Will Final Fantasy XV be the final, Final Fantasy?

Bryan talks about Japanese development and taking too long.

[-Foxtrot]

In terms of gameplay I think Final Fantasy X was the last Final Fantasy game.

Now it's a shadow of it's former self.

It's a shame because FF 13 Versus looks fantastic but this new director with his arrogant, big headed attitude has changed the game so much gameplay wise that it seems like they haven't learnt their lessons with FF13.

[NukaCola]

FF XII was a good game. I think X was sort of a downfall in the series.

[Godmars290]

I'm going to say it was FF7. It may be the most popular if not "the best", but it still marked when Square started to prioritize appearance over all. They may have started trying to "appeal to a larger audience" with XIII, copied an MMO with XII and gave up on mini-games, as well as plot structure, with VIII, but VII was the beginning.

[sonypsnow]

Kalkano & Godmars probable expectations on the next Final Fantasy;
FF7-2, FF7-3, FF7-4, FF7-5, FF7-6, FF7-7, FF7-8, FF7-9, FF7-10, FF7-11, FF7-12, FF7-13, FF7-14, FF7-15, FF7-16, FF7-17, FF7-18, FF7-19, FF7-20, FF7-21, FF7-22, FF7-23, FF7-24, FF7-25, FF7-26, FF7-27.

[-Foxtrot]

@Godmars290

Gave up on Mini games in FFVIII? Urm...Triple Triad is one of the best FF mini games in the entire franchise. I know people who would love to have a downloadable TT game for their handheld or mobiles. The Chocobo Forests was there aswell.

Plus the plot was not that bad, every FF game has plot points, even FF7 did.

FFX had a few mini games aswell.

Cloister of Trials, Blitzball, Lightning Dodge, Butterfly Hunt, Chocobo Racing, The Chocobo Challenge, Cactuar Hunt

[hkgamer]

xii is artuably my favourite final fantasy, but there were some elements which made me feel that it really wasnt a ff. not sure what that means and thats the problem ff has, many fans have a different opinion on what ff should be.

X had many bad points, but it had so many positives so it balanced itself out imo.

xiii was definitely the downfall for me due to the game taking so long to actually implement its proper gameplay mechanics. also the lore was just given to you with a bunch of text which was annoying. lost odyssey done very well in giving side story lore with amazing short stories.

@foxtrot

i think godmars meant that xii gave up on minigames.

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

No, I don't think it's gonna be the last one.

I thought the last great Final Fantasy was FFX. But I think FFXV will rebound a bit, probably be the best since FFX. And hopefully the franchise gets back on track somewhat because the last few installments have been total garbage.

But either way, I'm pretty sure that FFXV will not be the last Final Fantasy.

[darthawesome90]

Personally I believe Final Fantasy XII was the last great Final Fantasy game released. In many ways it was an improvement over FFX but while it took many steps forward it also took many steps backward. Criticisms over the gambit combat system, unlikeable main character, while it had some of the best side characters of any Final Fantasy they were flat and static, little feeling of comradery/bonding/relationship s, etc.

Sadly Square-Enix couldn't figure out what fans were upset about. They were really on to something great with FFXII and with a few tweeks to the formula could have created one of the best Final Fantasys. With the departure of Hironobu Sakaguchi Square-Enix was lost. They took FFXII's minor faults and multiplied them exponentially with FFXIII. Then added new faults on top of the old such as linear corridors among many others.

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

Not sure how in the world anyone can say that FFXII was better than FFX.

That's just a joke, FFXII was not a bad game but the plot had nothing compared to FFX. The plot of FFX was so emotional, FFXII didn't have anything like that, it was a good game for those that like more action and gameplay.

[darthawesome90]

@ Lightning MR Bubbles

I am not saying FFXII was better than FFX. What I am saying is that in MANY ways it was better. I also said that in MANY ways it was a step BACKWARDS. Overall I consider Final Fantasy X to be a superior game for the same reasons you mentioned. The emotional plot.

BTW sorry for the caps. I don't see a way to indent or bold words on N4G.

