Final Fantasy Isn’t Dying. It’s Already Dead

Wired: Well, it’s been a long time coming, but I think I’m gonna call it: Final Fantasy is dead.

It’s hard to pinpoint an exact time of death on this one, but at some point during the last decade the world’s foremost Japanese role-playing game series keeled over and kicked the bucket, and now Square Enix is pretty much just defiling the corpse.

[Manac0R]

Writer obviously didn't get into the beta of FFXIV:Reborn.

[Abriael]

Ditto, completely stupid article.

Hey the series is dead "Because tits!"

[cleft5]

So true. Boys thats look like females are fine, having Vaan walk around without a shirt the whole game is great, main characters with tails is fine, but a lead female character that has boobs and is slightly sexual is completely out of line. People can be so stupid.

[Firan]

I bet the author hated FFIV's dancers. Dem pixels.

[user5575708]

i think everyone's missing the point here. he's pissed that the highlight of the interview about lightning returns: FFXIII is her cup size increase.

not gameplay, not story, not graphics...but cup size. what he fails to realize is that its just a simple marketing tool to add big jiggly boobs and sexy outfits to the game.

ever notice how every add for dragons crown has a picture of the sorceress with huge tits? again smart marketing

and he goes on to say that this new generation of Final Fantasy game creators have really lost touch with what makes Final Fantasy great and are continuing on a downward spiral to the point where they're just milking the final fantasy franchise name to cash in $$

[Craigatorian]

Lightning has always been a sexy character

[Nevers]

I don't understand what he has against breasts. Most of the article was devoted to them... I expected actual content worthy of an article from WIRED. Seems like some no-name trying to make a name by getting hits. Cuz FF is far from keeling over any time soon.

[FantasyStar]

The writer probably wanted Lightning to break the stereotype on female characters akin to other characters like Ellie and Elizabeth from their games with the notion their bodies don't define a woman's role in a story/game. Unfortunately, he was over a year late when FF13-2 came out. Who didn't see this coming?

[bicfitness]

2nd that. FF: ARR is fanservice of the highest order, and its glorious! ARR is what happens when developers listen to consumer feedback, filter out the excess and distill it to pure enjoyment. Most fun I've had in an MMORPG in a while. Up there with my virgin EQ or vanilla WoW experience. ARR gives me hope that there are at least some people at SE who still know how to make great games.

See you all in Eorzea!

Edit: I do think that Lightning is like beating the proverbial dead horse though. But its not her breasts that bother me, its simply how insipid the whole XIII cast is - herself included.

[cleft5]

I agreed, but I like FF13. It's also funny because before this added bit of sexuality Lightning was the exactly the sort of strong female lead character that folks like this writer and many other claim they want. Of course, they got that character and she was almost universally hated. I really have to wonder where all these folks where that are so offended now. All of this focus on something that is completely optional just seems weird and more like a witch hunt than anything else.

[levian]

How can Final Fantasy be a "cash cow"? It's not like they're the same game. It's just a common name for rpg games made by Square Enix. Every game had different gameplay systems, so none of them were the exact same (except some of the originals).

[Skizelli]

FF may not be completely dead, but there certainly hasn't been a good one since VII. CEO Yoichi Wada has even admitted to this by saying they wouldn't make a FFVII remake until they made a brand new Final Fantasy game that "exceeds the quality" of Final Fantasy VII.

Still waiting...

Say what you will about FFVII, but it attracted a lot of people who generally weren't interested in RPGs.

[Soulscare]

"FF may not be completely dead, but there certainly hasn't been a good one since VII."

VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIVARR, IV: The After Years, Cris Core, Type-0, Tactic TWotL.

You may not like some of them (everyone seems to hate VIII and XII...) But you can not deny they're good games.

[Skizelli]

Knock yourself out. I'm sticking with III (VI) and VII.

[LoveOfTheGame]

@Skizelli
I hope by brand new you mean this gen or next, because FFVII was beat not too long after it came out.

