Final Fantasy is DEAD? - Thoughts from a lifelong fan...

[@basque_9995]

I think Final Fantasy is suffering an identity crisis. It's trying to appeal to a mass audience, but by doing so, it alienates the old fans. However, I don't think the series has done enough to draw in new fans. Sometimes, it feels like Square-Enix is just betting on the name to carry the game.

[@GamerForLife514]

Sadly but true.

[@ericp631]

This. I didn't grow up with a PlayStation and ff7 wasn't this big formative experience for me. So, it holds no special place for me, I view ff as no different than any other jrpg series. This isn't to say I think they are bad games, far from it, I think they are usually quality games. I guess what I'm trying to say is when choosing my next jrpg time sink, why should I choose it over say persona or xenoblade that have also have legacy and quality to them. And that's the issue, they have spent the past 20 years basing their appeal/selling point on this franchise "hey remember ff7/remember playing these games in the 90's", which doesn't mean anything to the people who weren't there, rather than what you can do in the games, having cool characters and art style that draws you in, ect. Square thinks it's about battle systems rather than style and content, which is what really what draws people.

[@wildwest1832]

What made the OG games fun and unique has been lost to time sadly. Now its just another GOW button masher RPG. Not enough of those yet I guess

[@Bbbbbbbbbbhhhhhhh]

Final fantasy games have always evolved over time, it’s the reason some of the older ones are disliked and some are loved because the tweaks to the combat and gameplay have always been a thing. It’s always been an evolving process even though I agree with you overall, FF16’s combat, though enjoyable probably has strayed too far from the older ones, that I don’t really like that type of combat for an FF game (story is good for 16 though). FF7R I feel like they can work with that and would like to see more new games use that system and then decide if a return to the older ways might be better.

[@1kbmahan]

Yep those boomers don’t like change and can’t move on with a cool combat system

[@viewsbyrej]

Final Fantasy isn’t dead. It’s having an identity crisis like Cloud. It’s lost and needs to find it’s way back home.

[@cosmancho2959]

It's a tired franchise. There comes a time when a franchise just has too many mediocre games.

[@viewsbyrej]

@@cosmancho2959 Very well could be. What I’ve noticed as a fairly new fan of the franchise is that its core audience have not been fond of the direction the games have gone in. Sometimes it can just be a clear disconnect between the fans and the ones in charge with their vision.

[@RedHairShanks-bb3dc]

Just like Cloud lmao

[@jay-easy311]

Final Fantasy to me is just like a story i know called the puppy who lost his way. The world was changing, and the puppy was getting bigger...So you see, the puppy was like Final Fantasy, in that they were both lost in the woods and nobody, especially the little boy, "society", knew where to find them. Except that the puppy was a dog, but Final Fantasy my friends, that was a revolution. Knibb High football rules!"

[@leebojangles947]

​@viewsbyrej this 100% this. They lost so much of the og's. They need to stop making devil may crys.

[@MTTT19]

Something I can’t help but wonder is what if Final Fantasy went back to its routes with the Turn Based Battle System? I actually really miss that.

[@OmarO_721]

Unfortunately Square is too concerned with the market place and following trends.

[@mike1989libra]

Yes cuz we have to stay stuck in the past

[@mike1989libra]

Yes cuz we have to stay stuck in the past I beat the old ones I want new shit everyone

[@wood1066]

Considering none of the turn based games square has put out over the years has come close to the sells of games like FF15 and FF16 tells square more people want their action rpgs.

[@wood1066]

@KevinKeys-KK yes, they may not be as flashy, but it's clear a lot of love in effort was put into games like Octopath and the Bravely series. Both series are basically classic FF games just under a different name. These games still don't pull in huge sells despite all the people claiming more people want classic FF games. What's even funnier is that FF still outsells 90% of other jrpg series out there. Even Persona numbers don't come close. The issue isn't the games themselves it's the huge budgets and bad business decisions.

[@lucbauer]

Don't feel sad because it's over. 😢 Be happy because it existed. 😊

[@SuperSupersoda]

and by hyped because that thing you used to love? Trails is doing that pushed up to 11.

[@gillleehahn7451]

this guy dont know what he is talking about

[@Sergey_Matskevich_82]

Yesterday I finished FF 16. It is my first FF game that I complete. And I had many strong emotions about game story and ending. It is really good game.

[@bobd2078]

Ff16 isn’t a game. It’s a movie

[@bakermiaz]

Personally I really like Final Fantasy 16. I am much older now at 61 and its more casual and easy to start up play a little then put it down then pick up again. Personably I like the change but I can understand why FF fans don't like it, It is very different from other FF games.

[@thunderzproductions5474]

the 4 - 6 year development cycle kills the anticipation for the next ff sequel. like i was hyped for ff7 remake and it was sick but the 4 year wait for rebirth kinda killed the momentum for me a little. that being said rebirth is cool and fun.

[@Alternity666]

As a single player franchise, it's going through a remodeling, I honestly think the FFVII Remake combat style should be the way to go, though the storytelling in FFXVI is amazing, a combination of both of these elements would probably be the optimal FFXVII. When it comes to the MMO though, FFXIV, it's nowhere near dead. FFXIV is an amazing game and is currently thriving.

[@ShinobiShaw]

Another thing is that Final Fantasy does not seem to captivate younger audiences the way it did in the past

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

yes maybe cuz its lack identity like the previous titles. and hype the younger gamers into graphics and new battle systems and we know OG gamers like us knew how the remakes and new titles doesnt have more dept on stories just shallow convuluted mess that no one cares for the characters anymore.

[@EdwardSnortin]

Why does this dude's speech patterns change every 2 years?

[@celestialarmor695]

What do u mean

[@strawhats0823]

Not following what u mean

[@Andronicus87]

I know it's like he trains himself to talk in a different way right? It's effing weird! DCG is effing weird!

[@iChoseScylla]

😂😂😂

[@Pipopowitz]

They've relied on Nomura too much.

[@kevinramirez3134]

So true. Nomura is a hack!

[@supercool1412]

I think to me Nomura is a great artist but he has done so much harem to the ff franchise that I am starting to hate his art

[@stephensays8726]

@@blippitybloo Most of the time his ideas are too big for anything other than GPT-2 finding a way to influence its nonsense output with an LSD trip. He's never had any respect for the story, only on specific moments that usually never fit into the story trying to be told.

[@wboeren1]

I think going back to old style gameplay and style of graphics, with a good story line, will get customers back. So many games look and play the same.

[@wboeren1]

@@blippitybloo i am 54 and still play videogames, people want to escape this crappy world even for a moment. Better to play a good game then go to psych. Cheaper to.

[@Acesinz]

I agree

[@Clampotaku]

In 1994 my friend "forced" me to play Final Fantasy 6 (FF3 in North America). At the time I hated JRPGs (had never played one though) and reluctantly agreed to play it with the expectation of hating it. I stared it at night, with all the lights off and once I witnessed the characters in magitek armor, advance upon Narshe in that mode 7 visual design, while the beautiful melody played over it, I was left with my mouth held agape. I had never known that a video game could bring out the kinds of emotions in me that FF6 did and I have been a fan of not just Final Fantasy, but JRPGs ever since. The last few have not hit with me though. I hated FF13 and I don't play MMOs so FF14 was a waste for me as well. I thought 15 and 16 were average at best. The last good FF game IMO was 12, but the last one I truly loved was 10.

