Quote Originally Posted by Overdose View Post

Quote Originally Posted by Vivisteiner
Well, I've always prefered the class system myself, so I dont see that system as being particularly great. I dont think it was really more innovative than VIII's battle system or XII's battle system anyway.
I don't think you understand the meaning of innovation. FF8 and FF12's battle systems were BASED ON and created BECAUSE of FF7 starting that TREND. That is what innovation means. So yes, it was innovative because it was the FIRST in the series to do that, and caused games afterwards to continue that same system.

This innovation, by being the first, showcases the influence FFVII had over the series.
You forgot FFII and technically FFV as being the first games that offered highly customizable characters with no set jobs... The fact of the matter is, materia is just the job class system broken down more except with the equipment and setup being character specific. Its an expansion on what came before it (just like everything in the game) so giving it the title of innovation is wrong.