|
Post by Ex on Jul 25, 2018 12:21:49 GMT -5
the gameplay is the most complex and hardcore thanks to the class system and various old-school FF mechanics that fell by the wayside Thanks for explaining FFIII's mechanics the way you did, I'm a lot more interested in FFIII now. I too appreciate more complex and hardcore gameplay in RPGs. I've often read FFIII is the hardest FF entry. I agree with Sarge on the remake graphics... I've got a soft spot for low-res poly stuff. It may just be a nostalgia thing, I don't know, but a lot of those old PS1 games' archaic graphics I find charming now. FF3 on DS/Android/PSP very much fits that style. regarding FFVIII, that's actually my favorite PSX entry Considering how average FFVII is*, and how bleh FFIX is, I can believe it. Wouldn't be hard to beat either of those. While I was playing FFX last night, I thought about "I wonder when Sarge played this". I figured it was likely around 2001 when the FFX first released. So you were around 22 when you played it, right? 2001 seems like such a long time ago now. It's gonna take me a long time to catch up to you on JRPGs man. I really do enjoy this genre, it's just such a commitment to finish these 30-70 hour games is all. Hey I'm right there with you dude. So many games, so little time.
*FFVII is above average until you leave Midgar, after that not so much.
|
|
|
Post by Sarge on Jul 25, 2018 12:41:12 GMT -5
While I was playing FFX last night, I thought about "I wonder when Sarge played this". I figured it was likely around 2001 when the FFX first released. So you were around 22 when you played it, right? 2001 seems like such a long time ago now. It's gonna take me a long time to catch up to you on JRPGs man. I really do enjoy this genre, it's just such a commitment to finish these 30-70 hour games is all. Now you know why I play so many short games these days. It's hard to invest all that time. I say that as I just bought Octopath Traveler... Anyway, let's see... I bought my PS2 about the time Suikoden III came out, which was mid-2002, which means I ordered FFX not long after. So yeah, 2002. 23 years old. I was in grad school still. Oy vey. Oh, wait, I'm technically in grad school right now. Well, this is the second go-'round.
|
|
|
Post by dunpeal2064 on Jul 25, 2018 12:57:13 GMT -5
I think I was in 8th grade when I played FFX.
I can see you enjoying VIII, Ex. It has the most room for play in its mechanics (But ofc is never hard enough to demand this, but still fun to mess with). The only letdown for me was the cast, but otherwise I had a good time with it. The card game is tits, too, no idea why IX's had to get so bad. Also, way more side stuff to do here than in most FFs, I remember early on finding a whole optional dungeon as I wandered around, which was so cool, since VII did nothing like that early on.
I also agree that Midgar is VII's strong point. I do think it has some great moments after that, but they are strung together rather poorly.
I hope you continue to enjoy FFX! I really like that one (Granted, I like them all to some extent, at least til XV came long).
|
|
|
Post by toei on Jul 25, 2018 14:01:42 GMT -5
Strangely, I kinda like the old low-poly PSX style. I know, I'm weird like that. Interestingly, the DS version absolutely holds on to the difficulty of the NES version, right down to having to make the final run with no save points. Dying to the last boss means you have to play through two or three hours of dungeon and battles again. To say the stakes are high is an understatement. That's why I mentioned save states; doing it legit can be rough. (I did it legit on the DS version, anyway.) Regardless, FFIII on NES ranks right up there with DWIII/IV, so if you really need to play an 8-bit RPG, that's one of the ones to go for. So, regarding FFVIII, that's actually my favorite PSX entry. I do wonder how well it has aged, though. I remember being okay with the draw system back in the day, but it might annoy me now. And I agree with Ex on FFIX. I'm not sure I've played many other games that are so praised, yet I had to force myself to finish. I started losing steam halfway through the second disc. The second disc! I hope FFX continues to hold up for you, Ex. I've got the remaster on PS4, and have been tempted to really revisit it in earnest. But then, I have so much new stuff to play! Not to mention so many old retro games that I continue to replay. And so many old games I still need to play. I like early 3D too - I grew up with a Saturn and mid-90s arcade games, stuff like Virtua Cop is very nostalgic for me - but that's not what those FF DS remakes look like to me. They're extremely cutesy, in a bland and generic way - to me it's a DS look, not a PS1 look. Think of DS RPGs like Winds of Nostalgia or that Square game... 4 Heroes of Light? I actually own and finished that game, yet I had to google the title because it's so bland and forgettable. I really liked FFIX, unlike you two. To me the first disc was a 9/10, though the rest brings it down a notch (almost every FF starts great and loses steam at some point).
|
|
|
Post by Sarge on Jul 25, 2018 14:37:41 GMT -5
Well, I thought the first disc was amazing, too. Was having a blast. Just the rest of it drug things down way too much in my mind.
