While some will say Square-Enix has often milked certain franchises with halfhearted installments and spin-offs, the developers remain committed to excellence and freshness.
So says Square-Enix CEO and president Yoichi Wada, who recently gave a keynote address at the Montreal International Game Summit. According to Final Fantasy Union , Wada was addressing the possibility of Final Fantasy XIII becoming "exhausted," primarily because it's built around the Fabula Nova Crystallis compilation, which is a back story that seen the light of day in other games. Essentially, we're all wondering how long Square-Enix can go with this new story series. Replied Wada:
"Too much IP use is not good. Having memorable characters and back story is crucial to having a powerful IP. As long as there is a world with enough content and story, players will feel comfortable being in the same world for extended periods of time."
Wada further emphasized the importance of having a well-written story in order to keep everything fresh and appealing in the Fabula Nova Crystallis series. He was very clear in saying that such a series hasn't become "exhausted" yet and certainly won't even with the release of FFXIII, and we're all expecting something very special. Besides, if the games continue to feel different when playing, the fact that they take place within the same universe seems to become much less obvious, and thus, doesn't pose much of a problem.
Related Game(s): Final Fantasy XIII
This better not be their excuse to make all their FFXIII games multiplatform because it doesn't meet their "sales" expectations.
I agree with Wada when he says "As long as there is a world with enough content and story, players will feel comfortable being in the same world for extended periods of time." Makes perfect sense.
That's just saying "as long as you don't get bored of the story, you won't get bored of the story"
Lightning is already a Cloud clone
We've got Seifer, Wakka
Almost everyone uses guns in FFXIII, no?
The game's DESIGN is already exhausting. And if anything it' borrowing the same designs from other FFs as already explained.
Well, they're EASILY exhausting this "new" IP already.
The irony
Based on the character history and description for Lightning, I fail to see how she's anything like Cloud at all.
And if you're going to play the "looks similar to all other characters" card, please bear in mind we're talking about Japanese art style.
What I've seen so far, is that Lightning is this "mute" who's just there doing her thing. Kinda like Cloud, Cloud never really spoke, or rather, he never showed that much emotion in anything. That said, that's from what little I've seen. But I'm willing to rent the game to see what she'll truly be like.
On the design aspect. Well I remember FFX looking very different than FFXII.
And it's also not easy to tell me that FFXII characters look a lot like FFIX characters. But that's a minor point, it's only really that Seifer clone and that Wakka clone I have a beef with (design wise). Though, not to keen on the other designs either. Afro guy's a JOKE, ugh
Most of the main characters don't talk much. Sometimes, like Chronotrigger, they make the main character have absolutely no dialogue so they can emphasize the story that happens around the main character instead.
If you just change the hair style and eye color, I'm sure you'll find all the FF characters are almost identical, especially the girls.
Well, I remember Balthier talking a lot when he needed to. He was a strong leader who was never afraid to say whatever he wanted to say.
Yes, Vaan is not the main character imo. In fact he wasn't in the story 'till Squeeeenix said they needed a blonde main character to sell the game.
That said, I remember a very thoughtful Squall, and a very enthusiastic/free to say whatever Zidane.
But hey, maybe Lightning will have a voice of her own too. We'll see, not seeing that so far though.
PS: On the Lightning bit, keep in mind that this is ONLY what I've seen of her so far. Going to definitely rent the game.
PPS: Changing the hair and eyes? Don't know how that applies to them looking alike or how it factors into anything…
Note: Let's also NOT forget that when designing Lightning they were asked to model her after Cloud (probably personality wise)
Last edited by Scarecrow on 11/17/2009 11:26:14 AM
How much have you actually seen, Scarecrow? Have you seen the TGS trailer? Lightning isn't the biggest talker in the world, but she is definitely not mute. And while she keeps herself calm and compose most of the time (which is pretty different from Cloud's indifference) she can certainly show emotion at times.
Also, her backstory, attitude, and motivations are completely different. I'm getting that mostly from the translation of the FFXIII: Episode Zero web novel:
http://dilly-shilly.blogspot.com/
It's worth a read.
Hey Scarecrow, if you rent it and happen to love it I fully expect you to come on here and eat your words in front of us all my friend. 🙂
Sure thing World
Though, most games I've disliked design wise have always proven me right
But hey, we'll see
Gotta hand it to you Scarecrow, only you would be insane enough to start nitpicking FF13 even though you've yet to play it while sticking to you're unwavering love for FF8. You and Squall deserve each other.
Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 11/17/2009 2:20:27 PM
With that attitude, Scarecrow, I'm sure you'll FIND a reason to hate it.
