Video Games that didn't age well.

[Mad Mel]

Unlike 30 years ago, I don't think I'd spend my allowance in quarters on this game today.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Nuje

I've just recently started 12, and I don't mind it so far. X was unbearable for me though, and I've heard that X-2 is the opposite....very non-linear, but it sounds like they just went the other way to please those of use who like to set our own paths more-so. If you find a cheap copy of 12, grab it to try it out (or borrow one if you know anyone who's got it)

X-2 is unlikely to get picked up at this point. Damage is done. Same for XII. Sorry, but the automated battle system was pretty much all I needed to know the game wasn't for me. The FF battle system was already too easy, but the changes made in X and XII were just a final kick in the junk for me. FFXIII had my hopes up, but the more I read and hear the less I am eager to play it. Probably what contributed to my want to play the older games.

It is the definition of a series that got lost somewhere along the way and forgot they used to make great games, not movies that you can control the actors in for some time.

Another big problem with this game was the voice acting. Talk about ****ing up any chance of immersing someone into that game. Really, video games need to stop getting traditional screen actors to do voice roles and focus on voice actors or atleast screen-actors with experience in voice-acting or stage acting. Hedy Burress (the voice of Yuna) almost single-handily makes me turn mute on every time she talks. Her changes in pitch, or inability to match the face of her character or tone of the situation. Just brutal. Where as someone like Gregg Berger or John Di Maggio are perfect.

I know it's hard in the situations where you are just dubbing, but that is why you need people who have done it for years and know how to do it. That said, James Arnold Taylor who is a voice actor by trade was sofa king bad in this game. Almost as bad as Burress.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

Unlike 30 years ago, I don't think I'd spend my allowance in quarters on this game today.

Yeah, but the trackball control was cool.

[Mazrim]

Well Blaster, I have to say you should give the FFXIII battle system a chance. It's the fastest paced and probably the toughest FF in a long time. At first it's painful, but after about 10 hours into the game, I'm having a blast with the paradigms. Yes, it is extremely linear for most of the game, but if you're more concerned with how battles play, then this one is for you.

Square Enix has made a conscious decision to emphasis story more than the traditional role-playing elements since FFIX. Their goal is to make a cinematic experience with a good story. Whether we think the story is good is obviously subjective, but you can't deny FFXIII looks amazing.

Personally, I had a lot of trouble getting used to the gambit system in FFXII, but it's powerful and the game's battles are built around you using them to your advantage. It's more skillful than looking through massive command lists or casting the same spells for the final 30 hours of the game.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

Well Blaster, I have to say you should give the FFXIII battle system a chance. It's the fastest paced and probably the toughest FF in a long time. At first it's painful, but after about 10 hours into the game, I'm having a blast with the paradigms. Yes, it is extremely linear for most of the game, but if you're more concerned with how battles play, then this one is for you.

FFXIII's battle system isn't what worries me. It's the linear story that doesn't allow you to go your own way about things and take your time. FFX just had a terrible mix of bad battle system and bad story, while XII's battle system just made it unapproachable for me.

Originally Posted by Mazrim

Square Enix has made a conscious decision to emphasis story more than the traditional role-playing elements since FFIX. Their goal is to make a cinematic experience with a good story. Whether we think the story is good is obviously subjective, but you can't deny FFXIII looks amazing.

It can look amazing all it wants. If it's not a fun game, I probably won't pick it up. I may go rent a movie.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

X-2 is unlikely to get picked up at this point. Damage is done. Same for XII. Sorry, but the automated battle system was pretty much all I needed to know the game wasn't for me. The FF battle system was already too easy, but the changes made in X and XII were just a final kick in the junk for me. FFXIII had my hopes up, but the more I read and hear the less I am eager to play it. Probably what contributed to my want to play the older games.

It is the definition of a series that got lost somewhere along the way and forgot they used to make great games, not movies that you can control the actors in for some time.

Another big problem with this game was the voice acting. Talk about ****ing up any chance of immersing someone into that game. Really, video games need to stop getting traditional screen actors to do voice roles and focus on voice actors or atleast screen-actors with experience in voice-acting or stage acting. Hedy Burress (the voice of Yuna) almost single-handily makes me turn mute on every time she talks. Her changes in pitch, or inability to match the face of her character or tone of the situation. Just brutal. Where as someone like Gregg Berger or John Di Maggio are perfect.

I know it's hard in the situations where you are just dubbing, but that is why you need people who have done it for years and know how to do it. That said, James Arnold Taylor who is a voice actor by trade was sofa king bad in this game. Almost as bad as Burress.

Voice acting and localization are so important just for really the suspension of disbelief. FF XII had incredible voice acting and decent execution in that regard but the battle system ended up being a little dull.

FF XIII the battle system is a little more automated tho they did make it a little more interesting, but they broke about everything else that was done right with XII. Apparently Versus XIII will try to address both. Who knows when that'll come out tho.

