Final Fantasy: Sprites vs. 3D

[Cactuar1000]

Just wondering what everyone thought about sprite games vs 3D games. This is more leaning to FFIII and FFIV and their DS remakes because they have both graphical versions. This has nothing to do with the game or the story, simply the art style. In my opinion, I tend to lean toward the sprite side. FFIV DS is great so far, but I miss the sprites in the GBA version. What does everyone else think?

 

[bearsfwd]

I enjoy the sprite games in general. I love how animated the sprites get in V.

In terms of IV though...The DS version's difficulty level is a welcome change (OMG the Dark Elf is so hard now...well the Dark Dragon...tornado doesn't work anymore ). But that's all I have to say for the 3D version.

Seeing as we only have III on the DS, we have nothing really to compare to.

However, the 3D games are getting much better in style (obviously). XIII looks amazing.

Let's see:

VII looks terrible now (I know I know, it was amazing when it first came out)
VIII looks pretty good
IX looked like a step down from VIII
X was a major improvement
XII was amazing
XIII is even more amazing

So really, while sprite games look may dated, they stand the test of time much longer than 3D games. Look at VII.

Personally, I would love to see all the games get a XIII graphic treatment, but that is just wishful thinking and would be a humongous undertaking that will more than likely never happen. But one can dream!

 

[alicehana]

i find sprite games really enjoying...though in some FF, i dont like how it works but still overall its worth it

 

[Kamehameha]

I am a firm believer that Square-Enix needs to stop focusing so much on graphics and go back to making great games with focus on storyline and gameplay. Games such as FF4 and FF6 were awesome, and they were sprite-based. FF7 was great, and that was 3D-ish. Basically, the FF3 and FF4 remakes were turned into FF7-style, without the awesome backdrops.

So in short I say this: If they wish to continue making 3D games, they should make it in sprite form first, just to make sure they're focusing on the actual gameplay. Then they should remake it before they release it in 3D.

 

[Linnaete]

Well, 3D is visually pleasing and all, but it's now reached the stage with FFXIII where graphics and CGI take precedence and other aspects (that make a good FF game) are kind of sidelined. Gameplay has been rather lacking and the story only average. Don't get me wrong, I like 3D, but graphics just shouldn't be a primary factor expected to sell the game alone.

Now, using the example of FFVI here: that game offered great storytelling, characters and gameplay with the 2D sprites. Squaresoft at the time could use the time to craft together immersive gameplay and an emotive storyline that made up for the unimpressive visuals compared to FFVII at the time. This was what made FFVI such a great game. So I sort of see 3D as being both a good and a bad thing.

When it comes to the FFIII and FFIV remakes - I must admit, they were really unnecessary. Yes, it makes them more beautiful, but having the 3D just removes the original charm of the 2D that helped define those early FF games. I myself slightly advocate for a FFVI remake, but I do realise what it can lead to as well.

3D FF games can be excellent (look at FFIX as a shining example), as long as SE does not get too carried away with it. The sprite games were good as well, but 2D sprites are obselete and I doubt they would be used again bar spinoff games.

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

Sprites or 3D, it doesn't really bother me. Square-Enix need to cater to what people want and for the large majority that isn't sprites, there are too many people nowadays that are looking for amazingly good looking games. The problem with Square-Enix is that, to them, this means putting every other aspect to the game in the back seat. As for sprites, as much as it doesn't bother me, it probably wouldn't sell as well as 3D so isn't overly profitable.

 

[Ewan]

A lot of my favourite games are old PS1 games. The gameplay and story lines are what keep me hooked and want to play a game over and over again. Graphics really aren't that important to me because I want to play a fun and engaging game, rather than something that looks stunning but has no substance... FF seems to be moving towards the latter.

So basically what I'm saying is that I don't mind either, as long as the gameplay and story are made priorities. I do think that more is left up to the imagination with sprites though.