Features you hate in franchises that you love

[RageBurner]

Fire Emblem - I'm not sure if this would be considered a feature or not, but the way stats level up in the whole series. It's a bit less obnoxious in the newer games, as you practically trip over stat raising items, but it's a problem in the older games. Yeah, you could get lucky and roll a monster, or a good character could turn out worthless, even the main character! You get a steady supply of new characters to mitigate this a little bit, but you can't grind in the earlier games, so you have a very finite supply of EXP that could get wasted on characters that just got unlucky. That's happened to me more than a couple times.

I don't have anything against random stats, Suikoden, Final Fantasy Tactics and Chrono Cross are the three examples I can think of off the top of my head. But in those cases, characters will still end up roughly the same. I've heard some people say it makes every playthrough different and I guess? But when you play on harder difficulties where one stat point is enough to make a character double and be a good character or be basically useless. It has never stopped me from playing, but I hate it. x)

Bloodborne - I've brought this up elsewhere, but the Blood Gems can fuck right off. The idea is great, but the execution is not. You can usually get enough decent gems to make one or two weapons okay by playing through the game normally and with the DLC, but you might not even get that lucky. Sure you can switch gems around for different weapons and stuff, but I like having a selection of weapons on me that I can switch to on the fly. And the difference between a decently gemmed weapon and one without is significant. So you have to grind in the Chalice Dungeons to get a chance to get a good gem. I've done the grind on my main character, but it wasn't worth it. x) Dark Souls 3 did weapon customization the best.

Pokemon - EVs, Natures, IVs and Personality can all go to hell. Some Pokemon can be hard enough to catch as is, let alone catching one that happens to have the right combinations of stuff. That or you can breed for the same thing. I guess it's a big thing for PvP players or people who just like numbers going up. Thankfully (?) the games are easy enough nowadays that you can beat them without ever worrying about it.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance + A2 - No it's not the Law system, I could take it or leave it. It's how you learn abilities. The concept is just fine, it never bothered me in FFIX, though it's not my favorite way to learn abilities. It's just balls in the Advance games. Boy it's great when I unlock a class and don't have any way to give them abilities! Or you're just stuck with one or two abilities for who knows how long. You still need AP to learn the abilites too! Marked One, what the hell?! I beat the original FFTA way back when, but FFTA2 always ends up boring and annoying me because of this and thus I've never finished it. Anyway, it's a shame because both Advance games are quality stuff, even though they can't touch the original FFT. >.>

Resident Evil: 0 - Not much to say on this one. Item dropping just super duper sucks compared to item boxes. It gets to be an absolute nightmare if you want to collect your items in one area, or annoying as fuck if you leave them and backtrack to get them when needed. The game has other flaws, but this is the big killer for me. It's the only mainline RE I've not beaten, so I'll suffer through it eventually.

Front Mission Series - Ah FM, my beloved. It's not a perfect series, but it's super damned good. One thing has always gotten on my nerves, however. The way to gain money outside of the story missions. It comes in two flavors, the battle simulators and the arena. The battle simulators give you barely anything and you have to manually play a whole battle. Hopefully you didn't need too much for that new wanzer part or upgrade!

But the real problem is the arena. It's like playing a shitty version of Salty Bet except you're betting money that you actually need for shit in the game. If you fight weaker opponents, you'll get peanuts. If you fight stronger opponents, you might get lucky but chances are you'll be stomped. The worst part of all is the AI in 5. It's rare that I get super mad at games, but the arena in 5 has done it on more than one occasion. Your AI pilot just makes such stupid and baffling decisions. I've lost so many battles because they decide to spend each turn running from the super damaged enemy, which causes them to get blasted every turn. I don't usually use save states, but it's practically required before every arena battle.

Another feature I hate is the Survival Sim in 5. I started writing out what it was in detail but I'd be going on for another paragraph or two. In short, it's the only way to gain lots of unique parts for your wanzers as well as the only way to grind RP (RP also sucks because you get so little of it normally that you might as well not bother unless you grind for it). It's a neat idea, but all the fun is sucked out of it. Ick.

Finally, I agree with the above points of the demon negotiation in SMT and forced party members in Suikoden blowing chunks. Why do I let myself ramble this much? Jesus Christ. x)

Yeah, FE stat growths are somewhat assinine in the design, but like you said it used to be much worse in the past.

I dislike EVs/IVs and all that jazz too. I always thought how funny the dissonance was between the anime and the game, how one completely invalidates the message of the other. The anime tells you Pokémon are wonderful friends that will share a lifetime with you, the games posit that Pokémon are fighting machines that need to be selected, bred and trained for perfection.

I do take issue with the law system in FFTA even though it is integral to the design. A2 fixes it, but then adds the stupid bazaar system of unlocks, so it's a zero sum, as far as I'm concerned.

