Meh. I guess most people's real problem with the series changing too much is that some of these changes might soon become the norm, and we'd end up with a bunch of X-2 clones.

I think that the only reason I'm opposed to too much change at the moment is that the standard formula hasn't gotten old for me, yet. I still enjoy replaying titles from the series, even if it means repeating battle systems or story elements. Adding a new weapon upgrade system or salary system doesn't increase lifespan of a series. The only changes that I want to see are the battle system, world map, and storyline.

Quote Originally Posted by Kawaii Ryűkishi
Super Mario Bros. followed a completely different formula from Mario Bros. Super Mario World 2 followed a completely different formula from SMB, SMB2, SMB3, and Super Mario World. Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine followed a completely different formula from SMW2. The changes have not only been important, altering the entire focus and execution of the games, but again, too numerous to list.
Really? I'm not the biggest Mario fan, but I seem to remember the only major changes being the addition of new abilities, and creating new levels. I believe that the series could have done pretty well even without these changes.

How is Final Fantasy any different? Every edition, they update the battle system and give us a new world to explore. In fact, FF can vary it's story, too. Which is something that Mario has rarely done (Let Bowser keep Peach, for chrissakes!). Change is good, but changing the fundamental formula of a series isn't. I have no problems with FFXII, and I think it's shaping up rather well. I simply think that straying too far from the formula would be a mistake.