Final Fantasy Thread

[Strategist's iconStrategist]

Because Final Fantasy has been a "Science-Fantasy" franchise since Final Fantasy VI...

I fail to see what Cup of Noodles has to do with Fantasy.

To be more precise and less snarky, if they really cared about immersion and preserving the Fantasy, they would've invented a brand of noodles specific to Final Fantasy XV's world and left it at that. Instead they took the money from Nissin. It is sad that young people today are ok with such blatant acts of selling out in media.

 

[ZEGA ZONIC]

I fail to see what Cup of Noodles has to do with Fantasy.

 

[AxeHammer]

Oh yeah absolutely.
One of my favorite things about FF is how the settings are so varied. My personal favorite of the settings is Spira, the world from FF10. It feels so fleshed out and realized.

My favorite is Final Fantasy VII's Gaia, whenever i play the original i just get this weirdly cozy vibe from it. I guess you could describe it as a certain nostalgia? (doesn't really make sense to call it that because it's only like 1.5yrs since i first played it through). I don't know i just loved the game so much and the game is really comforting to me.

 

[Strategist's iconStrategist]

Yeah... no. Ewww.... as if Square Enix hasn't done enough already to desecrate the legacy of FF7.

 

[AxeHammer]

I fail to see what Cup of Noodles has to do with Fantasy.

To be more precise and less snarky, if they really cared about immersion and preserving the Fantasy, they would've invented a brand of noodles specific to Final Fantasy XV's world and left it at that. Instead they took the money from Nissin. It is sad that young people today are ok with such blatant acts of selling out in media.

imo there's certain entertainment value that comes from having product placement in media. Of course it'd be more immersive if they made up an in-universe brand for it and i like that sort of worldbuilding i do the same thing for my dungeons and dragons campaign's setting but it's also really funny to me that you can come across a whole nissin cup noodles truck in that game.

 

[Strategist's iconStrategist]

imo there's certain entertainment value that comes from having product placement in media. Of course it'd be more immersive if they made up an in-universe brand for it and i like that sort of worldbuilding i do the same thing for my dungeons and dragons campaign's setting but it's also really funny to me that you can come across a whole nissin cup noodles truck in that game.

Its dumb that a fantasy magical land has the same brands as the planet earth. It is painfully obvious that the only reason that the product placement is there is because Square Enix is a greedy, money hungry corporation. Its ok if you disagree, but that is how I feel about it. I feel like us fans are doing each other a disservice by tolerating attempts to degrade the artistic quality of our hobby.

There's a reason why FFXV is the only fantasy game I've ever played with product placement.

 

[Sir Auriel of Lionel]

I fail to see what Cup of Noodles has to do with Fantasy.

To be more precise and less snarky, if they really cared about immersion and preserving the Fantasy, they would've invented a brand of noodles specific to Final Fantasy XV's world and left it at that. Instead they took the money from Nissin. It is sad that young people today are ok with such blatant acts of selling out in media.

I have to admit I liked the Cup Noddle commercial being as camp as it was but in game it felt like an inside joke the actors were not allowed to make in the final recording and disappointed they couldn't add them like Ghost Stories's english dub.

The Coleman I'm more natural I guess because I did camp growing up so it's almost blind to me but would have preferred a more spoof version of the brand than blatant product placement in a fantasy not modern fantasy world I'm used to. The real life fashion line up of the outfits absolutely got an eyeroll though.

 

[SolemnlyDoc]

The only experience I have with Final Fantasy is playing FFXV, which I've never beaten or even left the second area, yet put over 100 hours into. Just cruising around in the world, fighting, cooking and camping while listening to the interactions of the characters is enough for me. I love the atmosphere and visuals, and the gameplay is fun as well.

Being new to emulation means I've not encountered other games in the series before. As someone who enjoys the laid-back nature of FFXV, I hesitate to try the originals since they seem to be built on entirely different principles.

What other FF titles have great atmosphere and visuals like XV? Is the lack of those elements made up for in the older games by having more substance?

 

[Sir Auriel of Lionel]

The only experience I have with Final Fantasy is playing FFXV, which I've never beaten or even left the second area, yet put over 100 hours into. Just cruising around in the world, fighting, cooking and camping while listening to the interactions of the characters is enough for me. I love the atmosphere and visuals, and the gameplay is fun as well.