I recently saw a friend play through RE0 and honestly everything about it feels like a bit of a mess, almost like a fanfic that Capcom decided to sell.

I love FM too but you're right, there's absolutely no good way to grind. I kind of wish you had something like Shining Force's Egress.

 

[Clippy]

Fire Emblem - I'm not sure if this would be considered a feature or not, but the way stats level up in the whole series. It's a bit less obnoxious in the newer games, as you practically trip over stat raising items, but it's a problem in the older games. Yeah, you could get lucky and roll a monster, or a good character could turn out worthless, even the main character! You get a steady supply of new characters to mitigate this a little bit, but you can't grind in the earlier games, so you have a very finite supply of EXP that could get wasted on characters that just got unlucky. That's happened to me more than a couple times.

I don't have anything against random stats, Suikoden, Final Fantasy Tactics and Chrono Cross are the three examples I can think of off the top of my head. But in those cases, characters will still end up roughly the same. I've heard some people say it makes every playthrough different and I guess? But when you play on harder difficulties where one stat point is enough to make a character double and be a good character or be basically useless. It has never stopped me from playing, but I hate it. x)

Boy, do I feel you when it comes to Fire Emblem. The problem isn't that the stat gains are random, it's that they are often non-existent and consign your favorite character to oblivion. A very strange design choice for a series that has you command characters with their own personalities and backstories unlike, say, the Wars series where it's just random grunts you don't care about.

 

[Ian Naxieas]

I dislike EVs/IVs and all that jazz too. I always thought how funny the dissonance was between the anime and the game, how one completely invalidates the message of the other. The anime tells you Pokémon are wonderful friends that will share a lifetime with you, the games posit that Pokémon are fighting machines that need to be selected, bred and trained for perfection.

Haha. xD I hadn't thought about it like that but you're completely right. I've seen people in the furry fandom get super upset about Nuzlocke for similar reasons. They can get a little too attached to their Pokemon and act like people who do Nuzlocke challenges are monsters. That's taking it a bit too far.

I recently saw a friend play through RE0 and honestly everything about it feels like a bit of a mess, almost like a fanfic that Capcom decided to sell.

Dear god does it ever. While I've not played through it myself I have watched a LP of it and holy shit, the plot and main baddie are some of the worst in the series, and that's saying a lot. And in the end, the whole thing is pointless. I was expecting them to do a bit of retconning in REmake to account for Rebecca's experiences in 0, but nope. It's as if it never happened.

I love FM too but you're right, there's absolutely no good way to grind. I kind of wish you had something like Shining Force's Egress.

Yeah, Egress was awesome and would be a huge blessing. I'd even be happy if they made the simulator give you a modest amount of money and EXP and stuff. I suppose they didn't because they didn't want you grinding it out and making it too easy, but you're gated in your equipment and upgrades by the story, you literally can't get more powerful than the game wants you to be. x)

Boy, do I feel you when it comes to Fire Emblem. The problem isn't that the stat gains are random, it's that they are often non-existent and consign your favorite character to oblivion. A very strange design choice for a series that has you command characters with their own personalities and backstories unlike, say, the Wars series where it's just random grunts you don't care about.

Yeah you're 100% on point there. I think no stats on a level up is the worst feeling in a FE game, outside of a character dying. x) And to go a little bit further with your point about your units being actual characters, they also tend to make characters that are literally useless. I remember Meg in Radiant Dawn, who was an Armored Sword and had shit base stats and weird growths. An armored unit with low Strength and Defense but high Speed and Luck? I'm all for making interesting characters who break the mold, but that ain't it chief. Especially in an entry as brutal as RD, you don't have much room to experiment and take a gamble.

 

[RageBurner]

Yeah you're 100% on point there. I think no stats on a level up is the worst feeling in a FE game, outside of a character dying. x) And to go a little bit further with your point about your units being actual characters, they also tend to make characters that are literally useless. I remember Meg in Radiant Dawn, who was an Armored Sword and had shit base stats and weird growths. An armored unit with low Strength and Defense but high Speed and Luck? I'm all for making interesting characters who break the mold, but that ain't it chief. Especially in an entry as brutal as RD, you don't have much room to experiment and take a gamble.

As was mentioned before, it's absurd to have stat randomization in a game like FE since characters are so unique and personal. You'd expect the contrary, that they'd have carefully curated growth tendencies and curves to accentuate both their roles and personalities within the squad.

A random stat mode should definitely been conceived as an optional challenge mode within the game, not as a core mechanic, especially since it involves empty level ups, which is ridiculous. Shining Force 1 also had some pretty wild stat variances: you could get a whooping 4 points into something but also end up gaining zeroes a lot of the time. Thankfully in subsequent games growth became much more purposeful and characters always more or less ended up where you'd expect them to, assuming no boosters were used.

