So I just finished the short demo that came with DQ8, and I must say that Final Fantasy has now lost its way. That is not to say that FF12 won't be a good game, it just won't be a Final Fantasy game. I think that it is even further removed than FFXI was because it thinks that it is a real FF game. Here's a mini-review for those who haven't played it, and yes, my bias against the game will show some. The game play is completely different from previous FF's. To me, it feels like Kingdom Hearts without the Dinsey part. There are two areas included in the demo. The demo itself has none of the menu screens accessible and no options are changeable. The first one takes place on a beach and is setup to be as turned based as the game apparently gets. Similar to KOTOR with the right settings, time stops when you bring up and navigate the menu. Targets are selected from the menu and are indicated on the minimap at the top of the screen. It can be very difficult to determine exactly which enemy is being selected if there are multiple of the same type in the area. This is exacerbated when dealing with the active system in the second arena. The second area is an ancient temple of some sort. Even though some of the same enemies are in this area and the party appears to be about the same strength, this stage feels harder, particularly with the boss fight. The hallways are more crowded than the beach of the first area, and the 90 degree passageways really make you hate the camera. I was hoping that even though they are screwing up by getting rid of the turn-based/random encounter system, they would have a tightly controlled battle and camera system. I was wrong. Camera control is worse than the battle interface, but both can and should (and probably won't) be improved a hell of a lot before the game is released. The camera is a follow behind style camera that really does not deal with corners well. At least you can change the attitude of the camera that ranges from top down to behind the back. The lack of a lock-on system such as KOTOR's really hinders the game. It also doesn't help that the controlled character doesn't move onto the next enemy when battling a group and there is almost no feedback when an enemy is defeated. The map does show enemy locations, but it seems like enemies respawn on occasion too, at least in the temple a couple did. While it makes it easier to level up, it also makes it more difficult to take a break from the action. I have to say the I am very disappointed with the game. Yes, I am one of the surviving dinosaurs that actually liked the way Final Fantasy games played. I mourn the loss of Phantasy Star still, now I will have to do the same for the Final Fantasy series, even though it feels like I am the only one.
This direction is a bit odd in how the battle system works, reminds me alot of online rpgs, this might be half the reason this game has gone through development hell.
Damnit. This doesnt sound good. I wasnt looking forward to this game at all because its lack of classic FF style. 10 was tolerable but this...Im sorry just no.
Let me put it this way: I think that I would almost rather play X-2 again (including doing every single side mission) than this.
I enjoy the battle system. Maybe that is because of my love towards FFXI, but i actually find the battle system to be enjoyable. Not perfect, but fun enough.
It's sad to see another great series go down hill, although to be honest, I can't believe that Square was able to carry the Final Fantasy series this long. Lets at least hold out hope for Phantasy Star Universe for reviving a classic series (keeps fingers crossed).
Sorry, but PSU is going to be exactly like PSO, but with a token amount of offline play. In other words, it won't be like the classic PS 1-4 like they were trying to hype it up as.
Dammit... thats really disapointing. From most of the stuff I've read, they've been making it out to sound less like an online game, and more like a regular RPG. Well I guess my hopes have been dashed once again. What is it with this whole online RPG trend anyways? All you do is spend your time leveling and talking to people. I personally like my RPG's to have an actual story as has always been the tradition.
Exactly, and the story is usually so weak too. I like a good strong story, not just a little blurb from a NPC every once in awhile.
I like the new system. No more annoying random encounters or loading back and forth between the field and battle screen. It has all the features of the previous systems just a lot quicker to use. Overall it will make levelling and general battle more fun. Playing DQ8 reminded me how tedious and boring the traditional system is so FF12's one gets the thumbs up from me.
Sorry for bumping this, but I wanted to say I got DQ8 (And, therefore, this demo) today, and while I do agree with mairsil's view on the game, I found it quite interesting. I'm not fond of online gaming, so I had never played something like this. I'm looking forward to the final version. I did find the narration of the trailer to be horrible, though. The battle system in FFXII is quite confusing at first, at least to someone used to FFX or FFVI. I do agree that the end of random encounters is a good decision, and that making scene-wide objectives does add an extra innovation to the mix. It reminds me of FFT a lot. The hard part is to know who's turn it is and quickly issue commands. The second part, the dungeon thing is, indeed, confusing. There should be a wider map available or something. I got lost so many times I simply turned it off. I like the characters, interface, and the overall look of the game. The music isn't bad, either, but I expected a bit better. I'd give it a 6/10 rating, for now. Now, back to playing DQ8...
There are other ways of getting rid of the random battles while keeping the combat system intact. Just look at how effective Xenosaga is in that respect.
Eh, I didnt like Xenosaga all that much, or its battle system FFXII will be great fun, for me at least. Im also trying to know nothing about it, like when FF7 hit
ff serise is like saturday night live,its just never goign to end, and how they get away with it i will never know.
After all those years, the only RPGs that caught my attention were: - Wild Arms: I simply love the story. I know the 2nd and 3rd weren't exactly great, but Alter Code F (remake of the 1st) finally got released in NTSC|U/C version (2 years after japan release) and Wild Arms 4 is months away from release. - Kingdom Hearts: This is just too amazing. Can't wait for Kingdom Hearts 2. - Golden Sun (GBA): Everything done right.
I'm wondering if this demo will be put on one of those magazine demo discs, since I don't like or want to buy DW8 but kind of want to play FF12 demo, and I get that magazine for free thanks to a freebies site. If not next months issue maybe the next next months issure im hoping...
Damn! Still haven't played it! And from what I have seen on the game - I like the visuals and design. But the combat - hmm that demo seems like an early beta test, S-E must pick up on all these complaints. After all the director gave us FFT - he can surely do not wrong. Now I would like to see another FF tactics game, on a console, with a tone more like the orginal over the kiddy GBA version.
