Dissidia: The Game That Transformed The Franchise (A Retrospective)

In 2008, Dissidia Final Fantasy for the PSP released and drastically altered the tone and style of the entire franchise. In this video I explain how Dissidia came to be, how it transformed the franchise into what we have now, how it changed the way fans and Square Enix looked at Final Fantasy, and how it set the stage for many games to come.
Support me on Patreon: / drakeyc
Video footage taken from
aulddragon
ballerscuba
Basileous Productions
BFD
blinktgaming
BuffMaister
Chronos
Cloud x Aerith: A Story of Love
CloudColin
Cozz
DeltaShinyZeta
Devil_Slayer Productions
dudewhereismyspoon
GalufBlackMage
GameStreamsTV
GoodiesDruid
Hoqlizz
iMackshunGames
iMacroFerror
JELLIS Gamer
Jess W
Key Tsang
kinlyki
Krauss
Lacry
lionheart41269
Magemasher22
Miss Mori
MrMoveews87
necklessone
Neptunesman
Neronium
octaneblue
PlayFrame
RenkaWong
Robaisolken
Shirrako
ShiryuGL
SoranotRoxas
Steparu
Subspace Alpha
TheGamersJoint
TheRoxasXIIIK
Tirix887
TransAmBurst
xatraylightrunx
Xenomic

[@kingcrimson2643]

I haven't played many PSP Games but I would say Dissidia and 012 are some of the best the system has to offer. And yeah, it really has transformed Final Fantasy.

[@WarrenGdog28]

Agree I use to play with my Nephew and OMG it was Amazing

[@kingcrimson2643]

@@WarrenGdog28 I wish Dissidia 012 will get ported to PS4 already. The game looks so good uprezzed.

[@TheSwordsman100]

One thing I think that ties into the points in this video is the effort taken to really flesh out not only the Warrior of Light and Garland but also the world and plot of FF1. They didn't have to go out of their way to flesh out the setting and explain why multiple FF mainstays (like summons) were not present in FF1, to the point that Dissidia can be counted as a prequel to FF1 but because they did WoL has that weight and became more than just a class, Garland's redemption after the time loop is severed no longer comes out of nowhere, we got to learn a bit more about the mysterious Lufenians and we got one of the most iconic ending shots in all of FF.

[@Sjono]

0:46 “The devs wanted to do a game with him as director.” And so began the tradition of Square Enix devs trying to consistently get Nomura to direct Final Fantasy titles

[@Chelaxim]

Despite Final Fantasy VII Remake being the only finished GAME with him in the directors chair. MORE PEOPLE WORK AT SQUARE ENIX THAN NOMURA!

[@TJF588]

There's a certain irony in hearing "Tide-us" when Dissidia may have been most players' first confirmation of the proper "Tee-dus" pronunciation. (It had been said before in a missable quip in the first Kingdom Hearts, but its console sequel KH2 had a compulsory scene using the "Tide-us" variant.)

[@Chelaxim]

It's also how it was pronounced during the coming attractions trailer if you saw The Spirits Within in theaters...granted infamously nobody saw that movie.

[@TJF588]

@@Chelaxim Now THAT's the the deep lore!

[@skycloud812]

Like Firion wants a full world of roses I want a whole life with this stories

[@Aghul]

This video is great and a real trip down memory lane! Especially because it was actually Dissidia that properly introduced me to the Final Fantasy franchise as whole and I have been hooked ever since. I have made so many great memories and experiences thanks to this one game starting my love for Final Fantasy. It also introduced me to all those fantastic old FF characters, to roleplaying, fanfiction, my love for fanart and - most of all - introduced me to my now girlfriend of 10 years. I kid you not, this game changed my life.

[@DrakeyC]

That is awesome! :D You're very welcome for the trip, thank you for watching.