Actually, imo, 8, 9 10, and 12 were all better. But the above statement was referring to 9 since it is more common than the others.

[Skizelli]

@LoveOfTheGame

That statement was made in 2012, I believe. I'm sorry, but those don't hold a candle to VII, or even III. But that's just my opinion. We can agree to disagree. ;)

Hey, that rhymed. I'm a poet and don't even know it.

[LoveOfTheGame]

I agree with 3 being better, if your actually referring to 6, and I know most my opinions on the FF world are generally the minority. But, I believe 9 being better than 7 is a majority thing even though it didn't have the impact 7 did.

But agree to disagree, as you said.

[black0o]

haters will hate ...
PC gaming is dead, consoles are lost hop ..etc i really had enough of those titles

[ritsuka666]

Last good FF game was FFIX. Series has been dead since and will probably remain so for a while. FFXV isn,t looking good IMO, probably another game like FFXIII with soulless characters and wasted design.

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

FAR from it.

[Loki86]

FFXV says hi!

[Kratoscar2008]

Nah "XV" will kill FF.

[Lord_Sloth]

1 of the most anticipated games of this entire console generation will kill the franchise....wat?

[Kalebninja]

im srry but u mustve thought he said xiv because xv looks amazing and i dnt know wtf game u saw but that game will do the series justice

[TongkatAli]

SMT fanboy, nothing to see here folks.

[Kratoscar2008]

@Lord Sloth

FFXIII was one of the most anticipated games, it was one that looked brilliant during trailers and what not.

FFXV is basically XIII all over again, so XV will do the same.

You people ever learn?

[Lord_Sloth]

I didn't buy XIII because it didn't look appealing to me. I do learn and have avoided some horrid titles this gen (DmC for example) but XV looks like a solid title.

I have faith in the Kingdom Hearts team to make a solid title.

[Loki86]

Respect your opinion but you are wrong. The characters and story in just the trailer was more appealing then anything I saw from XIII.

[Kte]

@Kratoscar2008

FFXIII was directed by someone different...in case you didnt know lol 15 is all Tetsuya sooooo yeah not sure how he is going to kill FF when he pretty much is FF

[Ksar]

Far, far, far from it. Sonic or Resident Evil maybe. But not Final Fantasy.

Writer obviously didn't get into FFType-0 or even FFXIII. It's not a bad Final Fantasy. Managing to sell 10 millions of copies and getting high critical scores (8+) from both critics and players doesn't make it a failure, even if you like to think so. It can be divisive yet it doesn't mean it's dead. Sorry.

[cyguration]

Whenever people bring up an aggregate review score from something like Metacritic, I instantly feel like their argument has failed when trying to defend a game.

[Elda]

@Ksar..Agreed...I was hyped then when I saw the FF-XIII trailers & loved the game & all over again I'm hyped by the newly FF-XV trailer & I don't think I'll be disappointed when I play it either.I love the FF franchise.

[NioRide]

With the recent restructuring I highly doubt it.

I never liked 13, didn't play 13-2 but I have a interest in 13-3 for some reason.

[Kalebninja]

did u at least watch 13-2 because if u didnt you wnt get the next one

[NioRide]

And that is what the internet is for my friend.

[iamtehpwn]

*Looks at FF14:ARR and Final Fantasy XV*
For a dead man, Final Fantasy is looking pretty damn sharp at the moment.

[chrispseuphoria]

Final Fantasy XV probably will revive the franchise.

[Kratoscar2008]

Nope will kill it.

[NeXXXuS]

The franchise was never dead to begin with... XIII was just a terrible game. People don't realize that out of all the main Final Fantasy games, I - XII are pretty much excellent and amazing games. XIII only ruined Squeenix's reputation. The series was never dead.

[Kratoscar2008]

I dunno, FF ATB and the first FFXIV did far worse to damage SE reputation. At least XIII was playable.

What im mad here is that we will basically get two KHs in the same timeframe (XV and KH 3)

[Soulscare]

FFXV looks awesome but it hardly looks like a Final Fantasy game... Its got the battle system of Kingdom Hearts and is set in a modern day Tokyo.

