Silver Lining

[benlehman]

So, while lying sick-as-a-dog from cold or flu or something (no, not bird flu) in my hostel bed in Nanjing, I've been taking the opportunity to replay some of the old videogames from my youth on emulation, trying to beat them this time and finally vindicate myself.

I am beginning to form the opinion that late-NES (FF3j) and mid-game boy (FFL, FFL2, FFA) is the point in which Squaresoft really hit its peak as a company. Now, I realize that there's a lot to be said for the SNES period (FF4-6 + FFL3), and that there are at least two die-hard FF7 fans reading this. I used to think more highly of FF4-6 myself. But, on replaying, a lot of the depth, grandeur and theme of the other games is done, and done better, by the earlier games, in particular FF3 and FFL, ironically some of the last games that actually let you name your party members without defaults. My hunch is that the lack of characterization of the protagonists was actually a very productive creative constraint in terms of video game design.

I think that the only game of comparable quality, at least in terms of narrative, that Squaresoft has produced (discounting the excellent FF9 disc one), was FFTactics, which I'm given to understand was actually not designed in-house at all, but was a last minute retooling of a half-way finished Russian game. (Man, what I would give to see that design team actually finish a game, given full time and resources.)

Not coincidentally, FFL and FF3 are some of the first games I know of to address, in any way, the video-game nature of the medium itself. Later attempts are generally only fourth-wall breaking for comedic value (lots of games), hopelessly pretentious wankering by computer programmers (Metal Gear Solid 2), or both.

Of course, I'm not finished with FF3 yet, so it still has time to crash, but it already has the best moment ever in a Squaresoft game, possibly any videogame I've ever played.

They'll be longer essays and arguments about why I think that these are good games, possibly here but probably on This Is My Blog. I only want to post one place, but if people here are interested I'll do a notification when the essays start.

Comments

[zigguratbuilder.livejournal.com]

I still have to play FF Tactics at some point (domestic or import, prob domestic so I don't have to strain to read the simulation bits). That game I've been working on recently is largely inspired by:

DISGAEA
And what Ben has told be about Final Fantasy Tactics

There's probably cheats for it around, too, so I don't have to wade too deep through the boring parts.

-Andy

ps BIRD FLU BEN! BIRD FLU BEN! BIRD FLU BEN!!!

[silvergoose.livejournal.com]

Please do a notification. I art interested.

[yeloson.livejournal.com]

It's been a long time since I played FF3, but I'm curious as to what that bestest moment was?

[greyorm.livejournal.com]

I'm going through the same "finish games I never finished as a kid" phase right now. I'm partway through FF2j right now, and going to move on to FF3j probably next month or so -- though that is a game I've never actually played before.

Of course, this reminds me that I still have my FFV saved game sitting on the PS2 right before the final boss battle. I should really go finish it soon.

I plan to go through the entire FF series and finish them all for once. I've never played any of the FFL games, however. Might have to go look for those and start taking my son's GameBoy to work with me.

Anyways, sure, I'm interested, so let me know.

[marcus-sez-vote.livejournal.com]

I've been playing an English translation of Tales of Phantasia on my SNES emulator and it is so very awesome. Different from old school FF(it's more like the later versions with its style of combat) but still with all the same elements of summoning, weapon upgrades, "anime" characters/plotlines, etc.

Be well.

[gillan.livejournal.com]

FFTactics = Best

[rob-donoghue.livejournal.com]

Tactics is fantastic, though I attribute it to how much I hated hated hated the villain by the end. My questions would be whether the Russians were responsible for the engine (which was OK) or the story (Which is what made it stick for me). Considering the blandness of FFTA, I'm leaning towards story.

Hate is really one of my yardsticks for success. FF7 had a villain you could really sink your teeth into, and a lot of the failings of VIII and IX (though not all of them) had to do with the bait and switch nature of the villains. (X technically had a bait and switch too, but it was built up to so well and integrated so strongly as to remain awesome).

I admit, I have yet to finish an FF before VII, though I'm occasionally hitting them (FFVII was what convinced me to try console gaming). I wish I was a little bit more indifferent to the obvious age in the gameplay, but it really does impact things a bit, and I have a few other games I can replay (Chrono Cross, Xenogears, Skies of Arcadia, Or even FFVII) and still get some real fun out of.

Anyway, the topic of the nameable characters is an interesting one. I only really saw that go away for FFX, and for the simple practical reason that they need some names to do the voice acting (Though they still allow naming the hero as you see fit). It seems kind of natural as a lot of the more recent games I've played (FFX, yes, and also the new Xenosaga series) have really turned up the dial on how much the game is about the character's stories rather than about the characters as vehicles through the story. On one hand, I suppose that might diminish some of the sense of ownership, and make things more like watching an interactive movie. On the other, when it's done right, it is fantastically powerful. (Of course, sometimes you have both in the the same game - Xenosaga has some fantastic characterization, but oh lord, there are times I wonder when I'm going to get to _play_).

Anyway, I'll be curious for a heads up. I know I'm a huge console RPG dork, so it's hard for me not to be interested.

And my dream is still a game that plays like Skies of Arcadia, but I'd settle for Final Fantasy. :)