The Final Fantasy Series

[Smues]

Crisis Core is awesome, other than being a prequel, which inherently makes me not like it.

 

[Psycho Penguin]

Crisis Core is a lot of fun, even if I didn't particularly like that spinny reel materia thing they attempted.

 

[Sabre]

My main problem with Crisis Core was the fact the main story was so short. Thank god they invented the missions.

 

[Molotov The Bear]

The last dungeon is lame. My buddy and I ran through it in an hour and a half and didn't die once. The boss battles are fun but the final battle is lame for all the buildup to it. The ending's... alright.

Maybe you were just at a much higher level than me, but I was gettin' my ass kicked in the last dungeon. Specialty enemies like the Tonberry were bad enough, but those regular monsters on the last leg of the run to Sephiroth were actually harder than the final boss. I died more times just trying to reach Sephy than by his hands.

Well, that quote of mine was referring to 12, not 7. But yeah 7's ending does suck.

 

[Sabre]

I quite liked the ending the FFVII, with Aerith in the end being the one who saved the planet. What I dont get however is how the FUCK Red XII had kids, considering he was apparntly the last Wolf thing alive.

 

[Smues]

The only theory that I could come up with was either he knocked up a human and the kids just ended up being more Red XIII-ish than humanish. That or he is actually a she and got knocked up by the stone statue of its dad.

Yeah. Most likely he knocked up a human, or other creature.

 

[Sabre]

Seems Before Crisis sheds light on it.

Deneh is of the same species as Red XIII and was chosen to perform a ceremony with him. When Shinra is sent to collect one of them for testing, Red XIII defends Deneh and is taken instead of her.

So its WWE logic and lets change the backstory after its set in stone.

 

[Jingus]

I quite liked the ending the FFVII, with Aerith in the end being the one who saved the planet.

Except we never saw anything like that. SPOILERZ: The meteor is coming closer, the city is being destroyed, the airship is falling apart, Holy Materia doesn't seem to be doing jack shit, everyone's gonna die. Then Aeris's face randomly appears for a split-second, and then BOOM cut to the credits. And oh yeah, "500 years later" Red and his brood of retcon kids are running through the ruined city. What? Made absolutely zero sense, and didn't tell us a goddamn thing about what happened. Top top it all off, they never bothered to animate a version with either Yuffie or Vincent in the airship scenes; so even if you picked them up they just mysteriously vanished for the ending. After being used to endings like the ones in 4 and 6 which went into ridiculous detail to tie up every character's loose ends, this one was nowhere near satisfactory.

 

[Sabre]

Aerith called forth the lifestream to boost holys power to destroy meteor.

 

[Smues]

The thing I didn't like about the FFVII ending wasn't so much that it wasn't clear, but how it wasn't clear at all what happened, yet most people seemed to be convinced that the planet had chosen to kill all the humans. Well yeah that was a possibility, but there was no clear evidence. And it was just as possible that that hadn't happened and Midgar was just overgrown 500 years later because people moved on to other places.

Seriously, when Advent Children was announced I saw plenty of people bitching BUT WAIT THERE CAN'T BE A SEQUEL ALL THE PEOPLE WERE KILLED!!!! THEY'RE TRYING TO CHANGE THE ENDING OF FFVII!!

No dumbasses, they clarified it that in fact the people didn't die.

 

[DrVenkman PhD]

Don't believe Smues' lies.

 

[vivisectvi]

Speaking of bad FF games.. Anyone remember Mystic Quest on SNES? *shudder*

I beat that one the same night I got it.

Fuck you! Brilliant game. Seriously. It was short and easy.. but it was supposed to be. It's not like it was supposed to be anything but that. It's like playing FF12 and being mad that it's a 70 hour epic. And the soundtrack was awesome as hell.

You are craaaazy. I don't remember the soundtrack, but it was a terrible gaming experience for me.. especially since it was their follow up to the awesome FFIV. They completely ignored their core audience in favour of trying to make RPG's mainstream for the average gaming fan at the time (and failed miserably, btw).

 

[Sabre]

The thing I didn't like about the FFVII ending wasn't so much that it wasn't clear, but how it wasn't clear at all what happened, yet most people seemed to be convinced that the planet had chosen to kill all the humans. Well yeah that was a possibility, but there was no clear evidence. And it was just as possible that that hadn't happened and Midgar was just overgrown 500 years later because people moved on to other places.

