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Post by Xeogred on Feb 27, 2018 23:05:19 GMT -5
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR9wQqL9aMoThe ultimate Final Fantasy thread. Some previous discussions found here: hardcoreretrogaming.boards.net/post/1051/threadWhat are some of the coolest class combos you've used in FF1, FF3, or FF5? I really dug watching this recent speedrun of FF1 GBA done by Metako. Kind of makes me want to do another run through FF1 GBA since it's such a fun quick dungeon romp, probably about 10 hours casual. I'm not a big fan of the original FF1 NES, but I've beaten it a few times over with the PSX/GBA/PSP releases. I'm excited to replay FF6 sometime soon since I'm due on that. It's probably the one I've beaten the most over the years, but the gap has grown and it's been a long time since I played it. I am planning on banning summons/magic learning on everyone except Terra, Celes, maybe Strago and Relm too. I rarely like to purposely gimp myself in games, but FF6 is a cake walk so I think these rules will make it more interesting another time through. I wonder if anyone else has done this. The latest Retronauts episode was on FF6. I don't always agree with them, but there was some interesting tidbits in there. Namely with the fact that Sakaguchi kind of had a more hands off approach on FF6 since he was busy producing it alongside Chrono Trigger among all the other stuff he was doing. Yoshinori Kitase and Hiroyuki Ito are probably the ones that should get the most credit in its direction. Instead of the cliche' what are your favorite FF games that we kind of covered in the discussions linked above, who are some of your favorite characters in the series?
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Post by chibby on Feb 27, 2018 23:18:46 GMT -5
I expect to be massively shamed for this but the only FF game I've ever played from beginning to end was Kingdom Hearts
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Post by dunpeal2064 on Feb 28, 2018 3:43:18 GMT -5
I've also been meaning to replay FF6 sometime soon. The only FF game I've played enough to start purposefully gimping myself is FF7, for the others I just tend to use a different party/class layout. Luckily, FF6 has a million characters.
FF5 is really the only traditional class-based game I genuinely adore (In the main series), and I've only played through it once, in co-op mode. Downing the superbosses while only controlling half your team is pretty hilarious. Actually, that feature in general is really weird, and present in FF5, FF6, and FF9, but not any other RPGs I can think of. I've played all 3 games like this, I wonder how many other folks have used that feature?
I could talk about FF characters all day, but one that always stands out to me is Vivi. Something about the combination of child-like innocence and the heavy weigh of acceptance he is forced to struggle with... I dunno, that shit just gets to me.
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Post by Xeogred on Feb 28, 2018 8:19:12 GMT -5
I expect to be massively shamed for this but the only FF game I've ever played from beginning to end was Kingdom Hearts That's not a Final Fantasy!
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Post by chibby on Feb 28, 2018 8:55:32 GMT -5
I expect to be massively shamed for this but the only FF game I've ever played from beginning to end was Kingdom Hearts That's not a Final Fantasy! Whatever man, it has Cloud in it. Also I beat Sephiroth, that's got to count for something! If we're being serious, I've started, but not finished, FFVII (I might start again from the beginning) and I own FFVIII and FFX. I like RPGs, but I think the main thing that kept me away from FF (other than not having enough time) was that I owned an N64 almost a decade before I owned an original playstation, I owned a GameCube maybe 5 or 6 years before I owned a PS2, and in both of those cases I got the Nintendo option when it was already 5-10 years out of date itself... Also, they're expensive to purchase. FFX was a gift (thanks Anayo), I found FFVIII for real low cheap while working at a thrift store (with a old school strategy guide that I kept for the lolz), and I purchased FFVII on sale through steam. I might give one of those priority in the near future though, since this is clearly a whole in my gaming knowledge.
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Post by Ex on Feb 28, 2018 11:19:40 GMT -5
What are some of the coolest class combos you've used in FF1, FF3, or FF5? I've never gotten all hot and bothered over class possibilities in these games. That seems to be a thing lots of folks love though. I guess I've always been partial to black mages and dragoon knights. I am planning on banning summons/magic Isn't it possible to beat FFVI without using magic at all, by just running away, and using weapons and items? I seem to recall a guy I knew did that years back. who are some of your favorite characters in the series? I don't have very many, but... Balthier is far and away the best FF character ever IMO. He's such a perfect suave smart-ass, a true rogue gentlemen. Also concerning Balthier's voice acting in FFXII, it's astounding, straight up perfect. Gideon Emery did the best voice acting with Balthier of any video game I've ever heard. Next would be Fran, also from FFXII. I love her no nonsense personality, and how well she portrays a strong female. (If we're being honest she also has an exquisite derrière.) Lastly would be Shadow from FFVI. Badass loner, only cares about his dog. Mysterious and deadly. This dude is the opposite of the typical whiny teen amnesiac protag we so often see in JRPGs. "He'd slit his mama's throat for a nickel!"
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Post by bonesnapdeez on Feb 28, 2018 11:51:40 GMT -5
I like the 8 and 16-bit entries the best (big shock, I know). All are quite good, and that initial 5(+) game cluster feels as if it's building up to the grand finale: Final Fantasy VI. That's my personal favorite RPG (and video game) of all time. Every element is just sublimely crafted. And it's amazing how, despite the ol' gimped/censored dialogue, every single character ends up feeling so distinct and noteworthy. All of my favorites come from this game: Terra, Shadow, Locke... and I think Relm is growing on me now that I have two daughters.
I also love the threadbare "plot" and characters of the first game. It's a great example of "less is more" -- sometimes it's the less showy games that end up the most immersive. And all those "generic" villains ripped straight from mythology, medieval fantasy, and D&D are just fantastic.