At least XIV will give us our Fantasy fix.

[Fullmetalevolust]

I don't think the series is dead, either in a deep coma or on life support, no matter the case, I think a couple of upcoming titles could bring back some life into the franchise (I enjoyed the FFXIV: reborn beta).
My vita could be partying w FF:agito/zero right now, make it happen.

[rezzah]

I'm sure many will purchase Zero if it ever releases here in NA. not sure why they distrust the potential sales they can achieve with that title.

[rezzah]

The 13 series is the bump on the road. Hopefully everything will be back to normal with 15, 14 already looks like a great FF game.

[oxcar1]

Yeah,sure. Dead for you and some idiots.

[Corpser]

FF 13 sold 7 million, how is that dead?

[wishingW3L]

because people didn't know how bad it was until they played it (including myself here, I made the mistake of paying $60 for that awful game). But then FF13-2 came out and it sold only like 3 millions or less.

[XboxFun]

I liked the 13 series. To each their own but I am looking forward to playing Lightning Returns and Versus (or is 14 now) on the 360/Xbox One.

[Bartemaus415]

yeah ok the series is dead with 3 dates set for 3 individual games on multiple platforms accross the world coming in the next 12 months alone with more remakes in the pipeline and multiple rumours on even more remakes down the line - plus lets not forget the devs comments about RR that if it goes off the way they plan then there will be development on this series as well (yeah it looks dead to me too pal :s)

to say this series is dead before even playing these games is an insult to be honest and i think you seriously need to rethink your comments before posting them online as you make yourself out to be a complete idiot!!

[Chrono]

Lightning Returns is a spin-off, no need to overreact.

[Snarkasaur]

Dang. It's too bad one person has the capability of killing a series with millions and millions of fans. Why did they give you all the power? :(

[wiggles]

Lol

[Mikeyy]

Its the linear gameplay that's killing final fantasy, 10 was awful, but 12 was great, then 13 sucked again. Haven't wasted my money on 13-2

[Hicken]

10 was excellent. So was 12. 13 was pretty good. 13-2 not as much.

[FantasyStar]

I remembered the day when the internet raged cause FF10 took away the World Map and Tidus was annoying as hell. Heralded as the worst FF back then. Remember that day?

[jakmckratos]

Sai somebody who clearly did NOT see the FF15 trailer at E3..

[wiggles]

I wish the author at least tried to come up with some valid points as to why the series is dead?

The only point he comes up with is the skimpier outfits. I never played X-2 but I loved FFX.

I generally don't care to much for Sex in a video game, but the author's argument is pretty bad . FF XIII didn't bomb horribly, because a lot of people bought it and they made a second one.

[Rob_From_GopRant]

I liked 12. I wasnt a big fan of 13. I wouldnt say Final Fantasy is dead - but I think 13 was an insult to many of the old school FF gamers. Giving the reason so many are feeling Square is going down the wrong path.

15 looks promising though and looks more mature. I hated the voice acting and dialogue from some of the characters in 13 and 10. It was so childish and annoying to me.

And they need to stop labeling their online games a number. Future MMORPG should just be labeled a certain title with ONLINE at the end.

[Caffo01]

lol again with this number thing?? why do you even care if XI and XIV are numbered?!?

[Rob_From_GopRant]

Its like having a JLA comic book collection. Issues 1 - 10 are the actual comic books but DC decides to put issues 11 as digital online only. Then go back to normal on issues 12. One is missing in your collection and doesnt seem right. I have 11 and 14 but never played it - im not a big online gamer when it comes to RPG's.

But your right - why should I care. Its just my personal preference. Its just one of those pet peeves I have. LOL

If they continue to do it - so be it.

I am sure you have some pet peeves as well.

[SonyPS4]

FFXIII is underrated IMO, and many old school FF gamers hated FFVIII because of their expectations after playing FFVII.

Each FF brings a different experience, and not all of them will be massively popular.