[user6540948]

Final Fantasy Type 0 is an AWESOME take on the FF formula. So i'm not worried about FF 15. Just let them try something unique. If you think about it, most turn based games are not all that different battle-engine-wise (Even recent ones like Persona 4, NinoKuni, Dragon Quest, etc)). So many games copied FF's battle engine, so if FF 15 keeps up with tradition, then it won't stand out enough (and they desperately need to stand out if they are trying to revive interest in a series that lost many fans).

However, I don't want it to change TOO drastically. But something about FF Type 0 gameplay felt good for an FF game and I welcome it for this game. People get too hung-up on tradition, when they forget that each FF game is a FINAL take on an original concept of the series. Just like FF8 and it's stock system (which was unique, yet confined only to FF8), the directors want to try something fresh while still giving a feeling that it's still an FF game. Let them experiment. It's not like Square isn't ever capable of doing a traditional one again down the line. If tradition was all it took to make a decent game, then Square wouldn't have been struggling so hard for the last decade to make a good FF. Maybe the inspiration of FF Type 0 is just what they needed. Perhaps it's a tale that would feel to emotionally constricted by traditional static turn based gameplay. I seriously suggest people who keep complaining to just pick up FF Type 0 when it releases. It was the ONLY good non-MMO Final Fantasy of the last decade. THAT says something about this franchises need to stand-out from all of it's other copy-cat competitors.

[-Foxtrot]

Something unique? What...one button gameplay is unique, I think you've gotten unique mixed up with boring.

The guy did an alright handheld game, this is a AAA long awaited console game. I'm sorry but with his recent comments I couldn't care how good Type 0 was, the guy obviously has ruined what Versus originally was...it might of worked for Type 0 but that was a handheld game.

" Just like FF8 and it's stock system (which was unique, yet confined only to FF8), the directors want to try something fresh while still giving a feeling that it's still an FF game."

Except with FF8 they still had turn based combat...they did this all away up to FFX and it's sequel X-2. So while they experimented with small things the core battle system was still there.

[elninels]

@kalkano

Persona 5.

@foxtrot

Kingdom hearts is sort of a one button attack system. Perhaps ff XV will be similar.

All the buttons were not utilized in kingdom hearts, neither were the companions.

In type-0 switching characters at a fast pace was necessary for strategic reasons. I expect ffxv to do the same.

If we controller the camera with the left among stick only, and the player character with the right analog stick only, then what will the other thirteen buttons (touch screen (probably map) not included) be used for?

Perhaps something along the lines of

Four directional buttons are for character switching.

X is attack

Square is dodge (hopefully timing based and not spammable)

Circle is unique ability (noctis has his warp thing)

Hold a shoulder buttong and press triangle for magic.

The bottom line is that we are jumping the gun on criticising this game. It isn't out yet, it's not even close. If its awful when it comes out then we can all have that discussion. Even then it will still be subjective.

[user6540948]

So what if Type 0 was portable? Japan is more marketable with handheld games...so that's why. You're ignorance is quite glaring. The only valid arguement you have is about the one button thing. But if you pay attention to what he said, he was simply stating that each TYPE of attack should be mapped to a button each. He said he hated having to repeatedly mash a button--meaning it WON'T be a button masher. Pressing one button for each type is akin to using a menu system in battle, except that you won't have to dig through sub-menu's to attack or use magic or items. The magic option or item option will each be mapped to it's own button. Even the attack button can't be mashed. You press it, character attacks, then there's a cool down period until you can attack again--which is a much faster way of doing a psuedo-realtime rendition of turn-based battles.

Clearly you never played FF 12, FF14 or FF Type 0 which all use a similar system (other Type 0 is more advanced).

So get off of your high horse with that crap about it being portable. It was portable to appeal to the millions of psp owners.

I don't know why a person can't share a different opinion from you without you trying to invalidate a persons points with your banter. Seriously man, people on n4g weren't kidding when they said you were a real no-lifer.

Don't like my opinion? So what.

[-Foxtrot]

"So what if Type 0 was portable? Japan is more marketable with handheld games...so that's why."