-Arvis
Good call WorldEndsWithMe! Alas I fear he will never. Only Ben has the balls of steel needed to say "I was wrong."
@Limited,
Ah! Because I have to wait 'till the game is out to judge it's design?
By the way let me kn ow if you don't know what design means. (certainly not talking 'bout game design, since that'd mean I'm criticizing its graphics and technicalities, which I'm not)
That said, the points on Lightning are initial thoughts from what I've seen. Have I not made that clear 200 times now? Heck I even capitalize it so you catch it. "From what I've seen so far on Lightning."
I don't need to have the game to judge the character's looks(design) or the game's overall design (environments/artistic direction, etc.)
@Alienage,
Your assumptions hold no basis
I might recant if I do find the game to be better than I thought
@Limited,
Ah! Because I have to wait 'till the game is out to judge it's design?
By the way let me kn ow if you don't know what design means. (certainly not talking 'bout game design, since that'd mean I'm criticizing its graphics and technicalities, which I'm not)
That said, the points on Lightning are initial thoughts from what I've seen. Have I not made that clear 200 times now? Heck I even capitalize it so you catch it. "From what I've seen so far on Lightning."
I don't need to have the game to judge the character's looks(design) or the game's overall design (environments/artistic direction, etc.)
@Alienage,
Your assumptions hold no basis
I might recant if I do find the game to be better than I thought
scarecrow my brother, well done for not being a sheep and following hype. Your clearly looking for content and quality, good on you.
FF's have been repeating and repeating now for awhile. its just same characters, different setting.
FFXII was different thanks to the Vagrant Story team, and was a breath of fresh ais despite me still not fully enjoying it.
FF's ain't been good for me since 10 and haven't been brilliant since 8.
Dragon Quest 8….Best rpg on ps2! made up for the lack of killer FFVII type RPGs for me.
So let me get this straight…you say that Final Fantasy has been repeating and hasn't been good in a while. Yet you say you like VIII and prior, X, and that XII was a 'breath of fresh air'. Well XI was a MMORPG and isn't even in the same category so that just leaves…IX that you didn't like? Well, I can understand that, I didn't think IX was that great either. But one thing you certainly can't accuse IX of is repeating character designs…
Look, I have been following the FF franchise since the beginning, and personally I don't think they've ever come close to the brilliance that is VI. But that doesn't mean the later ones have been bad games.
It's funny how a lot of the people criticizing XIII for looking similar to some of the previous games are the same people who criticized XII for not being FF-ish…
Finally! Someone else that has a love for VI. Good to know I'm not alone out here..I'll fight tooth and nail that VI is the one that needs a remake. Tooth. and. nail.
I meant character personality mostly.
VI is my 2nd fave.
I liked 8 yes but it was still almost a 7 clone. Squall, Rhinoa, Zell….just repeats. Same sloppy love story too.
I liked it because it was only my 2nd dose of the same and the junction system was great.
9 had different design but, AS I SAID, same characters, different setting.
12 was new and refreshing yup, and i praise it for that but, it still didn't totally do it for me….but, i'd welcome more of it due to it being fresh. I preferred Rogue Galaxy though, despite it being more unoriginal.
It ain't just this that makes me yawn at FF13 either, its everything else, flying fighting makes me laugh, actually its all looking so OTT.
Entering this generation, with it being a LOT easier to access online capabilities no matter your platform of choice, I am still waiting for an RPG that I can play with my friends online on a console.(A true RPG not a FPS/RPG hybrid I'm looking at you Borderlands) It doesn't have to be an MMORPG but I just think it'd be cool to play with a few of the people on my friends list in a FF environment. (I know FFXIV is coming in 2010 but don't be surprised if it's delayed…)
I've thought 'bout this possibility before too
But it won't work
To ACTUALLY enjoy the game's story all 6 of your friends have to be on the same page as far as how quickly you want to get to the next checkpoint (story plot/event) and how much time you want to spend training, etc.
That, and to actually arrange times for when you all want to continue playing is not that easy. It just doesn't work with story-based games.
Unless it's a MMORPG where story events don't end the game (non-linear?) But yes.
As are many of my thoughts/ideas Scarecrow easier said than done. I think that's where innovation comes in though, I think it'd be possible but no one has said "ok lets sit down and figure out how to make this work and make it fun." (I'm not talking about MMORPG's) I also believe this world has many great minds someone will figure out how to do something like this eventually. I heard a rumor that Dragon Age may implement a Co-op feature in the future but it's just hearsay.
Baldur's Gate did this back in the day. I tried it out for a while and it kind of worked OK, but it felt like trying to schedule a traditional pen and paper RPG group. You couldn't just play whenever you wanted. But that game was always flexible about who would actually be in your party and was less character-oriented than a Final Fantasy game. The main story you played through in multiplayer was identical to the single player, but without the interesting cast of NPCs backing you up.