[Jbo]

I tried to go back to metal gear solid on the ps3 classics...one of my favorite games of all time....I put about an hour into and have not picked it up again

[Cain]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

FFXIII's battle system isn't what worries me. It's the linear story that doesn't allow you to go your own way about things and take your time. FFX just had a terrible mix of bad battle system and bad story, while XII's battle system just made it unapproachable for me.



It can look amazing all it wants. If it's not a fun game, I probably won't pick it up. I may go rent a movie.

I haven't read this full discussion, so I might be going over a few points already made.

My first love for rpgs was easily the FF stuff. Starting with FF2 (american) and going from there. FF3(6), FF7 and even FFX I really enjoyed (minus awkward jpop swimming scenes and forced laughing). Never played 9, and didn't like 8. X-2 was an abomination, and FFTactics was one of their best.

Nowadays I love sandbox games like Oblivion. Dragon's age and mass effect are also pretty neat...but I think these fill a different niche than FF. These are about exploration, doing things your own way, while FF games are all about progressing a predetermined storyline with no room for messing around with other things. I don't think that it is a negative, just a different niche in the rpg market. I don't actually favor this style anymore, but I spent hours and hours and hours as a youth playing these games and remember them fondly. I still want to pick up and play FFTactics, FF7/3/2/even X again on emulators every now and then!

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Cain

while FF games are all about progressing a predetermined storyline with no room for messing around with other things.

All games follow a pre-determined SL. Only FFX and above force you along a linear path with no turning back. In FF7, once I go somewhere I can go back whenever I want to do a sidequest.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Nuje

I've just recently started 12, and I don't mind it so far. X was unbearable for me though, and I've heard that X-2 is the opposite....very non-linear, but it sounds like they just went the other way to please those of use who like to set our own paths more-so. If you find a cheap copy of 12, grab it to try it out (or borrow one if you know anyone who's got it)

13 was OK - I managed to get 20 hours in and turn it off because of the completely linear system. Liked the battle system a lot though. Very engaging.

X-2, I played that game for about 1 hour and I couldn't get over the fact of how horrid it was. It didn't help that the estrogen was turned up to the max on it as well. If anyone has had a good experience with this, I'd love to hear it.

RPGs in general have tried to go with a more linear experience and fail. Honestly? Square should look at redoing the graphics on FF3 and selling that. Nothing beats the FF3 experience. Maybe you tweak the battle system slightly to make it more like the 13 one.

[Devils'Advocate]

Ayup... Final Fantasy is a prime example of a game where the older ones are FAR, FAR better than the newer ones.

I loved playing "Blaster Master" when I was in my early teens. Tried it last year on an emulator for the nostalgia factor... got bored very quickly.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Square should look at redoing the graphics on FF3 and selling that. Nothing beats the FF3 experience..

=|

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

=|

Really?

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Really?

? It's a very cartoonish super deformed style but that's in line with the original game.

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Ayup... Final Fantasy is a prime example of a game where the older ones are FAR, FAR better than the newer ones.

I loved playing "Blaster Master" when I was in my early teens. Tried it last year on an emulator for the nostalgia factor... got bored very quickly.

Master Blaster was remade for Wii as well BTW.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

? It's a very cartoonish super deformed style but that's in line with the original game.

Nevermind the fact he probably meant 6.

So I just finished X. I am soooo let down. All that for the final bosses to be a cakewalk. I soloed this games two Weapons. It took me days to figure out how to beat Ruby and Emerald. I had to go back to those fights several times when I was younger, and even now with the fights on the back of my hand I still get wiped some times when I play. Omega and Ultima Weapon? I can give you the walk through on how to beat them right now.

Step 1: Haste
Step 2: Quick Hit
Step 3: ????
Step 4: Profit

No need to sidequest for ultimate weapons. No need to go get those ultimate summons. Just two spells in the main tree of the main character and about 35 minutes of leveling. I had more trouble with the baddies before the bosses I am pretty sure.

Seriously. This game has soured me on all future Final Fantasies. Just sooooo bad.

Edit - No, seriously. I feel like I've been ripped off. This is terrible.

Edit 2 - I am reading reviews for X-2 right now and everyone is describing it as "nothing like X".... may pick that one up after all =|.

[CrusaderPi]

You know what game is still awesome? NES' Kid Icarus. I picked it up on the Wii and spent days playing it again. Except this time I beat it. And damn did that feel good. That game had tormented me for 20 years.

[ComixZone]

....Final Fantasy X is the only FF I've ever finished and I can honestly say I freaking loved it. I was in grade 10 when it came out/I played it...and I've got nothing but good memories of it.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

? It's a very cartoonish super deformed style but that's in line with the original game.

Should have mentioned it was the American version of FF3 (as if I'd love the original FF3 so much :P).

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Johnny Canuck

For me it's WCW/nWo Thunder for the original Playstation. It was the first game I bought with my own money and as a kid I played that game to death.

A few years ago, I came across it, and figured I'd play the game for old times sake. Big mistake. The game combines horrible graphics and horrible controls to make for a pretty garbage game. I still have no idea what I was thinking.

I cant believe that this was rated "e for everyone"

[MrMastodonFarm]

What happened to the Mechwarrior franchise? Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries was the poop.