[@gog6256]

You echoed my experience with FF perfectly. As a teen I wasn't into video games. A workmate lent me his NES with The Adventures of Link, and I loved that game. So, when I finished it I wanted to try another. Went into the store and saw this game named FF6, bought it and the SNES. Can't forget the first note, dark sky and lightning, magitek armor walking across snow to Narshe. The story, graphics, and oh boy, the music. I still think it's the best FF (for me). When I bought FF7, amazing. I know there's more advance sound systems, but I'd still prefer to hear FF6 music from SNES or MIDI files. I almost did not play FF13. I hated that it took so long to make, and a lot of people were negative about it (too linear). But when I actually decided to give it a try, I actually like it. I liked 10 too, and I'm playing XII right now.

[@mariusamber3237]

To be fair, there were very few JRPGs available back then (unless you were living in Japan, naturally). Here in Europe we only had Phantasy Star pretty much before FF 7 (as far as consoles go). There were a few more games of the kind, but they were very, very niche - kinda like most visual novels nowadays. People were mostly playing PC RPGs here because of that, and JRPGs remain niche to this day. I remember playing way more games like Might and Magic, Fallout etc. in that period. I mostly started playing JRPGs after FF 7 (PS1 was 'massive' here, no other console in the 90s gets any close from what I recall) and I do like them too; they certainly have their own niche. It's just a shame that so many of them back then were left in Japan, but it was a different time.

[@GreatestFling]

been playing FF since 6, and I really like 16. I feel like I'm finally not being treated like a teenager anymore. When I played 15, I thought it would be my last FF, because honestly I was bored with over the top anime tropes that kept repeating in every FF since they made Nomura as the main guy for FF. (This is why I don't even give rebirth a try btw, I really like the original FF7 story and the changes in Remake felt a little too anime to me) Watching this video I realized that there are other FF fans whose opinions are the opposite of mine, and I think this is one of the biggest problems of FF at the moment, they try too hard to satisfy so many people, but end up satisfying no one. The best solution seems to be to create several FF franchises for several types of fans, and it's fine if each franchise have its own identity.

[@Philosophical24]

I personally loved FF16. I loved the characters, the narrative, the voice acting, the combat, graphics, practically everything about it. But I picked it up as a casual gamer. As someone who loves story driven games with explosive combat and gripping characters/narrative, I can see how someone of an old school FF generation would be turned off by it. I genuinely do. But other than the combat not being turn based or being able to switch party members I don’t see anything wrong nor did I have any negative experiences with the game.

[@toecutter9372]

I just picked it up on PC and I'm absolutely loving it. Im 45 years old and it would destroy me if they quit the FF series. Its why i started gaming in the first place!

[@ram5683]

But story in FF XVI is trash.

[@Philosophical24]

@@ram5683 I personally think that’s a matter of opinion. I have written essays and paragraphs online already about how hard they cooked so I won’t go into too much detail but I will see the fact they made me care so heavily and deeply for Cid, Clive, Joshua and Jill.

[@Shinjiduo]

A lack of status effects, resistances, weaknesses, affinities and no build variety pretty much takes all the RPG combat elements out of Final Fantasy. When a Marboro hits you with bad breath at the beginning of the game and it did not become unplayable due to the litany of status effects you get inundated with I knew this was all wrong. (with combat at least)

[@who_hurt_youproductions8826]

Thank you ​@@Shinjiduo

[@KMKKM007]

Ever since FFX, FF is dead to me. It’s the only game I played and cry and I bought all the version from PS2 to PS4 to PC and Switch.

[@superduperxtra8521]

You should give FF14 a try.. its an MMO sure, but it simply has the best story of them all

[@supercool1412]

I think you should try the Tales series especially Tales of the abyss

[@bgill7475]

There’s still Dragon Quest, but Square Enix is even thinking of moving that series away from turn based.

[@Deport_All_nonWhites]

@@superduperxtra8521 FF14 story is awful

[@Acesinz]

100% agree

[@sebastianmartinez1843]

"Final Fantasy is Dead" Wild Arms: WELCOME TO THE CLUB PAL

[@MrEvostevokanevo]

I miss Wild Arms, first game I got for my old ps1.

[@ArielCleirigh]

There is a time for every game to die so.

[@305SEGA305]

That's funny i was playing wild arms 2 earlier 😆

[@Clampotaku]

I'd love for them to make a new Chrono Trigger sequel.

[@jesse1381]

As a Suikoden player who was invested in the lore, I know what it's like to get robbed of what a game could have been, and eventually see a series die when there's absolutely no good reason for it

[@ChronosChris]

I think decades worth of just ok games has tarnished it's name.

[@CarlosXPhone]

THIS is the best take of the comments section.

[@spacelion4763]

This is true. People who are 25, or younger, can't even remember a time when Final Fantasy was THE JRPG to play. Not one of many, they were all landmark titles and above and beyond what everyone else was doing.

[@kennethyoung7457]

Yeah FF games have been enjoyable but never my favorite games for the past decade. Persona 3-5 blew all the modern FF games out the water forbecause while not the best combat the story and characters absolutely came front and center just like what I would expect from FF.

[@balaam_7087]

The move from turn based combat to spastic floaty real time trash is what killed it for me. FF12 was the last real mainline single player FF game.

[@differentsame9402]

I'd say ff13 was the last but it does have flaws, I can't argue with ff12

[@dimitriosgladio059]

I agree, while I personally love FFXV, it truly doesn’t carry the same weight as the former entries. FFXII was the last great adventure of the series.

[@NineToFiveGamerUC0079]

Good riddance. The move from turn based combat was a godsend . It means hearing less and less whining from people like you, I'll fucking take it.

[@differentsame9402]

@@dimitriosgladio059 ff15 needs a remaster and a complete revamp. It has potential. Ff15 was actually suppose to be a rated R final fantasy game but they messed everything up along with the story. Fans need to demand a remake, literally.

[@dimitriosgladio059]

@@differentsame9402 100%, we need a versus XIII directors cut or something that brings us the original vision for the game. Maybe adding the content from the dawn of the future would be a good idea too.

[@mauriceg4354]

Bring back the turn base RPG. They focus so much on action now. Just not the same.

[@wkadalie]

More people want an Action RPG than turn base i think. Maybe just give both options like FF7 remake.

[@gametourny4ever627]

@@wkadalieGoing after what the Mass is looking for and going against your die hard fans that then talk the series up so much that others get into it is why they are where they are now. People said the same shit during the 90s and then when FF7 came out and was turn based, it didn’t matter. All the Die hard Rpg folks talked about it so much and it was so good, everyone else joined the Fray and most of all Bernie Stolar over at Sega for saying that stuff isn’t cool pretty much got a big F you. Go after your die hards and make what they like. The others will follow. They have been doing this with Dragon Quest and I can’t think of one Dragon Quest game that got shitted on by the fans because they still do that series proper. 11 is a great example of sticking to what is loved and making an awesome game and others getting on board.

[@wildwest1832]

@@wkadalie True maybe, but dont be mad when you lose the OG audience or have to complain FF is dying. You cant have your cake and eat it too.

[@gligarguy4010]

@@wkadalie FF7R didn't give both options, it had an incredibly bastardized turn based system. When people say turn based, they mean like the older entries or like Dragon Quest. It's why I did not buy the game after the demo disappointed.

[@mattyork7625]

​@gligarguy4010 Same. I didn't think the action combat was all that great and I just wanted a modern FF7 with turn based combat. I didn't even buy it after experiencing the demo. Didn't bother with Rebirth either.

[@TheOaklandRaiders1960]

16 lacked depth in the battle mechanics. Enemies felt like bowling pins for me to knock down.

[@MrDiegoandre03]

True, but the pure spectacle is enough for me tbh. Game is piss easy, but it’s a joy to look at.

