Why Final Fantasy Sucks, Part 3

Final Fantasy X was released in 2001. This marked the first time that a FF game was not under the direct supervision of creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, and the results were questionable to say the least. Although Sakaguchi still retained the position of Executive Vice President, his involvement in the franchise became limited as he geared up to open his own production studio, Mistwalker.
http://www.mistwalkercorp.com/

While FF X was a commercial success in the U.S., the game furthered trends that had alienated long time fans. It was a transitional period for the franchise, with old fans losing interest and new fans taking notice. Lets start with what FF X got right.

The summoning system of previous games has been completely redone. Instead of performing a single attack, summoned monsters, now called Aeons, replace the party entirely. Each Aeon has specific stats and abilities, and can fight independently until the battle ends, the Aeon is destroyed, or until recalled by the summoner, Yuna.

The Aeons and their summoners are a part of the main story, making this a natural transition. It lends a realistic element to the story and the game play, and brings the Aeons to center stage, allowing the player to form an emotional attachment to them and to Yuna. This is a good thing.

Second on the list is the main antagonist. Sin is a truly intimidating force, and in this regard it's because we don't really know what it is. It is explained that Sin is an Aeon that is reborn periodically and destroys the world, unless a summoner sacrifices herself to reset the cycle. However, we are only given hints to it's true form and power.

The mere idea of Sin is what drives the characters forward and provides motivation for the player. In the end, Sin is not really a villain but a supernatural force of nature. Other than destruction, Sin's motivations are never clear, and this element adds tension.

Third, and most significant, is the inclusion of Blitzball. For those who haven't played FF X, Blitzball is a reason to do so. I was never a fan of the trading card games of FF 8 or 9, but this time around we are given an addicting alternative to progressing the story.

Blitzball is a sport akin to soccer, except that it's played underwater. After the player reaches a certain point in the story, they are given control the Besaid Aurochs and may manage the team as they see fit.

NPC's (Non Player Characters) can be recruited throughout the world, trained, and used in games. This is the part of the game that really shines. Honestly, Square should have made Blitzball an independent game and called it a day.

With that being said, FF X suffered from the same effect as FF 8. The story is convoluted and confusing, and too much emphasis is placed on how the game looks. Admittedly, the visuals were probably a determining factor in drawing in new fans, but once the cut scenes were over we were left with a set of bland and over exaggerated characters trudging along in an uninteresting world.

This game reminds me of a big budget movie, with a plot that goes nowhere. Sure everything looks cool, but in the end is it something that leaves a lasting impression? The simple fact is that the characters, story, and overall atmosphere are all watered down with bright lights and flashy costumes.

That's what really bugged me about this game. It had potential, but it was just so self inflated. The characters were stereotypical, one dimensional, and overall forgettable. Take Wakka for example, and imagine the creative process in creating the character. He's lives on an island right? Simple, we give him a headband and make him talk like a Jamaican. Brilliant! Give me a break Square.

Alright, who's the pivot man?

Following the "success" for FF X, Square set a new precedent with their first direct sequel to a FF title. Final Fantasy X-2 (clever name...) followed an all female cast and picked up two years after the previous game. Returning characters Yuna and Rikku, along with newcomer Paine, are now a sensation as Spira's premeire pop group. Sadly...I'm not joking.

That's right. The woman who was solely responsible for sacrificing her own life in order to embody the ultimate destructive force, thereby delaying the inevitable end to the entire world...is now a pop star. After seeing the mind numbing opening scene of the game, and realizing that you have inadvertently subjected yourself to an experience that might very well give you a stroke, you realize that the absurdity has just begun. 

The Charlie's Angels-esque trio are on a quest to do...something...because...and must utilize the awe inspiring power of changing clothes. What the f**k??? This new class based combat system allows players to switch seamlessly between combat styles using Dresspheres and the Garment Grid. I couldn't make this up if I tried. 

Anyway, most of the game is pointless and does not require the player to complete a majority of the content in order to beat the game. The world is linear and mostly available from the beginning, making exploration and story progression largely a thing of the past.

Again, the story here is contrived and mostly works to diminish the story of FF X. It's clear that Square was simply trying to capitalize on the previous game and didn't put a lot of effort into this one, but as a gamer I have to ask; Was this a story that really needed to be told? Either way, at least Square made some money off of it. After all, that's what the video games are for, right? 

Final Fantasy 11 was an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game), and therefor can't be judged by the same standards as the rest of the series. There's not much to say about it. It did all the things other MMO's do, just not as well, and has recently been taken offline so we'll move on. 

Final Fantasy 12, on the other hand, was actually a surprisingly good game. The story was solid, and the characters were likable and felt fleshed out. Combat was similar to that of Parasite Eve in that players could move around during a fight but still relied on the ATB (Active Time Battle) system. Most importantly, the game focused on character progression and provided an ongoing side quest to capture bounties on rare monsters. It felt like a Final Fantasy game.

FF 12 received high praise as one of the best RPG's, and games in general, on the PlayStaion 2. It was everything we wanted from a FF game. Unfortunately, if history has taught us anything, a return to the franchise's roots would be followed by another descent into madness.

Final Fantasy 13...sigh. I'm not sure I should even include this game in my review, because, honestly, I don't consider it to be a Final Fantasy game. It has the title, sure, but this game is such a drastic departure from everything we know and love about that franchise that it should be labeled as an entirely different game. 

It would be like if someone made a Die Hard movie without John McLane, that took place on Mars, and was about an army of Antelope who were fighting ghosts. It may be called Die Hard, but it wouldn't be Die Hard.

So anyway, FF 13 strips the game play down to bare bones. The player controls a single character through the entire game. Other characters are recruited, but follow a prescripted A.I. The combat system includes an auto battle feature, allowing the battles to take place without the players input. Actions can not be taken outside of battle, and after each battle the players health is fully replenished. Sound like a Final Fantasy game?

Further more the game is, for the most part, entirely linear. Move from point A to point B, repeat. Each character has only a few weapons which are upgraded late in the game, and combat is more action than strategy. 

Wait...can we fit more s**t on the screen?

This is not a Final Fantasy game.

At this point I'm pretty much just beating a dead horse, and anything I could say about FF 13 and it's subsequent sequels has already been said about previous titles. In the end, Final Fantasy has become a franchise that favors graphics over game play, and mass appeal over a connection with it's audience. It is being told without believing, it is sight without soul.

So what can be done to change this trend? First and foremost is a re connection with die hard fans. Final Fantasy has always been about telling a story, and forming an emotional bond with the characters. This should be the first priority. As gamers, we can not simply be shown a world, be must become a part of it.

In making changes to the structure of the series, hardcore fans have been abandoned in order to make a quick buck. That may line a developers pockets today, but tomorrow they will find themselves without an audience.  

So this concludes my review of the rise and fall of the Final Fantasy franchise. Ultimately, it is my hope that the series can find a foothold against it's descent into obscurity. We, as fans, deserve better. We demand better. Until then, we can always hope for that Final Fantasy 7 remake. 

Do you agree with the current direction of the franchise? What classic title would you like to see remade? Please comment below.