WHY do Square always use the random encounter system?

[Slothy]

Random encounters are annoying if you ask me. Not only do they abruptly interrupt the flow of the game and immediately take me out of the experirence, they can be nothing but a pain if I'm trying to get to a save point because I have to stop playing, or if you happen to run into some trouble and are trying to get to safety. As far as I'm concerned, they're a product of a bygone gaming era where hardware limitations made them a necessity. I have no problem with being taken to a battle screen, but let me see it coming should I have some reason to want to avoid the fight.

[Lynx]

play final fantasy mystic quest for SNES when your walking through temples you can see every monster.

besides puttting in random battles makes it more challangeing which just makes it more fun all together. i dont know about you but i can't stand easy games. i love being in a temples with low life no magic no healing items and trying to escape and get to the nearest town. whats more fun then that keeps you on the edge of your seat knowing if you get into a random battle with the wrong monster you could lose.

[crazybayman]

You're really going out on a limb by saying that everybody would rather not have random encounters.

I for one like them. FFXII doesn't have them, that's fine. However, I like it in other FF games.

[Zeromus_X]

I don't really care if an RPG has random encounters or not. But if you're going to play RPGs, you'd better be used to them, at least.

[NINJA_Ryu]

1) The worlds of FF are in peril, monsters and evil is rampant, and danger can possibly lurk around every corner, so i think it mrits random battles

3) I like to have the uncertainty in my games. BEtter to be surprised by encounters and guessing at your travels than plainly seeing and avoiding your enemies. In the long run, it only hurts you

Enemies can still surprise you when there are no random encounters.

2) *plays game and party is at level 10, goes against boss. Gets thouroughly trounced* O well, Im glad i can level up my party so they can take this guy head on! *levels up, beats opposition*

You can still level up all you like when there are no random encounters.

care to elaborate how "surprising" monsters can be when you plainly seeing them? Im not speaking of how they fight or how you beat them, just in how you encounter them

and with the second point, with enemies you see, then beat, they are gone. boom. finished. less enemies = less xp = less levels

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

care to elaborate how "surprising" monsters can be when you plainly seeing them? Im not speaking of how they fight or how you beat them, just in how you encounter them

They drop from the ceiling, mainly. You never see it coming. And, of course, ghostly enemies can suddenly appear out of thin air.

and with the second point, with enemies you see, then beat, they are gone. boom. finished. less enemies = less xp = less levels

Until you leave the area and return, or just wait around for a while. They regenerate.

[Paul]

its already been said, but yeah i agree random encounters are an age old game mechanic which should have been phased out years ago. it's much more fun and realistic to have enemies on screen. i don't even mind if i can't avoid them because they are faster than me or what. as long as i can see them it doesn't annoy me that i have to fight them. as has been said when you're trying to navigate along a path and the game keeps interrupting you it gets annoying.

also having the enemies on screen instantly invents a whole new element to the gameplay because you can have the player trying to sneak past the enemy when they are feeling weak or lazy.

[Yuffie514]

these Final Fantasy titles (i've played) do not use random encounters:

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
Final Fantasy XI: Online
Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

Square-Enix can have it how they like it as long as i'm enjoying the game.

[RiseToFall]

Not really sure why they use them, or pretty much why most rpg's use them. But I never really minded random encounters as long as they're kept in reason. I don't want to take two steps and get into another fight. The only game that I've played that made me throw the controller down for it's high amount of random battles is Beyond the Beyond.

[ljkkjlcm9]

See, I really don't have much of a problem with random encounters. I remember one game I played, no idea what it was called, but when you were a certain level above the enemies, you would auto win fights, it would never load the battle screen, and you would get a small sum on money and the small EXP. I liked this because instead of wasting time when you're over and above and can destroy an enemy, it keeps the pace up, while the harder challenging enemies, you still fight.

THE JACKEL

[Zeromus_X]

That would probably be Mother 2 (Earthbound).

[rubah]

Mystic Quest didn't have random encounters did it?

ffx-2 had a few non-random encounters in the via purifico (hello elder drake)

Vagrant story and Chrono Trigger which were made by square don't have random encounters

[Zeromus_X]

Mystic Quest had visible enemies which you could engage in battle with.

[NINJA_Ryu]

care to elaborate how "surprising" monsters can be when you plainly seeing them? Im not speaking of how they fight or how you beat them, just in how you encounter them

They drop from the ceiling, mainly. You never see it coming. And, of course, ghostly enemies can suddenly appear out of thin air.

and with the second point, with enemies you see, then beat, they are gone. boom. finished. less enemies = less xp = less levels

Until you leave the area and return, or just wait around for a while. They regenerate.

well, learn something new everyday around here.... and the second could be disputed

however, ranom encounters can stay or go, they arent pivotal to my (or anyones prolly) gaming

[Frozen Phantom]

I actually like the random encounter system, and nothing you guys can do to change my mind.

Yes the RES does get rather boring after awhile, they just get way to annoying by the end of the game, but I still enjoy suspence of finding a new batch of monsters in an area.