[@Pswayze23]

​I completely disagree and think what you just said is harmful to gaming. I did not feel the least bit satisfied watching 300 million dollar quick time events. There is no depth to it. Ff7 and x tell better stories with probably 1% of 16s budget. Graphics and production value can only enhance a game so much. And regarding the combat, it looks cool for about 5 minutes before you're just repeating the same moves over and over again, and it quickly becomes stale. Its the oldest lesson in games, graphics

[@Guzmania]

FF16 was just buttom mashing. Button mashing is not a problem, but its mashing the same button throughout the game that ruins the fun.

[@TheOaklandRaiders1960]

@@Pswayze23 help me understand what you're trying to say. Because it sounds like we agree.

[@Pswayze23]

@@TheOaklandRaiders1960 my bad lol was responding to @MrDiegoandre03

[@CINEMARTYR]

I loved FF growing up but I feel like they’ve dropped the ball with exploration and environmental design recently. Every game now feels like corridor/fight/corridor and clunky, slow navigation.

[@Kodiie]

Am I the only one old enough to remember the way people who were skeptical about the shift away from turn based were treated. Now 7R and 16 are branded failures and BG3 (a game that embraced its classic mechanics) is considered game of the decade. It unfortunate because it’s just common sense. People don’t go to steak houses for the sushi or Chinese restaurants for Italian food. Stay in your lane and innovate in your lane. Halo/call of duty fans are not wondering how the gameplay will be for new releases. This doesn’t mean not to grow or not to learn from other genres. Consistency is king!

[@spacelion4763]

Final Fantasy insisted they had to move on from turn based in order to stay relevant and yet Persona has been a monster for years. The truth is they never had to go away from turn based combat.

[@luluna5228]

lmao "what about this one game that is a game of the decade after their studio did the same combat mechanics barely broke 2 million?" gamers can't help but point at one thing and make it the main occurence

[@vincentviera5233]

That and people are still buying ps4s. You can't expect to sell alot when the game is exclusively on 1 current gen console. It sucks because the games aren't bad.. just not everyone has a ps5.

[@gligarguy4010]

@@vincentviera5233 That's not it, because a lower percent of people who own a PS5 are buying it compared to FFXV on the PS4. It's been a decade now, and people are just tired of Square trying to kill a once good franchise.

[@spencercole23]

There not bad games no where near they didn't sell as expected

[@MiguelMartinez-hs6ql]

Speaking of Capcom Final Fantasy is doing exactly what RE did with 5 and 6 where they leaned into action so much, the identity of the series changed and it turned players off. People played RE for survival horror, not action and people played FF for its turn based gameplay, story, and allies. Now Square has been throwing random gameplay styles at the wall hoping it sticks, you haven't been able to directly control your allies since FF 12 and your party has shrunk since then too. I felt like FF16 was square trying to reach a western audience with more action and its less anime looking aesthetic. IT'S NOT THE SERIES FANS FELL IN LOVE WITH! Capcom understood the assignment when they remade RE 2, they changed it to a third person over the shoulder perspective but the ESSENCE of the original game was still there. Square went back to FF7 gave it ACTION combat (once again still no turn-based), split the game into 3 games just to milk it for money, and it's doing this CONVOLUTED, wishy-washy altered universe/alternate timeline story where they're trying to convince us that things are different but also none of the MAJOR story beats have actually changed making it neither a sequel but also not the original story we loved because it keeps going off the rails with unnecessary story additions. JRPGs are somewhat niche so I don't understand why Square pumps millions of dollars to have super high fidelity graphics that even the consoles they're made for can't even handle. Then you end up with the Usbisoft problem where a game can sell in the millions and it's still considered a failure. I stopped playing FF after 13, I hated the battle system so much. 15's battle system looked like KH and I've never been crazy about KH's battle system so I passed. I'm aware I've fallen off the series so I didn't even give 16 a chance (also the more westernized aesthetic and full lean into action gameplay turned me off). There's just WAY too many good games now and I'm an adult with responsibilities and limited time. I can't afford to gamble my time on a 40+ hour game I may possibly like when it didn't even catch my attention in the first place.

[@supercool1412]

I love this comment it speaks to me spiritually Exactly what I think see Sqaure Enix never fucked with the Dragon Quest formula because they know they Japanese unlike western audiences (kingdom hearts fans) don’t eat shit and like it If they fuck up the DQ formula I guarantee you square enix will move out of japan cause kingdom hearts might save though they fucked up the 3rd one. Not that I am knowledgeable about KH never liked Disney to begin with.

[@senseisaitama8684]

Iam playing ff16 now since it came out on pc, and it appeals to me. I played ff7 way back in 1999 aswell when I was a kid.

[@MiguelMartinez-hs6ql]

@@senseisaitama8684 nice! Glad you're having a good time. Enjoy! 😁

[@devintriantos]

I played the OG 7, 8, (tried to get into 9) ,10, and 15. I just replayed X remastered. I really enjoyed myself. I am looking to play the 7 remake, remaster, rebirth (whatever the fuck). I remember loving 8 so much I'm thinking of playing that remaster. I didn't mind 15's changes to the kind of DNA of the games. I enjoyed it. It felt less deep like board-game complexity the way that X is deep af. But I don't mind that. I like action games. After just finishing X and getting a few of the celestial weapons, I'm not interested enough to grind out the sphere grid to be able to beat Nemesis and Penance and all the dark aeons. I dgaf. I'm down to play action games. I'm loving Space Marine 2 and SOTET. I just bought a PS5 slim and I'm looking forward to playing 16. I think we play games to eventually put them down and play another one. What's this thing where a person loves one game and then can't move past it? Like move on.. you know?

[@lookhowshegobbledthat]

The convoluted on top of an already convoluted story stuff they did with Remake and Rebirth... absolutely tragic. I was ready to tell newcomers to the series to go play Remake/Rebirth first, but nah. They destroyed the story with unnecessary bs.

[@GamerForLife514]

I played t FFVII in 1997 but the Remakes FFVII doesn't feel like the Original, the Original FFVII the game was very dark, sad, dramatic and that's what I love about it.

[@Exclusive1011111111]

I haven’t played the games (I own the last 2 remakes) but what make the new one more happier?

[@kageris6]

​@Exclusive1011111111 They made them much more silly and anime-ish. They also don't give the few serious moments enough time to breathe. This combined with the Ubisoft towers, story changes, and boring filler have been a big turn off for me.

[@mike1989libra]

@@kageris6😂😂

[@pastaswithnosauce3621]

I've played og ff7 and remake let's not act like ff7 is some super dark edgy game when one of your party members is literally a toy animatronic, there's a mad scientist with two women wrapped around him, you can do silly summons and all this shit, fucking chocobo racing what made ff7 good is that the game wasn't afraid to be goofy but also have these more serious and somber moments the best way to describe it would be that it's absurdist at its finest the whole premise of the game is ridiculous the world is ridiculous the characters have ridiculous designs but even so we are still able to connect with the characters and the world in a genuine and realistic way despite that.

[@kageris6]

@blippitybloo I'm a 42 year old fan of the original and most of the classics from that era. I'm not insulting any devs, voice actors, or saying it's all garbage. I loved the combat, visuals, and seeing the old sights brought back to life. It doesn't change the fact that for me personally I was getting fed up enough with the things I didn't like that I lost the desire to finish Rebirth. I'm not required by law to love the changes and filler that they put in, and I know I'm not the only one by a longshot. Did you enjoy the Ubisoft towers/sidequests or terrible pacing instances like Costa Del Sol? Did you think Dyne's battle and death was handled better in Rebirth compared to how hard it hit in the original? The original wasn't perfect, but I wasn't constantly rolling my eyes at the dialogue or being forced to spend my time parking segways. Let's not pretend these remakes are perfection, either.

[@saiwaqa2573]

As an OG fan, i feel like ive been living in some kind of bizarro world. Because FF has been dead since 2001, but people keep trying to tell me its alive and well.