[@googyta]

Duodecim was the best single player experience I'd ever had in a fighting game while NT was among the worst. It's unfortunate the way it ended up. NT wasn't even bad mechanically, I like how fluid dashing was and there was some welcome balancing to bravery attack damage that tended to be quite low in Duodecim. I'd even call NT Bartz the most fun character to play as from any Dissidia game (Seriously. He got the glow-up of the century). A lot of the psp games wilder elements had to get toned down or cut in the transition to 3v3 and it could often feel like a watered down version of the original with team mates I didn't want around. Sorting characters into different classes that trended towards specific strengths and weaknesses occasionally felt like movesets got kinda homogenized with a gimmick being slapped on. The verticality in maps was comparatively sparse and they felt less distinct overall. All of this would've been a lot more forgivable if there was enough content to make a satisfying package but that wasn't the case at all. There were flaws in the psp games worth addressing but they didn't need a 3v3 makeover to achieve that.

[@DrakeyC]

Agreed. I've no idea why Square thought that the direction they should take for a future game should be a team-based 3D arena fighter with MOBA elements and a phoned-in single player story mode, when the PSP games were 1v1 fighting-RPG hybrids with tons of single-player content.

[@ShockwaveFPSStudios]

@@DrakeyC I actually like NT. I don’t have a problem with the gameplay… it’s the story structure that bugs me off.

[@eduardoramirezjr1892]

NT works if you have a crew of 2 friends to play because it's trying to be a compettative game. It's kinda like how Borderlands is good on it's own but amazing if you play with friends. The problem is the gameplay was such a dpearture from the PSP games that it just left a sour taste. I played the Open Demo and hated it. I REAAAAALLY Wanted to love it because Ramza finally got some representation.

[@saver_spenta_mainyu]

Full on agree that Dissidia connected all the disparate fans into learning and growing to love the all the different characters of the franchise. One extra point I would add for how revolutionary Dissidia was it using voiced intro dialogues for every character. It made every new battle a treat because you got to hear your favorite characters react to other. That's a model that was popularized by Mortal Kombat 9...3 years after Dissidia, and it is still used by MK9 and is regarded as one of their standout features.

[@Azlykumos]

This is a fantastic video, thanks so much for making this! I cackled so hard when you said "who is Firion" because he's actually my favorite FF character *because* of Dissidia

[@DrakeyC]

XD and he's a worthy pick, he's a lot of fun to play as. Assuming there's a good five square feet of solid ground or so he can use.

[@Fr3ak_MM8BDM]

NT was more of an experiment than anything else. I like what they were going for, it just doesn't work in practice. Give us another 1v1 game!

[@squirtle0528]

But NT absolutely does work and is beautiful. It's just terribly misunderstood.

[@DrakeyC]

@@squirtle0528 It's not an awful game, but it was mismarketed. NT is really more like a MOBA than a fighter game, given its focus on team combat and the usage of recharging skills and summons to influence gameplay. The problem then becomes that MOBAs rely on team synergy and skill level, not to mention a stable internet connection, and Dissidia NT on PS4 does not lend itself well to those things.

[@TheNightSkyPrince]

Fantastic look back at one of my favorite sub-franchises in Final Fantasy! Excellent video!

[@DrakeyC]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@TheJuuuuJuuuu]

I miss Dissidia so much ... NT sucked so badly and now I just really wish there was a remaster/remake of 012. Seeing NT release truly hurt my heart.

[@nubbiewubbie7285]

Years later, Dissidia and 012 are still easily one of my favorite games of all time. They literally changed the way I viewed video games and stories.

[@Vaga-Bard]

Couple things, most importantly, you mentioned at the end that dissidia didn't have special voice actors.. well...... the voice actors for dissidia are are dream team.. I've yet to hear anyone mention it but I've tried to get several people to make a video about it as it isn't something my subs care about. Garland is vegeta and piccolo and many others (Christopher Sabat?) Chaos is Keith David. Cosmos is ash Ketchum. They all have top of the line voice actors. And The rhythm game was the first one. Ftr But this was fantastic. I totally agree. Game changer for sure.

[@gilfordtan]

I hope they do another Dissidia title in 30th anniversary that is more like Duodecim than NT. Hopefully on PC so that the modding community will be revived and prosper again. If not, I'll settle with just a PC port of the original Duodecim.

[@AzureMage253]

@DrakeyC: slight error when you talked about the PSP. The handheld never used a hard drive, but the first three versions required user-supplied Memory Sticks up to 32 GB. I believe it was the last two revisions to get a model number that used flash storage instead. Even then, you only had one gigabyte to work with barring an "external" card. You may know me better as Swordzman; this handle comes from a period that encouraged diversity of one's online assets.