For the record, the PSX entries I rate as FFVIII > FFVII > FFIX. I think FFVII is good, but flawed. Probably a 7/10 or so. FFVIII gets an 8/10 at least. I'd drop FFIX down to a 6/10. I won't actually say that it's bad, just not as good as I'd like.
|
|
|
Post by Ex on Jul 25, 2018 14:45:19 GMT -5
It's hard to invest all that time. The hard part for me is when the plot stops holding my interest. That tends to be my biggest issue with JRPGs; bad writing. It's the rare JRPG that has a truly decent (let alone GOOD) plot. Crap plots are easier to deal with for the 16-bit JRPGs, as they tend to land in the 15-30 hour range. By the time I'm about fed up with the lame plot, the game's over. But with fifth and sixth gen JRPGs, where completion times started averaging 40-70 hours, it became more difficult to deal with all that amateur hour writing. I can still stomach juvenile plots if the play mechanics and aesthetics are strong enough though. I hope you continue to enjoy FFX! I really like that one (Granted, I like them all to some extent, at least til XV came long). Thanks. I know I'm not as far yet into FFX as I got back in 2007. I don't remember exactly where I was when I quit. IIRC I quit at some fight against Seymour that seemed disingenuously difficult. I remember being highly annoyed at having to watch unskippable cutscenes over and over again very time I re-fought him. I was probably just under-leveled or something. I really liked FFIX, unlike you two. To me the first disc was a 9/10, though the rest brings it down a notch FFIX's first disc was decent, I agree there. The game really nosedives after that first disc though.
|
|
|
Post by Xeogred on Jul 25, 2018 17:09:22 GMT -5
You guys remember and realize Midgar is only a few hours worth right?
Well I'm probably the bigger FF7 fan here but you're all not wrong, that beginning is insanely good and I could have played an entire game in Midgar. I wasn't too big on like Red XIII's canyon village stuff and the low tech moments out in the rest of the world. I'd say FF8 seemed more universally sci-fi across its whole world and wasn't apocalyptic at all.
I'm with toei on those FF3 3D aesthetics... I think most of us here grew up on both sprites and then early polygons, but nothing about that stye there grabs me. And it might mainly be because of the reference for comparison, I just love the blocky pixelated look of the 8bit and 16bit FF's so much. I even posted screens of my FF3 NES run on the last page that I prefer. I don't like the art direction for ANY of the chibi styled FF material all around honestly, the Crystal Chronicles stuff, etc, bunch of big head looking chipmunks or something. I don't know, not a fan at all. I guess I'd take Nomura's belts and zippers over that stuff anyday!
Also FF3 has a lot of WATER and floating islands. I freaking love that stuff. Topped off with a huge OST for the NES. It's a huge and impressive game for its time. But I'm surprised to see it get some praise here when FF5 is way more balanced and fun in my opinion.
Ex : Your stopping point doesn't surprise me. There are a few Seymour fights that live up to the hype, but they can be insanely easy if you have a few tricks up your sleeve or go in really prepared. I'm not telling you anything unless you need help from us haha. The late game ramps up too. I appreciate that it's got some challenge unlike the PSX games.
Even you guys just mentioning XV is triggering me.
|
|
|
Post by dunpeal2064 on Jul 25, 2018 17:13:56 GMT -5
Oh don't get me wrong, I am a rabid FF7 fan. I just realize it does take some missteps, and that I likely rate it higher than it objectively would deserve. But yeah man, it was the first game I played that I spent time in just wandering around, for like 6 months, and the first game that even really had a story for me, so I am nostalgically in love with the game, despite its many flaws.
|
|
|
Post by Sarge on Jul 25, 2018 18:12:36 GMT -5
I don't care much for Final Fantasy V at all. I much prefer FFIII. I give FFV a dead-on 5/10. I've said it before, I see the appeal, but it didn't really appeal to me.
FFVII was a disappointment for me. I waited so long to play the game, and finally got my mitts on it for Christmas I think in '99? Coming off of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI, it was a massive letdown. Now, I still think it's a good game, but man. Once you get past the impressive tech and cutscenes at the time, you're left with a decent RPG with a pretty lousy localization. Which, of course, appealed to 20-year-old me, but less so now.
|
|
|
Post by Ex on Jul 25, 2018 20:43:12 GMT -5
Also FF3 has a lot of WATER and floating islands. I'm a big floating island too, especially when the islands have ruins on them. That was one reason I enjoyed Skies of Arcadia so much, it was chock full of that design.
I'll keep that in mind, but I doubt I'll need help. FFX isn't exactly SMT: Nocturne. it was the first game I played that I spent time in just wandering around, for like 6 months, and the first game that even really had a story for me, so I am nostalgically in love with the game This description fits a lot of people who are so nostalgia-bias towards FF7. I can definitely understand if someone was between the ages of 12-16 circa 1997... FF7 would have been really impressive. Doubly impressive as their first RPG (it was a lot of folks' first RPG). In 1997 I was too busy with Fallout to care about FF7. I think it was 2009 before I finally played through it. I don't care much for Final Fantasy V at all. I much prefer FFIII. I give FFV a dead-on 5/10. I'm right there with you. I played through FFV in 2008. I was very unimpressed. FFIV was so much better, and FFVI completely destroys FFV. I really don't understand what people see in FFV.
|
|