[@ahabgaddis7277]

Same. It's night and day when you play 7-10 and what they made after

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

@@ahabgaddis7277 yes FFX is the last FF titles are the more relevance. the turn based mechanics of Final fantasy is the core identitity of the FF series even different systems but the turn based core mechanic is the basis of the game. these days they turn it into a MMORPG games and it sucks and only one player control system is a joke for me.

[@Phuongtran9810]

20 years later and FFX still shines so bright. XII was the start of the beginning of the end. XIII is garbage, then XV is worse than that, and then XVI dmc clone

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

@@Phuongtran9810 weĺl because poor written story. Mediocre action based mechanic that nothing new to offer in the series rather than hack and slash MMORPG style.

[@leebojangles947]

You are all my people. Thank God I have felt like a mad man. I appreciate all of you

[@beefamily8471]

I actually like your reviews because they feel much closer to us than other reviews.❤

[@VOAxInsanity]

"Final Fantasy can NEVER die" - Law of Gaming

[@luvstagrind]

All they need to do is GO👏BACK👏TO👏THEIR👏ROOTS👏👏👏

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

totally agree. bring back turn based system. new game mechanics. openworld maps for exploration. thats Final Fantasy core elements for me.

[@Bishie87]

This seems less about the franchise’s direction and more about Square Enix’s shift toward a multi-platform strategy. Not long ago, DreamcastGuy was praising the latest release, yet now we’re supposed to believe he has a pessimistic view of Final Fantasy’s future?

[@blackmanwithcomputer]

The FF fanbase is such a trash fanbase. That's the real problem. There's no consensus. SE just needs to focus on making the best games they can. Rebirth's combat and exploration is a great foundation to build on. Hell, FF16 has a lot of room to improve too.

[@ナイトウィング]

we are like the Sonic fanbase now😢

[@tomsimmons7673]

Final Fantasy needs to focus on Switch as the main console, and then upscale the games to PS5, Xbox, & PC. Nintendo is where the players that respect the legacy are at.

[@DavidFGM]

Rebirth is pretty good, I don't know why people didn't play it. It's much better than 11-15.

[@jprec5174]

Because you need a ps5

[@yensidsfunkos4951]

FF XVI is my favorite FF game! It’s right up there with 7 & 10 for me! I’m honestly glad they did away with the turn based combat HOWEVER, I do wish they made it optional for those that enjoy that aspect. It would also be great to play other characters in your party.

[@ShinobiShaw]

I remember SquareSOFT and they were so innovative in the late 90s and early aughts, the FF success went to their heads and the company is now ruined

[@tonysanders1299]

Final Fantasy 8 Is Still My Most Favorite Final Fantasy Game. I Played All Of Them But FF 8 Hits A Special Place Within Me

[@RobertSmith-gn2he]

I tried playing when it came out when I was 15 and it was so difficult for me to understand. Recently bought the HD remaster on Steam and hoping to have a better go around with it this time

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

im with you sir. FF8 its still my best Final Fantasy. its weirdness and bold approach to the new system and not conform to the roots of FF6 FF7 or FF9 MP pool system. bringing new game hype for me back then. its not perfect story but its flexibility and replayability is way more than you can do on other titles specially on handicapped games or speed running.

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

@@RobertSmith-gn2he glad to hear that sir. i know FF8 is kinda not easy to understand but you will love the game and the story. its called black sheep of the franchise for its weirdness so enjoyed the game as you play.

[@iNubpwn3r]

@@JoeyJoverAgbayani Only original PS1 game I kept with Resident Evil 3 Nemesis. Jewel case is still like brand new. Best FF for me.

[@JustinStrife]

It had some of the worst characters and stories in the franchise. The one FF game I bought new, where I wish I had just bought it used as it wasn't worth the money.

[@spideyshady4739]

I still don't understand how is final fantasy dead when people are still playing

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

doesnt mean people playing the game and its already in a brink of of died out cuz OG FF fans are fed up on constant messing up new titles, changing the very core of the turn based mechanics into an action based is not what we want in a Final fantasy titles. not to mention FF7R that convuluted the story and not stick to its original story. too many to mention thats why OG fans like me. says its dying cuz it deviate from a true final fantasy who was it is.

[@JustinStrife]

@@JoeyJoverAgbayani And the REAL OG fans are tired of millennials like you crying and stomping your feet when you don't have the intelligence to understand what made FF, what it actually was. And it wasn't turn based combat.

[@DVZ-one_three]

The Magic it had will not return anymore...The Dream Team is only with Sakaguchi and not without

[@blackmanwithcomputer]

Let's see how many people support his Fantasian game...

[@Nextendoh]

They strayed too far. Doesn’t feel like FF anymore. Pass.

[@ArielCleirigh]

Games change after so many years if not they become repetitive and boring.

[@Nextendoh]

@@ArielCleirigh Yes but they can’t stray too far and still feel like part of the same series. That’s what I think at least.

[@vincentgraymore]

@@ArielCleirigh Tell that to Atelier and Trails as well as Tales series.

[@Hackzyyz]

It’s better

[@Nextendoh]

@@Hackzyyz But it’s not what a lot of us (take a look at the sales) want from FF.

[@mrbobert6312]

The problem is that old fans like me and a lot of others fell off after FF10, because it felt like the last true FF game with really unique world, characters and story. All other FF games after that just felt like a gray blob saying run from point a to point b, okay, games done. Give us money now, please. Feels like FF lost it's spirit a long times ago.

[@reesew6599]

I would disagree w this because I think the worlds conceptually are unique and interesting in latter titles, however the characterization and emotional depth is not. I felt like in many of the older games, there was a sense that the characters were still grounded in reality and experienced very complex, profound emotional changes throughout the games storyline despite any crazy fantastical plot elements. For example, FFX had all the esoteric "time travel" and dimensional hopping plot points, but still felt relatable because the characters had emotions to match it. To be vague in order to avoid spoilers, Tidus still had complex relationship issues with his father, Yuna with her identity and fate, and Wakka with his perceptions of other people. Compare this to VIIR where every interaction feels corny and hammed up to squeeze out every bit of drama possible from every conversation. Nothing feels genuine and mixing that with the super crazy new plot additions, it feels like the narrative exists to be a soap opera rather than a multilayered complex story with messaging that's applicable to the real world (environmentalism and loss for example)

[@EmaCr_]

after XII**

[@mrbobert6312]

@@blippitybloo You're right, FFX did feel like a straight line, but for me it was forgiven because every place you went had a really good backstory and looked unique. You're not wrong. Definitely not a perfect game, but it felt like the last FF that actually had a heart and love behind it.

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

@@reesew6599 well ma'am FFX retains its turn based system and not deviate more even i hate the linearity of the world not like previous FF titles thats has vast world map. thats one of FF core elements the world map exploration.

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

@@mrbobert6312 yes indeed cuz it still stick to core FF elements. the turn based system is the very essence of FF titles. since they become action oriented MMO style. they lose their identity as a final fantasy. its become more like devil may cry or other action based games.

[@eddieram435]

It's not dead, it needs more work to fix the engine, and other platforms release. The problem with Final Fantasy 16 is that it tried too hard to be Game of Thorns, rather than a FF game. Barely any open world features, too linear, and a complex story that's everywhere.

[@jamescannon8573]

Bro it was literally made by the developer of devil may cry of course it wasn't gonna be open world

[@UmbraWeiss]

There was no RPG elements in the game, it was a Yoshi P game , he removed every status effects and such from FF14... and did not put any in FF16... no buffs, debuffs, status effects, skills that affect stuff... you just had skills with different colors that do only one thing, dmg, no potions, crafting... nothing. It's a dumb system , a DMC copy and a bad one at that. And the story was nothing exceptional. They literally made every old FF fan run from the game, the people who made the company what it is.... and they are suprised why a lot of people don't care about the game... The biggest mistake was Yoshi P for FF16. I saw what he does in FF14 lately, and he did exactly the same thing in FF16. Simplified BS all around.

