Drink your milk so you can grow up strong and kill imps for EXP and gil!

[Wolf Kanno]

We've seen quite a few game systems over the years and so I felt it was time to discuss which one's would you like to see make a return in the series as well as what you would like to change about it if you had a chance to improve it.

I even gave the option to use a system not relegated to the main series if you wish.

[Bahamut2000X]

Easily I would say FFIV's system.

It was simple and really made you have to cope with battles. Have a lot of mages? Then you have to change your strategy. Have Kain and Cid as your big fighters, then you gotta plan a bit differently.

Beyond how much I enjoyed the way having set classes and sometimes characters was on the battle system by making you constantly adapt, I enjoyed how much extra depth the characters got based on them having a set class.

[,,,]

Real answer-- I don't care because it'll be a long damn time before there's an emulator for PS3 or whatever system the next one will come out on, and probably a longer time before I have a computer powerful enough to run a game using that emulator. Thieving isn't all roses.

Hypothetical answer (uninformed version)-- Still not going to have a computer that can emulate PS2 games for a long time, so I'm not exactly up to date on the series. I don't know how well anything past IX works and I don't know how things are naturally evolving in the series and what should follow in a natural progression. Therefore I'll just answer with my favorite that I know of, V's system. I just love how my party develops somewhat by chance. "Hmmm, I need a meatshield right now and this guy isn't doing anything important, I'll make him a knight. Hmm, I don't have anything important for this one to do, might as well go with Hunter." And pretty soon I have a party with all these abilities they ended up with by chance, based on what my whims were a few days ago. I love watching my characters grow not from specific planning, but by the way they seem to evolve naturally in the game, with different outcomes in each playthrough, each time being a surprise to me at the end.

Hypothetical answer (informed version)-- [this space under construction until 2037]

[Vermachtnis]

Final Fantasy V so I can make Black Mage Dragoons! Or whatever I want near the end with Mimes.

[Laddy]

I like FFIX's, so each character has a noticable bit of individuality in combat.

[NeoCracker]

Of those I'm going with IX.

Though in reality I still want an expanded version of Xenosaga 3's. :p

Until then, IX had my favorite as far as character build up is concerned, as I like a characters abilities to reflect their story.

[Jessweeee♪]

I can only pick one?


:cry:

[Zeromus_X]

I really liked IX's system alot.

[Rantz]

I voted VII but I would love to see IX's system make a return. On second thought I think I'd prefer that, actually.

[blackmage_nuke]

I really enjoyed X's structural class system with complete freedom.

[tailz]

gimme back my sphere grid.

[rubah]

it would be folly to have the paramagic junction system return to any other world besides the ff8 world, thus if it did return, it would be an ff8 sequel/prequel, count me in!

[Obsidian]

FFII's style of experience gain/loss would be the best thing ever if they would just tweak it the RIGHT way. The DoS and PSP version removes the loss of experience, which really defeats one of the system's most realistic aspects.

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

I love the Materia system. The sheer flexibility it allows in terms of combining and augmenting skills is an unparalleled joy to explore.

[Wolf Kanno]

My choice is XII's system. I really enjoyed it and see hundreds of possibilities for it to grow. A more rigid class system inspired License Board and better detailed Gambits could allow for some much needed fun times. Of all the systems in the series, I feel this system has the most potential to grow whereas the others are either fine the way they are or would become unbalanced.

XII's system was perfect for giving excellent customization and a means to cut down on busy work. Yes it has its flaws but overall I was satisfied enough with the overall package to overlook them.

The only two exceptions (and oddly my secondary choices) are II and VIII's system if only cause they hold great potential but need to be massively overhauled in order to work properly cause god knows they didn't the first time around....

[[M] Mom – Host]

So much character customization involved in V's system. Gotta love it.

[BG-57]

The job system in Final Fantasy Tactics was great: plenty of customization with the ability to mix and match skillsets. Although FFV and FFX-2 had some nice flexibility as well.

[blackmage_nuke]

I'd also like to mention even though i didnt like the esper/accesory system so much, i really liked the whole -each job gets its own character system-. Which is really what the VI poll should say, as the espers/ accesories dont determine class.

[Wolf Kanno]

I'd also like to mention even though i didnt like the esper/accesory system so much, i really liked the whole -each job gets its own character system-. Which is really what the VI poll should say, as the espers/ accesories dont determine class.

You do have a valid point, and I would fix it if I could...:cry:

[Big D]

I love the Materia system. The sheer flexibility it allows in terms of combining and augmenting skills is an unparalleled joy to explore.This. And since the more powerful Materia weaken certain stats, it's not just a matter of piling more abilities onto a character to strengthen them. That limitation, plus the limited number of slots available, means you've got to focus on balance or role-specialisation, especially when there's only a limited range of materia and equipment available.

Having specific jobs for each character is neat, too, as long as you don't end up with one or two characters who're obsolete and never get used. Having the flexibility to go a little beyond the default job is also neat in these cases.

