Originally Posted by
Augury
I disagree, because XIII sold well only on the basis of having Final Fantasy in it's title, but most people I have discussed it with also found no redeeming quality, not the "loud minority". The hit to the company is probably a result of the numerous developments going on, but trying to promote an idea which didn't work. In this respect, my opinion WAS blown out of proportion by the concept that because XIII was horrible, IT was the cause of the dent. I'm saying that the dent is probably a result of trying to resell what was a pretty horrible game.
VI had a very awkward response when it came out because it was good, but very awkward in concept. It laid the framework for the Playstation age of FF games, and was without a doubt one of the best SNES games in the library. The awkward nature of the narrative was pretty deviant from the other even numbered sequels (which were all linear RPGs as opposed to job mix n' matching). X got heat for having some of the best (and worst) characters to date, as well as a narrative which tried to tackle mature issues in very immature ways. Most FF games get the ringer when they are released, but even the ugly babies are usually enjoyable (even if more to some, and less to others). XIII and XIV just seem to be the first games which are viewed as horrible by the MAJORITY. XIII can't be patched, and the lackluster characters cannot be ret-conned.