General Final Fantasy Discussion - Final Fantasy XII remake incoming!

[finalark]

Shimomura knocks it out of the park again. This certainly is her work, with the strong emphasis on melody and the use of piano and strings in particular.

 

[RespawningJesus]

So, who else picked up Type-0 today?

 

[Minato]

So, who else picked up Type-0 today?

I'll have to wait, unfortunately. Still trying to hold off on a PS4 until maybe next year.

In other news, Square announced they're doing a press conference this Thursday for Final Fantasy XI.
http://www.siliconera.com/2015/03/1...the-future-of-final-fantasy-xi-this-thursday/

I wonder what it's going to be. Hopefully a F2P port? I've heard great things about the story. Masato Kato of Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross was involved in it, so I really wanted to always play it.

 

[finalark]

FFXI is near unplayble these days with how dated it is. I'm expecting either F2P, a major overhaul or its discontinuation.

I'll be sad if it goes. Despite the fact that the game holds up about as well as a cardboard box in a hurricane it's still nostalgic. Anyway, IMO the game really isn't worth playing, especially if you've been spoiled by new mmorpgs.

Also, if it goes offline it will be the first main series FF that will be rendered unplayable.

EDIT: Just to elaborate my thoughts a little, I'm really hoping that they're planning on overhauling FFXI. The game is horribly dated, has muddy graphics, an awful UI and a myriad of other problems. If they're planning on keeping XI's servers up I'm hoping that we get a reworked game with an updated interface a few modern conveniences to make the game more accessible. As it stands, FFXI is more newbie unfriendly and has a steeper learning curve than MH.

So, who else picked up Type-0 today?

It's on my list of must-play PS4 games along with MGS5, Persona 5, KH3 and FFXV, but I don't plan on getting a PS4 until either KH3 or FFXV are out. Or if the PS3 version of P5 ends up being complete garbage.

EDIT:

On an interesting note, Squeenix's CEO, Yosuke Matsuda, recently teased a "JRPG meant for home consoles along side Square Enix's other (. . .) projects."

I'm not getting my hopes up for anything spectacular like the long-rumored FFVII remake or a third Chrono game, but it will be interesting if its something besides a Final Fantasy game.

Sauce: http://www.novacrystallis.com/2015/03/square-enix-ceo-teases-big-home-console-jrpg-surprise/

 

[Jae]

I got my collector's edition in the mail just yesterday. I haven't had the chance to really play the game much though.
And naturally, I just downloaded Episode Duscae today!

 

[RespawningJesus]

I want to do a stream of Episode Duscae sometime this Sat. Just curious to see if anyone is interested in it.

 

[finalark]

Okay, so what we know about what Sqeenix is doing with FFXI:

- They're working on something called "Rhapsodies of Vana'diel" which is meant to be the act in FFXI's story. From what I read on the forums it sounds like its going to be a patch and will be released throughout the year
- All console versions of the game will be discontinued in 2016, Square explicitly states that they will be focusing exclusively in the PC version
- A new spin-off was announced, Final Fantasy Guildmasters. A mobile MMORPG based on FFXI. This is set for a 2015 Japan only launch
- Finally, they're looking into a mobile version of the game. How they're going to make a game like FFXI, a game that is infamous for being impossible to progress in if you have less than two hours to play, mobile is beyond me but that's what they want to do.

Sauce: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/46414

It sounds to me like Square is planing on wrapping up FFXI and converting it to a phone game. Interesting. I wish they had decided on a single player spin-off or something instead. The real question is how long until the PC servers go offline?

 

[Minato]

Guess I'll have to pass on this one. I don't have anything like a tablet, and FFXI on a phone isn't quite the experience I'm looking for either.

 

[finalark]

Guess I'll have to pass on this one. I don't have anything like a tablet, and FFXI on a phone isn't quite the experience I'm looking for either.

Same here. I was hoping we'd get something that condensed the story of the game and its expansions into a focused single player RPG that played similarly to XII (which was basically offline XI in terms of game play). Oh well, maybe next time.

 

[Atrabilious]

How is FF11?