[jammi567]

I really love VIII system to bits. Sure, the system is as broken as hell, but because of that, it allowed you to focus on the storyline,rather then having to mico-manage your abilities every time you entr a new area.

[scrumpleberry]

I think a new take on FFII's system could be interesting. I mean, people complained, but it wasn't that bad, it allowed for finely tuned development, stopped button hammering (mainly) and I think it'd a breath of fresh air.

[Wolf Kanno]

I love the Materia system. The sheer flexibility it allows in terms of combining and augmenting skills is an unparalleled joy to explore.This. And since the more powerful Materia weaken certain stats, it's not just a matter of piling more abilities onto a character to strengthen them. That limitation, plus the limited number of slots available, means you've got to focus on balance or role-specialisation, especially when there's only a limited range of materia and equipment available.

Having specific jobs for each character is neat, too, as long as you don't end up with one or two characters who're obsolete and never get used. Having the flexibility to go a little beyond the default job is also neat in these cases.

You know, outside of the the MP and HP differences, I never noticed a real difference in my stats for the characters. I always felt it was so minor its more of an after thought really... Guess that's me though ;)

[The Watcher]

From what i got from Weapon Ability System was the system in FFTA and i think FFT?

So it gets my vote

[Takero]

I vote for VIII system , Because I think it's cool and I am not much magic user so I prefer elemental and status attack to using elemental and status magic .

[Mirage]

I'd say the job system in FFXI, but it's not a freakin option, so I'm going with FF5's job system.

[Bolivar]

Like story, I think gameplay system should be different in each FF, but I would definatley like to see an updated version of FFV's system (technically this means an updated version of FFT's system) in a game. Like maybe you could sacrifice some aspects of your primary job for support abilities from other jobs.

[Wolf Kanno]

From what i got from Weapon Ability System was the system in FFTA and i think FFT?

So it gets my vote

IX was the first to use the Weapon Ability System. FF Tactics used an uber improved version of the FFV Job Class system. Personally I dislike the Weapon Ability system the most cause I hate my party being completely restricted by my equipment. It was balanced in IX to a point but not in FFTA IMO.


I'd say the job system in FFXI, but it's not a freakin option, so I'm going with FF5's job system.

I've been playing XI and personally, I feel FFT's version is the best of the job class system. Though XI's system is still way better than most MMOs...


Like story, I think gameplay system should be different in each FF, but I would definatley like to see an updated version of FFV's system (technically this means an updated version of FFT's system) in a game. Like maybe you could sacrifice some aspects of your primary job for support abilities from other jobs.

I do prefer originality myself but I was just thinking the other day how much a few of the system's could grow into new and better systems if they could only have a second chance. Since most Westerner's got screwed out of FFXII International, I do agree that a new Job Class system is needed in the series. Sadly, I don't feel XIII is going to supply us with it.:cry:

[Marky Tee]

i went for ix's but xii is a close second

[Jiro]

I said VI, but I like the system that IX had. XII and X were okay, but could do with a little more improvement. It just makes each character a clone

[Marky Tee]

a super badass killing machine clone

[many lives 49 mp]

materia is just... so special

[Depression Moon]

Out of all of those I thought that the sphere grid system was a great way to get your characters to learn abilities and increase their stats. IX's was okay with me although I was a bit fustrated sometimes trying to learn abilities that required a lot of points to keep like Boost. IV's was nice and simple too so I would go with either X's or IV's.

[Heath]

I quite liked the materia system, though I feel that the way it was linked to the plot in FFVII worked better than it might in a different game. Not that it couldn't work, I just think you'd need either to have the same reasons for it existing as in FFVII or having another decent explanation for it. I like it, but not sure if I'd like it to return.

My initial thoughts were FFIX or IV. IX and IV are somewhat similar in that each character has their own jobs, I suppose the main difference is how the skills were learnt. In that respect, I prefer IX's and so that's what I'm going with.

[Slothy]

My choice is XII's system. I really enjoyed it and see hundreds of possibilities for it to grow. A more rigid class system inspired License Board and better detailed Gambits could allow for some much needed fun times. Of all the systems in the series, I feel this system has the most potential to grow whereas the others are either fine the way they are or would become unbalanced.

XII's system was perfect for giving excellent customization and a means to cut down on busy work. Yes it has its flaws but overall I was satisfied enough with the overall package to overlook them.

The only two exceptions (and oddly my secondary choices) are II and VIII's system if only cause they hold great potential but need to be massively overhauled in order to work properly cause god knows they didn't the first time around....

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think I agree with you a lot when it comes to RPG gameplay, or at least battle systems.

[Shadowdeathrose]

I'm torn between VIII and IX - But i chose VIII purely becuase it actually gives GF's and Magic a purpose... towards the end of the FF games. GFs (summons/aeons) are not particularly need. nor is magic. as the pysical attacks do sufficiant damage