[@jamescannon8573]

@@UmbraWeiss look I'm not gonna sit here and argue about your opinion because it's your opinion either way the games franchise and the direction it goes still sells a lot of copies either way so it doesn't matter the game was fun the story was meh but the game was super fun regardless if it was simple and it's your opinion final fantasy isn't dying y'all just want the old RPG elements back from literally the 90s and that's not gonna happen it's a new age and era need to appease the new generation and people

[@aaronvasseur6559]

@@jamescannon8573thank you finally someone said it turned based final fantasy is dead we all need to just deal with it plus these action based combat games are so much more fun to play and way easier for all players

[@InnerRise]

Game of thorns

[@flipskaterdave]

FF is still alive but barely breathing, being kept alive on life support by us old fans just HOPING they will make a great FF game again and stop trying to appeal to "modern audiences".

[@kmo20794]

No more Ubisoft towers please!

[@tallwon33dude88]

Very well put

[@RobinsMusic]

FF7 rebirth is amazing tho

[@InnerRise]

Oh my god I'm sick of these buzzwords and phrases "Modern audiences" is the new one. It's as if bigots are afraid to say what they really mean. Or lack the ability to convey complete thoughts. It's lazy. We need longer schooling.

[@conor6436]

XVI and the FF7 remakes have been great. I welcome new ideas.

[@SimpCity2000]

FFVII Rebirth's failure seems solely due to the fact that it is stuck on PlayStation 5. Many of us refuse to upgrade from PS4 because of the failure of Sony in general this gen. Square MUST get this game onto Steam, and when possible Switch 2 to get out from underneath Sony's dead weight. Satoru Iwata of Nintendo saw this phase of gaming coming a long time ago, and has positioned the company in such a way that games can continue to see release on a mostly typical pace. Square getting drunk on covid numbers hasn't helped ground their expectations.

[@007GoldenLion]

PC didnt help 16 much.... only multiplayers and games that become popular in China sell good on PC

[@alexmurador]

Rebirth is dead boring, thats the problem with it.

[@wodensthrone5215]

It has nothing to do with the console it's on, Final Fantasy has to compete with other JRPGS and RPS in general, back when Final Fantasy was at its peak, there wasn't any competition for it, besides maybe a one off from a different company. But now you have nioh falcom, who are doing great in the jrpg space, along with the rune factory series, Persona and shin megami tensei. These companies compete for your time and money, Square is losing, it also has to do with new age modern gamers who see that's theres 16 games in this series and it turns them off from wanting to give Final fantasy a chance, they rather go play roblox or fortnite.

[@nardoboom]

@@007GoldenLion The game just dropped and it was the #1 best selling game on steam. GIve it some time, it's doing good.

[@pvansteenlandt4437]

@@alexmurador To much mini games in it. Stopped them after a while and just played the main story.

[@lilboybluenotes7042]

As a fan who didn’t love the remakes of FF7 as much as the child inside me insisted I would, I won’t say the franchise is dead; I would instead say it’s lost its way. They have went all in on production value while cutting a lot of the heart and soul of the franchise. At this point, DQ is much more of a RPG experience that I prefer to FF. I think there is a place for the DMC version of FF, but more as a side series: take the franchise back to its roots.

[@thehive4560]

I liked what u had to say until u said u prefer dragon quest, dragon quest back in the day was good but, u need to grow up. New age dragon quest is gay asf

[@stephenh9483]

Amazing. As a die hard FF fan, this discussion is incredible!

[@rythmikeffect]

The most recent releases have been some of the best ever. How is it dead??

[@ThaexakaMavro]

Final fantasy stopped being final fantasy when they stopped the turn based combat

[@DAVISITHO1520]

So for you what makes a ff is not the world, the story, the music, the lore the feel. Its choosing comands from a menu.

[@ThaexakaMavro]

@@DAVISITHO1520 boy you slow

[@DAVISITHO1520]

@@ThaexakaMavro And your nostalgia blinds you. You said no turns = no FF. If im slow which thats a poor attempt of a response from your part, you are simplistic and nostalgic.

[@Cormano980]

​@DAVISITHO1520 it's not choosing commands from a menu, it's about making a tactical approach to the battle, carefully selecting the proper strategy, now it's AI driven with lots of flashy moves to fill the screen Let's say 12 had a wining mix with a huge staple of Vagrant Story Story wise I think 16 was a fresh R rated surprise, with gore and adult content, so definitely FF still has some fight in it and there's people there that still hold the flag To end my rant I think a smart move will be for them to implement a mix of TB and RT combat system to let gamers choose whatever suits them, a thing many modern rpgs successfully do, without the need to pander to pander to the western game market

[@blackmanwithcomputer]

​@@Cormano980sounds like you just don't like ARPGs.

[@arcticbull8845]

Need to go back to turn base combat and FFX and before. I miss my FF.

[@donk8931]

FF is dead because it's no longer what it used to be... that's on Square Enix... can't just blame it on PS. Dragging out FF7 in the remake, completely changing many aspects of the story completely, and removing many aspects of the role playing game play in exchange of more action based combat contributed big time to the franchise's failure....

[@easyygo3008]

Lmao FF7 sold well.

[@robertharper3114]

​​@@easyygo3008Part 2 sold less than part 1. Doesn't bode well for part 3! 😉 Also... why do you think he's talking about the dire situation the franchise is in if they sold well? Lol

[@Kenshinbtt]

​@robertharper3114 i think Rebirth would of sold better had it not been ps5 only but doubt the ps4 could of handled it

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

couldnt agree more. they lost their identity, deviate turn based system into MMO style pf play that no one wants.

[@tylerdurden7965]

Rebirth would of sold amazing if they had stayed faithful to the source material... people have been screaming for ff7 to be remade for decades. Squarenix doesn't get it and they never will.

[@ShinobiShaw]

Recent FF entries including the remakes has so much padding, the opposite of say Xenosaga 3 where every area and scene was a major plot development and it was bittersweet to play that last entry of that series knowing it was its last, I won’t feel the same way in the last FF entry of SE😂😂😂

[@emmanuelcotti6276]

Final fantasy is fine. Expectations should be tempered.

[@solidkwon]

Suze Hunter saying that is pretty wild. And disappointing that can be the mindset. Cause we should be celebrating and supporting devs trying out new things and telling amazing stories. But this just feeds into why big publishers are afraid to take creative risks

[@mrbdb5670]

Lets be honest if ff16 was on all platforms it would have sold more....smh

[@cs8712]

As an OG superfan and someone who loved the remakes enough to platinum them both, I still wish they had kept the remakes more tonally aligned with the original game. Still excited for part 3 though

[@brandname6]

Yes . Ever since 10, the voice acting and over use of cut scenes was such a down ward spiral. I love 6 7 8 and 9 tho and am glad to revisit them

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

yes i agree on that. as well as turning action based system than stick to its turn based roots of gameplay.

[@JustinStrife]

Lets not return to VIII. The story and characters were absolute trash.

[@HurricanMHFO]

I grew up with Final Fantasy, now I'm 38 and still play FF7, FF8 or FF10. I even thought FF13 was completely ok! New games don't feel like FF to me anymore, the music is great, the presentation, video sequences etc... but with the new action combat system it's not what it used to be for me. I stopped playing FFXVI and FFVII Rebirth halfway through. Maybe it's because I'm getting older? It would be nice if FF returned to its roots at some point. but that's just my own opinion.

