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/vr/ - Retro Games

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2153928 No.2153928 [Reply] [Original]

I have zero nostalgia for any Final Fantasy game since I never played them.
I became very opposed to them after learning that basically everything I hate about modern jRPG comes from FF 7 and onwards, but I've still never gave them a chance (I'm a DQ kind of guy).

Are these games worth playing nowadays, with all the derivatives around?

>> No.2153953

Some games are worth playing, some games aren't. You'll get differing opinions about different games.

That said, 1, 4, 5, 6, and 9 are all retro ones worth playing.

If you like 5 and want another game with a job system, play 3. If you're willing to try something different mechanically, play 2. If you're willing to try something different as far as settings go, try 7 and 8.

>> No.2153970

I never played 7 and avoided it because of all the hype, when I did get around to actually trying it I was impressed by the charming characters. They may not be super deep and dynamic or anything but the game does a solid job establishing them and I found them quite charming. The gameplay isn't going to blow you away or anything but the music probably will, damn that game has one awesome score actually. The music just makes everything feel so much more dramatic and it's the game is probably so fondly remembered because of atmosphere the music created.

>> No.2153992
File: 117 KB, 762x462, 20100604142657!FFV_Amano_art.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
2153992

People remember VII differently than it actually is. It's not super dark and brooding. Cloud isn't a crybaby. Most of the hate for FF comes from the FFVII spinoffs and X onward, but even then only two of the games follow the stereotype that people hate all FF games for (X, XIII).

In reality the series sticks to some similar ideas but is constantly changing itself up in terms of tone and gameplay. Some are dark and moody (IV, VI) but others are fun and generally lighthearted. (V, IX) Expect different gameplay gimmicks in most of them, to varying degrees of success. Also expect some seriously sweet music in every single one.

I thoroughly recommend IV, V, VI, and IX.

If someone wants to hate Final Fantasy because it's simplistic and dumbed down from WRPGs, go ahead. But barely any of them are the melodramatic anime nonsense that people think they are. Usually the story is just various spins on "GO SAVE THE CRYSTALS".

>> No.2153997

When I was a kid I refused playing Final Fantasy VII (my best friend talked about its amazing graphics and how it was so big that it needed many cds) because it was not about going to medieval fantasy towns and talking to its inhabitants for clues like the snes ones.
Did I make a mistake?

>> No.2154004

>>2153997
Yes.

At least play the first disc. It's linear but that part of it is so good. It opens up after that and becomes more similar to the SNES ones but I actually like the linear style more, at least for that entry.

Have you played IX? It's most like the SNES ones. Only bad thing is that it's slooooow.

>> No.2154010

>>2153953
Did you really just recommend FF2 to someone ?

>> No.2154014

>>2153928
>basically everything I hate about modern jRPG comes from FF 7 and onwards

I thought the same way you did just one year ago and was pleasantly surprised by how fast FFVII's pacing actually is. The game doesn't waste any time in getting you into things and is super light on cutscenes, FMVs only total up to an hour while the game itself takes 40 on average the first time through. And there are only 3 major exposition dumps, just one of which could be described as 'too long'.

>> No.2154016

>>2153928
>everything I hate about modern jRPG comes from FF 7 and onwards

Uh, what? It depends on what specifically you're talking about but FF7 didn't invent much that wasn't already apart of the genre.

>> No.2154020

The Key to enjoy FF7 is to not get fooled by the hype, just like every game that's titled unmatched masterpiece etc. Just expect a decent game but nothing that will mindfuck you on a constant basis.

>>2154004
IX really is best on an emulator with a speedup function. There's no excuse for the obnoxiously slow battle speed.

Overall every FF from 4 onwards is worth playing, even the oh-so-hated VIII is still a great and popular game outside of 4chan. Same goes for X

>> No.2154023

>>2154016
Incredibly annoying cinematics in battle scenes, focus on story and edgy characters are all part of this and later games, are they not?

>> No.2154029

>>2154023
Only the summons are cinematic, and it was obviously done to show the capability of the PSX, but you never are forced to use them.

>edgy characters
Of which there are none, so naturally you're way off base with that one. FF6 featured just as much emphasis on story.

>> No.2154030

>>2154023
Cinematics have been in battles since IV

Story's been the focus since the first game on the NES. Time loops, yay

Edgy characters? Not really. At least in the original game.

