If it's what introduced you to the series, than your opinion is fair enough. I was introduced with IV (NA FFII for SNES), although I never was big into the series until VII. The huge difference for me between FF games prior to X and X+ is the lack of a world map. X was somewhat of a hybrid of this, given that you could choose marked places on a static map and jump between the different levels. The world maps prior to X allowed interaction, making it a level in itself. You could move characters freely and it always had enemy and boss encounters to deal with. In many cases, doing something on the world map required progression in the game or it contained some of the best well hidden secrets.I believe X was far from Linear. Yeah you were restricted in the beginning but when you got the air ship you can still do stuff leading up to the final battle. Linear games give you no such freedom. Not trying to say you have no idea what you are talking about but 10 had very little restrictions if at all. I'm not trying to say ten is perfect or what not but it introduced me to the series so I feel I have to come to its defense a little. I think ten gets to much crap then it deserves.
I see what you mean now yeah that was a big difference but one that wasn't a big issue even looking back on it now. Tidus could use some work yeah but atleast he is a little better then Cloud emotion and confidence wise.If it's what introduced you to the series, than your opinion is fair enough. I was introduced with IV (NA FFII for SNES), although I never was big into the series until VII. The huge difference for me between FF games prior to X and X+ is the lack of a world map. X was somewhat of a hybrid of this, given that you could choose marked places on a static map and jump between the different levels. The world maps prior to X allowed interaction, making it a level in itself. You could move characters freely and it always had enemy and boss encounters to deal with. In many cases, doing something on the world map required progression in the game or it contained some of the best well hidden secrets.
All FF's (not counting spinnoffs, MMOs and sequels) are linear. Both story and exploration wise. Some hide it more than others. (Even Gta is linear).I believe X was far from Linear.
Going off of this I guess it doesn't help that they are doing what five projects at a time?FFX was a very linear game in the sense that the story shuttled you along from area to area, without leaving a huge amount to explore. The reason why it wasn't a problem is because there are still a lot of extras to do in the games, and secrets to uncover. The story and writing were also great, save for two or three generally unlikeable characters.
People point at 13's flaws of being linear as just the map design. Sure, the map design is laughably linear with no places to go, but that wasn't the only problem. What people (and designers obviously) overlook is the importance of having things to do or discover within whatever map you have. (EDIT: That's the reason why FF13-2 and Lightning Returns still have a weird feeling of linearity, even though the maps are significantly bigger. There needs to be things to do and they need to be interesting). P4G has maps that are as linear as you can get but if "feels" less linear because the areas are jam packed with things to do and secrets to uncover. Not to mention the writing in P4G is absolutely stellar, and makes those secrets so interesting and addictive. 13 had absolutely nothing to uncover until the very end of the game, and when you finally had something else to do (side missions on pulse) it was as boring, bland, and poorly written as the rest of game.
What people are really missing in these games are secrets to uncover and non-essential side missions that are cleverly written or interesting in some way. Square seems to dump most of their money into graphics and QA (most of Square's games run flawlessly, which is admirable when compared to some other companies), but they don't realize that it's those little secrets which reward players for investing their time and attention into the world that makes players really appreciate it. TWEWY and KH are games that seem to understand that, and that's the biggest reason I still have some hope reserved for FF15, despite all the negativity generated from the 13 trilogy.
I don't know about that. I would say the director and writers hold most of the blame, though I don't know how high up you would consider their status. The programmers and artists seem to have done an amazing job on all three 13 games. The flaws in the games are more fundamental than just lazy work by the team.All FF's (not counting spinnoffs, MMOs and sequels) are linear. Both story and exploration wise. Some hide it more than others. (Even Gta is linear).
Concerning character growth, I think 8, 10 and 12 are the most non-linear. 10 kinda depends whether you choose simple or advanced spheregrid. Simple = linear character growth as busywork.
Reading through this topic I see some hidden assumptions on what a good game is...
What the hell is wrong eith squeeny? No passion. The top ups may have some passion for their work, but the staff is only doing their job.
South Park: The Stick of Truth has surprisingly deep turn-based battles, at least from what I've played so far. In particular, I like the "bleeding" mechanic, which is like poison but stackable, and the ability for enemies to swap their weakness on-the-fly by changing stances adds a fair bit of depth also (though not a lot because you can have a melee weapon and a ranged weapon equipped at the same time).Bravely Default kind of brings some new life to turn-based battles, but it needs more than that to come back to life.
Yes the graphics are amazing.I don't know about that. I would say the director and writers hold most of the blame, though I don't know how high up you would consider their status. The programmers and artists seem to have done an amazing job on all three 13 games. The flaws in the games are more fundamental than just lazy work by the team.