[@JustinStrife]

Don't try and use the 'getting older' excuse. I'm a Gen-X who has been playing FF since 1987. 9 year subscriber to FFXIV, and love FF7 Remake/Rebirth and FFXVI. It's just not for you and that's okay. But don't use the getting older excuse. You millennials pull that card all the time, yet the generation before you, likes the current games.

[@TevyaSmolka]

I personally loved ff16 and ff7 remake and rebirth were freaking fantastic and amazing 🤩

[@JL-nb1yc]

Same here. Until I played Baldur's Gate 3, 16 was my GOTY. It's my third favorite FF, behind 9 & 7. So far Rebirth is my GOTY. I had high expectations, and it was better than I could have imagined.

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@JL-nb1yc i can agree with that :)

[@brandonb404]

This would be the perfect time to let final fantasy rest a while and make a Chrono Trigger remake. 🙏

[@k33nan696]

Its Sqaure Enix's fault, look how they Killed Deus Ex 😭

[@nishidohellhillsruler6731]

My first Final Fantasy was FF7. One day at some point in the 90's I arrived to this place where you could play PS1 games paying for the hour, and the guys running it told me they had a game nobody could understand, they asked me if I wanted to give it a try. That was my first ever turn based JRPG experience ever. And it was because of knowing I was never going to be able to beat a JRPG paying for the hour that I made an effort to find a way to be able to play at home, and one of the first games I got for my collection was FF7; although I never finish it, I wasn't still actually aware of the need for grinding, and to this day there are a lot of parts of the game I never tried. So I have that unfinished business, the curse of my existence is to know I'm bound to become a ghost because of Final Fantasy 7.

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

maybe its time you should play the game and finished it my man. back then in the 90s i was you called computer shop when you pay for an hour to play Video games. in our city then its a hype many young people even older ones played Final Fantasy 7 or 8. in one computer shop sometimes i can play due to many players are playing for hours. i was a very popular JRPGs on that time thats why i become OG fans if Final Fantasy series.

[@MelonLordha]

Ff16 didnt feel like a final fantasy game. Ff rebirth was just perfect! My favorite game ever to be made

[@saiyanraoh5109]

Lower the budget, hire decent writers and for gods sake, quit making games that cater for EVERYONE. The audience that they are catering to don't buy games. they only yell about them on the internet. A game for everyone is a game for no one.

[@testoftimegaming5219]

ah yes lower the budget but hire more expensive people hmmm lol

[@rockpapersniper5105]

I played ff15 a few years ago it was first ff game but recently I got 7-9 on switch and I’m digging them a lot so far this genre of game still pretty new to me

[@magfam9980]

FF will never die, FF 14 still going on and getting updates, FF 7 remake still has 3rd 1 yet, squares expectations are always to high, they do this to themselves with expectations that can never be met, FF always changes, resident evil you have to play them in order to understand story, even 7 and 8, I played 8 and not 7 and I was like where are the zombies

[@julianhuber9188]

Quality wise FF is all but dead. I loved 7 Remake and Rebirth and also 16. Great games on their own with modern touches. I admire what they did in these games, because I couldn’t stop playing and I love to return to them even now that I finished them. I think the PS5 exclusivity is the problem. It’s only logical that sales can’t be as good as with multi platform. Square admitted it. Finally! Everyone deserves to play Final Fantasy. The only title in recent years that felt too messy and without focus was 15. And even that one has qualities that made me play it for 250 hours… Just saying…

[@Isaiah_Briseno]

Rebirth is my favorite game of the year.🎉

[@vulturenarc]

Rebirth is also my GOTY!

[@JL-nb1yc]

Same here. It successfully blew away even my highest expectations. I actually cried during "No promises to keep."

[@eliotwildermann]

Suzi saying that now is crazy cuz she got roasted on twitter after everything she originally said at 16s release 😅

[@ryanny9240]

Final Fantasy is the best it’s ever been in terms of game quality. The people who don’t enjoy FFXVI are delusional. It is the best game in the franchise since X.

[@countquackula8539]

I loved FF7 Remake and liked Rebirth. FF16 had an amazing demo, but once i started getting through the game, it felt like they were appealing more to newer fans. It was just cutscenes and hack n slash. RPG elements, exploration, strategy, upgrades, etc. were very light. The game was a letdown for me. While FF15 was just boring. People hated FF13, but at least it still had that ole FF charm.

[@rashid2898]

i will say it for the 100th time, Final fantasy should always STAY TURN BASED!

[@MasterSystemMarceau]

This ^

[@Alzenryo]

True, Turn based is the DNA of FF

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

couldnt agree more. Turn based system is the very Spirit of Final Fantasy Titles.

[@mitchrogers4217]

@rashid2898 turned based just would not fly now though. I think the right move was to mix both. I've been playing ff since ff7 and yeah I like turn based but it was never great I think nostalgia plays a big part in this. If everyone is thinking turn base is better and more fun and the combat in place now for ff7r then thats crazy. I do believe a compromise could be better and have that option as well but I'm sure they did put that option in or am I wrong?

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

@@mitchrogers4217 its not matter of nostalgia. It like a signature brand to the games core. Thats would bring the FF titles back to what it used to be back then. Not all departing from its original elements is a a bad thing but FF is established games its not a trial game just come out and needs to revise. Thats the problem of most gaming company instead of sticking to their original concepts and brands they just want to innovate more and then what? Flop. Much like happens on movies these days super mario movies kinda cheesy but thats what fans wanted so nintendo give what the fans of the game is looking for even in movies.

[@marqusiq5597]

I feel like they should have innovated more on the turn based system rather than being a hack & slash let’s build up on it like FF12

[@jayjayshowcaser5859]

Final Fantasy 7 rebirth sold pretty well / a good number of people bought multiple copies of the game / 99.6 percent of people i know bought the game

[@josetomascamposrobledano4618]

The game did sell millions of copies… the expectations however are too high. And as for 7 they missed a crucial part. They changed the story of 7 and some fans did get divided. I’m not a fan of “Sequel 7”, but I feel forced to buy 7 part 3 to see the end. But people who don’t have the money and hated Part 1 did rightfully abandon the re-sequels. So to put this in basic language. The sales expectations of Square were dumb cause they wanted Rebirth to be Remake(1) sales + more copies. But between the divisive changes + lack of new fans cause you can’t recommend a friend to start from Rebirth cause they need to play Remake first means that the actual math should have been the following. FF7 Remake sales - people who dropped it. And by extension it means that Part 3 will sell slightly less than Rebirth.

[@samuelleie]

@@josetomascamposrobledano4618 To be honest I believe that the Part 3 will be the one with more sales, because it will be the final part so all the remake will be "complete". There's a lot of people who doesn't even buy yet the first game because they heard it would be separated in parts. So yeah, I'm pretty sure there will be a lot of people buying part 3. Specially if Square can make the game multiplatform in the launch and also some kind of bundle (like they did with the pre-order of Rebirth, where you could get Remake for free).

[@JustinStrife]

@@josetomascamposrobledano4618 The main points of the story haven't changed though. People like you have completely overblown that point to where I have to wonder if you even played it.

[@josetomascamposrobledano4618]

@@JustinStrife instead of being an emotional kid, just look at the math I proposed. And since you recognize that I’m not the only guy to insult the changes, you have just proven that “part 1 was divisive and some people might have dropped it”. The main point of my comment was finding out what the issue was by Square’s expectations. Not an in depth review of the product.

[@ナイトウィング]

final fantasy the franchise itself isn't dead but the offline mainline games are struggling and the mobile games and spin-offs are dead the only part standing strong is the MMORPG

[@JustinStrife]

FF7 Remake and Rebirth aren't struggling though.

[@joeg8391]

Bring back Chrono Trigger.