Neverwinter Nights went even further in that direction by having someone essentially DM'ing…but that's a pretty different experience than a traditional single player RPG.
Did FF Crystal Chronicles do something like that? I don't know, I've never played it but I knew it was for more that one player.
Get White Knight Chronicles when it comes out Nazty, that should do it.
Yeah, Crystal Chronicles was more of like MMORPG though, or an "open-rpg" where it was based on events
You even shape up the story based on what you did (decisions you made). So it really wasn't a linear story
@Worldendswithme Really? I've heard a lot of hype about White Knight Chronicles, but no specifics, I may have to do some research. You can call me Nasty if you prefer as I would be Nastycuts (like my psn name) but it seems to be taken. 🙁
I'm not up on the specifics of the multiplayer but as far as I know it will have some sort of online co-op system.
How can I get exhausted? The games take 3-6 years to release.
FF13vs – Q4 2013
FF13agito – whenever the new PSP drops.
FF14 – Q1 2012
Maybe we will get exhausted, i took me 3 years to beat FF12 because I kept getting bored. But the younger audience, who's first console is a PS3, 360, or maybe even last generation, probably won't get tired of the Final Fantasy universe because they've only known a couple of FF games. But, of course, they'll wonder "Why does it say number 13?". Their investigation will then lead them to another dimension of 16 and 8 bits that they never knew about which will cause them to laugh and then they'll continue with their business.
Not sure how you could get bored with FF12, the gameplay alone made me keep playing it for long hours. I prefer it's gambit system and style over any other FF ever made.
I'm so glad somebody appreciated FF12 for its own merits. 🙂
-Arvis
lol, i never used gambits but i did love the license system. It was so fun to get enough points to get a new slot. It was always a surprise to see what was on the newly revealed slots! (That was not sarcasm, I really did like it)
Final Fantasy has always been great because in a way every numbered iteration is a new IP. Look at the differences between 7-8-9-10, and 12. I wonder if the future games will just be reskins of XIII, that would be bad. What other games had the Fabula Nova Crystalis backstory? Or was he just talking about the crystals in the FF games?
O well, I just can't wait for the game this March. It has been TOO long.
How long has it been? 4 years?
Off topic:
Any chances of the PS2 FF series to be remastered like in the God of War collection??
Doubt it.
The universe in FF12 had already been used in a previous Square game and I didn't hear anyone bitching about that nor did I ever find fault with it. I don't care if there are a dozen FF stuck in the Crystal universe, as long as they come out rather often I'm content.
I think you can have plenty of games in one universe. If you look at the one we all inhabit, it's responsible for thousands! The trick is to make them all great games, and they'll be fine ;).
This is why I hate Final Fantasy games. They make a female character, that looks like a male character, and she beats 30 machine gun guys up with a sword all while showing how stronger she is than a male.
Oh yeah, not to forget that I also hate the MALE FF characters for being so effimate and weak sauce, look and act like gay guys, and gets beat up by chocobo babies.
Give me the Dragon Quest series, Dragon Age, or ……..Demon's Soul.
End of Line.
Last edited by n/a on 11/17/2009 4:04:30 PM
+1
You're the same guy that would drink a $300 bottle of wine with Kobe beef and have nothing good to say about it.
Seriously I could do the exact same thing you did with FF for all the games you praised.
Go to hell, not the fake one but the real on. I'm serious, I'm wishing for your eternal damnation if at all possible.
@LV
Relax dude, go play Left4dead 2 or something.
I'm taking a break while my friends get some dinner. I'm loving it and it's already offered me more satisfying gameplay than MW2. Thanks for the suggestion though!
She doesn't look male to me.
Agree 100% on the female lead statement.
v-gamers will never accept a happy/interesting and girly (personality wise) lead character. Sadly it always has to be the "strong" robot type female lead……..
It's like they're not allowed to show/have emotions. Ah! This brings to mind Yuna, sad, Yuna's emotions was her strength, yet they ripped her for that in the second iteration of X.
PS: I don't think Lightning looks like a guy. She's actually the only FFXIII I'm actually fond of.
Last edited by Scarecrow on 11/17/2009 7:02:22 PM
ah, the homophobe at its best.
I agree with Alienange and LV…
Lightning certainly isn't giving me a good impression from all the trailer so I'll have to play FFXIII if I wanna love her.
Just like Vaan who I will never like because he just doesn't fit to be the main character.
Tidus was great, an outgoing and live free guy, not to mention he shares the same voice as Ratchet.