Seriously, when Advent Children was announced I saw plenty of people bitching BUT WAIT THERE CAN'T BE A SEQUEL ALL THE PEOPLE WERE KILLED!!!! THEY'RE TRYING TO CHANGE THE ENDING OF FFVII!!

No dumbasses, they clarified it that in fact the people didn't die.

I always asumed that the Weapons were activated when the planet is in great danger, such as sephiroth sending meteor to destroy it. And with Midgar being a Mako aka planet health bar being drainned they went after there as well.

 

[Psycho Penguin]

Speaking of bad FF games.. Anyone remember Mystic Quest on SNES? *shudder*

I beat that one the same night I got it.

Fuck you! Brilliant game. Seriously. It was short and easy.. but it was supposed to be. It's not like it was supposed to be anything but that. It's like playing FF12 and being mad that it's a 70 hour epic. And the soundtrack was awesome as hell.

You are craaaazy. I don't remember the soundtrack, but it was a terrible gaming experience for me.. especially since it was their follow up to the awesome FFIV. They completely ignored their core audience in favour of trying to make RPG's mainstream for the average gaming fan at the time (and failed miserably, btw).

I always wondered that since I played it before FF4 that I didn't get the full "OMG this is a downgrade!" effect... but since it got me into RPGs, I wouldn't say it "failed miserably"

 

[Jingus]

I also played 4 and then MQ, and was fairly horrified at what I found in the latter. Even as a twelve year old, I could already smell the "for kids, get it?" stench which wafted off that particular title. Couldn't believe that the same company had tried to pawn off Mystic Quest as even being in the same ballpark with 4.

I know I have repeatedly mentioned all the time you have to spend fighting monsters and getting experience in FF12. Having played through another two hours and only gaining a grand total of one level, I feel the need to once again state: goddamn it takes a long time to build up your levels in this game.

 

[Youth N Asia]

Mystic Quest was a good RPG for beginners. Not an amazing game, but by no means bad

 

[Cerebus The Aardvark]

I know I have repeatedly mentioned all the time you have to spend fighting monsters and getting experience in FF12. Having played through another two hours and only gaining a grand total of one level, I feel the need to once again state: goddamn it takes a long time to build up your levels in this game.

That depends on a variety of things, but primarily on WHEN you do it. There are a lot of tricks, but the best way to do it early is to take Vaan out by himself (after the Rogue Tomato hunt, as he'll be alone in the party) and spend the time to do it then. Sure, it'll take some time to do, especially once you start getting up in the 20-30 range, but it's worth it, because whenever someone permanently joins the party, it will always be based off of Vaan's level (usually the same or one level higher, IIRC), so it's worth it to do the work. You can also make some good money for being that early because you'll be chaining Wolves a bunch early and then later you'll be chaining Werewolves, and this will allow you to get the monographs, which make the loot you get even better. Doing this also helps you to get the Zodiac Spear as soon as possible (as long as you avoid the stupid chests you're not supposed to open), which is completely ridiculous at that point in the game.

You can also do the Dustia trick, which provides great experience, but can be tricky and is definitely expensive.

Later, if you can access the second part of the Henne Mines, there's a place you can get insane amounts of experience; you flip the switch and a bunch of the hardcore bats drop down. Amusingly, they're susceptible to Sleep, so use Sleepga until they're all out, then Curaja them to death. If you have Embroidered Tippets equipped, you're looking at something like 5-6000 EXP per party member per bat, which adds up fast. This is how I got to 99 with everyone.

You can also attempt to get 5 more Zodiac Spears in the Henne Mines as well, but it probably isn't worth it. I mean, it will take you less time to level up to 99, so yeah.

Now, if you're in between those 2 stages, LMK and I am sure I can tell you a trick/place to get good experience (probably be the Deadlands, depending on your level). To get to the 2nd part of the Henne Mines, you have to have beaten 10 Espers, so it's not exactly easy to unlock. It's also about as inviting a place as the Necrohol: not very.