[@solonepeon5805]

Indeed, but they are working on the NES Dragon Quest remakes 1st.

[@lucbauer]

It will be their last game before going bankrupt

[@OtterloopB]

A HD-2D Chrono Trigger would be lovely... except Square currently seems frightened of Toriyama's character designs. I'm worried they'd butcher one of the finest games ever conceived. Still, after the mess that was Sea of Stars, we need Chrono Trigger to return - not pale imitators with characters as terrible as Garl was.

[@FURognar]

Final Fantasy is not dead. Its just not as big as SquEnix wants it to be. There's too much competition now for the big epic narrative games. SONY is SquEnix's biggest competitor here. You want a big epic story with crazy bosses and set pieces. You can buy FFXVI, 7 Rebirth, God of War Ragnarok or Horizon Forbidden West or Elden Ring or Stellar Blade. There's more competition for that kind of presentation. When Final Fantasy 7 first released, that wasnt really a thing. FF7 brought it into being and companies scrambled to try and compete with it. Now its commonplace. So SquEnix needs to recalibrate and build FF games with more reasonable budgets and sales expectations. 100 million budgets and 5 million sales. Thats more of a safe bet for these types of games.

[@IuriFiedoruk]

For me, 9 was the last one. Once the original producer and writer left the franchise and Square, it was over for me. Ten already had clashes about the directiion the game was going, and it feels.

[@brandname6]

Absolutely

[@Kenshinbtt]

I can agree 10 didn't have nearly as much as an impact to me than 9

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

yes i agree. FFX is the precursor for the square enix to rebranding the series.

[@juggernautgoki283]

They kill OG fans of Turn base battle ... by the way last year Game of the Year Baldur's Gate 3 a turn base battle...🤷‍♂

[@Xenokiller-dd4sr]

I haven’t cared about ff since 10. I prefer dragon quest

[@wildwest1832]

me too. I only play turn based stuff personally.

[@fasjab]

As a long-time FF fan (after listening to DG say how long he's been a fan, I just realized I've been playing FF games almost 30 years now), seeing how the franchise has fallen in support by its own fan base mostly because of so many bad pivots both from a presentation standpoint and gameplay changes. Yet, the biggest issue with FF 16 & 7 Rebirth in regards to success is definitely the fact they were exclusive initially to PS5. The install base for PS5 is nothing compared to what the PS4 install base was when 7 Remake dropped. Beyond trying to just acquire a PS5 is incredibly costly, it's hard to justify paying over half 1K for a gaming system that may or may not even come with a disc drive. The brand has been hurt over the last 15 years and marketing has done little to help it alongside a player base that is cautious about throwing out so much money for a single experience (and in the case of 7 Rebirth, an incomplete experience compared to the source material with the possibility of not getting the 3rd part for potentially 3 years).

[@suanenggoh3216]

FF16 pretty good. I like the story

[@elbuglione]

If you are a classic FF fan... And you are looking for a good Story; you may be want to try Metaphor: ReFantazio. I can't believe Fantasy JRPG AAA games are come back, and... Hooo boy... THIS IS HUGE.

[@tocs777]

Just my opinion, and this maybe a minor issue in what’s wrong with the franchise, is they never should’ve become AAA games. Spend more on the heart, story and characters rather than making them top notch, super long and bloated with side stuff.

[@alinflorescu7946]

If they don't go back to what it used to be it is dead!! Final fantasy is not and never was Devil may cry!!

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

totally agree on that. since they become action based. theyre more like devil may cry

[@lucbauer]

Luckily, there are small studios giving us classic combat system games like Expedition 33.

[@angrywhalewatcher]

The combat in FF7R is amazing and the FF franchise needs to go that way because I need the complexity. FF16 didn't feel very FF in its combat and lack of a party of heros. I will forever buy all the FF games but Octopath 2 cleared FF16 for me.

[@Bbbbbbbbbbhhhhhhh]

Even though I love the older combat of Final fantasy more, I think people who are saying it is dead simply because the combat is different are missing the entire point of what FF is, the combat has always been changing and evolving between the different games, it always has. The modern version FF16 is a combat I am not fond of for a final fantasy game, even though I like the combat, the more I think about it, it really isn’t the type I would of wanted for FF, I would of actually liked a more turn based system when I think about what that would be like, the story is good but the combat is something I’m not fond of for an FF game compared to the old ones, I still did enjoy my time playing 16 though. FF7R is good in combat sort of, I find it great sometimes and sometimes I feel like it’s difficult to get a hold of but that’s just something that clicks after a while it seems and it starts to feel better to play. My point is, things have always been evolving for FF and I would like to see the combat of rebirth go into newer FF games and test it out in different settings but I would also like a return to FF’s turn based roots. I understand that the combat has always been an evolving thing, the same way the stories can be enjoyed separately the combat is made to reflect that and be fresh even if sometimes only in small ways between games but the beauty of final fantasy is that it evolves. In the end, I’m on both sides, I want the old way back but I wouldn’t mind testing out newer things a bit more before really deciding which way I would like for the series to go.

[@Bbbbbbbbbbhhhhhhh]

Though I do wish we didn’t move on from the older graphics, FF7, FF8 and FF10 graphics are probably my favourites ones out of them all so I wouldn’t mind a return to the old graphics that make the games look similar to either one of those older titles. Art direction is king after all and sometimes modern graphics remove any sort of Fantasy feel from a fantasy game, which isn’t a good thing obviously, art direction is what most of the money for the visual presentation of the game should be put into.

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

yes its nearly dying cuz its not Final fantasy anymore. turn based mechanics. openworld exploration. good story. grounded character what makes Final Fantasy core elements. without them its just like action based devil may cry spin off.

[@Bbbbbbbbbbhhhhhhh]

@@JoeyJoverAgbayani yeah I do agree with this, the combat in FF7R feels much more like FF to me than FF16. I wouldn’t mind if they continued with rebirths combat and just built on it or if they returned to turn based. I definitely thing one of the reasons it doesn’t feel like FF is partly because of the graphics though, the ultra realistic graphics make it not feel like a fantasy and instead like just a generic real life piece for FF16, good game but definitely doesn’t give me the same feeling as the old FF’s did. If they returned to the graphics of FFX times I actually think they would have more fans enjoying their game than they are. I feel like fixed camera angles were also something so ingrained in the fabric of final fantasy, FF11 onwards didn’t have them and still felt like final fantasy but I think I actually preferred fixed camera angles. FF used to feel “warm” it feels like that feeling has gone now. FF 16 is still a good game but it’s nothing compared to what FF was.

[@JoeyJoverAgbayani]

@@Bbbbbbbbbbhhhhhhh yes same point as you. The turn base mechanic is the staple of the franchise. Its okay for me to add newer mechanics perse but retains its turn based instead on go full action based mechanic. For me turn based system is making your decision process more on how to deal the battle and survive it instead of just hack and slash until the enemies or boss dies.

[@thatssomegoodpie]

The FF7R combat system in my opinion is the best modern interpretation of FF combat. They should stick with that for the next numbered title. XVI was a fun and good game but gameplaywise it just wasn't FF.

[@grantronic4533]

Square just needs to do a spin-off for the old series like an FF Pixel Series with a turn based system. Also, I think XIII and XV damaged the name a lot, and they never fully recovered.

[@KamiKoroshi_]

Turn-based combat is not going to save them, so just stop with the BS.

[@slick_link7516]

One of the things I’ve consistently seen people say about FF16 is that it’s a one button game. Which is true if, you use the “easy items.” One thing the devs didn’t want to do was make an easy mode, so they put in these items that make you auto dodge and various other effects. If you don’t use these items, combat is very fun and definitely not one button. You will not beat this game with one button if you don’t use these items, and that is a guarantee. I think they really should have created a “easy mode” that have the items and leave them out completely in normal mode.