[@akiinmoonlight79]

012 is a masterpiece and one of the besst psp games ever if not fighting games in general, it needs a remaster ❤

[@DrakeyC]

Agreed so much

[@EinlanzerHyuga]

I remember when it was first announced. I have not experienced a lvl of hype since. Dissidia 012 is one of my favorite game. I have over 1000 hours in the game and was the best player at my college back in the day. Strangers who played the game would look me up for a fight. It was surreal. I play the game for the story and customization. Truly a magnificent game.

[@DrakeyC]

I know exactly what you mean. While there have been comparable games since, the original Dissidia was just an experience that can't be matched. It's like seeing Sora in Smash.

[@wreday720]

Really great video! I always hear people praising Dissidia but never actually explaining why it is good! Never realised how important dissidia has been to the franchise!

[@DrakeyC]

Thank you. I felt the same, when I looked to see if there were any videos analyzing or discussion the impact Dissidia had on Final Fantasy, there pretty much weren't any. And yeah, it should be recognized for what it did.

[@Auron1Roxas2]

Comparing final fantasy to marvel is such a huge insult to final fantasy.

[@TheCarash]

Just found this and while I never thought of it that way, I can whole heartedly agree with. Dissidia was my first final fantasy game and it lead me to play 13, 6 and 7. Now I'm hopelessly addicted to 14.

[@DrakeyC]

6:15 - *ahem*, that's Jan 9 2010 for Birth By Sleep, not 2019...and I watched this video before exporting, too! T_T

[@olivierbufole1291]

I love this game so much. I hope they make a true sequel back to the old style. Hopefully crisis core remake inspires hope.

[@DrakeyC]

Here here. Even just five years ago, if they took Dissidia NT, recreated the PSP game using those graphics, and released it on PS4, it'd sell.

[@Sjono]

7:56 “The game’s DLC file are stored on the PSP’s hard drive.” The PSP’s what?

[@DrakeyC]

The PSP's memory cards were a kind also used by computers and it could be connected up to a computer with a basic compatible USB cable and navigated like computer folders. So, it seemed apt to use that terminology.

[@Sjono]

@@DrakeyC Those memory sticks were external storage devices. Using the term hard drive would refer to internal storage, or more accurately the flash memory that portables use including the PSP Go, 3DS, Vita & Switch. Most PSPs didn’t even have flash memory as storage so those terms aren’t interchangeable

[@monmon-hy5ql]

This is a well thought video, very well said!!! It changed the franchise forever in many ways as you said. I'm a fan of FF6, so I really love Terra. I don't mind the blonde hair as long as I can see her in 4k(tbh im simping) XD I was considered really odd in my childhood and so I could relate to her story a lot. Being born in late 2002, its pretty rare to find someone of my age talk about FF6 cuz sadly all they see is FF7 and considered it the "best ff game ever" which what came up too after the release of Dissidia the fandoms gone crazy XD Personally, I don't have a say about the best one since I have only played Remastered FFII, FFIV, Gba version of FFVI, psp version of FFVII, Dissidia, Dissidia 012, FFX-2, and finally Lightning Returns and so this 8 FF games have a very special place in my heart. I don't mind cuz... well FFVII.. it has a *movie*. And our national TV channel showcased it at some point so yea XD. So I'm happy that Dissidia gave a chance for the other games especially the old ones, to be seen. NT was kinda dissapointing, I mean the gameplay mechanics. It kinda nerfed them in combat alot like I mean ALOT. The versatility is not there anymore and the power balancing is off...some became incredibly op with their gimmick while some are meh :V in comparison to the OG Dissidia and 012 versions. The concept of being representatives of their respective games with equal strength is sadly gone. Let's just wait for future updates and keep the fanbase going :'3 Edit: What the heck is that one dislike? They need a Dose of every ff characters signature attacks XD

[@maaoruzketo]

I remember playing the demo for dissidia when it first arrived on the PSP Playstation store and fell in love. I was so excited when I scraped together the money to purchase a copy and played it like crazy until eventually getting 012 Duodecim years later. This game and its sequel are in my top 5 PSP games ever. NT was just pain to see because it felt like the game got gutted even though it looked visually beautiful. I hope one day they bring back dissidia with the Play style of the PSP games, but the look of the PS4/Arcade games

[@lan-kun-officialchannel8285]

Honestly, looking at Dissidia NT, it feels more like it’s trying to compete with another popular game in Japan, Gundam Extreme Versus, which is another team-based arena fighter, rather than copying popular western trends like MOBAs and Hero Shooters as people claim. Its initial arcade release was pretty much a clue why NT existed.

