Should i get back into Final Fantasy?

[Casper<3]

Are they still using the same system in which you control only one character and can win any battle by simply holding X to buffer your attacks in?

There's a little ways more to it than that, especially if you want to finish battles quickly and earn better rewards - you've got to time both your paradigm shifts and your attack activations rather precisely to earn five stars in quite a few battles.

The ranking is simply based on the time of completion. It's something like with 20% to spare of the target time = 5 stars. If you use shrouds or get a preemptive strike, that number is increased to 10%.

I 1000/1000G XIII (which requires you to 5 star something like 65 different battles).

Has nothing to do with paradigm shifts other than when they're required for strategy for battle. It is true that if your team is setup properly (which FF has always been about) than you can pretty much mash X until chapter 11. However later in the game, even with all characters completely maxed out, you will have to have a very thought out gameplan to take down some of the enemies. (including the grinding turtles) ...and to note, if you're just mashing X some of the non-normal monster battles will take forever and you certianly won't get 5 stars.

[Casper<3]

Since I actually *collect* these games, I can give you a more stable opinion:

FF1: Get the Anniversary version on PSP, you won't regret it.
FF2: Anniversary version is very challenging, but still fun once you get the nuance of the gameplay.
FF3: DS version, man, get it.
FF4: Get the Complete Collection w/After Years on PSP, I'm still enjoying this a lot!
FF5: So far the best version is the PSone game you can get on PSN, but then, I'd wait for a remake/anniversary one.
FF6: See above, though diehards play the FF3 version on SNES, also if you can find the bootleg Russian MIS-Translation, give that a whirl on an emulator, it's hilarious!
FF7BC: Dunno how to get this, but I hear it's good.
FF7CC: Get this on PSP, it more than makes up for the main story.
FF7 (main): PSN version should be alright, no need to swap discs.
FF7 (AC Movie + Novels): Worth watching/reading/getting the music.
FF7DC: Not sure...haven't tried it on PS2 yet...
FFTactics: Get War of the Lions on PSP, awesomesauce.
Vagrant Story: Related to Tactics, get it on PSN.
FF8: Worth getting the PSN version at least, I love this one the most.
FF9: PSN version.
FF10: I hear the HD version is coming out on Vita, I'd wait a bit...
FF10-2: See above, but this one's battle system is okay, if not the plot. The boss fights were fun.
FF11: No idea, but I hear it's fun if you can afford the subscription fees.
FF12: Good, good, very GOOD...but if you hate Star Wars, you may not like it so much, lol It's releated to Tactics/Ogre Battle/Vagrant Story)
FF13: Meh...battle system was okay but dull for the most part...
FF13-2: No idea yet...I haven't tried much of the demo yet...
FF Versus 13: No idea AT ALL...but I'm still hyped for it.
FF14: No idea, but I heard mediocre ratings...
Dissidia Duodecim: Worth it, if you're an FF Fan...it's on PSP!
FF Zero (Formerly Agito): No idea, but I hear good things.
Kingdom Hearts Series: Again, no idea, (I hate Disney)...but if you like FF you'd probably like these.

Allow me to insert my opinion.

FF1: Only played the NES version, enjoyed it quite a bit at the time. Don't know if I would have the patience for it anymore.
FF2: N/A Never played.
FF3: N/A only played on emulator for about 5 minutes
FF4: Love this game.
FF5: This game was hard and just didn't have much magic to it. The job class system was awesome though.
FF6: This was the definition of FF for me many years ago and still is. One of the best games of all time.
FF7: Fuck this game, I hate it, hate what it did for FF. The story was dull, graphics hideous, the story was bland and involved clones of all things. Clones are such a lame cop out to any story :/
FFTactics: One of the best stories and very engaging gameplay. Love this game.
Vagrant Story: Unlike what blade says, this game simply takes place in Ivalice, the same world as Tactics. Nothing else is related. Great game!
FF8: Great game, took a different spin on everything and succeeded. One of the coolest last boss fights I've ever seen.
FF9: This was the "Goodbye" to the traditional Final Fantasy. It was just as wonderful as 6 and is highly recommended.
FF10: This game blows ass, a total abomination to the series. Possibly the worst main character of any game. Fuck Tidus.
FF10-2: Enjoyed this a lot. Searching for Tidus is far more fun than playing as Tidus, plus the battle system was sped up to make it even more awesome.
FF11: N/A Never played.
FF12: Again, this game simply takes place in Ivalice. Being that, I had such high expectations for it after FFTactics and was immensely let down. It has so much potential but ultimately goes nowhere. The biggest problem is that you play the role of Vaan, and the story isn't about Vaan, it's about Ashe. At least you can switch to Ashe shortly into it and things make much more sense.
FF13: Loved this game, one of the best in the series and a personal favorite.
FF13-2: Only about 8 hours in but really enjoying it. Takes a few steps back from XIII because of whiny fanboys who wanted towns to explore and strangers to talk to.
FF14: N/A Never played.
Dissidia Duodecim: Pretty meh. You can dress Lightning up as Aya from 3rd Birthday. Little reason else to play the game.
Kingdom Hearts Series: Fuck Kingdom Hearts.

[Marc]

I laugh at anyone that claims FF6 to be the high point of the series, rubbishes 7, then proclaims 8 to be worth a spit. Then again, I kind of laugh at anyone outside their teens that still plays FF games if I'm honest. Every fond memory I have relates to me being a teenager when these games were released, every subsequent replay of any of them in the last ten years has lead to me thinking 'fuck, I thought that was a story?' and quitting.

