Ben-DutkaYou'll forgive me if this isn't exactly news; as most of you know, my favorite game of all time is Final Fantasy Tactics , so when an article shows up called, "Why The World Needs More Final Fantasy Tactics," I'm likely to pay attention.
But as you can see by reading the piece in question , it's not necessarily about FFT, but about the lack (or outright death) of strategy/RPGs. These are games that feature a turn-based mechanic and a "playing board" of sorts; we saw this in titles like Tactics Ogre , Front Mission 3 , Koudelka , and most recently, the renowned Disgaea . These days, they're few and far between and basically non-existent on home consoles, although one could find a few on handhelds. I won't repeat what is said in that article, as it'd be simply relaying the thoughts of the that particular author, but I'll add the following-
While technology allows us to make most anything real-time while preserving depth and enhancing immersion, there's a reason why I keep coming back to FFT (and I swear, it does go beyond nostalgia). Thing is, there were many of us who wanted to play video games for the story, the characters, the depth, and the micromanagement and planning. We were never into the arcade scene and for the most part, we didn't like games that only required reactions and reflexes. I had all the time in the world to plan the exact correct approach, both in and out of battle, and at the same time, I had a fantastic story. I also had a perfectly balanced character development system (Jobs) and if I made a mistake, it was due to my poor execution (or wee bit of bad luck); it was never because I couldn't react fast enough.
These days, even the RPGs don't feel much like RPGs because of the constant inclusion of some real-time element that always limits how long or how seriously one can consider the situation. I have yet to see a viable, rational argument that says a real-time RPG is deeper – or even as deep – as a turn-based RPG could be. In fact, there's a reason so many RPG fans have never felt more involved than when playing a turn-based game. The new generation(s) of gamers simply won't allow for the return of this mechanic, and with Japanese developers insisting on a new Western approach for just about everything ( Devil May Cry and Yakuza: Of The End are only a few examples), I have accepted the grim truth. And I'm afraid this call for "more FFT" will invariably fall on deaf ears.
But at least it's good to see I'm not the only one.
I was rather upset myself, DQ belongs on consoles if not a single, best, console.
The lack of quality turn based classic RPG's is what has turned me off to the genre altogether. I for one think the Shining in the Darkness/Shining Force Saga was the best strategy RPG I have ever played, although the former was a dungeon crawler when the IP first arrived and progressed into strategy RPG.
Sure it didn't have as much depth as FFT, but it also came out first, and I had much more fun playing that one, and I didn't have to look at a floating in space game board which, to me took the immersion level down a bit. Heck, I even had more fun with it than some FF games.
Also, Lunar was a great turn based RPG, and if there was mention of either being rebooted I'd be all over it like white on rice.
Last edited by ColTater on 9/29/2010 4:16:29 PM
I love the Shining series.
There's a new one in the works called Shining Hearts for the psp (see psp is rpg land now…).
Still need to get Shining Force EXA. That's the backlog of games I've been speaking off. Too many of them to care about stuff like FFXIII and Enslaved.
@ Scarecrow
Thanks for the tasty golden nugget of info you just gave me, I was not aware of that.
I now wish I never got rid of those games. Heck, I didn't keep anything. I've always been one of those to privately sell my collections from each gen or dare I say it….traded it in to GameStop/EB for the latest and greatest hardware before I knew any better. Heck, I was young so give me a pass.
All my originals gone, Panzer Dragoon, Shining in the Darkness, FF1, FF2, Lunar, and on and on and on. Way to many to list. Sega CD gone, 32X gone, Jaguar gone, Dreamcast gone, PS1 and 2 gone. Now I only have PS3, original modded X-box, and a PSP 2000.
It truly does baffle the mind. It's like the well has gone dry. They're reduced to giving us handheld remakes of the old classic FF games and giving us DLC versions of the PSX turn based rpgs. New ideas are no where to be found.
And yet, these re-releases sell very very well. Shockingly well in cases such as the FFVII PSN release.
So whatever happened to creative game making? What has compelled devs to skip consoles altogether and just feed into the DS crowd?
