Features that should be Added/removed from future FF titles

[Wolf Kanno]

Interesting thread, I'll add my thoughts but first I want to add a bit to whats been stated.

1. I agree with difficulty issues. I also feel it should be stressed that the enemies fight smarter not just get beefed up stats. I also feel that its okay for bosses to have specific weaknesses that need to be exploited in order to win, but it shouldn't be a "glass jaw" that cripples them in the fight to the point of boredom (a la FFX). In fact exploiting the weakness should make the boss more aggressive to add immersion.

Also, if you created some uber dungeon with a total badass final boss thats completely optional and only available at end game, I feel we should take a page from Star Ocean 2 and make access to this dungeon automatically adjusts the stats of the final boss to accomodate your parties growth. Basically, accessing the dungeon in SO2 makes the final boss the hardest boss in the entire game so you basically have to complete it in order to see the ending again. Course for the whiners who don't want to feel obligated to finish the dungeon, make altering the final boss optional instead of a requirement for access to the optional dungeon.

2. I agree that you should have access to movies and cutscenes in the game though I would relegate it to a central hub your party always has access to (airship).

3. I don't like the treasure mess in XII either but my main issue was just farming for good normal items. The Zodiac Spear thing was fine cause the weapon is broken and I feel it should be insanely hard to access without a guide, farming for the Fomahult in Tchtia Uplands= no-no. The Diamond Armlet was ok as well cause I felt it made going back to old area more worthwhile but farming respawning chests to get decent equipment is annoying. This is one of the few additions taken from MMO's I feel XII could have done without. I honestly feel it needs to be redone to fit into traditonal console needs or just stay in the world of MMOs.

6. I can agree but only sorta, I want an end to game breaking abilities like KotR, 10+ hit limit breaks, and damage limit breaking weapons but I don't mind them as long as the main game is made to accomodate them. Don't add uber abilities specifically created to fight optional bosses. In FFV, Omega and Shin-Ryu didn't have billions of hp that required some uber multi hitting spell or ability to beat. They both required very specific strategies to beat that required you to utilize the games normal abilites in an exploitive way. Omega is the hardest boss in V but with the right strategy can be taken down in 2-3 rounds. What makes him hard isn't the endurance match, but rather his speed and abilities can quickly decimate your party at any moment. Even with the broken set-up though, Neo-ExDeath still doesn't go down easy though. Thus the abilities needed don't feel completely broken.

I don't mind kick ass multi-hitting attacks or a few broken abilities but I better not have them break the game difficulty cause they were designed specifically to wipe out some uber optional boss. Have the powerful abilities worked into the main storyline so we can remove ourselves from one-shoting final bosses like Safer Sephiroth and the Final Aeon. At least the Undying in XII required you to use some of the more broken abilities and spells. :rolleyes2

5. I honestly enjoy these, as they made some of the earlier games more enduring and made normal combat more rewarding. Though it should be kept to a minimum and I would also like to stress one more thing against XII (damn near perfect as it is), no more farming materials for ultimate weapons... or at least let us have some choice in how our materials are used (think KH) but overall, I feel ultimate weapons should be side quest related and have some personal meaning rather than just a random drop or something you toil hours to make by farming materials. No more VIII and XII more IV and VII.

6. Cool stuff is debatable depending on what it is. Multiple outfits is actually something I would like to see in the titles. Airships are nice but honestly I don't really miss them but its probably due to playing alot of RPGs and very few of them having such conventions. A world map would be nice but I honestly like how XII did it cause I felt a better immersion to the world than previous titles. I feel the world map could be added but only if Airships are returned though it may still be some time before "top of the line graphic powerhouse" SE will be able to make a realistic and seamless transition, still its possible but it may wipe out some of the realistic immersion in the game.

7. I agree with most that FF has always had a balance between Sci-fi and Fantasy. Its actually the reason I like the series cause I can't stand Traditional Tolkein/D&D style fantasy. Games lose points with me if I have to talk to stereotype dwarfs and elves in their games or even races based on them *cough* Viera *cough*. Now I do agree that I feel XIII may have gone alittle too far cause honestly, its pure sci-fi at this point. Then again we know jack squat about the game world so who knows what else lies in but I admit that part of my dislike of VIII and the Compilation was that the games and stories veered too much in sci-fi and I felt its fantasy elements were more tacked on than implemented into the world seamlessly. Its hard to strike a balance at times I guess. I prefer a balanced mix rather than extremes unless the extreme is just well done.

8. Nobuo has only been gone for one game and XII actually has a good musical score. Of anything I would like to see a different composer for each new installment instead of just having a replacement. I want to see Yuki Kaijura, Yasunori Mitsuda, or Yoko Shimumora* try their hands on a main line FF title.

(* I know she's doing the soundtrack to Versus XIII but I have a hard time feeling like its a main line FF title.)

9. New Game+ is only good if the game offers a real incentive for it. Suikoden V, Lufia II, and FFXII: International don't have what I feel is justification for New Game+ features. Alas New Game+ does play a part in something I would like to see in the series. Multiple endings and branching story paths. I want to have my choices impact the story more and mayhap change the outcome of the game. I know its a pain to program and FF has sorta became the "Cinematic Story" RPG series but I want to have some more power over the outcome of the plot. MegaTen, Chrono series, and Metal Gear Solid 1, prove it can be done rather well and keep the games "epic" scope. Granted, I doubt it will be truly transformative in the beginning but just a few minor things would be nice to see and a choice for an optional ending (like watching the world end if you die fighting the final boss, a la Chrono Trigger) would be nice to see.

Skippable cinematics in battle. No more 2 minute summon sequences or long ass limit breaks unless they are interactive. I want the ability to skip the scene right there or choose to watch them. Not the bull in IX or X to fix the problem. I want to hit a button right then and be done with it.

The only other things I would like to see I mentioned in the Ideal Party thread in the XIII forums. http://forums.eyesonff.com/final-fan...arty-xiii.html.