Being new to emulation means I've not encountered other games in the series before. As someone who enjoys the laid-back nature of FFXV, I hesitate to try the originals since they seem to be built on entirely different principles.

What other FF titles have great atmosphere and visuals like XV? Is the lack of those elements made up for in the older games by having more substance?

For visuals nothing comes close right now except for the latest title FFXVI. I can't comment on the game as I passed up on it this last sale but it doesn't look to have much of a laid back world and looks to be a story with little levity. If you want another title like FFXV's open world and can go anywhere then closest would be FFXII. No surprise encounters, you encounter the enemy right on the field, it's turn based but not slow and you can nearly auto battle the entire game midway if you grind early on and just enjoy the visuals that the PS2 was capable of in it's last years. Light in tone and can pretty much be a Star Wars clone but fantasy with bits of sci-fi not a space opera. You'll be lacking in mini games (fishing isn't as great) but it makes up in an addictive combat if you don't auto battle set up and experiment, hunts and talking to npcs that showcase mini dramas in the world that makes it alive.

I don't think it's a lack of visuals but it was more of a march of technology that moved on while they sat cooking FFXV. That was originally a sequel spin off of FFXIII which was the last visual push before FFXV but time and feedback from the series had the project in work then restarted and silent then waiting to see how the PS4 would come out and reworking based on those specs and story reworking to avoid a fallout in the west that FFXIII Lighting Returns had. I can't speak on FFXII-2 or Lightning Returns because I was part of that fallout of not liking FFXIII and refusing to buy further until I got a new title. But now I might be willing to give FFXII-2 a try, maybe it'll be like FFX-2 where the combat was very addicting to but doesn't live up to the height of the first title's story.

 

[Tonberry]

The only experience I have with Final Fantasy is playing FFXV, which I've never beaten or even left the second area, yet put over 100 hours into. Just cruising around in the world, fighting, cooking and camping while listening to the interactions of the characters is enough for me. I love the atmosphere and visuals, and the gameplay is fun as well.

Being new to emulation means I've not encountered other games in the series before. As someone who enjoys the laid-back nature of FFXV, I hesitate to try the originals since they seem to be built on entirely different principles.

What other FF titles have great atmosphere and visuals like XV? Is the lack of those elements made up for in the older games by having more substance?

As far as atmosphere goes, FF8 also has that ”fantasy in a modern world” vibe going for it.

 

[Pandaprewmaster325]

Even ff7 had guns mixed with swords and the Phoenix bird at first it turned me off the setting being just to clunky for me but when I tried It , I ended up loving every bit of it what I thought was a tedious and quite frankly shitty game turned out to be one of the greatest experiences I ever had in a game that is ff7.

 

[Strategist's iconStrategist]

I have to admit I liked the Cup Noddle commercial being as camp as it was but in game it felt like an inside joke the actors were not allowed to make in the final recording and disappointed they couldn't add them like Ghost Stories's english dub.

The Coleman I'm more natural I guess because I did camp growing up so it's almost blind to me but would have preferred a more spoof version of the brand than blatant product placement in a fantasy not modern fantasy world I'm used to. The real life fashion line up of the outfits absolutely got an eyeroll though.

It is true when the doomers say that immersion is dead. The current audience celebrates the cringe and asks for seconds.

 

[Sir Auriel of Lionel]

It is true when the doomers say that immersion is dead. The current audience celebrates the cringe and asks for seconds.

I mildly resent that statement since I did post a thread on here on what was the first game that immersed you into believing the game have a living world beyond your character and the start button. I don't hate immersion nor wish it to be gone but if a game is going to go all in with advertising me it better be a parody because I will not take it seriously and just check off on that cynical check list of games losing more creative licenses and art status to the mighty dollar of adverts.

When I saw FFXVI was going back to medieval I cheered for joy but my joy was shattered if there's no towns to explore with NPCs to follow up with mellow drama or check back in with for updates or a item for my troubles then that game can continue to wait on my wishlist for another sale.

 

[Pandaprewmaster325]

Nothing beats rockstar parodies of Kentucky and burger king and other brands with clucken bell and their commercials , its really believable ad in the game world.

 

[Strategist's iconStrategist]

I mildly resent that statement since I did post a thread on here on what was the first game that immersed you into believing the game have a living world beyond your character and the start button. I don't hate immersion nor wish it to be gone but if a game is going to go all in with advertising me it better be a parody because I will not take it seriously and just check off on that cynical check list of games losing more creative licenses and art status to the mighty dollar of adverts.