As in, if I were to start playing it on my laptop today would I be able to work my way through all the storyline related components within a reasonable span of time? Is it possible to play it solo or are groups absolutely required if you don't want to dedicate your life to it? I've never really been big on MMOs outside of runescape when I was younger, I'm not averse to them but the general 'grind-til-you-drop' faire of the MMO genre generally causes me to lose interest right quick. Like with the aforementioned runescape, I was fond of the various quests since their dev team put a lot of effort into making quests a series of storylines instead of generic 'kill/fetch/etc x item/monster' so I didn't mind grinding for the stat/level requirements, but once I did all the quests in the game I pretty much stopped playing. I'm not really interested in all the end-game related stuff and farming for the ultimate gear/weapons, I just want to see what the story is about.

After Dissidia revealed Prishe and Shanttoto to me I always had an interest in giving the game a try to get more exposure of the characters/story first-hand since I hear FF11 is supposed to be pretty good in the lore/story department. But being an MMO put me off.

Worth getting into or should I just try to browse youtube and piece it together from there?

 

[finalark]

How is FF11?

I don't know what your experience with the MMORPG genre is, but FFXI is a perfect example of what MMORPGs were like before World of Warcraft revolutionized the genre.

In other words, it hasn't aged well.

As in, if I were to start playing it on my laptop today would I be able to work my way through all the storyline related components within a reasonable span of time?

FFXI is a very grindy game. Infamously, it's pretty impossible to get anywhere unless you have at beat minimum two hours to kill.

Is it possible to play it solo or are groups absolutely required if you don't want to dedicate your life to it?

Solo plays stops being a particularly viable option around level 20 (of 99) or so. Once you hit that area groups being becoming very, very necessary.

I've never really been big on MMOs outside of runescape when I was younger, I'm not averse to them but the general 'grind-til-you-drop' faire of the MMO genre generally causes me to lose interest right quick.

Not to scare you away, but if you're not a fan of grindy MMOs then you probably really won't care for FFXI.

Like with the aforementioned runescape, I was fond of the various quests since their dev team put a lot of effort into making quests a series of storylines instead of generic 'kill/fetch/etc x item/monster' so I didn't mind grinding for the stat/level requirements, but once I did all the quests in the game I pretty much stopped playing. I'm not really interested in all the end-game related stuff and farming for the ultimate gear/weapons, I just want to see what the story is about.

FFXI is much like Runescape in that regard. You're not going to get any "twenty bear asses" quests (that really wasn't a thing until WoW came out anyway) and many of the game's quests are very storyline driven. So you may enjoy that.

After Dissidia revealed Prishe and Shanttoto to me I always had an interest in giving the game a try to get more exposure of the characters/story first-hand since I hear FF11 is supposed to be pretty good in the lore/story department. But being an MMO put me off.

Worth getting into or should I just try to browse youtube and piece it together from there?

Honestly, FFXI does not hold up very well. The game's learning curve is like hitting a brick wall, it's not newbie friendly, the interface is horribly cumbersome (and obviously designed for console), PlayOnline is pretty much the worst launcher ever, quest givers are not marked, quest objectives are vague at best and worst of all? The game crashes if you try to minimize it. So I hope you have a smartphone at the ready if you need to look anything up. And trust me, you will.

I couldn't really tell you anything in the storyline department. Frankly speaking, I stopped paying attention around the time I was level 15 mostly because the gap between major scenario quests is so big that it all falls out of you head pretty quickly. Granted, the game is nostalgic for me, and it is very fun if you're willing to look past its many, many flaws but I have a really hard time recommending it to anyone.

Although if I haven't scared you away completely there is a free trial: http://finalfantasyxi.com/freetrial/

 

[κomıc]

At this point, you might be better off playing FFXIV. I'm not much of an MMO person (first was ToonTown Online, then a bit of Runescape and moving into Guild Wars). I really enjoyed XIV and the structure. My biggest gripes was the navigation/map. It isn't really easy to read and it was frustrating looking for some things that needed to be done because of how it is marked on the map.

Unfortunately, I stopped playing it because other games came up and personally, I couldn't justify paying $15 when I played it casually. I never liked having that "You paid $15 for this game this month. Don't forget to play it." It's why I loved playing Guild Wars. I didn't have that worry. I've heard nothing but good things about Guild Wars 2, so that is another option if you haven't checked it out.

But if you're into Final Fantasy and are interested in an MMO based around that world, XIV might just be for you. Can't say much on XI.

In any case, back to main topic: I'm holding off on Type-0. Playing MH4 and Majora's Mask, so I think when I do finish MM at some point, I'll check it out. School and work has been taking a lot of my time and I'm sure by then, there would be a price drop. Be sure to check out GCU on Best Buy. They now have it $30 and it has fantastic benefits (20% off games for 2 years and it stacks!)

