It seems like a lot of people like this game. So my question is what is so great about this game is it the turn based strategy, the special attacks etc. So why do people like this game so much?

There are more than 15 FF games. Genres span RPG, MMO, TB Strategy, and fighting game. Which one do you mean?

all of them.

I've never played an FF game that I didn't find to be at least reasonably fun. All of the numbered ones have been amazing, though some of the others were only moderately great. Dirge of Cerberus for example, while a reasonably good game, needed more depth.

Also, I've never played Crystal Chronicles, but I've heard that it's horrible.

What's so great about the overall franchise is that Square has money and clout, and so the FF games always have a high production value. It also has talented ppl working for it, so the art, writing, and game engine of said games are usually high quality.

It's like asking why Mercedes cars are good.

The Final Fantasy series generally has high production values, but doesn't succeed on quality. Honestly, they're just overhyped generic JRPGs with some fancy music and art direction. The gameplay is universally the same thing you've seen in every other JRPG to come beforehand, with one or two gimmicks that function merely as gimmicks. Nothing to write home about, yet everyone orgasms at the mere mention of them. =\

I WILL admit that Final Fantasy 12 was pretty good though. It at least felt like a modern game, whereas the rest of the series feels like it belongs back in the early 90s or late 80s.

Also, I've never played Crystal Chronicles, but I've heard that it's horrible.

It's not so much that it's horrible as it is that it's a multiplayer game. It isn't much fun by yoursef, but with two or three friends it's not bad. The only really annoying bit is that you need GBAs to use as controllers and not everyone is as insane as I am to buy four of the damn things.

I think the writing in the Final Fantasy games tends to be pretty shitty, cliche, and derivative. What the final fantasy games really excels at is content. They make games that you could reasonably play for 100+ hours and still have things to earn or unlock, that are worthwhile to earn or unlock.

I think I'll just tell you why my favorite FF game is awesome. Screw the rest of the series.

FINAL FANTASY VIII

This is easily the best in the series due to the following facts:
-Limit Break attacks are actually fun
-The Junction System allowed for more character customization than any other FF game's custom system
-The characters are probably the most realistic
-The music is amazingly awesome
-The cinematics are friggin' gorgeous

The story seems ok but one thing I really want to know is if the game has a good replablity value. Also I want to know whats so great about the turn based strategy in some of the Final Fantasy games.

well... Turn based allows you to think about your next turn. You get to plan ahead. You don't get that chance in fighting games...

Usually I thought that turn bassed strategies worked the best in Pokemon.

Plus there really is no way to dodge your opponets finishing attacks in turn based gameplay.

genstru
Plus there really is no way to dodge your opponets finishing attacks in turn based gameplay.

Which is where careful strategy comes into play.

Well what if the enemy and the enemy only needs 3 direct hits to finish you and his health is at 100,000,000,000,000 HP

genstru
I really want to know is if the game has a good replablity value.

Oh dear god no. Final Fantasy usually falls under play it, beat the secret bosses, beat the game, you're done, shelve it or trade it in. They almost universally have ZERO replay value whatsoever.

Someone
Also I want to know whats so great about the turn based strategy in some of the Final Fantasy games.

It's standard turn based fighting. Turn based fighting originated in table-top pen and paper RPGs because is was impossible to have combat any other way. It continued onto consoles because earlier ones were weak as fuck and couldn't push too much at once.

At this point in time, all forms of real time fighting are possible on consoles, thus rendering turn based combat obsolete.

So I guess you guys can tell that Im not much of a Final Fantasy fan. I tried to get into it but it just isn't my kind of game.


I'll tell you I game I really like is Tales of Symphonia.

I just cant seem to get into that kind of turn based strategy.

@ Genstru:
How about finishing your thought in 1 post instead of 3? Rule of thumb - Never post directly after yourself.

@ Kingsnake:
Which games are you talking about? Granted I don't play many FF games, but the one FF game I did finish -FFT- must be an exception to your rule of shitty writing.

@ Rich:
Just because something's TB doesn't mean it's not striving for innovation. Chess is TB. Poker is TB. All boardgames are TB. It's not just AD&D. Being TB is a fundamental aspect of human games.

I happen to consider real-time RPG to be crap. It's why I never played the Baldur's Gate franchise, even though you can "pause."

I love the real time RPG games including Tales of Symphonia and Oblivion. Usually I like to play a good RPG game without having to wait my turn to attack or wait my turn to leave the battlefield or being able to enjoy the battle with no worries of my attacks missing my enemy . So really I am not the biggest fan of turn based videogames.

mlai
@ Rich:
Just because something's TB doesn't mean it's not striving for innovation.

I understand that board games are turn-based. That is because you CAN NOT have a non-turn based board game. They just simply WOULD NOT WORK.

For video games, turn based combat just destroys much of the entertainment and removes any challenge other than "lulz grindin'!". The ability to pause to cycle through options is about the closest TB combat has ever come to being fun, and even then it pales in comparison to real time.

But to get back on topic I just want to know why people like these Final Fantasy games so much. Personaly I think they are kind of overrated in my opinion since it is just a simple turn bassed strategy game. So why do people like these games so much?

Only good Final Fantasy games are 1-6, 9 and the Tactics series. CC was fun, I am hoping for a friend-code based Wii version.

I tend to think the FF series is waaaaaaaaay overrated though. Especially FF7.

Turn based games are not obsolete. They are still fun, and probably always will be. Until they stop being fun, they will not be obsolete.

Hell, a lot of my favorite games are turn based, and I'm not just talking FF games. I love ANY tactical RPG, (For those of you who don't know, that's the one with the squares you move your guy on), and loved most other RPG's. In fact, as far as I can remember I've never played a turn based game I didn't at least moderately like.

hpkomic
Only good Final Fantasy games are 1-6, 9 and the Tactics series. CC was fun, I am hoping for a friend-code based Wii version.

I tend to think the FF series is waaaaaaaaay overrated though. Especially FF7.

Couldn't agree with you more. Though 12 wasn't too horrid.

Yes but what is it about Final Fantasy that is so great I was never able to get into any of the games.

The first time I played a Final Fantasy game I got so frustrated that I almost threw away the game. Also the saving system stunk it would barley let me save the game.

Ok Im done ranting Im just going to bed right now.

FUN FACT: There is an edit button for a reason. Just add shit to your post rather than double or triple posting.

@ Genstru:
And when you feel like posting just to tell us you're going to bed, DON'T. A forum is not IM.

@ Rich:
TB is as valid a game format as RT. It just so happens to work well with RPG, but many game genres use TB. There are some game concepts which just don't work well in RT.

I'm assuming you like games such as Diablo. Diablo's play style, for me, was MEH.