When I saw FFXVI was going back to medieval I cheered for joy but my joy was shattered if there's no towns to explore with NPCs to follow up with mellow drama or check back in with for updates or a item for my troubles then that game can continue to wait on my wishlist for another sale.

I apologize. I didn't mean to point the finger at anyone specifically on this board. Just a general statement at what I perceive to be the state of the Final Fantasy fandom in 2025. Final Fantasy used to be a series that wasn't only entertainment, it used to discuss serious societal topics and it touched the hearts of the players with emotional story beats. When I see those values being eroded by crass comercialization and banal fanservice/nostalgia bait, I cannot stay silent. It seems nowadays that people are more loyal to brands than what those brands represent. I call it the Fortnight effect. That is just playing into corporate hand, celebrating whatever slop they drop on us. If the brands stop representing what caused us to fall in love with them, critical consumers should call them out for what they are doing. We see this happening with Star Wars as well, it is not something exclusive to Final Fantasy. The problem is that the niche that Squaresoft served is particularly unique. I don't see another company with the resources to fill the niche that they served. Until then, all I can do is be uber critical of Square Enix's choices in the vain hope that they change their ways.

 

[Tonberry]

I apologize. I didn't mean to point the finger at anyone specifically on this board. Just a general statement at what I perceive to be the state of the Final Fantasy fandom in 2025. Final Fantasy used to be a series that wasn't only entertainment, it used to discuss serious societal topics and it touched the hearts of the players with emotional story beats. When I see those values being eroded by crass comercialization and banal fanservice/nostalgia bait, I cannot stay silent. It seems nowadays that people are more loyal to brands than what those brands represent. I call it the Fortnight effect. That is just playing into corporate hand, celebrating whatever slop they drop on us. If the brands stop representing what caused us to fall in love with them, critical consumers should call them out for what they are doing. We see this happening with Star Wars as well, it is not something exclusive to Final Fantasy. The problem is that the niche that Squaresoft served is particularly unique. I don't see another company with the resources to fill the niche that they served. Until then, all I can do is be uber critical of Square Enix's choices in the vain hope that they change their ways.

While I agree with you in the general sense, I don’t think FF is a particularly egregious example. It’s always had tie-in’s and merch and cute mascots and the like.

Besides, it’s not like it’s a new thing for them to do:

 

[Strategist's iconStrategist]

While I agree with you in the general sense, I don’t think FF is an particularly egregious example.

Besides, it’s not like it’s a new thing for them to do:
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View attachment 22948

Yeah, that's fair but they've gotten worse and worse at it over time. And like I said, they crossed the line when they inserted product placement into a fantasy game. That is a figurative slap in the face to the customer that pays for an immersive experience. It is basically saying "I don't give a crap about your immersion if I can make a few extra bucks off of it".

 

[Tonberry]

Yeah, that's fair but they've gotten worse and worse at it over time. And like I said, they crossed the line when they inserted product placement into a fantasy game. That is a figurative slap in the face to the customer that pays for an immersive experience. It is basically saying "I don't give a crap about your immersion if I can make a few extra bucks off of it".

You’re absolutely correct, and I do agree, but I can’t help but think the cup noodle thing was more funny than anything else. I liked how everyone but Gladio thought it was lame.

15 is a mess overall, even if I probably count in the ”defender” tribe when it comes to that game lol.

 

[Pandaprewmaster325]

I think final fantasy at this point is something rooted in Japanese culture like its part of Japan? Its only been few months since I first played this awesome series (end of August/early September 2024) but I can already spot some things final fantasy does everytime

-active battle system
-airships idk why but square or whoever in it had a love for airships to include them in every game
-chocobos
-magic girl always ever since ff2 a girl has to be the magician of the team maria starts with higher magic than firion and gus clearly devs wanted to tell us "THIS CHARACTER IS A WIZARD" , ff4 with rydia and rosa , ff5 with reina having highest intelligence I think again suitable for magician in fact best magician , in ff6 the protagonist IS the magic girl , ff7 with aerith , ff8 I mean they went ballistic with it the sorceress lore and even gameplay wise selphie is the spellcaster of the team followed by rinoa.
-an inventor named cid

Oh and a hell lot of crystals at least the first few games were all about crystals , crystal that crystal there crystals everywhere!