And as for Dissidia... I'd love a remaster/collection of it on PS4. But I'd rather take that new arcade one any day. 3-on-3 battles? Yes please

 

[finalark]

April 10th Squeenix is going to be holding a closed conference for the new Dissida. Despite its name, we will be getting some new info along with a new trailer and some live game play.

So yeah, please be excited.

http://www.novacrystallis.com/2015/...al-fantasy-closed-conference-2015-next-month/

 

[Atrabilious]

Honestly, FFXI does not hold up very well. The game's learning curve is like hitting a brick wall, it's not newbie friendly, the interface is horribly cumbersome (and obviously designed for console), PlayOnline is pretty much the worst launcher ever, quest givers are not marked, quest objectives are vague at best and worst of all? The game crashes if you try to minimize it. So I hope you have a smartphone at the ready if you need to look anything up. And trust me, you will.

I couldn't really tell you anything in the storyline department. Frankly speaking, I stopped paying attention around the time I was level 15 mostly because the gap between major scenario quests is so big that it all falls out of you head pretty quickly. Granted, the game is nostalgic for me, and it is very fun if you're willing to look past its many, many flaws but I have a really hard time recommending it to anyone.

Although if I haven't scared you away completely there is a free trial: http://finalfantasyxi.com/freetrial/

That's unfortunate, from what you say it seems like I wouldn't have the time to actually get anywhere in the game. Shame, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see if this mobile version if any better on the grinding front. Guess I'll just watch the story content n youtube and maybe give the trial a swing for novelty's sake sometime in the future.

Thanks for the info.

April 10th Squeenix is going to be holding a closed conference for the new Dissida. Despite its name, we will be getting some new info along with a new trailer and some live game play.

So yeah, please be excited.

 

[Minato]

I'm glad we're way past the days of the closed Square Mega Theater for new trailers/info. That was terrible on keeping the hype.

 

[Sol_Vent]

April 10th Squeenix is going to be holding a closed conference for the new Dissida. Despite its name, we will be getting some new info along with a new trailer and some live game play.

So yeah, please be excited.

http://www.novacrystallis.com/2015/...al-fantasy-closed-conference-2015-next-month/

Nice! I seriously can't wait to hear more about how this game. I must know about its gameplay systems.

A few days ago, a friend asked me if I thought summons should return, and I was like "Dude, we don't even know if Brave Points are coming back yet. Summons might not even have anything to mess with."

Also, hi Final Fantasy thread! How's it going?

 

[Atrabilious]

I think the new Dissidia will play very much like the old ones.

The original trailer is filled with characters using their attacks from Dissidia/Duodecim, just with flashier graphics. Air dashing and dashes seem to be in too. I think the only big changes will be to accommodate the 3v3 teams. I imagine assists will be scrapped now that you have team-mates to prevent combos getting ridiculous with team-mates around, but other than that I think this game will be very familiar to established fans.

 

[Sol_Vent]

I think the only big changes will be to accommodate the 3v3 teams.

This is pretty much what I'm getting at. What are those big changes? Having individual brave points for six characters might end up being a bit too much to manage, so maybe we might get brave values on a per-team basis? Or may they simply be scrapped? And that's just one mechanic.

We've already seen some changes in the teaser, like speedier attacks, seemingly more ground-based combat, and totally new blocking mechanics, so I'm really excited to see what else is new and how it all fits together.

 

[RespawningJesus]

Honestly, the new Dissidia is reminding me of the Gundam Vs. series. All I want though is just any word on a possible console port at some point in time.

 

[Minato]

Did the GBA translation really say this? (still better than the PS1 translation)

Also I've been in a mood to replay the FF titles. They're all on my Vita, so there's no excuse. I did an entire summer of going through FF4-8 once. Going to try it again this summer and get to 9.

 

[finalark]

Did the GBA translation really say this? (still better than the PS1 translation)

Yep. Given how tongue-in-cheek the GBA translation was I assume it was entirely intentional. I don't know if you've played the GBA version of V, but the localization team was aware the the game's biggest draw was its game play and had a ton of fun with the script. IMO this makes it one of the most fun games in the entire franchise.

Also I've been in a mood to replay the FF titles. They're all on my Vita, so there's no excuse. I did an entire summer of going through FF4-8 once. Going to try it again this summer and get to 9.