>> No.2154041

>>2154030
>Any kind of cinematics in random encounters are the prime reason I can't stand jRPGs, it's just a baffling decision to me. I played Persona 3 for some time before I had to quit due to frustration, EVERYTHING TAKES SOOO MUUUCH TIIIME. And from what I've seen watching videos these FF games are no better.
I'll try 7 to see what's it all about, sure. But man I am so prejudiced.

>> No.2154047

>>2154041
Pretty sure you can just press X and skip the animation. It's only for summon animations and they're only long in the 3D ones because they wanted to show off. Other than that they're generally snappy.

You'll be waiting more often for your ATB bar to fill up than an animation to play out.

>> No.2154062

VIII > VI > V > VIII > IV > I > IX > II > III

>> No.2154070

>>2154062
>8 first
>3 last
>don't need to pay attention to anything else to know that your taste is fucking awful

>> No.2154116

>>2154023
>edgy characters

So you only watched AC, got it. FF7 Cloud is nothing like the later versions.

>> No.2154123

I don't see why VIII is so hated.
At least it had better cinematics.

>> No.2154128

>>2154062
IX > VII = VI > V > III > IV > VIII > I > II

>> No.2154142

5 is the only good ff

>> No.2154157

ff7 and ff6 are the most epic experiences, but adult you might be too jaded to love them

ff5 is interesting mechanically cuz job system

ff4 is the most classic "standard" jrpg and fun too

rest u can skip

fuck chrono cross

>> No.2154164

>>2153928
>basically everything I hate about modern jRPG comes from FF 7 and onwards
Chrono Trigger, actually.

>> No.2154173

>>2154004
Full of shit.

IX is nothing like the SNES ones. Gameplay-wise, it's FFVII+. As for FFVII itself, it can be enjoyed with the right mindset, but it's a bare-bones unlosable game tacked on top of a laughably silly plot. The only really good things about FFVII and VIII are music and visuals. Stories and gameplay are silly, challenge is nonexistant, exploration is not really a thing (although FFs were never too good in that regard in general), and the whole things are extremely story-centric, yet the stories are amateurish cavalcades of 90s anime cliches.

>> No.2154181

>>2154123
>I don't see why VIII is so hated.
>At least it had better cinematics.
The problem was generally that they spent more time and effort on the cinema parts than the actual game. FF8 can be seen as the push towards the cliff that Square would eventually fall off of. They sort of tried to walk away from the cliff in FF9 but then FF10 came and they went full retard lemming mode over that cliff.

>> No.2154229

>>2154181
this
ff8 characters were lame as fuckkk

>> No.2154240
File: 3 KB, 179x83, Whatever.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
2154240

>>2154181
>>2154229

>> No.2154271

IX (after playing through 1-8)>V>IV>III>VI>Tactics>VII>I (NES/Origins)>Tactics Advance>Mystic Quest>FFIX without prior knowledge>VIII>X>II>I (GBA and onward)>Everything else

>> No.2154275

>>2154181
>but then FF10 came and they went full retard lemming mode over that cliff.
Granted by that time it was too late, SquareSoft was already dead and X/Tactics Advance were the last actual FF projects from pre-merger.

>> No.2154285
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2154285

>>2153992
This guy. This guys gets it.

>> No.2154291

>>2153992
>FF7 isn't dark and brooding
Thats right. Cloud does squats in a gym full of fags so he can crossdress. Chills out on the beach in Costa Del Sol, plays games at the Gold saucer, Chocobo races for freedom, snowboards down a mountain and a slew of other not even close to broody things.

I think thats why Square is so hesistant to remake it. They have this image that Cloud is some broody 2dark4u guy, but if they do that while still trying to keep the essence of FF7 in tact its going to be a trainwreck,

>> No.2154295

I only played III but never finished after the world ended...

Should I give 7 a shot? I do enjoy rpgs but I guess not FFIII so much.

>> No.2154301

>>2154295
the ds remake of 3 is a lot better, they added a really cool job system

play it if you want, but don't pick it up if you're not planning on sticking with it.

>> No.2154302

>>2153928

Play FF7.

You either like it or you don't.

>> No.2154305

>>2154023
FF6 suffered from all that too. Final Fantasy was never good.