One unique aspect of ff1 is armor being OP its the only ff game that felt like armor is just too good james the warrior kept getting slapped , clawed , mauled , bitten , stabbed slashed and all sorts of attacks just to take 1 damage like wow this is Teutonic knight level of tankiness.

These are I think are core components of a final fantasy game. (Minus the OP armor)

Note: I shouldn't mention this but great soundtrack is also to be expected I think everybody knows final fantasy is top tier when it comes to the soundtrack.

 

[Strategist's iconStrategist]

I think final fantasy at this point is something rooted in Japanese culture like its part of Japan? Its only been few months since I first played this awesome series (end of August/early September 2024) but I can already spot some things final fantasy does everytime

-active battle system
-airships idk why but square or whoever in it had a love for airships to include them in every game
-chocobos
-magic girl always ever since ff2 a girl has to be the magician of the team maria starts with higher magic than firion and gus clearly devs wanted to tell us "THIS CHARACTER IS A WIZARD" , ff4 with rydia and rosa , ff5 with reina having highest intelligence I think again suitable for magician in fact best magician , in ff6 the protagonist IS the magic girl , ff7 with aerith , ff8 I mean they went ballistic with it the sorceress lore and even gameplay wise selphie is the spellcaster of the team followed by rinoa.
-an inventor named cid

Oh and a hell lot of crystals at least the first few games were all about crystals , crystal that crystal there crystals everywhere!

One unique aspect of ff1 is armor being OP its the only ff game that felt like armor is just too good james the warrior kept getting slapped , clawed , mauled , bitten , stabbed slashed and all sorts of attacks just to take 1 damage like wow this is Teutonic knight level of tankiness.

These are I think are core components of a final fantasy game. (Minus the OP armor)

That was probably the case up until XII or XIII. Now Square Enix doesn't know what Final Fantasy is except they are going to chase whatever trend they think will give them the most sales.

 

[Somnia]

Yeah, that's fair but they've gotten worse and worse at it over time. And like I said, they crossed the line when they inserted product placement into a fantasy game. That is a figurative slap in the face to the customer that pays for an immersive experience. It is basically saying "I don't give a crap about your immersion if I can make a few extra bucks off of it".

Has it really though? FFXV is the only game to really take it to any kind of extreme. Actually I suppose FFXIV could also count given it had that Fall Guys crossover in the Gold Saucer.

 

[Strategist's iconStrategist]

Has it really though? FFXV is the only game to really take it to any kind of extreme. Actually I suppose FFXIV could also count given it had that Fall Guys crossover in the Gold Saucer.

"Search your feelings, you know it to be true"

 

[Sir Auriel of Lionel]

Dunno I think FFXIII was already the turning point they don't know what they want a Final Fantasy to be, they had all the tropes and their flagship calling cards.

That was probably the case up until XII or XIII. Now Square Enix doesn't know what Final Fantasy is except they are going to chase whatever trend they think will give them the most sales.

What is a Final Fantasy game for you? When they had themes about questioning existence? I already showed myself of what fan I am.

 

[Tonberry]

Like Sakaguchi once said;
”Blue menus.”

 

[Somnia]

I suppose that Sakaguchi intentionally morphing the series throughout the 5th generation and passing the torch to new creatives made this kind of sentiment inevitable. When you no longer have the same handful of people helming the franchise it will obviously change to reflect the preferences and view of the franchise that the new creatives have. In an anthological franchise like FF I don't view that as an issue, especially when (imo) the best games in the series came from this sort of mentality. FF7, FFX, FFXII are all extremely unique from each other in gameplay, setting and structure.

Hell, the idea of Final Fantasy as an RPG also feels so vague. Most of the games have such limited character diversity in terms of playstyle and ultra limited progression systems whilst still having linear stories that JRPGs are known for. It makes the notion of "Final Fantasy isn't an RPG series anymore" ring so hollow when games like FF6 and FF7 - the two most beloved games in the franchise - have next to no real RPG elements aside from the equipment characters have and the automated leveling system.

It feels like people just miss "feeling" like they were RPGs or something? The franchise has long just wore the skin of RPG whilst doing very little to actually justify that opinion in terms of gameplay, character agency or story nonlinearity. Its become so hard to fully understand and empathize with what people mean when they say the series doesn't resemble itself anymore that I legit just look at those kinds of comments as old men yelling at clouds type of behavior even if it is coming from a genuine place.