[@ShaoKahnnor]

Really well done video

[@aeopu]

I love this examination, thank you so much. 😊

[@Kligor2]

Duodecim was the game that really kicked me into the series as a whole. I had played FFX like 3 times over already and I did play FF12 when I was a kid but I didnt like it at the time. So when I played Dissidia I was mostly there for Yuna, Tidus n Jecht but I quickly fell in love with all the characters and so I then marched on, emulated every game I didnt have access to and played all the numbered titles (aside from the MMOs) and now Im working on the side games. Gotta say, folks sleep on Type-0 way too much.

[@honeyandtomo]

Great video! You can tell you spent your time doing a lot of research 🧐 interested to see more!

[@DrakeyC]

Thank you. :) Similar videos called "Lore of Final Fantasy" are on my channel already, and there's another coming at the end of the month. I may also do other videos more like this in the future

[@honeyandtomo]

@@DrakeyC cool! I’m definitely interested in anything FF. Thanks!

[@tjongdavid1921]

Ahhh still one of the best PSP games I've ever played. Currently I'm playing Opera Omnia, and it's quite enough to sate my nostalgia itch. I can use themed parties like "The Princess and Her Knights" (Garnet + Beatrix + Steiner, though very suboptimal since Steiner hasn't received any update yet. I usually swap Steiner with Freya since she's also a (dragon) knight. lol), "Happy summoner family" (Yuna + Tidus + Braska), or even "FFX-0" (Braska + Jecht + Auron). Not to mention the Burst Attacks on a lot of the character's uses the character's trademark attacks or scenes iconic to said character, while changing the bgm to iconic musics from the game, or from certain iconic scenes from the game. For instance, Beatrix' burst have her attacking the enemy with Steiner while the bgm "Something to Protect" is played. Vivi's burst have him cast reflected Trance Double Flare where before Flare happens, the camera zooms in to his face EXACTLY how it zoomed in during the FMV after fighting Black Waltz 3 after Dali. So, yeah.... DFFOO is nice. Anyway, I find it funny that you don't mind showing cutscenes from the games you referenced, EXCEPT FF14's. Lmao. Afraid to get the community snapping at your heels?

[@DrakeyC]

More I respect spoilers, and since FF14 was rapidly growing in popularity at the time and Endwalker wasn't out yet, I decided to go light on it. I enjoy OO too, it's a pity of a lot of people ignore it because its a mobile gacha game, its story content is excellent. Thanks very much for watching :D

[@keyblademasterclark]

I wish I still had a PSP and this game. I still have my memory cards

[@SeventhheavenDK]

012 is my most played game in PSP (along with FFTactics War of the Lion). Countless of hours with that game, all the content, and on top of that you could even make your own stories with the Creation mode. I liked Tifa a lot in 012. And it even made me appreciate other characters that I wasn't that familiar with, like Lighting, Shantotto, Prishe, or the old main characters like Warrior of Light and Firion amd their respective enemies. I jave never liked FF12, yet I liked Vaan in 012 despite not even liking him as a character in FF12. About NT, lol, I knew it was destined to fail from the beginning when it showed the direction it was taking. Glad Tifa wasn't included right away, I would have bought the game right away (probably), but her late inclusion gave me time to realize it would be a waste to spend money in that game. Edit: NT is a good example of a good franchise full of content ruined by the eSports wagon.

[@ThrillingDuck]

25:20 I love what a waifey little twink Sephiroth looks like when standing next to gigachad Jack Garland lol.