 

[Ian Naxieas]

As was mentioned before, it's absurd to have stat randomization in a game like FE since characters are so unique and personal. You'd expect the contrary, that they'd have carefully curated growth tendencies and curves to accentuate both their roles and personalities within the squad.

I wish I had more to add, but you totally nailed it. You should see if Intelligent Systems are hiring!

A random stat mode should definitely been conceived as an optional challenge mode within the game, not as a core mechanic, especially since it involves empty level ups, which is ridiculous. Shining Force 1 also had some pretty wild stat variances: you could get a whooping 4 points into something but also end up gaining zeroes a lot of the time. Thankfully in subsequent games growth became much more purposeful and characters always more or less ended up where you'd expect them to, assuming no boosters were used.

I hadn't thought about making it an optional challenge, but that's a super great idea. That'd give hardcore fans an aneurysm though, like Casual mode does. Because having more options for different tastes is bad I guess? Someone else playing a different way totally makes you unable to play how you want, yep. x) Haha, sorry, I have strong opinions about gatekeeping assholes for hobbies.

I've only played SF 1&2 like fuckin' 24 years ago, so I did not remember that. Is it fixed as early as 2? Or Shining Force CD? Did they fix it for Resurrection of the Dark Dragon too?

 

[RageBurner]

I wish I had more to add, but you totally nailed it. You should see if Intelligent Systems are hiring!

I hadn't thought about making it an optional challenge, but that's a super great idea. That'd give hardcore fans an aneurysm though, like Casual mode does. Because having more options for different tastes is bad I guess? Someone else playing a different way totally makes you unable to play how you want, yep. x) Haha, sorry, I have strong opinions about gatekeeping assholes for hobbies.

I've only played SF 1&2 like fuckin' 24 years ago, so I did not remember that. Is it fixed as early as 2? Or Shining Force CD? Did they fix it for Resurrection of the Dark Dragon too?

LOL I guess they aren't as Intelligent as they want us to believe if they think random stats are okay.

You're absolutely right, though! elitists are the worst, and you find them everywhere you look in this hobby. My favorite franchise, Monster Hunter, has them by the boatload. You also have elitists in any other game/genre you look: simulators, sports, RPGs, everything really.

It's absurd that these people think having more options and accessibility somehow hurts the way they play, when it has nothing to do with the way others want to play. Remember when FE started to allow for permadeath to be disabled, as an OPTION? it was scandalous! oh, my the game is ruined! blah, blah, blah!

But yeah, I'm pretty sure growths were normalized after SF1, so SF2, CD, RotDD and such should have less aberrant growth curves across the board.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

The demon negotiation in SMT is bullshit. It comes down to luck: at best you walk away with a new demon but now your wallet is empty, at worst you get robbed or killed.

I like recruiting the demons - I just wish there were a way to make it less trial and error. There have been several times I stopped an SMT file because a boss roasted my party and I needed to reconfigure my team. When I couldn't fuse what I needed, recruiting had to happen, and things would just get too tedious. Still love the franchise, but this is a legit take.

Post automatically merged: Jan 17, 2025

This is such an obvious gripe and low hanging fruit, but the boss rushes at the end of Mega Man X games lol. Especially X5 since they like, triple their health bars at the end. A great way to induce fatigue and boredom at the final climax of the games.

Post automatically merged: Jan 17, 2025

View attachment 12542
i hate him

Yes. Every manifestation of him in the franchise is irritating, to say the least lol

 

[RageBurner]

This is such an obvious gripe and low hanging fruit, but the boss rushes at the end of Mega Man X games lol. Especially X5 since they like, triple their health bars at the end. A great way to induce fatigue and boredom at the final climax of the games.

I like the boss rushes, personally, but you're absolutely right; X5 inflates health bars and nothing else. You'd think a higher level of infection would change their pattern instead, make the fights more interesting and dangerous while netting better rewards, but no, have fun chewing through a health bar almost as tall as the screen.

Also, X5 has some pretty miserable fights, too; minimal animation, braindead patterns... the maverick designs themselves are great, but it all feels wasted.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

I like the boss rushes, personally, but you're absolutely right; X5 inflates health bars and nothing else. You'd think a higher level of infection would change their pattern instead, make the fights more interesting and dangerous while netting better rewards, but no, have fun chewing through a health bar almost as tall as the screen.

Also, X5 has some pretty miserable fights, too; minimal animation, braindead patterns... the maverick designs themselves are great, but it all feels wasted.

I recently played through the first six X games back to back, so that may have added to my exhaustion lol. Upon revisiting, I very much enjoyed X5. You're right though - the game definitely sags in places. Still love the music and overall package! I'm not sure what the general opinion is on rescuing reploids, but I found it to be a fun addition. It begs to be fleshed out more, though.