>> No.2154315

>>2153992
>Barett is so mad at Shinra that he nearly kills a low level bean counter, nearly blowing their whole operation
>When Barrett meets Shinra in person, he just stand there, listens to him talk and then watches as he walks away
That's straight up anime/JRPG shit

>> No.2154321

What's the best version for each of the retro titles? For example, I hear that the DS remake of III is superior to the original?

>> No.2154331

>>2154321
No. The original 3 has up to 9 enemies in a mob, DS has 3 max. This makes aoe classes suck. Just play the originals of all if you can.

>> No.2154334 [DELETED] 

Contrarianism: The Thread

>> No.2154343

>>2154301
I think he's talking about SNES FF6.

>> No.2154346

>>2154321
/vr/ made this some months ago.

http://pastebin.com/8aqKfzNG

>> No.2154359

Honestly, most of the older FF games are really horribly to play once you realize how garbage the ATB system is.

Some are worse than others (IX in particular is a travesty), but in general ATB combat is a complete failure and ruins what would normally be good games.

>> No.2154397

>>2154346
Stop posting this. It's INCREDIBLY wrong.

>> No.2154417

>>2154397
>much opinions
I can agree that it needs some rewrites and additions, but it isn't 100% falsehood.

It's also notable for being completely compiled out of /vr/ posts, so that accounts for half of something right?

>> No.2154424

>>2154417
No, because a lot of people on /vr/ are stupid, ignorant, or both.

Although to be fair a lot of that guide is pretty spot on.

>> No.2154427

>>2154417
SOME rewrites? It reccomends PSP and PS1 versions of games. It needs a complete rewrite.

>> No.2154438

>>2154417
It's perfectly wrong for FF1 through to 9.

So it's shit for every retro FF. It's fine for 10 through to 13.

>> No.2154443

>>2154427
And you would rather threads pop up asking about them?

It was made to keep people from asking at a time when they would pop up almost every day, and on that end it covers every port and version including originals. It's up to the reader to decide.

>> No.2154463

>>2154438
Elaborate.

>> No.2154464

>>2154417
We do need a real rewritten version, but the problem is that 1) We're even less likely to agree on anything than before and 2) the shitstorm would last for months, time after the project is finished included.

>> No.2154473

>>2154464
We'd only get the hack list finished reasonably, and even then over half the thread would be about translations.

You'd need a writer with the patience of a saint and all the time in the world to manage a quick compiled version nowadays; getting the first done was miraculous and still took 3-4 passes.

>> No.2154627

>>2153953
you skipped 3. you bastard.
The job system was excellent.

>> No.2154632

>>2154627
3 should not be on the 'if you like this and want more', 5 should. Play 3 and then 5.

>> No.2154642

>>2154632
Haha, what?
V has better absolutely everything except difficulty than 3.

>> No.2154649

>>2154642
Maybe that was the point.

>> No.2154668

>>2154649
I'm someone else bur 3 is infinitely better than 5 imho

>> No.2154972

>>2154464
I think we'd be able to agree if we took the Pastebin's idea for reconciliation one step further: instead of just including every version in the pastebin, we give every single one some space and write what /vr/ normally says about it and/or what the debates are.

>> No.2155003

If you are a DQ guy I guess the first 5 FF are worth playing (dunno about II though)

>> No.2155445

>>2154972
No point in that since some versions are universally agreed to be shit and not worth playing (Dawn of Souls, Anthology, ect.)

>> No.2155450

if I fucking hear one winged angel again I will shove the faggot down the toilet

>> No.2155496

>>2154427
Theres nothing wrong with recommending the PSP version of FF1 and 2

>> No.2155523

>>2154632
>>2154642
>>2154668
5 is better than 3. But you shouldn't play the worse one after the better one spoils you, because even the worse one is excellent.

>> No.2155524

>>2155523
also, play the originals of every game. Not the remakes.
Except FF1... the famicom/nes version is bugged so you may want to play a remake. Don't play FF1 first though, because it's just not that good in the same way DQ1

I still love both, but wouldn't recommend playing them first.

>> No.2155598

>>2154972
Sounds like /vr/ needs a wiki.