Handheld development is totally different to console development. Console development, especially with huge, AAA games is massive. Why put someone like him who has never done a console game before onto a project like this, especially replacing someone highly respected and skilled as Nomura. So no it's not igorance, it's just looking at the whole thing logically.

"The only valid arguement you have is about the one button thing"

I'm not even going to go on with this one, I and a lot of other people in the few days have stated why and it's not just because of that one little thing. Jeez it's like when dmc was coming out and people kept thinking the only thing people had to criticize the game was "the hair".

"He said he hated having to repeatedly mash a button--meaning it WON'T be a button masher."

Which is why he's arrogant...HE hated it, HE hated the old system, but he thinks he can make that decision for us and change the old concept of Versus even though we actually liked what we saw of it...and why? Oh yeah just because he didn't like it.

"Clearly you never played FF 12, FF14 or FF Type 0 which all use a similar system (other Type 0 is more advanced)."

Someone doing the "I know you and what you've played" comeback. So original.

"I don't know why a person can't share a different opinion from you without you trying to invalidate a persons points with your banter."

LOL...what?

I stated my opinion above, YOU replied to me. I'm commented back to you to challenge your points.

Yet your getting your panties in a twist because you don't like the fact I've replied to you with something you didn't want to hear.

"Seriously man, people on n4g weren't kidding when they said you were a real no-lifer"

Immature, personal attacks will get you nowhere.

I really don't think you should be posting on here if you can't handle other people's opinions. It's different if I jumped you first but you replied to me first so I'm obviously going to reply to you.

[Cha0tik]

+1 for you Foxtrot for being one of the few people that aren't over reacting to the one button comment as well as knowing what was actually said.

[breakpad]

NO i thnik they ll never stop FInal fantasy ..the end of Final Fantasies will be the release of Final fantasy VII remake , then we will understand that Square enix is losing a lot of money and they will try to shoot their biggest weapon .. (and is also the reason why they still havent developed the millino-fan coveted remake

[ArmitageSeven]

In what way is Tabata Hajime coming off as arrogant and big-headed?

[gangsta_red]

@Foxtrot
FF has always been one button gameplay! You stand still and select from Fight, Magic, Defend and you press one button to select either of those options. Then your little sprite guy wacks the monster with his big stick.

Why is this one button such a concern for you now?

If the game turned into an action arcade beat 'em up with multiple DmC fighting inputs then you would probably be complaining about that direction for FF too.

So what possibly could the guys at Square do to make you happy? I am really curious for that answer.

[I_am_Batman]

So you've fallen for the clickbait articles that took one quote and blew it out of proportion. Let me ask you one question: Has anything you've seen about FFXV (with your own eyes) looked bad in your opinion? Everything I've seen looked great so far and just because they want to make it more acessible for beginners doesn't mean it'll be a bad game.

I for one am even more excited than I've been for this game. I'll judge it when I've played it.

[-Foxtrot]

I've fallen for it...lol, what's there is there man.

Yeah I thought something was up with the battle system then I saw his comments which made me think "Oh so that's why". After comparing the new footage from the old one I decided I liked the old one better.

"and just because they want to make it more acessible for beginners doesn't mean it'll be a bad game"

Oh come on...9 times out of 10 when a company wants to make something more accessible it ends up being a stupid move. Didn't they say FF13 was targeting the COD crowd which is why they made that more accessible.

http://n4g.com/news/368853/...

Now they want to make it more accessible...

[darthawesome90]

I agree that Versus XIII aka FFXV looks fantastic and I too am a little troubled that it has gone in the action-rpg. It was known from the beginning (8 yrs ago!!) that it would be an action rpg but now that it a main numbered final fantasy it has me worried. If Bioware is anything to go by then I think it's safe to assume Square-Enix is going down the same path. In other words FFX-2 may have been the last turn based final fantasy and is now to be dominated by action rpg elements.

On the plus side Tabata has taken over for Nomura and it seems that Tabata may be in charge for future Final Fantasy's dependent on FFXV's success. Tabata was in charge of Final Fantasy Crisis Core. The only Final Fantasy to really bring a person to tears (that ending!). While he doesn't get the acclaim that Nomura gets I believe he is the one person at Square-Enix capable of turning Final Fantasy around.