 

[RageBurner]

I recently played through the first six X games back to back, so that may have added to my exhaustion lol. Upon revisiting, I very much enjoyed X5. You're right though - the game definitely sags in places. Still love the music and overall package! I'm not sure what the general opinion is on rescuing replies, but I found it to be a fun addition. It begs to be fleshed out more, though.

The graphics and music in X5 is definitely on point. I don't mind rescuing reploids at all in X5. X6 made it annoying beyond belief though, and X7 isn't far off.

 

[UrielSol]

You're absolutely right, though! elitists are the worst, and you find them everywhere you look in this hobby. My favorite franchise, Monster Hunter, has them by the boatload. You also have elitists in any other game/genre you look: simulators, sports, RPGs, everything really.

i remember where there was a time in wich mh fans were nothing but welcoming, they starve for new players, nowadays its like you said, especially if u reach G/master rank, lots of elitism over absolutely nothing jeez.

 

[Prism_Red]

LAUNCHING PROBE

PROBE AWAY

 

[Leifang]

LAUNCHING PROBE

PROBE AWAY

...ARE YOU SURE, COMMANDER?!
OKAY... PROBING URANUS.

 

[Ian Naxieas]

LOL I guess they aren't as Intelligent as they want us to believe if they think random stats are okay.

Haha, can't argue there. They kinda need someone to shake things up I feel. Three Houses was a big departure so I was expecting the next game to be a bit different too, but they took a more safe approach. Engage was fine, but eh.

You're absolutely right, though! elitists are the worst, and you find them everywhere you look in this hobby. My favorite franchise, Monster Hunter, has them by the boatload. You also have elitists in any other game/genre you look: simulators, sports, RPGs, everything really.

Sadly too true. I'm from the Soulsborne community and there are plenty stinkers around. Ultimately the good outweigh the bad as I feel they do in most communities, it's just that the assholes are louder. x)

It's absurd that these people think having more options and accessibility somehow hurts the way they play, when it has nothing to do with the way others want to play. Remember when FE started to allow for permadeath to be disabled, as an OPTION? it was scandalous! oh, my the game is ruined! blah, blah, blah!

Exactly. I really don't get the severe pushback that some people have for options. Oh no, there's an easier mode for players so more people will play the game! How horrible! It's even worse when people complain about accessibility options. Those aren't even in your face, they're usually in their own tab in options. Ugh, whatever.

But yeah, I'm pretty sure growths were normalized after SF1, so SF2, CD, RotDD and such should have less aberrant growth curves across the board.

Awesome, thanks for letting me know.

LAUNCHING PROBE

PROBE AWAY

No EDI, noooooo!

 

[hazys]

• Bloodborne: I love this game, but it would be better without RPG stats. It already has very little build variety, and locking you out of a cool new weapon you just found because it doesn't fit your build is tragic. Especially in a game with no respec. Also grinding for Blood Vials sucks and the Chalice Dungeons feel painfully unfinished, but everybody knows that.
• Resident Evil 4: The final section of the game (the island full of soldiers) is bad. In fact, almost every RE game's final section is bad because it drops the pacing of the main game and puts you through a gauntlet of combat encounters, which isn't particularly fun.
• Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow: The requirements for getting the "true ending" are kind of ridiculous. I hate when a game locks you into a "bad" ending for doing something you couldn't have possibly known would affect it. This is especially bad when the game is long.
• Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSiver: This is my favorite generation but I have to admit the Pokémon distribution is awful. It's better to just play a ROM hack like Sacred Gold.

 

[zacharinolongpants]

The graphics and music in X5 is definitely on point. I don't mind rescuing reploids at all in X5. X6 made it annoying beyond belief though, and X7 isn't far off.

I can't even push through the intro stage in X7 these days. When I was younger, I almost beat it, but I'll have to accept that I'm never going to have the willpower to beat that game ever again lmao.

 

[RageBurner]

I can't even push through the intro stage in X7 these days. When I was younger, I almost beat it, but I'll have to accept that I'm never going to have the willpower to beat that game ever again lmao.

There is a patch tyat makes the X7 progression more tolerable, at least.

 

[CaptainJupiter]

It only really applies to one game in the franchise, but all the planet driving in Mass Effect 1 is infuriating. Even in the remaster which (I think) has improved controls/handling its really tedious and can be hard to navigate. It just feels like annoying filler and makes ME1 drag even though I like its story and characters a lot.

In comparison ME Andromeda has really good planetary exploration, in a vehicle that handles well. I honestly think that ME:A is very underrated.

 

[ellis]

I literally can’t reply max payne 3 cuz of the cutscenes and find max payne gba to be a more valid part of the “trilogy” simply cuz of this looooooooool

never get close metal gear solid