Controversial(?) opinion, but part VII is where the cracks in the foundation begin to appear. All the wonder and magic from VI is dropped in favor of a bloated pretentious mess. It's a sterile game -- mechanized, commercialized, commodified, the first "AAA" JRPG. Nomura's designs are also the worst thing ever. It's still a decent game though, in spite of itself. The core mechanics are solid and Uematsu still brings his A game. I have similar opinions about VIII and IX. The spin-offs during this era are pretty strong, however, which remains a trend going forward. I'd argue that every "numbered" game released after IX is pretty awful, but those great Tactics, Chocobo, Crystal Chronicles, and Theatrhythm games have kept me satiated. Not to mention the numerous ports and remakes. I'm also a fan of The 4 Heroes of Light, Dimensions, and Explorers (Haven't had a chance to play World of Final Fantasy).
So yeah, my opinions are all over the place, but I can't stress how much I love the classics. This was quite the untouchable series for some time.
By the way, has anyone played the very first Japan-only Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon? It's cheap and I am intrigued.
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Post by Sarge on Feb 28, 2018 12:33:54 GMT -5
I've rated the series before, but I won't belabor that again. I think VI is the best, though. VII basically falls into the trap of a lot of 32-bit RPGs; more, more, more. That temptation to fill up all that unused space was likely very tempting after being constrained by cartridges. I still think VII is solid, but VIII is actually my favorite of the PSX games. I distinctly remember getting the first Final Fantasy from a local video store at the time. It had the box, but no manual. I contacted Nintendo, and they sent me a replacement manual and maps for free! I remember being absolutely wowed by that. Favorite teams? I initially did the recommended build of Fighter, Black Belt, White Mage, and Black Mage, but I've experimented a lot over the years. I like throwing in a Red Mage in place of the BM, and sometimes I like having a Thief to promote to Ninja. But I've done multiple runs of four Fighters as well. That's less efficient, though, as you run out of super-awesome weapons to give the third and fourth slots. They're still tanky as all get-outs, though. Also, the Black Belt/Master has some insane damage potential. Other than the early game, you want to keep them weaponless.
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Post by Ex on Feb 28, 2018 13:25:02 GMT -5
has anyone played the very first Japan-only Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon? I haven't played it, but as I understand it, it's just more Mystery Dungeon, albeit starring a Chocobo with Final Fantasy aesthetics. If you enjoy Mystery Dungeon in general, you should enjoy it. Since you guys listed favorite FFs, I'll just say that VI and XII are mine. Those two are the apex of their mediums for this series (2D & 3D). You'd think as much fan fervor as VI gets, SQEX would pay more attention to it insofar as remakes/ports go. At least XII got a recent PC port.
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Post by Xeogred on Feb 28, 2018 17:29:15 GMT -5
Most of the classics do have Steam ports based off the mega botched iOS/mobile versions... Square Enix PC support is pure shit. See the latest surprise Chrono Trigger Steam release for reference. store.steampowered.com/app/382890/FINAL_FANTASY_V/store.steampowered.com/app/382900/FINAL_FANTASY_VI/store.steampowered.com/app/613830/CHRONO_TRIGGER/The pictures say it all. AVOID! Sarge: Were Red Mages actually good in FF1? In FF5 they're pretty terrible, only somewhat worthwhile early game. Time Mage was freaking fun in FF5. I made Bartz the usual Fighter type and Faris was a jack of all trades Blue Mage and such, with the other two rotating the Mage/Summoner jobs. I can't remember what I did with FF3, but I got the two secret classes at the end and rocked it. I can't remember my FF1 setups, probably a really basic Fighter, White/Black Mage, Monk party haha. @ex: The reason I ask is because the possibilities offer tons of replayability for these games. It's fun to go through them with different party setups and strategies. Can't really do that as much with some of the others that are more straightforward, even FF7 has its cool Materia System but virtually every character plays the same as they ditched the classes. I like to say the same about Seiken Densetsu 3 over the years with its awesome versatile customization, picking your own party of three and the branching class system. FF5 in particular I can see myself going back to a lot over time and it'll be a fun fresh experience every run more than likely. Favorite characters! I really dig Rydia and Rosa from FF4. Cecil I like a bit more in the early going when he's a Dark Knight. Kain is cool despite all the hilarious cliche' betrayals, haha. Honestly, FF5 has a particular scene (or TWO!) that got me more emotional than anything else in this franchise. It's just key to play a good translation... the FF5 PSX (FF Anthology) release was so garbage. I fell in love with the game when I played the GBA version, which is better than FF4 and FF6's GBA releases quality wise. But I hear the fan translated SFC version is good too which I'll probably play next time. ExDeath is my favorite villain in the franchise. Unlike others who want world domination, he wanted to annihilate the universe and existence itself, taking himself along with it. He has amazing themes, is brutally hard (the first encounter), Gilgamesh, and actively does so much more than other villains in the second half as you're chasing around the world for the legendary items/weapons. FF5 is so underrated. It's full of charm. FF6, count me in for team Celes. I've always liked her more than Terra! Really awesome and dark character arc. Edgar I always love to assume is my main and Cyan is one of the best as well with a tragic story arc. Shadow gets cooler as it goes, but some others like Locke feel downgraded in the WoR portion. Gogo is one of my favorite secret/side characters of all time. FF7, a bit of a mess with most characters... but I think from start to finish Tifa and Barret are legit. FF8, I like the whole crew but I despise Rinoa. She wants Seifer's nuts up until the last minute, she was totally annoying and like a bootleg Tifa in design. FF9... FF10, I like most of them except Kimahri who's worthless haha. FF12, played like 50 hours and can't remember anything about them.
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