Square-Enix and High-Def

omalleyTown

I just picked up the XCM multi-console componant cable. I got it primarily for my 360 and wii but I figured since the PS2 supports 480p aswell it would be a nice upgrade before final fantasy XII hits.

I put in my copy of kingdom hearts 2 to test it out. I wasnt expecting miracles but I think I actually prefer the composite output. The FMV intro is my biggest worry. While it does look sharp and crisp, it also looks like its being viewed through some sort of jaggy filter (you can actully see where its being stretched). FFXII will have a lot of fmv so im probably going to use the composite to play the game.

I'm more then certain that the problem is in the fact that square-enix games generally dont support progressive scan (i.e. 480p). This strikes me as a bit odd considering pedigree of the franchises and the direction Sony is going.

This is just my opinion though. Anyone else got any thoughts?

AceCard Jones

Never tried it before, I'd say you will get better results on the PS3 with FFXIII, I think Kingdom Hearts II was beautiful anyway, oh and you just reminded me, I booked FFXII today.:D

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AceCard Jones wrote:

I booked FFXII today.:D

hmm

ill bet you be disappointed when you play ff12

very disappointing game

omalleyTown

{(-_-)}HeadShoT** wrote:

hmm

ill bet you be disappointed when you play ff12

very disappointing game

You seem disappointed. Any particular reason or just a general lack of satisfaction?

AceCard Jones

I played the game on import already, excellent game, wasn't disappointed in the slightest, yeah it's different but it's still great.

Retr0gamer

I thought FFXII was disappointing as well. Mostly because it wasn't a FF game and also because it wasn't a great game either. glorified diablo/bad KotOR clone if you ask me. Thank god Blue Dragon is out in March on 360. Can final get to play a real FF type game by the real talent behind the FF series.

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Retr0gamer wrote:

I thought FFXII was disappointing as well. Mostly because it wasn't a FF game and also because it wasn't a great game either. glorified diablo/bad KotOR clone if you ask me. Thank god Blue .

totally agree

the main character was useless and gameplay was crap

AceCard Jones

You all must be the small minority who feel this way, I thought it was great and it got great reviews and reader reviews of 10/10 and 9/10.
Yes it's different but it's in a good way.
Square were probably just trying this out.

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AceCard Jones wrote:

You all must be the small minority who feel this way, I thought it was great and it got great reviews and reader reviews of 10/10 and 9/10.
Yes it's different but it's in a good way.
Square were probably just trying this out.

hopefully they wont do the same for next final fantasy games on the ps3

AceCard Jones

So far the screens of XIII don't resemble XII, but we will have to wait and see.

Gonzo

im really lookin forward to Final Fantasy XII as well, it better be much better than that awfull FFX-2

AceCard Jones

No worries for you then Gonzo, it's on a completely different level to X-2.
I really like this game, It's no VII but it's good.

Retr0gamer

Gonzo wrote:

im really lookin forward to Final Fantasy XII as well, it better be much better than that awfull FFX-2

It wouldn't be hard to be better than it.

omalleyTown

{(-_-)}HeadShoT** wrote:

hopefully they wont do the same for next final fantasy games on the ps3

Yeah because high sales and near universal critical acclaim is what makes companys re-evaluate their direction.

I think that the real time element is here to stay. We already know that that Verses XIII is being made by the same designers as the Kingdom Hearts games.

AceCard Jones

As much as I loved the old ATB system, didn't Kingdom Hearts not have an excellent battle system?I loved it anyway, although I suppose I always thought of it as Final Fantasy with a cool difference, if Final Fantasy starts working the same it may be disastrous.Out of all the games VII had the best system.
The limit break, Materia, Level, Stat, and battle system was just amazing in that game, and won't be topped in my opinion.

All the rumours on a re-release seem to have stopped completely...how sad:(
I want one!!:)

Retr0gamer

The battle system is Kingdom Hearts was just a hack and slash ala Devil May Cry or the 3D Castlevania games with added levelling up. Nothing special about it at all.

Thought the battle system of FFVII was a complete joke. Customising characters meant no individualism and could be exploited easily. It was however a simple system and the fact that the difficulty was so low it was enjoyable. Give me FFX anyday. Love the tactical turn based system of FFX. If you weren't a nerd and didn't level up the battles were challenging (especially boss battles) and there was always strategy to each fight. Much better than the ATB nonsense of later games.

I've always preferred the turn based battle systems to the real time ones. Grandia and Dragon Quest had fantastic turn based systems while real time systems like FFXII, the ATB games, KotOR and the diablo hack and slash titels all had dire battle systems imo.

