2014: The wake up call for Final Fantasy?

The Final Fantasy XIII trilogy could have been revolutionary and epic, but in turned out to be a costly derailment in my opinion. XIII is tolerable though it is a little too easy and the characters and story is as detailed as 50 sheets of almost blank A4 paper. XIII-2 could have been tremendous but it has a mind-boggling plot, a poor concept and the need for paid DLC in order for gamers to see the ending. Lightning Returns therefore had to try resolve the mess and wrap up the trilogy; while it does this in an even more mind-boggling and hollow manner, it is as badly flawed overall as Lightning's supposed use of comedy in the game. 


Bravery Default is far, far better, better recieved around the world and is suparsing Lightning Returns in terms of sales. I wouldn't be suprised if Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster sells more units then Lightning Returns,  oh wait it has already in Japan, and soon in the West. Lets not forget that the HD remastering versions have better reviews then Lightning Returns.


It seems that "the past" is superior to the present for the Final Fantasy series, and although Bravery Default isn't a Final Fantasy per say, it incoporates a fair amount of what made Final Fnatasy the king of RPGs in the first place, and it works. Some might argue that back in the era of PSone and PS2;  Final Fantasy games were arguably the grandest and best of games and there was nothing like Call of Duty and online play like there is now, and therefore were better recieved. Nowadays with so much empathesis on mobile gaming, online gaming and the biggest gaming trends like FPSs, it seems that the Final Fantasy games of today and future have to be more than an RPG, that it must be more "in the real world" and fast-paced action associated in order to compete in today's market. 


I do not share this view however. I think Final Fantasy can be as formulated and stubborn as the Pokemon series on Nintendo's handheld consoles, and be fine in this era. Clearly the simplier Final Fantasy titles of past like VII sell well on the PS Store, (and will do so once its released on Iphones and Android devices). I'd prefer the next Final Fantasy main entry to be faithful to the proven sucessful formula of great storytelling and fun RPG gameplay and beautiful design. Maybe its because I have Aspereges and mild OCD that makes me say this but if XV and XVI were more simplier like X and XII rather than mind-boggling as XIII trilogy then at least in my eyes the Final Fantasy series will have redeemed itself. Square Enix is big enough and covers enough other game genes like action adventures such as Hitman and Tomb Raider and much more to cope with cosumer demand, to allow Final Fantasy to be what it always was in the first place; the king of RPG. And for heaven's sake let all Final Fantasy titles from here on be based and created in Japan as JRPGs because the West ruins everything! Just look at Silent Hill Homecoming or DmC Devil May Cry for examples...


While it may be too late for XV, here are the basics for ensuring great Final Fantasy titles for the future:

• Deep and interesting characters
• Rich and beautiful worlds to explore freely
• Story/plot that is understandable
• Additional quests that are unique
• No or less QTEs (Quick Time Events)
• Compelling sountrack
• Fun/addictive battle system
• Less Western influance
• No Lightning!

If you want to add or comment to this post or any on this blog, then please feel free to do so. I may be unable to accomplice much on my own, but if more and more fans and gamers in general feel that Final Fantasy needs to face reality and go back to basics like the Resident Evil series has to, then the feedback that we give will be that more substancial and have the greater chance of accomplicing changes for the better. Remember that this can work for other causes say a reboot of Dino Crisis or the remake of Final Fnatasy VII. Make sure your voice is heard and have your say on what you beleive (as long as it isn't law breaking).


Until next time, see ya!
       

FFX-3 (LAF)Concept 2014 Update

Holy Shoopuf! Its back?!


Well kind of yes and no... Its been sometime since I last touched this blog and the concept of Final Fantasy X-3 I have come up with. The reason is that after several years of restless nights typing up the ideas and story in my head, I was exhausted. I was also weary of the direction of the Final Fantasy series with its obsession over Lightning and prolonged development of the Final Fantasy X/X-2 Remasters. I thought it isn't worth alienating Square Enix and the fans with my concept and ideas. I figured if there were to be a Final Fantasy X-3, or a continuation of the story following X-2 International + Last Mission, then it would already be in development. 