[I_am_Batman]

So you thought something was up with the battle system? I'm curious what it was cause it looks good imo. I'm not sure what you're expecting from the battle system either. Keep in mind it's still a JRPG.

I just think that people love to hate. Especially after so many people were disappointed with XIII.

And also the article you posted proves my point that some people will take one quote and make a huge controversy out of it.

[DevilOgreFish]

"Will Final Fantasy XV be the final, Final Fantasy?"

no, Deus EX says there will be a 27th and will feature a cute kabuki sword wielding chick. http://oi55.tinypic.com/28k...
http://fc03.deviantart.net/...

[elninels]

Thank you.

[Summons75]

Why would it be? It's still one of the best RPGs in the industry and each game is great, even if a few have stumbled along the line. FF13 sold well, FF14 ARR is still going strong, FFX and the unfortunate remake of X-2 was well received, XV is one of the most anticipated next gen games, Type-0 is finally getting localized and is getting tons of attention, Previews of FF Explorers is getting great things said about it. If you believe FFXV is the last then you have missed something and should get your common sense checked.

[jambola]

What do you mean by "the unfortunate remake of X-2"?

[Summons75]

X-2 is god awful and I don't think I've met a single person who has ever liked it on or offline.

[jambola]

Ok, many people like it.
even if you do think it's "god awful" i still don't see how it's an unfortunate remake? which i should point out, it isn't a remake, it's a remaster.
if you don't like it, don't play it, no problem, but the people who do like it get to play it again, so those who dislike it are unaffected, while those who do are happy.
so i don't see how the remaster is unforunate.

[LightDiego]

To be honest, i thought that the first Final Fantasy would be the only and the last one.
Square should call it the games First Fantasy, Second Fantasy, and goes on.

[FullmetalRoyale]

Thirteenth-Two Fantasy DOES have a ring to it...

*strokes beard*

I liked what they have shown of fifteen. Specifically this more toned down gameplay as opposed to the previous balls to the wall trailer, which was cool, but this felt like more of what I personally wanted.

Also it may be worth noting that I wish they would go back to the classic turn based style. Aside from that fact, I think this is looking fantastic, and I like the vibe I am getting from it.

[Exies7]

Not if it sells well.

[upallnightgaming]

In short. No.

[trywizardo]

with this being pushed so many years and the demand on it is huge , its gonna be like Xiii with 2 sequels . and with XIV realm reborn success , they're gonna make XVI online , or a numberless online FF game ...

[hkgamer]

weve been getting plenty of ff games in the last few years. xivarr was amazing. also a xiii trilogy was released, though admitedly i skipped those because it didnt interest me.

i personally wouldnt mind more sequels or side stories. loved the ffvii stuff, loved the iv stuff. x-2 was great, dissidia was pure fanservice and finally kh had lots of ff content.

[Lord_Sloth]

It only took so long because they kept taking Nomura's staff from him to work on pushing Lightning because Toriyama is a self absorbed ass-hat that Square seems to favor.

[zugdar]

Any true staples of FF are long gone. You could argue that X was the last true FF (I think XII). I'm ok with new battle systems and ideas but Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon and Xenoblade are more FF than XIII or what XV is looking like. Still fun, but not FF.

[tekksin]

*eye twitches*... why is there a comma in the title.

[TekKing]

The last REAL FF was FF9. Everything after that was just a name slapped on the title.

[Chrono]

The brand prints money, so they wouldn't stop anytime soon.

[Illusive_Man]

FFIX was the best of them all.

[Inception]

No, because what SE will do if they stop making (and milking) FF? It's their only franchise along with Dragon Quest that still sells.

But i think XV will not reach the quality that a lot of people hope and it looks like XIII all over again. So, i already prepare myself with low expectation.

[RedDevils]

As long as Square-enix still exist final fantasy series will still be continues. Hell, it's the reason why it became Square-Enix in the first place