[@kings_mark]

Awesome video

[@DrakeyC]

Thank you :)

[@_Mydrin]

they should make another NT but this time with PSP dissidia mechanics and pace. the 3v3 was sooo slow in comparison

[@jonmcknight18]

When it comes to NT is like Square looked the Duodecim and how well it sold and was like let's get rid of everything people like about this game and make a team fighting game it's sad what happened to dissidia because now we can't have stuff like Clive having a EX mode where he turns in to Ifrit and using hellfire for his ex as for the or Noct and Arden where there fighting styles and a mirror of each other

[@BlackGeine]

The next Dissidia will be amazing.

[@DovahZeux]

Praying this is true. Love this series so much. 3400+ hours in Duodecim alone and counting. 💪

[@ceegronlee]

excellent vid

[@DrakeyC]

Thank you :)

[@keyblademasterclark]

IIRC, my main uses were Firion, Squall, and Onion Knight. I can't remember who I mained in Duodecim, but I remember enjoying Yuna a lot. I didn't like playing as Exdeath or the Emperor though.

[@DrakeyC]

I liked playing as Terra and Zidane, because they're my favs, and I also liked Prishe, Gabranth, and the Emperor, though he was indeed tricky to use well.

[@keyblademasterclark]

@@DrakeyC Zidane was another one I liked playing as. I also really liked Golbez. Pretty much anyone that had attack branches like the characters I mentioned were the ones I played with the most. The exception being Squall, who had that aerial brave combo that I loved to death. I actually remember enjoying Cecil's versatility, being able to switch between Dark Knight and Paladin.

[@SirKupoNut]

Really great video, its such a shame NT was so bad. I hope it hasn't killed our chances of getting a proper Dissidia sequel.

[@DrakeyC]

Agreed. Hopefully the continued success of OO shows Square that there is still interest in Dissidia as a franchise. Me personally, I'd be down for a remaster bundle of Dissidia, 012, and NT (it wouldn't be hard to conform it to a story mode format like 012's)

[@richdadnumbero1]

Hail to the king baby

[@jefthereaper]

The unfortunate story is that both (all 3) were great concepts that could have shone much brighter. But ended up limiting themselves due to idiotic corporate decisions. The original two were incredible, and I enjoyed them greatly, but they were limited by the PSP technology. The two first could just as easily have been a single game (Duodecim being a DLC) with the ability to do 2v2 and 3v3 battles along with real summons on a stronger platform. Meanwhile NT had the graphics and the multiple players, but limited itself to the extreme in combat to "balance out the field" for multiplayer. Something that reduced the overall strength of the game compared to how much more fun and unique the combat was in the first two. Let alone designing it for an Arcade machine. I don't care how popular it is in Japan, its outdated. People are also no longer making games for the PlayStation 1 these days.

[@floreskyle1]

Oh man, only if NT... only if.... and yeah I admit pirating both Dissidia and 012, can't be helped. Its an FF game, and I'm a kid back then.

[@nunothedude2]

Chawactes, sephiwot, new awenas lol

[@Fourtune1]

Yeah I couldn’t finish

[@extrax48]

NT is still one of major flops SE has done for the entirety of FF... The original and 012 had a nearly perfect framework and they decided to change that for whatever reason... The only way to bring back the franchise is to make a remaster of 012 with current graphics, add the total planned roster for NT and more, and a proper online mode BUT DO NOT touch the existing system (like the EX Mode/Bursts, 1v1, summons, customizable skills and equipment, etc.). Then they can continue from there...

[@DrakeyC]

I so wish they had used the NT engine to remaster 012. While that ship has sailed with them killing NT years ago, at least Opera Omnia kept going for a good while. I hope they took that as a sign that there WAS an audience for more Dissidia, just not for NT

[@blaze55661]

They better trash NT and give us another PROPER Dissidia

[@Geallach83]

I feel this diminishes the impact of VI a bit too much. But yes, 013 and 012 were great entry points into the franchise.

[@DrakeyC]

VI?

[@Fourtune1]

Yeah this lisp is bad…

[@DrakeyC]

Yeth it ith

[@khtulu1]

This game is a fucking masterpiece

[@DrakeyC]

Here here

[@goncaloferreira6429]

Great video.