what u mean is real changes that affect u. i "jumped on board" at ff7 and have played all but ff5 and there has always been real changes here and there with the odd ff not changing much.

ff1-ff3 were more or less the same, the only change being a horrible ff2 lv systerm and adding of cid, chocobos,etc, not real changes.

then ff4 added character development, the biggest change ever. then ff5 i hear had the prefect game play.

ok ff6 didnt change much, despite kicking ass. ff7 went 3d. ff8 changed lv systerm of monsters and started the silly sub game trend. ff9 , ok old school ff1 rehash. but ffx added ctb, no world map, 99999 hp, sphere grid...etc

these r huge changes, 2 me no world map would be a far greater change then no random encounter and ff12 had better have a proper world map.