bad, but it's far from great, it's a 7/10 at best. I still have to beat it someday just 'cause... >FFXII too MMORPG-ish / exploration was pretty unrewarding Strongly disagree. FFXII is the best 3D FF I've played (and beat).* Has very rewarding exploration. *These are the post-FFX mainline FF games I've not played: Final Fantasy X-2 Final Fantasy XI Final Fantasy XIII Final Fantasy XIII-2 Final Fantasy XIV Final Fantasy XV Final Fantasy XVI
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