Black Sheep

I've noticed recently that there's always one or two games in the main series that get a lot of hate. For a while, Final Fantasy IX was looked down upon as being too stupid and kiddish and whatnot, then people got their heads together and started liking it. Then FFVIII started getting a lot of flack for the awful plot and Junctioning system, and a lot of threads on that forum seem to be praising it again. For a while, FFVII was getting a lot of hate (for the "fanboys" though I haven't actually encountered anyone there in a LONG time that I would consider an "irrational fanboy" which is odd since everyone always complains about them, even though they don't out-number or out-stupid fanboys of other games). FFXII got this briefly when it came out, though this seems to have died down a lot already as most everyone's already forgotten about that game. And of course, XI in there somewhere got hate for just being an MMO.

Now it seems like that game would be FFX, which I don't get, but whatever. It honestly seems to me like it's a case of "Everyone likes this game, so I'll hate it to get attention" then a few months later "Everyone hates this game, so I'll defend it to get attention."

Just some food for thought.

In terms of actual black sheep, I think FFII, VIII, XI, and XII will all be designated "love it or hate it" black sheep of the series. I think IX is mostly coming into its own and VII and X are more of a social backlash from its overwhelming popularity. That or their are just more VII and X haters on this forum than on other FF forums. Despite that backlash, I still feel that both games have overwhelming positive support for them.

The other games, I'm not so sure about. Though VIII is getting a few glowing posts, there still seems to be grumbling hidden among them and I feel XII's role in the series will be finalized with XIII's release. II is just not liked by anyone from what I've seen except a few handful of people but its also one of the earlier and less known titles. XI (and soon to be XIV) will probably always be the most controversial bonafide black sheep due to it being online. A matter that still creates conflict to this day.

i think most of the hate for XI & XIV are simply because they shouldn't be part of the original numbered series since it breaks tradition by going online... they should have just called them "FF Online" & "FF Online 2", besides who can't help but hate the Taru Taru, disgusting little things... i don't hate the online titles i just think they're misrepresented by putting them into the numbered series...