[@abdieldlp4236]

I enjoyed FF 15 and FF16 and was enjoying FF7 Rebirth. I also liked FF7 Remake. I didnt liked where they wenT WITH FF13. I guess my gripe is with story telling. I am looking forward to what will they do with FF17.

[@T-M-N-T]

What about FF7 part 3 ? Please say it ain’t so!

[@ArielCleirigh]

Its a Remake of FF7 not a new FF so the last one FF16 was not a massive success was good at best, but you know time change and taste on games too.

[@UprisingGrand]

Final fantasy isn’t DEAD but they need to hone in on what made the games so special. FF (alongside other RPGs) really put JRPGs on the map for the western hemisphere. That’s why I always feel like the magic I felt after I finished FFX back when it released originally. FFX imo is still the best last FF that released.

[@politicalchannel66]

Final fantasy need stop realism and go back to mix of anime and realism. New mechanics. And multiplatform. Keep good music and story. More classic rpg battles with new mechanics.

[@yaboydarrell]

I been said octopath is the new ff. Octo 2 was a masterpiece in gameplay

[@mitchrogers4217]

Ff7 rebirth was fucking amazing, it just suddenly becomes popular to not like it. People literally listen to the Internet and don't form there own thoughts and feelings on the game. I fucking hate the Internet...if you are a true ff fan how can you play rebirth and not like it..game was a dream come true to me being a huge ff7 fan.

[@josetomascamposrobledano4618]

Rage more silly puppet. I didn’t like Rebirth since launch. Or let me put it in a more hurtful thought explanation. The story was a mix of very high highs (when it was FF7 Remake) and lowest of lows (filler fantasy 7). Zack is in the cover of the game yet all his sections are walking sims… HE DIDNT EVEN SURVIVE! The Zack world is a paradox where FF7 P1 happened yet Zack suddenly spawns after the party… gets captured during the Shinra building escape. But overall the story is descent… BUT THE GAME IS TRASH! Because once the story is done. The open World is literal Ubisoft trash! And I will forever laugh at the “FF7R2 is 10/10 GOTY” who turn their checks and say “Ubisoft killed gaming”… WHEN BOTH GAMES ARE GUILTY OF THE SAME SLOP!

[@Deport_All_nonWhites]

Rebirth is deplorable and disgusting. Treating my people as deficient to the point of requiring nonwhites in both fiction and reality as a prerequisite to be valid in existence is pure evil. The game is unworthy of existence.

[@mitchrogers4217]

@@Deport_All_nonWhites dam haha

[@mitchrogers4217]

@josetomascamposrobledano4618 I know the story lol I don't need an explanation but apparently you don't know the story haha I leave that there.

[@josetomascamposrobledano4618]

@@mitchrogers4217 enlighten me trash connoisseur. Cause I didn’t give a story summary. And what I said is something casuals always forget. And to feed the dumb theorists, there is an unaccounted Cloud missing in that timeline, so I know the story more than most. In fact, how many chapters do you think we will have without Cloud in part 3? Will the reveal of Cloud being a Shira trooper hit as hard now that we were told half of the Cloud Flashback when Tifa entered the livestream. Oh, or did you enjoy Cloud’s super iconic lines when Aerith dies like “…” “…” It’s because of you that FF community is super pathetic. The Final Fantasy House is a perfect definition of the community.

[@ricardolujan5571]

Square should do shorter games. Not extremely realistic fx. Put more efforts in writting great stories and launching different games. Just like they did in the 90's

[@MrTurkeypoult]

FF7 Rebirth is a 10/10. FF16 I have refused to buy since it's not even an RPG. No party. I hate game of thrones and they kill beloved Chocobos. That's gonna be a no from me dawg.

[@jonathandear4914]

didnt Type-0 have a Chocobo die?

[@jaimebyrd3578]

@@jonathandear4914 You fight and kill chocobos in plenty of other FF titles.

[@cloudo75]

My Favorite game series, over the years. Started playing it with Cecil and Kains adventures in Final Fantasy 4 . As an older fan of the series , I feel with coming of the PS5 , sometimes it may alienate its older audience. I love it , the game audience of today say well I found something else that why I went else were . You vote with your pocketbook and that with all the industry in games . Concord was more expensive cost of 500,000 for the development of its production. While Remake cost 315 million to make . Cost and sale range play the market with it alienated older customers base , may have backfired. Release of a ps4 and ps5 version helped with sales . Like Street Fighter 6 for example , still released a ps4 version. Final Fantasy 8 ,9,and 7 will be my favorites. I love the remakes , but it shifted from turn base to action base rpg . Turn base is ever gonna happen again? I love the the action rpgs . They are fun. The music and ambience of the old 90s rpg shines well in the 2024 time line. I feel that we have a more diverse group of players that are looking to enjoy the experience with the older generation. All we can do is prey Final Fantasy 17 saves us.

[@fearlesscheshirecat1411]

I think gamers just suck nowadays…. Square has released 4-5 massive bangers the last 5 years that are all amazing games. The problem is, people nowadays just have shit taste. They’d rather have the same fps and battle royale.

[@KamiKoroshi_]

Exactly.

[@indianasamaritan665]

Maybe square is confused when they get banger high review scores(metacritic) but then there’s videos like this….. maybe WE are confused about what FF is instead of them

[@samuelleie]

Its because people see news saying "FF doesn't meet PROFITS expectations" and start go crazy about it saying the franchise is dead. As I said all the reports Square make about FF are about PROFITS, not about don't meeting break even sales and actually losing money. Also the profits expectations of Square are so high, because these Final Fantasy had to not only make profits for their development, but also for the "big games" that didn't go well (Marvels Avenger, Babylon's Falls, Forspoken...). So the problem aren't really the FF games, but the other decisions Square Enix was making. Also the real problems that the franchise have at the moment, Square itself said it, have knowledge and are doing stuff about. The two main factors being: 1° Exclusivity: exclusivity its really putting sales down, they aren't worth it anymore. Square already said it that they don't plan to be doing exclusivity in the future (maybe there be one or other, because of old contracts, but for sure the number of exclusive games will decrease) 2° Square was making A LOT of games. I searched about this, and from 2020 to 2024, Square was the developer that most make games in japan, they make more games than Bandai (with a big difference most of Bandai games were only published by them, in Square case most of the games had development work on it) and almost 4x more games than Capcom. So about this, Square cancelled a lot of games they were making and reallocated the employers from smaller divisions to go to the bigger ones. From what Square said, now they are going to start focusing in doing less games with more quality. So yeah, people are only seeing the "bad" part and don't pay attention to what Square actually wants to do for the future...

[@kennethhernandez9243]

Here are the problems: 1. Final fantasy should never have been or marketed as a series. It’s an anthology. It’s not like stories connect (unless of course it’s the same number). People became so attached to their favorite and then every other game is compared to that one game. Since the series always changes, the haters come out in droves whenever a new game comes out- which leads to 2. The fans. The fans don’t want any new games. They want their specific favorite remade. If there’s one thing I’ve learned being a fan of the series for 20 years it’s honestly that the fanbase sucks. I remember being absolutely trashed on when XIII and XV came out by people who are “fans”. XVI gets hated on still and it’s objectively not bad. Rebirth is game of the year but all you ever hear is how it’s not final fantasy VII, which is a crazy argument. Square enix hasn’t done itself favors with the sbi stuff, but when it comes to final fantasy the series is dead/dying and it’s the fans who killed it.

[@Cheff-oc4wu]

Emotional drivel

[@kennethhernandez9243]

@@Cheff-oc4wu Thanks for contributing to the conversation.