I myself also wish there were more turn based RPGs…and at the ripe age of sixteen where everything's changing around me and myself still learning things in life, school, and work, more Turn-Based RPGs would be awesome!!!!!! (HD consoles or not)
You know alot of people on this site love turn base rpg, but I just never got into it. Now this is just an opinion so don't get all offensive/defensive on me, but I enjoyed FFXIII…my first FF. I like the fact that it was real time, but I hate that I could only control one party members abilities and too much of the game is 'auto battle', but I enjoyed the hard battles. But I can see why people see FFXIII as having less depth because I have never played a FF and I feel like I have no true control over what happens on the battle field…well except my character. When I was younger I hated turn based, don't know how I would feel today, but I'm just whatever towards the issue, but I would enjoy trying one because most likely…I feel I will love it. Tired of shooting people…though I can't wait for KZ3.
It's because you're not a RPG fan. That's all.
boooohooooo, if u will only control one member why don't u play a WRPG, like Mass effect or stn( no disrespect to Masseffect though)
If there should be any "boohooing" it should be at you instead because he gave an honest and complete opinion, not something like "turn-based RPGS suck because they're not "modern" and they wouldn't sell well anyways, that's why developers barely make them".
So why don't you show your immaturity elsewhere, it's not needed here.
If there is a possibility of you being close to or around my age (16), then sadly, you're adding to what is a really bad rep to us young gamers when it comes to discussing anything game-related without acting childish.
Last edited by Victor321 on 9/29/2010 8:40:45 PM
@ victor
Since u are still a child ( yes 16 is still a child) and I believe u are new here.anyway Boohooo since the last time I checked was not a big deal, it usually means I disagree with the post. I used Boohooo to show that I'm totally the opposite and I used it instead of thumbing him down like a coward, annnnnnyways how about u trying to mind ur own business and comment on the news 🙂
Neither of you are new here… what's the deal?
@TEG3SH
The only problem I had with your post was that you said
"annnnnnyways how about u trying to mind ur own business and comment on the news"
right after saying in the post earlier,
"boooohooooo, if u will only control one member why don't u play a WRPG, like Mass effect or stn( no disrespect to Masseffect though)".
Now, I don't take issue with the boohoo comment, and I don't think replies necessarily have to do with the news as much as in response to a particular post. However, if you truly feel one should comment on the news and mind their own business, then why would you make such a boohoo other's business minding comment?
Just sayin'.
Very true Underdog15, and I'm not new at all; I joined a year and a half ago.
@ Underdog15
I respect what u say, but what I was trying to say is " why don't u mind ur own business as I wasn't talking to him in the first place). anyway have fun guys no need to be pissed about it, and for a final note all I have to say is " Really ppl on the internet really need to chill the f**k down, seriously why is everyone so god damn sensitive nowadays "
wasn't eternal sonata (or something) close to the gameplay of fft ?????
I'm just gonna throw it out there WE NEED A FFVIII SEQUAL . God dammit
nope, Eternal Sonata was action/turn based hybrid.
I thought it was all about choosing blocks and mapping ur fight and stuff, I could be wrong I forgot everything about FFT, I only played it 1. Was never a big fan like Ben is
You must be thinking of Enchanted Arms. And I never cared for FFT at all either.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 9/29/2010 7:28:37 PM
On GameFAQs the poll is what game do you want to be in the game of the decade…thing, I saw Legend of Dragoon and I didn't even read the other nominees for today.
Really wish for awesome turn based RPGs for the PS3. These newer action RPGs we getting are just not very good compared to what I am a fan of. Big fan of RPGs since i was a kid and find it annoying this gen they abandoning what made their RPGs fun.
Turn based RPGs live on the handhelds…
Which is unfortunate
I never played FFT, my favorite strategy/rpg games during the ps1 days are Vandal Hearts II and Front Mission III. ^_^
The games i still play today are xcom ufo defense, kingfield 1&2 and the darklight conflict. thank goodness for demons souls.
I'm really not into these types of games so I'm not bothered by their scarcity. But I do hope the fans who do like this stuff get some quality games to satisfy them.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 9/29/2010 9:39:56 PM
There is a great classic this gen rpg, it's name is Lost Odyssey, just that it's on 360