>> No.2155605

>>2155598
It'd be cool to but together a /vr/s recommended games

>> No.2155616

>>2155524
Just get Final Fantasy restored. It fixes more bugs than even the remakes.

>> No.2155690

>>2154062
Do you realize you have VIII twice?

>> No.2156003

>>2155524
I like FF1 on the NES just for the Vancian magic system; the remake doesn't feel right with its mana pool.

>> No.2156008

>>2156003
That's why you play the Origins version.

>> No.2156323

>>2153928
Pick up IX. It's the best of the series and goes back to the fantasy elements instead of the sci-fi stuff of later games.

>> No.2156357
File: 2.33 MB, 2880x1700, tifa_lockhart_by_g0ldenarcher-d87lavo.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
2156357

>>2154157
This.

>> No.2156457

>>2154181
>They sort of tried to walk away from the cliff in FF9
How? FF9 has you on the cinematic rails the entire time. FF9 discouraged you from exploring by taking away your transport, party members or abilities (a summoner who can't summon, a white mage who randomly fails to cast spells... These things make you want to rush to advance the story so you can be rid of them.)

FF8 had wonky gameplay, but it did not suffer from cinematitis like the following games. FF9 killed Final Fantasy.

>> No.2156626

>>2156457
is 9 really that bad?

Out of all the PSX FFs, 9 is the one ive been wanting to play the most

>> No.2156630

>>2156626
Not him, but it's a slow game.

>> No.2156739

>>2156626
I really like 9

>> No.2157490

I always though FF VII story kind of fells apart after the first CD.

>> No.2157640

There are no FF games after VI. I don't know what you guys are talking about. They stopped making them after that.

>> No.2157691
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2157691

>>2154173

I understand where you're coming from but I want to add that IX had the most likeable characters for me. Like I'll admit that Quina wasn't an astounding character story wise, and it took me awhile to like Amarant , but almost everyone else was pretty well done IMO. Every other FF game (or RPG game for that matter) has at the very least that one character I just do not like at all due to obnoxiousness or whatever. This game did not.

Something about IX had this sort of lighthearted whimsy and traditional swords and sorcery tone to it that made me love it, and the characters. The story is, as you say, pretty much some very cliche shit. But to me IX was a return to the classic themes we hadn't seen much of since V. The main villain was pretty shit and Kuja was likeable to me only because he was so one dimensional it was hilarious. He just makes me think of those traditional stories of that narcissistic bad guy who virtually has no other personality.

But coming back full circle I have to say the characters are what make it for me. Sure, the story is nowhere near some well written epic novel. Most things can be guessed before they happen. However, traveling to various places across a mystical land in company of such good characters made it an unforgettable experience for me.

As for the battle system itself, it's nothing amazing. The ability system to learn stuff by equipping items is basically materia system taken back a step, which kind of sucks. I mean it's tolerable, but it makes you use items you don't really want to use. You just want the ability off of it, not the stats the item gives.

Anyway, I do love the game. Not even out of nostalgia. First played it 2 years ago and I loved it. It had a nostalgiac feeling due to being released at a time I was a kid, so it felt somewhat 90's to me. I only regret I let Justin borrow my copy and he never returned it. Thanks a lot man.

>> No.2157704

>>2157640
Stop living in the past, man.

>> No.2157706

>>2157691
I'll never experience this because even with the text speed and battle speed chalked up into overdrive, the game is a fucking slog.

>> No.2157709

>>2153928
>I'm a DQ kind of guy
What's the difference? Serious question from someone who seriously doesn't know about this stuff

>> No.2157752

>>2157709
Depends on which dq the person prefers.
I prefer games like dq3 or ff3 where you get to create your party instead of being handed certain characters that are just classes.

>> No.2157808

>>2157709
Dragon Quest is goofier, less cutscene heavy, and in the better games much less linear with more party customization up front. I was surprised as hell when I first played DQ and found myself having fun. Final Fantasy and its imitators had me thinking the whole genre was terrible

>> No.2157857

>>2153928
that's weird, FF7 is the only jrpg that i enjoy, and i love the shit out of it

>> No.2157907

>>2154041
>>2154047
There are also a couple of bosses that use attacks with long animation, and you definitely can't skip attack animations in FFVII.

That said, the random encounters are pretty quick, and summons are totally optional.