Sounds like an exciting summer. I plan on tracking down more of the SMT games this summer and trying to play through as many of those as possible. Although I'm also considering giving FFV or VI a replay if that becomes too expensive.

 

[Minato]

Yep. Given how tongue-in-cheek the GBA translation was I assume it was entirely intentional. I don't know if you've played the GBA version of V, but the localization team was aware the the game's biggest draw was its game play and had a ton of fun with the script. IMO this makes it one of the most fun games in the entire franchise.



Sounds like an exciting summer. I plan on tracking down more of the SMT games this summer and trying to play through as many of those as possible. Although I'm also considering giving FFV or VI a replay if that becomes too expensive.

I haven't played the GBA translation, I've only seen parts of the new dialogue. I think I'll give the GBA version a try during my FF marathon this time along with VI. Since I'll be playing FFIV PSP version, it's going to make things fun and fresh with the new translations (I'll do a DS playthrough eventually).

And SMT summer sounds fun. I recommend trying out the Digital Devil Saga games sometime if you're looking for one that doesn't feel too dated.

 

[finalark]

And SMT summer sounds fun. I recommend trying out the Digital Devil Saga games sometime if you're looking for one that doesn't feel too dated.

Actually, Digital Devil Saga was my first encounter with the SMT franchise. When I was a kid one of my friends and I used to rent games almost every weekend. One of those games was DDS. All I really remember is that I thought it was really weird and that it was significantly harder than the RPGs I was used to back in those days. As an adult I've heard nothing but good things about it, so I'm convinced that eleven year old me was just too young to really appreciate it. Thankfully both DDS1 and 2 are available digitally along with SMTIII.

I don't really plan on going back and playing the Famicom and Super Famicom games entirely because they look way too dated to be worth it.

I haven't played the GBA translation, I've only seen parts of the new dialogue. I think I'll give the GBA version a try during my FF marathon this time along with VI. Since I'll be playing FFIV PSP version, it's going to make things fun and fresh with the new translations (I'll do a DS playthrough eventually).

The GBA version of V is a lot of fun if you're willing to just relax and have fun with it. It doesn't take itself seriously and doesn't expect you too either.

On the other hand, there's the GBA version of FFVI. Now, given that my Japanese is shaky at best I obviously haven't played the original Superfamicom version of FFVI, so this is just what I've heard. Apparently, part of the reason why Japanese FF fans don't really care for FFVI is partly because Kefka was less of a hilarious yet intimidating enemy and more of a bumbling idiot who somehow ends up destroying the world. Also, I hear that the original script is comparatively plain and uninteresting. The GBA version tries to be both more faithful while still retaining the charm of the SNES version. IMO it's pretty hit or miss, but its still worth playing for the new features added and because getting a new perspective on an old story is fun.

I haven't played the PSP version, and since I don't have the console anymore I doubt that I ever will. I am curious to know if its worthwhile though. I can tell you that the DS version is fantastic if you're a fan of the original game, but the updated graphics and presentation alongside the nearly untouched 1991 RPG game play makes the game really show its age.

 

[Minato]

Actually, Digital Devil Saga was my first encounter with the SMT franchise. When I was a kid one of my friends and I used to rent games almost every weekend. One of those games was DDS. All I really remember is that I thought it was really weird and that it was significantly harder than the RPGs I was used to back in those days. As an adult I've heard nothing but good things about it, so I'm convinced that eleven year old me was just too young to really appreciate it. Thankfully both DDS1 and 2 are available digitally along with SMTIII.

I don't really plan on going back and playing the Famicom and Super Famicom games entirely because they look way too dated to be worth it.

Yeah, I wouldn't really bother with the Famicom one especially. It's where the series starts, but that one is based on some novel. It wasn't until SMT when the franchise became what it is. If you have a smartphone (it might be iOS only) you can mess around with SMT1 if it's cheap. Only if you wanted a weird time killer. I have nostalgia for the game's scenario, but the gameplay really is dated.

If anything, do a read through on this article http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/megaten/megaten.htm

The site has great article on the history of some franchises. It's also a good way to check out games that you may not have the time and patience to go through all the way.

The GBA version of V is a lot of fun if you're willing to just relax and have fun with it. It doesn't take itself seriously and doesn't expect you too either.