 

[Molotov The Bear]

The platforms in the Ogir-Yensa Sandsea are a good place to level up in XII. You can chain the fuck outta those little guys there (they are ALL over the tanker and they respawn constantly by going one screen back, AND you dont lose your chain).

 

[KingPK]

FF8's story just bored me to tears with Squall being one of the most unlikeable leads in the series' history. I also HATED the plot convenience that they all grew up in the same orphanage.

IX really isn't that bad, though the story kind of loses it's way towards the end.

 

[Smues]

But it has the anti-magic field of SCIENCE!

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

I like that this series differs from game to game. It certainly makes things more interesting, even it results in some of the games having major problems. These are well known to anybody who is a fan of the series, so I won't talk about it too much, just the ones where I go against the grain for the most part.

I didn't care for X. I liked that you could switch out party member's at any point (although it was handled better in XII), but it was just too dominated by the story. Every two steps you would get a five minute cutscene with some of the most annoying characters in video game history and probably the lamest villain in the series. It was just such a chore to get through.

On the flipside, I love Final Fantasy IX. Often considered the worst of the PS1 Final Fantasies, I preferred the return to the old school setting and individual job classes. Vivi might be the best character in the series.

Overall, my favourites include V, VI, IX & XII. The weakest are the three NES games, VIII, X & XI.

 

[Psycho Penguin]

What did you think of IV, Kahran? I think you mentioned them all except that one.

 

[Smues]

I think I'm investing way too much time in this play through of FFVIII. I still doubt I'll complete the queen of cards bullshit for all the cards, I get angry just thinking about that bitch, but I might manage to accomplish everything else. Through massive grinding and card playing I've managed to get Squall's best sword, the Lionhart, and I'm not finished with disc 1 yet. Took forever too, I could really use a life.

Anybody ever complete the Queen of Cards bullshit (pre disc 4) and get all the cards? If so any tips to save time? I've always wanted to collection every card but I always lose my motivation when it comes to the Queen bitch.

 

[Czech]

I quite liked the ending the FFVII, with Aerith in the end being the one who saved the planet.

Except we never saw anything like that. SPOILERZ: The meteor is coming closer, the city is being destroyed, the airship is falling apart, Holy Materia doesn't seem to be doing jack shit, everyone's gonna die. Then Aeris's face randomly appears for a split-second, and then BOOM cut to the credits. And oh yeah, "500 years later" Red and his brood of retcon kids are running through the ruined city. What? Made absolutely zero sense, and didn't tell us a goddamn thing about what happened. Top top it all off, they never bothered to animate a version with either Yuffie or Vincent in the airship scenes; so even if you picked them up they just mysteriously vanished for the ending. After being used to endings like the ones in 4 and 6 which went into ridiculous detail to tie up every character's loose ends, this one was nowhere near satisfactory.

Aeris/the Materia sacrificed part of the lifestream to stop the meteor and millions of eternal souls (or whatever) were lost in order to save the planet.

Final Fantasy VIII is a terrible game. Bad interface, bad music, bad writing. I'll concede that the writing (and oh man the translation) on Final Fantasy VII could be kinda slapdash and hackneyed at times, but what a soundtrack.

 

[Smues]

No way Final Fantasy VIII's soundtrack is awesome. I think it was the second video game soundtrack I ever bought after Chrono Trigger. It still gets regular play on my ipod. Though I'll certainly grant that it had weaker Chocobo music than VII.

 

[Czech]

6 > 7 > 4 > Secret of Mana in terms of soundtracks as well as general gameplay. Anything else is just RPG bluster to me.

 

[BorneAgain]

Any of you guys going to check out the sequel to IV when its out on WiiWare?

 

[Smues]

I'm a sucker for all things Final Fantasy (well, all things that aren't Final Fantasy online) so I'm sure I will. I think it was originally made for mobile phones in Japan so my expectations will be low, but it'll still probably be worth a play through. Although without someone yelling YOU SPOONY BARD I'm not sure it'll be worth it.

 

[Cerebus The Aardvark]

Although without someone yelling YOU SPOONY BARD I'm not sure it'll be worth it.

Or "I WILL DRAG YOU ALL DOWN TO THE HADES!"

 

[Psycho Penguin]

Final Fantasy VIII's soundtrack was the game's strong suit.