As it turned out the latter is a reality in the form of Final Fantasy X -Will- and Final Fantasy X2.5 -Eien no Daishou-. There is little doubt that if X/X-2 Remasters sell well and there is enough interest in a sequel, then X-3 could be a possibility and it would carry on from the two (2) story additions included in the Remasters collection. Heck, Yoshinori Kitase and the development staff behind the Final Fantasy series have stated that a Final Fantasy VII remake is possible as long there are sufficient green lights to proceed with its development; so a X-3 isn't as unlikely as one might think. If you think about it, Square Enix could have been 'lazy' and simply ported X and X-2 onto a Blu-ray disk or on the PlayStation Network like Final Fantasy I to IX for X's ten (10) year anniversary; and it would've sold well. And yet Square Enix haven't, not only has there been so much done to really make the Remasters collection stand out from ports, but they've gone through the trouble of teasing us with extensions of the story and plot. What does this mean? Well it could be a love letter to their fans or it could be a sign (troubling though it may be) that there is still life in the world of Spira. 


I implied in brackets that this may be a troubling possibility because it can have the effect of alienating fans and prove further how Square Enix and the Final Fantasy series has shifted for the not so good and empathise on the lack of creativity if there are sequels spawning after a new numbered entry (just look at XIII). There was a time when Final Fantasy instalments were unique to one another with new different stories, characters, tones and world. Nowadays there is an expansion on the most popular entries such as VII and X, as well as less received entries such as XIII and underrated entries like XII. and even for future entries like XV as it has been reported. Now it wouldn't be a problem if these expansions or sequels lived up to the promise or hype and the success of predecessors, but if you ask me that hasn't been the case, especially if you look at Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII (they really dropped the ball with that one!). A X-3 has the danger of following in the same path even though it will undoubtedly be a commercial success. I hope on the continuation of X's story as well as any story for any game, but if it is done unsatisfactory like XIII-2 and Lightning Returns and other games like Devil May Cry 2 (and many others), and turned into less of the traditional role playing gameplay and more of a bewildering statement; then pull the plug before its too late! This might sound like nonsense and inappropriate in this era of video games and entertainment, but my views aren't just the fiction of one (1) person trust me.


In other words, X-3 must be sensational and worthy to follow in the progression of X and X-2 if it is to avoid damnation. Having learnt of the events in the story additions -Will- and -Eien no Daishou-, I am both excited and disheartened. In my mind X-3 is a matter of when not if (much like the remake of VII). I think the plot and settings for X-3 already exist on paper or in theory, but it requires the sufficient number of green lights to put into practice. Therefore my concept is purely fan-fiction; that said however it isn't a million miles afar from the events suggested in -Will- and -Eien no Daishou-, there are similarities which in my mind can be adapted into X-3 or the continuation of the story/plot. And even though there are profound differences, the end result may be one in the same, and because my concept is merely Word documents listing the story, direction dialogue, tone and so on, it can be edited to comply should my concept be compared to that of Yoshinori Kitase's and staff's envision. 


Even though I haven't touched the concept for some time and it is incomplete in terms of overall completion, the start and end and everything in-between is already there; there are slight tweaks of the story/plot, dialogue and songs (referring to the bespoke songs made for X-2) that haven't been implemented on my Word documents (none of which are overly critical or necessary). What I therefore would like to do is submit my concept to Square Enix free of charge so it can be viewed and considered, and if my work can be of some use for X-3 or another Square Enix project like a new RPG bearing its own identity then so be it.


All I ask is to present my concept and let Square Enix do what they will with it. If its regarded as 'nonsense' and unsuitable then I won't disheartened, neither will I be disappointed if this request is denied or I am weighed with crimes including Copyright infringement as a result. What would sadden me and no doubt many fans is if there is a continuation to the story and it ends up souring the legacy of Final Fantasy X and the Final Fantasy series as a whole, because it misrepresents the high expectations of those who will experience the latest offering from the beloved franchise.


For anyone who is interested, or would like to express their views then don't be a stranger and let me know via comments for this blog (this includes the staff of Square Enix as well). In the meantime I will continue doing what I do and someday I might attempt at fixing the presentation of this blog! 


Thank you for your time,
See ya!