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Retr0gamer wrote:

I've always preferred the turn based battle systems to the real time ones. Grandia and Dragon Quest had fantastic turn based systems while real time systems like FFXII, the ATB games, KotOR and the diablo hack and slash titels all had dire battle systems imo.

i agree i loved turn based battle system

i loved ff7 and up to ff9

i taught ff10 was ok

after that dont get me started

i wonder will we ever see the days the square bring out a good final fantasy game
hopefully 2008 will be the year to finally get brilliant final fantasy game

i would love to know why they changed the battle system in ff12

if its not broken dont fix it

turn based is the way to go

AceCard Jones

If that's what you think about Kingdom hearts then you obviously didn't go into all the abilities in any sort of depth.People claim KH is all button bashing X for all it's worth, if you think about it like that then you obviously mustn't be using all the abilities you wasted your time equipping.

By pressing square after different amounts of X combo's you can use different abilities.And if you choose not to use magic and just button mash X your way through the game then that's your loss.And if that wasn't enough to keep you hooked the storyline surely will.

And as for your views on VII.It's your choice if your characters don't have anything individual about them.The Materia you equip is all your own doing, if you don't want them to all be the same don't equip Bolt to everyone, that's just an example but it's as simple as that.

You could easily have one person with no Materia, which boosts their attack power and have them as your attacker, and boost your other two party members each with either offense Materia and Healing Materia.

When you think about it you could have the exact same situation as you do in IX, except you're not being forced to do so.Don't get me wrong I loved IX, it's my second favourite FF.

And IMO X lacked everything, except storyline.
All your characters are using the same grid, so potentially they all end up being exactly the same when fully trained.Only difference being Yuna is the only person who can summon on your team.

And weapons were completely missing in that game, at least on terms of them being worth equipping.I made it through the whole game with my team nearly all having their first and second weapons, then I maxed out all their ultimate weapons and they were all lethal!

And on terms of difficulty X was simple, the only point you made about it that I agree with is that the turn based system gives you more time for strategy, but that doesn't rule out strategy in all the other games, you just have to think quicker, which I like.I also thought break damage limit and HP limit etc was completely pointless.It didn't help in the slightest against the Dark Aeons.

At least you could fight the Weapons in VII without having to do something like that.I guess what it really comes down to is we both appreciate different things about RPG's.:)

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AceCard Jones wrote:

.I guess what it really comes down to is we both appreciate different things about RPG's.:)

true


in the next ff game
wouldnt you think the developers would give the player an option of what battle system they want, turn based or other wise

Retr0gamer

I never said Kingdom Hearts had no depth I just mean that it isn't an RPG, more an action game with some RPG like abilities and levelling up. I think it's up there with Ninja Gaiden and DMC3 in it's genre. Loved KH1 but have yet to play KH2 (although I hear the difficulty has been dumbed down ).

You must have spent some time levelling up in FFX because I spent none and found the game very challenging yet doable by the time I got to Mt. Gagazet. (except the last boss which was a huge difficulty spike). I hated the Dark Aeons and think they ruined the European version of the game. I don't believe in forced levelling up in RPGs, it's just lazy design (and my biggest criticism of FFXII). What I like about FFX was that every character had an equally big role to play in battles and usually the only way of defeating an enemy was to use a combination of characters unique abilities, as long as you didn't level up like crazy. Most FF games just came down to using your best spells or maybe changing that if there is an obvious element affinity.

I remember in FFX when fighting Seymour at Mt. Gagazet. It required using Shell then changing to Protect after his attacks changed. I also had to use a lot of status effects to make the battle beatable. It made for an epic and tough battle that was very satisfying when I finally managed to beat him. Compared to the other FF games which is just use your best attacks over and over it makes a huge refreshing change. Many of the later battles required similar tactics or else they would be impossible.

I loved FFIX as well. Awful story but great characters and a decent battle system with unique characters.

Square Enix aren't bringing out the quality RPGS like they used to but at least we have Blue Dragon, Lost Odessy and Rogue Galaxy to look forward to.

AceCard Jones

{(-_-)}HeadShoT** wrote:

true


in the next ff game
wouldnt you think the developers would give the player an option of what battle system they want, turn based or other wise

I can't see this happening, that would mean they would nearly have to make the game twice.

And Retr0gamer,

I train my ass of in all the Final Fantasies, I always play through them again and again, trying to out do myself.I mean for example I had Bolt 3 when leaving Midgar in VII and had everyone up to the second level 3 limit, so as they only had to be thought their fourth level one and they would have all their limits.

I finish every game I get 100% and particularly love doing so in RPG's.
I also thought FF IX had an amazing storyline, second to VII.Far fetched yes but aren't they all?Did you finish XII Retr0gamer?Or did you get sick of it and quit playing?