On the other hand, there's the GBA version of FFVI. Now, given that my Japanese is shaky at best I obviously haven't played the original Superfamicom version of FFVI, so this is just what I've heard. Apparently, part of the reason why Japanese FF fans don't really care for FFVI is partly because Kefka was less of a hilarious yet intimidating enemy and more of a bumbling idiot who somehow ends up destroying the world. Also, I hear that the original script is comparatively plain and uninteresting. The GBA version tries to be both more faithful while still retaining the charm of the SNES version. IMO it's pretty hit or miss, but its still worth playing for the new features added and because getting a new perspective on an old story is fun.

I remember hearing something similar to that. Sakaguchi in an interview was surprised that VI was well liked. He said sales for it wasn't exactly amazing. He might be talking about worldwide, I'm not sure. I do agree that while the SNES version took some liberties and changes, there was a lot of charm in it.

 

[9Blades]

Did the GBA translation really say this? (still better than the PS1 translation)

Also I've been in a mood to replay the FF titles. They're all on my Vita, so there's no excuse. I did an entire summer of going through FF4-8 once. Going to try it again this summer and get to 9.

Which part of the game is this? I assume I haven't gotten this far yet, seems like it would be memorable.

 

[finalark]

Which part of the game is this? I assume I haven't gotten this far yet, seems like it would be memorable.

It's past the half way point, after you've entered the other world.

 

[dezeray112]

April 10th Squeenix is going to be holding a closed conference for the new Dissida. Despite its name, we will be getting some new info along with a new trailer and some live game play.

So yeah, please be excited.

http://www.novacrystallis.com/2015/...al-fantasy-closed-conference-2015-next-month/

Just 8 days to go.

 

[9Blades]

It's past the half way point, after you've entered the other world.

Oh, okay, I'm just before that. The giant cannon of doom and destruction and death.

 

[Twewy]

I've been playing Tactics Advance, and guys, hear me out: I have a great ****ing idea for fun fights.

Okay, let's make a system where attacks have a certain chance of hitting, now let's throw this in favor of the CPU in both their attacks and dodging. Now let's also add an ability that takes damage to HP and converts it to MP, while keeping this attacking system. They'll love it and play for hours!

Also Marche did nothing wrong. Ritz did everything wrong.

 

[Kewkky]

So... Type-0 was surprisingly fun. Really fun, even. I think I poured 150+ hours of gameplay into it already and finally did everything I wanted to in the game.

But that FFXV title screen theme, hnnng. I can already tell it's going to be my favorite Final Fantasy.

 

[Atrabilious]

I was always liked the fact that Marche was willing to go against the grain of not only the world at large but the express wishes of his dearest friends to do the right thing. I know it's standard faire for the hero to always do the right thing but considering the circumstances of Ritz and especially Mewt, what he was doing was in a moral grey area but he stuck to his guns anyway. I quite liked him as a character.

I never did pick up Tactics Advance 2. I should probably look into that.

I'm enjoying Type-0 a fair bit but I seem to hit proverbial stat-checks regularly and grinding to meet them is becoming a bit of a chore. I thought grinding 6 characters would be more than enough, but then I'll bump into something way out of my ability and my team'll get wiped, and I'll have to use the rest of my vastly under-levelled recruits to try and scrape a victory out. The combat is really good though, like Crisis Core but better.

FF15 combat is excellent fun too, but does have a couple of issues IMO. Manual dodge, despite requiring more from the player in terms of timing and situational awareness costs the same amount of MP as the auto-dodge when done successfully. If something requires more skill to do it should have a better reward, in this case I think it should not cost the same amount of MP. Other than that, I strongly dislike how damage spongy some of the enemies can be. The behemoth in particular was pretty daft. I was adamant not to use Ramuh to win but after 35mins of attrition I'd only gotten him down to 25% of his HP, and me & Gladioulus could only carry on for so long seeing as Prompto and Ignis are about as useful as a rubber ducky in a fight. Ended up having to use Ramuh to avoid being wiped in the end. I get that boss fights are about tougher than usual enemies, but jeez. One of the things that bugged me about FF13 was how much HP some of the bosses had, only to prove with Vercingetorix that an enemy didn't need to be tanky as all hell to be challenging. With how close FF15 seems to be to a straight up action game hopefully they'll focus on making the enemies challenging in terms of attack variety, not by inflating their HP pools.

 

[Twewy]

but considering the circumstances of Ritz and especially Mewt, what he was doing was in a moral grey area but he stuck to his guns anyway. I quite liked him as a character.

I think you mean his brother bound to a wheelchair, not the girl who was more worried about the color of her hair.

