FFX-3 "The Final Chapter" March 2012 update

Question:

Is it a bad idea to focus Final Fantasy X-3 "The Final Chapter" primarily on the unfolding and twisting story of Yuna and Tidus as Yuna and Tidus have to overcome Spira's latest antagonist (nut job), restore the Eternal Calm and in the process try to strike a balance for themselves and the world of Spira of which all its population relies upon their High Summoner and see Yuna as a God (or Goddess)? Okay...perhaps envisioning Yuna as a God (or Goddess) is going too far but the impression is unquestionably there (after all where or what would Spira be if it weren't for Yuna and her Guardians and friends vanquishing Sin, Yu Yevon and two years later prevent the destruction of Spira via the destructiveness of Vegnagun).

The answer to that question is "probably". From many (assumed) perspectives; Final Fantasy X-2 was enough and "Final Fantasy X-3" would be overkill or pretty much predictable. I can't argue with anyone who has a negative view regarding the concept of "Final Fantasy X-3" (I should know, I think of many all the time). I won't go into the long winded explanations and "buts" this time but I'll be frank the plot outline implied in the question above is the approach I have taken for FFX-3 "The Final Chapter" and the simple answer to why is because I'd rather play a Final Fantasy sequel that doesn't get lost in the central plot and story like it does in Final Fantasy XIII-2. (Here comes the backlash...)

It was going to happen wasn't it? I would compare FFX-2 and FFXIII-2 and be in favor of the first direct sequel (FFX-2). I'm not saying FFXIII-2 is bad, its good...but its not great either. Oh sure in many ways FFXIII-2 is better than FFX-2... "it has superior graphics, sound, battles" and so on. And while I wasn't sold on the idea of using monsters as allies on battle initially, it does work and feels fresh. But the most important aspect of any Final Fantasy that I look for is for a unforgettable and well told story. That's where FFX-2 succeeds and FFXIII-2 doesn't. The plot for FFXIII-2 couldn't be any different than in FFX-2; Serah is in search for her sister Lightning who has disappeared and has dreams to forward Serah's determination to find Lightning and just so happens to get caught up in trying to do the right thing and correct the future so that humanity and the world doesn't die out. In FFX-2; Yuna is in search of spheres which Yuna hopes will lead to her beloved Tidus and in the process happens to be caught up (doing the right thing) in the process of saving Spira from a man called Shuyin and a machina capable of destroying Spira known as Vegnagun and restoring the Eternal Calm which has been entangled by the political feud between the fractions ruling Spira.

Sure; there's A LOT MORE to these respective plots than what's described above but there similarities aren't non-existent. Both FFX-2 and FFXIII-2 even divert from the initial plot (or the main protagonist's purpose for journeying) to focus on something more pressing and potentially word ending. Even so, FFX-2 manages to maintain its story from start to finish whereas the story in FFXIII-2 falls into a black hole created by a tearing in the space time continuum (ha, ha wasn't I clever there). I'm not saying FFXIII-2 doesn't have a story but I think the over obsessiveness to create a non-linear story by giving so much freedom and (almost irreverent and AI crippled mini-games) kind of destroys the effectiveness of telling the story. I generally prefer linear game play and story telling with some flexibility, hence why I value FFX-2 so highly.

That being said; this concept for Final Fantasy X-3 in terms of story telling and game play has more in reference with FFX than FFX-2. There is so much linearity and scenes in "The Final Chapter" that it may put fans and game players off, and with so much of it focused on Yuna and Tidus, it may come across more of a love novel than a Final Fantasy. If you're familiar with the WWE and John Cena and are nearly sick to death of the WWE running John Cena down your throat then you can picture how fans of the Final Fantasy series may react negatively to this concept of Final Fantasy X-3. The unfortunate truth in the world though is that there is never anything everyone likes, the best game developers can do is develop a game that will appeal to a majority of the target audience. From my perspective with FFX-3, I'd hope that those who loved Final Fantasy X, the characters, locations, game play and embraced Final Fantasy X-2 without bitter regret will be interested in Final Fantasy X-3.

If I were asked how to describe this proposed concept of Final Fantasy X-3 using references to previous Final Fantasy titles then I would answer it by saying this: "In terms of game play structure, Final Fantasy X-3 borrows from FFX and FFXIII linear game play and shifting from main characters and locations from FFXIII, with a balance of non-linear quests and activities apparent in Final Fantasy X-2 and comprehensible offline and online mini-games within the universe of the Final Fantasy X series."

Reading this far into this post; I think I should rename this post as "Final Fantasy X-2 Press Conference". But I won't forget to update those who follow and read my posts with the development undertaken in February 2012. In a nutshell; Yuna and Tidus have conflicted with Raphas upon the avalanche prone Mt. Gagazet and are trying to break the wall of division and hindrance between them in the hot spring above Fayth Scar. While it works, the scene ultimately validates what Tidus is afraid of. In the struggling Fahrenheit airship meanwhile; Wakka, Lulu, Rikku, Paine, Kimahri, Hana, Taro and Shinra along with Buddy, Brother and Cid continue to search for Yuna and Tidus with no success. It comes to the point where the party must consider whether Yuna and Tidus are in the Farplane and hesitantly fly with great difficaulty to Guadosalam to proof or disproof their worse case scenario.

Doesn't sound like an awful lot I know but there is so much focus on the significance of how every member of the full playable party is coping in what would seem to be the darkest moment of their lives. With the exception of Yuna and Tidus battling Raphas and the party on-board the struggling Fahrenheit airship ending up in the dangerous Thunder Plains, there isn't much in terms of game play. In comparison to the Metal Gear Solid series, FFX-2 is Metal Gear Solid (PSone), regarded as the more playable from their respected series, FFX is Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater with more empathesis on story telling but with its far share of game play, and FFX-3 is Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of The Patriots which is more cinematic and story then game play. Don't worry though, I'll make sure game play is as important as the story in FFX-3.

Now that its March (2012); development shifts from "The Final Chapter" to "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". I wish I could leave some insight of what to expect by the time of the next post in April. But I've just seen the sworn of angry fans from outside my window and they're carrying pitchforks, machina and flaming 2x4s. I think I also see Motomu Toriyama (the director of Final Fantasy XIII-2) with a real life replica of the Blazefire Saber Gunblade! They want to get own back for my remarks on this post. If I make it to next month then I'll see ya then with an update on "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" from presumably a hospital bed with much of by being heavily bandaged and prosthetic arms.

Until then, see ya!