Good on you for being willing to give the game a chance. If you don't like it, at least it'll be from experience instead of hearsay.

>> No.2158937

>>2155445
>First time with FF1
>Played Dawn of Souls
>I liked it

I couldn't make any comparisons since it was the only version I ever played of it. What's so wrong about it?

>> No.2158943

>>2158937
Dawn of Souls is locked on to easy modo.

Origins on PSX is basically Dawn of Souls but with much better quality visuals and music with the normal difficulty of the NES version and the mandatory GBA difficulty as an option.

>> No.2158974

>>2158943
The balancing in the ps1 version is still slightly different, isn't it?
If I recall correctly you can't buy the silver sword in that version, you get a normal sword upgrade instead.

>> No.2158978

I just wandered into this thread from /v/ cause I wanted to see what FF games to download on my Vita. I've never played a FF game. I don't think I've ever seen such a lack of consensus in a discussion in my life. What should I play, having never played FF?

>> No.2159005

>>2158978
Dragon Quest 3.
Just kidding, start with 5 or tactics if you want good mechanics. The games are mostly epic storylines about anime characters in a high fantasy setting, gameplay shouldn't be your main focus.

>> No.2159027

>>2154291
It's frustrating because before the spinoff crap, Cloud always came off to me as a "too cool for school" kind of guy with a good soul. He seemed level headed and maybe reserved to hide some shyness, but certainly not edgy or emo.

>> No.2159036

>>2159027
I know what you mean, "let's mosey" and all that.
Also thought it was weird how he didn't seemed to have gotten over Aeris in the movie when her arch was already pretty much resolved.

>> No.2159056

>>2158978
the 3 super nintendo ones (4,5,6), VII and IX are generally considered good games.
I am not a fan of the franchise or genre but that is the best advice I can give in terms of consensus.

>> No.2159092

Every time I replay FF8 I'm more convinced that it's some sort of really high concept satire

>> No.2159096

Might be off-topic from FF, but I kinda had that feeling too, given that 95% of things I see in games now stems from Sakura Wars and Galaxy Fraulein Yuna. It's kinda strange to see it like that, despite loving both games.

Hudson/Red were way more influential in games than I though, which is why I think it's kinda funny that a good number of their main games never made it over, especially Oji Hiroi anything.

>> No.2159097

>>2158978
>on my Vita

Get IX, or even FFIV Complete Collection.

>> No.2159107

>>2159092

It was going well until that one fucking scene at Trabia Garden where Irving tells everyone the truth.

After that, I just couldn't give a fuck about anyone in the party. Still fine with Squall and Rinoa was silly, but not as annoying as I imagined she would be for a heroine.

>> No.2159134

>>2159107
everything past the first disc is the delusions of a moody teenager as he lays dying on the pavement

compare how rinoa basically hates him and only wants seifer's dick and then does a total 180

wakes up in prison and first thing he says is "shit man where's that fatal injury that just happened to me"

Rest of the plot takes imagery from his surroundings and experiences leading up to his death and distorts it

like come on, monsters come from the moon?

he was just in a crazy coma fantasy

>> No.2159158

>>2159134
Squalls dead is my favorite theory on all the crazy shit that happens in FF8.

>> No.2159184

>>2159158
the terrifying imagery in the ending really seals it in for me

>> No.2159196

>>2159158
As long as you treat it as your personal head canon and not the real meaning behind the game or something, it's cool.

>> No.2159202

>>2159196
what? why?

>> No.2159206

>>2159202
Some autists like to believe that squall really IS dead and that rinoa IS edea.
I don't know any sources but the original writers have already discredited those two theories, you can find discussion on it in the /vr/ archive.

>> No.2159214

>>2159206
Dude, Squall is dead.

I'm not into that whole respecting your opinion and mine won't step on your if yours doesn't step on mine shit. Squall is dead.

>> No.2159226

>>2159214
To be fair I haven't played ff8 in years, you might have a point.

>> No.2159237

>>2153928
Games that everyone else has derived shit from are always worth checking out.

If a game is well known for creating, or perfecting a gameplay mechanic, it usually has an air of experimentation to it that any derivative games probably don't have.

>> No.2159305

>>2159184
?

>> No.2159316

>>2159305
I'm sure you can watch it on youtube. the ending to the game is fucked up man