What's your history with Final Fantasy?

[Zantetsuken]

I've played since FFI was released on the NES.

Finished every core FF game except:

FFIII (very close to finishing)
&
FFXI (finished everything up to Abyssea)

I also have a collection of the original Japanese core FF games.



If you started because you're a FF fan, what games have you played and enjoyed the most? Favorites are FFVI, FFXII, and FF Tactics

How is this game fitting up against the rest of the series for you? 1.0 Eorzea seemed like a real fantasy world (if not FF enough). But ARR doesn't. Don't get me wrong, The world is very captivating, there is lots to do, interesting characters and storyline, but it seems like Eorzea gets a bit lost in all the fanfare. With all the FFXI imported mobs, races, etc.. it just seems like it's a mixture of other FF games rather than it's own animal. Also, they really bastardized the Summoner Job, which is an iconic FF component.

I think the stated goal of ARR-as-a-FF theme-park ended up being a far more literal direction than I expected. Everything is hyper-streamlined, pre-packaged, and the game is full of gaudy trinkets and flashy props.

In summary: ARR is primarily and overtly a GAME, and it feels like a GAME -- often at the expense of the immersive experience. There isn't much that comes across as organic or natural in it. It's very flashy and impressive at first glance, but the mechanics, conveniences, and trinkets (vertical item stats, fast level progression, instant teleporting/DF, glowing weapons, volume of mounts and minions, etc. etc.) tend to detract from any depth or authenticity the game may have.

I'm having fun with it for now, but I'm not sure how sustainable this approach is.