 

[finalark]

I was always liked the fact that Marche was willing to go against the grain of not only the world at large but the express wishes of his dearest friends to do the right thing. I know it's standard faire for the hero to always do the right thing but considering the circumstances of Ritz and especially Mewt, what he was doing was in a moral grey area but he stuck to his guns anyway. I quite liked him as a character.

I want to agree with you, but FFTA really doesn't present it as a moral gray situation. The game acts like Marche is in the right the entire game and pretty much ignores the fact that going home means he would be putting his brother right back into a wheelchair. Not only that, but Mewt's dad would go from being a noble and fair knight who makes time for his family to being the town drunk again. Oh yeah, and Ritz would go back to being bullied for her vitamin deficiency/thyroid problem/albinism/unfortunate genetics, which is less tragic but still unfortunate.

Bluntly speaking, for the main cast of FFTA life is good in Ivalice and there's absolutely no reason to leave. I get that the game's message is that you can't run away from your problems. But that really doesn't work given how the situation was presented.

EDIT: Although Mewt does go nuts with power, if my memory serves. So that's a problem. Although I'm not sure it's a problem worth reverting the entire world for. I'd honestly have to replay the game.

With how close FF15 seems to be to a straight up action game hopefully they'll focus on making the enemies challenging in terms of attack variety, not by inflating their HP pools.

Reminds me of Kingdom Hearts. When I was a kid I really didn't notice, but at the end of last year my roommate and I played the HD versions of KH1 and 2. I can confirmed that inflated HP pools was half the challenge in those games. I really shouldn't be surprised given that Numora was so heavily attached to FFXV for a long time. That being said, I hope its not an FFX scenario with a good 80% of the fights can be won by spamming summon magic.

 

[Atrabilious]

I think you mean his brother bound to a wheelchair, not the girl who was more worried about the color of her hair.

It's been about 10 years since I played FFTA, I don't remember all the characters.

I want to agree with you, but FFTA really doesn't present it as a moral gray situation. The game acts like Marche is in the right the entire game and pretty much ignores the fact that going homes means he would be putting his brother right back into a wheelchair. Not only that, but Mewt's dad would go from being a noble and fair knight who makes time for his family to being the town drunk again. Oh yeah, and Ritz would go back to being bullied for her vitamin deficiency/thyroid problem/albinism/unfortunate genetics, which is less tragic but still unfortunate.

Bluntly speaking, for the main cast of FFTA life is good in Ivalice and there's absolutely no reason to leave. I get that the game's message is that you can't run away from your problems. But that really doesn't work given how the situation was presented.

It's probably worth noting that life was good for the main characters, but not necessarily for everyone at large. The three bullies, even though they were shmucks, were morphed into horrific undead abominations that had to be killed. Now I'm all for karmic retribution for people who act like douchebags but turning three kids into zombies is a bit beyond the pale. The world was basically only a place that catered to the fantastical whims of Mewt, and it was a fairy tale life for him. Those three being turned into zombies basically gives a good look at what the reality of the world is when you're sitting at the other end of the spectrum. But for Marche to leave it as such would essentially mean anyone that didn't fall into the good graces of Mewt had the potential to be stuck in a similar fate as the trio, or have everything they'd ever loved turned upside down if it they were a bit luckier than that. Because you see more of Marche/Ritz/Cid/etc it's easy to see it as being amazing, but Mewt dragged everyone into his world with him and as aforementioned, it can be an awful place depending on how your luck turns out.

 

[finalark]

It's probably worth noting that life was good for the main characters, but not necessarily for everyone at large. The three bullies, even though they were shmucks, were morphed into horrific undead abominations that had to be killed. Now I'm all for karmic retribution for people who act like douchebags but turning three kids into zombies is a bit beyond the pale.

I actually don't remember that. Turning children into monsters is bad, and children killing other children who were turned into monsters is also bad. Granted, I don't remember the game drawing too much attention to it, so that's probably why it's slipped my memory.

The world was basically only a place that catered to the fantastical whims of Mewt, and it was a fairy tale life for him. Those three being turned into zombies basically gives a good look at what the reality of the world is when you're sitting at the other end of the spectrum. But for Marche to leave it as such would essentially mean anyone that didn't fall into the good graces of Mewt had the potential to be stuck in a similar fate as the trio, or have everything they'd ever loved turned upside down if it they were a bit luckier than that. Because you see more of Marche/Ritz/Cid/etc it's easy to see it as being amazing, but Mewt dragged everyone into his world with him and as aforementioned, it can be an awful place depending on how your luck turns out.

