My Final Fantasy Editorials

February 18, 2007, 11:49 PM

I write for an RPG news site. It's not very big but I have a lot of history with the place. Anyhow, I've written articles and reviews there from time to time... so I'm going to just post them in here. Feel free to comment if you wish. I'll update it once in a while but I doubt it'll be a daily thing.

Comparing Final Fantasy Gameplay Styles
One of the best things about every Final Fantasy game is that each one comes with a certain flavor and requires an even more specific technique to beat it. In fact, the gameplay usually holds such a high role in Final Fantasy games, that it defines the battle system, the plot, and the character's goals. With each Final Fantasy game released, people always circulate their various opinions about that quality of the battle system and how difficult the game is. Well, I'm here with the laydown, the truth, the straight up on each Final Fantasy game.

Starting at numero uno, Final Fantasy VII is the game where materia rules supreme. Although materia doesn't really respect the boundaries of the "jobs", that’s pretty much what makes it kick tail. In what other game can you go and buy your abilities and magic from a store, then level them? None, that’s which one. Of course, the best materia is either won or found. Anyhow, some people complain that the ability to switch so easily makes for unrealistic gameplay and sucky ability building. Hardly. You see, my compadres, it stretches the boundaries of your job and only slightly hinders the ability building. Barrett will never be your main magic man, and Aeris's double hit will never compare to Cloud's fighter strength. Granted, you can't pop into the middle of the game and start building up "Gravity" or some other spell and expect it to be tops for the final battle. No, it’s way too slow. Still, the general concept is good, and with everything else, too, leveling and working on it gets its just rewards. Still, equipping magic and abilities based on an upcoming battle is just a great concept. It adds that elemental touch that most FF games don't get, but it doesn't overdo it, either. I give the materia system two thumbs up because what is better than a mix and match system? Nothing.

Next up the list is Final Fantasy VIII. Although the game blew, in my opinion, the battle system isn't so horrible that it makes you want to kiss an axe grinder. Biggest problem with the system they have set up is WAY TOO MUCH FOCUS ON ELEMENTS. Granted, a little elemental to-do is very good, but overkill is just that.... I do have to admit, though, that it is very nice to hop into a battle and cast any spell that you happen to have readily available. Unfortunately, the draw system is what we call, in the professional world, da suck! Really, who thinks standing in a battle against some creature that wants to tear you a new one, and drawing 5-10 magic spells from him every turn, is a good way to boost your abilities? Obviously someone. Not me. I like the fact that drawn magic can boost your stats, but when it’s the premise of the game... you just overshot your goal. Sorry, you aimed for the moon and you blew up the sun. Nuclear meltdown. Game over. Game over, man.

Oh boy, Final Fantasy IX. Let’s recall this peachy battle system. Ah, right, how could I forget: you get weapons, you fight with those weapons, and you gain skills. Peachy. Unfortunately, that means the game has to swing one of two ways. The creators can either make it so that the intermittence between weapons is so great that it becomes hard and tedious using the same weapon on a level 5 enemy as a level 15 one, OR they can make it so that you get your weapons on regular periods, but you’re screwed out of getting all the abilities from that weapon anyhow. It’s two extremes and both are craptastic. I really was not a fan of this system. The only positive thing is you get to try out a bunch of weapons in the game. You have to. You don't, and you'll miss out on a spell or an ability. Waterga…I sure wish Vivi had it. Nope, I missed it in some obscure crevice of some dungeon because I'm not a pathetic, cheating shrimp, and I had to go without it for the rest of the game, no questions asked. You screw me out of a spell, and you expect me to like the system? Not happening. I liked FFIX, but the battle system was just terrible.

Final Fantasy X, best one yet. I really like how you can boost your characters in the way you wish. Unfortunately, if you start everyone out at their base stats, some characters are obviously better at certain things than others. Then you walk your characters around the grid so you can suck up all the strength, agility, and HP spheres, right? Well, your characters are just equally elevated from those starting stats, so no one character is really better than another. Sure, your Wakka may be able to outcast Lulu, but it’s only because your Lulu is underdeveloped. It is nice that you can say, "Screw Lulu," and make Wakka your magic caster, if you like. It’s nice to have that freedom. However, if you were to raise both their stats equally, you really didn't change anything. So, assuming you level all your characters equally, the "choice" and "freedom" of the Sphere Grid system just gets tossed out the door.

Only two more to go. Speaking of two's, it’s time for everyone's favorite sequel, Final Fantasy X-2. All I have to say about this battle system is, “Superb.” You can specialize in any type of job, build up any character for any position, and leveling a character equally doesn't necessarily mean one character has an advantage over another. If you get in a battle with an evil ghost or some such dark spirit, and you have Dark Knight equipped to your girls, no biggie. Just zip them over to White Mage, and watch the excellent cinemas in-between. The only downside of the battle system here is there is almost no element factor. Oh well, it couldn't be perfect. Oh, did I mention the battles are extremely entertaining on their own? I did? Well I'll say it again, watching the battles is one of the best parts of this game. It is by far the most entertaining Final Fantasy game during battle.

Now, on the extreme opposite side to that, we have Final Fantasy XI. Shoot me now. Each battle is a nice invitation to grab a bowl of cereal or make a sandwich. The only thing you really have to pay attention to during battles is if your group's healer is keeping up on your health and if no other creatures are spawning that might just join in the battle and kill your butt. You see, Square-Enix wanted to make it realistic that you couldn't join someone else's battle, but a monster could just stroll into yours. Unfortunately, real monsters, beasties, animals of sorts just don't magically materialize three feet from where you’re standing and instantly go into "gang up on 'em" mode. Also, there is very little element factor in these battles. You just click on an enemy and swing your weapon. If you get enough hits, then you use your special move. It’s really nothing amazing. What kind of game makes fighting a routine exercise, not a liberating blast of teeth-clenching excitement? Whatever, the battle system for Final Fantasy XI is very flawed. People may disagree, but with as different as FFXI could have been, there is no excuse for the way it turned out.

So there ya go, my opinions on the battle systems of each game. I taught you about the good and the bad of each system. Fortunately, it never got too ugly anywhere. Whatever. Til next time - see ya later, my readers.

February 21, 2007, 1:14 AM

i have to agree with you on most of your opinions, the only thing that i have to say is that FFIX battle system to me was alittle better then you rated it. but hey we are all open to our own opnions