[GaijinPunch]

My new pad is about 100 meters away from a Square Enix show room / merch outlet. Too late to back out of the contract.

[Skykid]

I laugh at anyone that claims FF6 to be the high point of the series, rubbishes 7, then proclaims 8 to be worth a spit. Then again, I kind of laugh at anyone outside their teens that still plays FF games if I'm honest. Every fond memory I have relates to me being a teenager when these games were released, every subsequent replay of any of them in the last ten years has lead to me thinking 'fuck, I thought that was a story?' and quitting.

Agreed, although 7 is srsly fucking overrated.

[Ganelon]

I also don't quite understand why FFVI is viewed by so many as the best installment but I wouldn't mock them either. The second half was refreshing during the early 90s when JRPGs tended to be very linear. And the sprite visuals, amazing for its day, would still be acceptable in a handheld title today. But it's probably pointless singling out individual features; I reckon it's more the feel of the game that gives it fans. I don't know what feel that is since it doesn't really appeal to me.

FFVII wasn't close to being the first RPG to adopt cinematics but the overall presentation was amazing. FFVI basically offered you a sandbox during the second half whereas FFVII keeps a straight path but with lots of texture nearby where it's possible to make a diversion. The fact that its field polygons look really ugly nowadays doesn't hamper folks' opinions on the quality of the game itself. FFVII was where the series most approached a modern environment, building on industrial elements from previous games and moving on towards sci-fi environments in the future. It's probably no coincidence that FFVII and FFX, the 2 games that most tried to create a fantastical modern setting, are looked upon so highly by mainstream fans.

As for me, I'm still waiting for the FFV remake, preferably in 2D but not a dealbreaker in 3D. I worry that if too much time passes, Square Enix will go back to another remake of FFI. But more importantly, I hope the recent PSP remake of Tactics Ogre sold well enough for another Ogre Battle Saga installment to be released. That's a series that actually needs sequels.

My new pad is about 100 meters away from a Square Enix show room / merch outlet. Too late to back out of the contract.

Ha, the Shibuya store? I went there one time convinced I would buy something, and then realized it didn't have anything from games more than a year old except FFVII-related merchandise. What a shame.

[Taylor]

It’s not about how good Final Fantasy 6 was. Final Fantasy 7 brought a massive surge of new fans, so naturally it was decided that the unwashed masses had not only missed the best instalment in the series, but had actually latched onto the worst.

I am actually replying Final Fantasy 5 right now, just about to fight Ex-Death at the end of World 2. I really like the job system because even the really basic fights end up feeling kind of different because you’re characters ability sets constantly change. The only real problem is once you know what you’re doing you can end up trivialising the game a bit. In fact I think Lenna could probably solo Ex-Death.

Casper’s post is interesting because I have the completely opposite opinion on almost everything. I not only think XIII is the worst one; it stopped me playing the series and would be a good contender for worse game I have played (if I didn't think "game" was too generous a label for something so celebratory of its lack of meaningful interaction).

Edit: Lenna could do this easily if it wasn't for Death Sentence. She deals and heals 2k damage each turn and his physical attacks do 2 digits of damage. GG Drain Sword and X-Fight.

[Skykid]

It’s not about how good Final Fantasy 6 was. Final Fantasy 7 brought a massive surge of new fans, so naturally it was decided that the unwashed masses had not only missed the best instalment in the series, but had actually latched onto the worst.

VII is also one of the most returned games of all time iirc. Props to Square for the marketing campaign.

[Obiwanshinobi]

To me jRPGs have never been about role playing (good grief, you barely need any graphics for that), but about wee dudes living their lives of astonishment and wonder on the screen. A kind of adventure games. FFVII, despite its graphical detatchment from the genre's roots, retained that quality (so did Suikoden III). FFX was something of a misstep in this regard (the building block-based animation didn't quite work with the high poly models and voiced dialogues), but still pretty playable.

[Ganelon]

There was certainly a reactionary attitude from earlier fans but FFVII doesn't clear up why FFVI was so widely chosen as the "hip" pick in lieu of FFI and FFIV. I remember that on FF forums during the late 90s, FFVI had a much larger presence than the other pre-FFVII titles. And those in the know had already played the JP-only games at the time too. If anything, FFVI was the mini-FFVII of its day. I was one of those online who reeled back from the surge of FFVII fans but I certainly didn't run to defend the already-hefty FFVI fort.

As far as battle mechanics, yeah, FFV's system can be broken. As I mentioned earlier, almost every FF game can be much more impressively cleared with skill. FFV is one of the easiest to differentiate between players who know what they're doing (and can clear the game at level 5) and those who don't. Oddly enough, I don't think too much of the job system and don't consider it a major reason I enjoy the game. I still prefer FFIV's standard JRPG system with unique characters. And based on pure story, character development, or script quality, the game doesn't really hold up either. The visuals and sound quality were fairly average during its day. But what FFV does have is this strangely magical yet mysterious fantasy atmosphere (based upon a holistic assortment of qualities) that's very rare to find amongst RPGs.

[Obiwanshinobi]

FFVI certainly has those FF magic beans going for it. The grandeur of premise. The SNES power.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDMWp1oLoA0#t=3m40s
Go on, SEGA kids, do your worst.

[Specineff]

I see your one-tme Mode 7 intro and raise you a cart-ful of manga:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ixbyz28rQE