Again, this is a really valid point, but I don't remember the game drawing much attention to it. This is probably why Marche's actions come off as very questionable. I feel like FFTA's story would have been better off had Marche openly commented on this. IIRC his reaction to his friend's improved lives is pretty much, "Yeah, but this isn't real and we should go home." It doesn't help that the game never really clarifies if FFTA's Ivalice is a lotus eater situation or how the whole thing works. I feel like the game would have benefited from elaboration on exactly how everything worked or was more open about the dark side of Ivalice.

For me personally, FFTA suffers from the same problem plaguing a number of other "trapped in another world stories" that I've read. The writer is so focused on showing off how awesome the world is that its downsides become underplayed, making you question why anyone would ever want to leave.

Then again, I haven't done a full play through the game in at least ten years or so. Given that I'm going off of my impression of the game from when I was eleven or twelve I'm sure there's a lot I'd interpret differently as an adult.

 

[Atrabilious]

What happens to the bullies is unfortunately not covered in the main story missions, it's hidden in one of the side quests. You go to investigate rumoured attacks on travellers and merchants and find the shambling remains of the bullies mindlessly attacking people, and have to put them down to prevent further harm to more innocent people, and also as a mercy killing for them personally. It should have been put into the main story arc IMO because it was very effective at demonstrating what the world was like if you weren't someone Mewt was fond of, but sadly the creators thought otherwise.

It's an interesting story, and I agree with what you're saying on how the darker side is typically downplayed. It shouldn't be, because ensuring that you clearly depict that sort of contrast in the setting makes the emotional impact of the entire story that much more powerful and thought provoking in my opinion. But then again I imagine the developers didn't want to make it too dark and risk a higher age rating on the box, has to be family friendly to some extent.

 

[Twewy]

I still can't get behind Ritz's excuse for wanting to stay. "They make fun of me for dyeing my hair!" Even her bunny friend just looked at her like "what". I do appreciate her worrying about her mom having to dye it everyday, though. Also, the bullies that get turned into zombies also get turned into other monsters later on in another mission, IIRC.

I'm sure glad they went into their favorite game, Final Fantasy, though. Final Fantasy, which they like, sure was a great place to go to, which was Final Fantasy.

What happens to the bullies is unfortunately not covered in the main story missions, it's hidden in one of the side quests.

The one with the Professor? I'm pretty sure that one was required.

But then again I imagine the developers didn't want to make it too dark and risk a higher age rating on the box, has to be family friendly to some extent.

ESRB doesn't judge by that, now if Marche or someone said "Damn!" or "Hell!" or the violence was a little more than swinging their weapon that would've gotten a T back in 2003.

 

[Atrabilious]

Just had a quick look through google, everything I find says it's an cancellable sub-mission, so I'm pretty sure it's not in the main story line. But like I said, haven't played it in a decade, if you're sure it's in the main story I'll take you at your word.

 

[finalark]

I'll have to second @ Twewy on that ESRB rating. The ESRB looks solely for surface level stuff, IE violence and language. They couldn't really care either way what sort of themes are in the story. This is why some of the darker Zelda games got away with an E rating back in the day (although the series seemed to be hanging around the E10 territory these days).

I still can't get behind Ritz's excuse for wanting to stay. "They make fun of me for dyeing my hair!" Even her bunny friend just looked at her like "what". I do appreciate her worrying about her mom having to dye it everyday, though. Also, the bullies that get turned into zombies also get turned into other monsters later on in another mission, IIRC.

I get the feeling that this would have been less ridiculous if it had been played up as a medical condition. Given that Ritz is a
twelve year old girl (probably) I really doubt she would have said something along the lines, "Let me tell you why having (insert the myriad of conditions that could cause on to have premature white hair) sucks." It's more in character for a kid to complain about being bullied, but it still comes off as ridiculous.

This whole conversation makes me feel like FFTA had an interesting story that probably could have been handled a bit better.

 

[Twewy]

Just had a quick look through google, everything I find says it's an cancellable sub-mission, so I'm pretty sure it's not in the main story line. But like I said, haven't played it in a decade, if you're sure it's in the main story I'll take you at your word.

You're talking to the guy who just does every mission and complains about the bull**** A.I and a cracker brand with hair issues. I might be wrong...about the sub-mission thing.