[Kalebninja]

can someone please tell me what was wrong with the 13 series the only problem i had was that the first game was a bit lengthy and at some points a little boring but the second was awesome and a lot of people didnt give it a chance

[Kratoscar2008]

Paradoxes and the plot feel forced in XIII-2 when the original had a pretty fitting ending.

[Rob_From_GopRant]

Some people liked it, some people didnt. Its like that with Final Fantasy Fans. Lol Their will always be arguments on which was better.

I liked 12 but many hated it. I liked 8 better then 7 which many will be pissed at me for saying. But general consensus amongst FF fans is that 13 has been the weekest one. With that it turned alot of people away.

I didnt play the second one because i didnt like 13 and thought it was going to be the same stuff. I should give it a chance though.

[wishingW3L]

the sad truth. Fanboys will deny it though, and even claim that boob jiggling will make the franchise better. lol

FF14 even after all the updates is still a joke too.

[Ron_Danger]

Nah... Just give it a Phoenix Down... Unless it died in a cut scene... Then there's nothing you can do...

[wishingW3L]

you're confusing knockdowns with dying.

[My_Name_BTW_Is_Dante]

Of course it is. It died when Square-Enix took over. Now FF fans have turned into Sonic fans.

"Oh, FF13 sucked but FF13-2 will be better."

"FF13-2 sucked but Lightning Returns looks awesome."

And so on. People will find out that Lightning Returns sucks and then they'll put their hope in FF14 which will suck and they'll move on to the next one. They'll never give up hope and always be disappointed.

[Rai]

The title probably should of been

"Final Fantasy isn't dead, but its not our Final Fantasy anymore"

[Tundra]

The author is complaining about boobs and revealing outfits? He must've completely missed Cloud of Darkness, Tifa, Lulu and Fran. Hell, Kuja was even half-naked.

FFXIII sold over 7 million units. That doesn't exactly spell "dead" to me.

You can disagree with the game's story and gameplay; it's your opinion. I wasn't the biggest fan of XIII either but I'm not going to run around saying "the series is dead" because how I felt about the game.

[FantasyStar]

I see a difference between those characters and Lightning. It's pretty obvious that Square-Enix was trying to build Lightning as a strong-lead whereas the characters you mentioned were all supporting. The fairer comparison is Terra from FF6.

[SquareEnixFan]

Sigh. Another one of these.

[clouds5]

FF died when everyone that was involved with the great FF titles of the past left Square Enix...
For me FFX was the last FF game. After that they started something else and just put the branding FinalFantasy on it to get more sales.

[greyhaven33]

Well for me it's far from dead, with ARR, XV and X HD on the horizon I haven't been this interested in Final Fantasy in quite a long time

[mr.selfdestruct]

If is is dead it looks like XIV ARR and XV are Phoenix Downs and will be raising it back up.

[Run_bare]

it will be born again with xiv and xv respectively

[josephayal]

dead? FF13 is the best FF ever

[Elda]

I agree that it's one of the best & XV is looking like a contender.

[EdoubleD]

Waste, don't bother reading.

[Funnymonkey013]

It's not dying just being fucked up with how they making it change wy to much 4 the worst yes X13 series 2 me what killed the FF series between 2009 and 2013. I have hopes that XV will, save the FF brand once again to the damage old x14 and X13 series has made.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Not even remotely true.

Add this article to the loooooooong list of things Wired has been wrong about.

[Elda]

It's not dead to me,love the franchise,I don't play the mmo's but LR:FFXIII looks interesting so I may play it & who cares about her increased bust size as long as it doesn't get in the way of her kickin ass I don't care.

[batbatz]

never say never, also New FF XIV is good so I hear

[gear]

who wouldn't get tired of lightning but it's wrong to say that ff is dead since ffxv is promising.
to be honest they should have made lightning a porn star or a
dancer,i still disagree her being a goddess it should have been Paddra Nsu-Yeul but after reading this article and knowing her boobs is going to jiggle so it's fine

[tommygunzII]

If anything is dead it's good journalism.