"Where has the magic gone?"

[Corrderio]

For me it ended when SE took a plunge into the 3D market. It seems when that happened they focused more on the graphics than gameplay. The only real 3D FF I liked was 9.

[NeoEarth]

While I agree that as we grow up we trade our illusions for facts without trade-backs (eddie from pearl jam) we are still gamers inside.

I installed the snes rom on my droid. I then played through every FF I could find and was instantly drawn into each and every story once again.

The point is... ffxiv can have the single best mechanics of any mmo in history, but once we cap, get our gear, there is nothing more to do. While some may say that squeenix needs fix the mechanics first, I worry that should we have another year before we get AT LEAST 2 larger quests arcs... FFXIV will be doomed.

I am glad the OP created this post, i feel the EXACT SAME WAY.

[Speeral]

I think SE will look into it . . . After they are done adjusting some meaningless game mechanic XD

[NeoEarth]

I think SE will look into it . . . After they are done adjusting some meaningless game mechanic XD

i see what u did there lol.

[Alaltus]

To be perfectly frank its not just FF that has gone downhill, the whole rpg genre has. All the latest gen consoles have had barely a handfull of good RPGs and alot of rpg making companies decided to choose the cheaper option and develope for handhelds. RPGs take alot more development time than most shovelware/that next fps for what seems to be a less reliable customer base(Valkyria Chronicles anyone?). Why else have we not seen the next breath of fire?, suikoden, etc. Because RPGs are not where the money is at anymore and trying to make your game appeal to the majority and not its niche seems to be a safer bet perhaps.

[NeoEarth]

To be perfectly frank its not just FF that has gone downhill, the whole rpg genre has. All the latest gen consoles have had barely a handfull of good RPGs and alot of rpg making companies decided to choose the cheaper option and develope for handhelds. RPGs take alot more development time than most shovelware/that next fps for what seems to be a less reliable customer base(Valkyria Chronicles anyone?). Why else have we not seen the next breath of fire?, suikoden, etc. Because RPGs are not where the money is at anymore and trying to make your game appeal to the majority and not its niche seems to be a safer bet perhaps.

Bioware is doing ok. Grant it the exception. Interesting if their MMO takes off....

[Sypherblade]

things got messy once the player lost control over the battle systems IMO

everything is real time now.... you have to setup gambits or whatever to tell your group what to do which i feel made it lose a lot of strategy in battles..

im sure many will argue tho...

[Evangela]

This is what happens when we have Enix and Dragon Quest-ish added to Final Fantasy

BORING

[Griss]

Just a personal observation and opinion. I find it interesting and funny that with a series that is known for reinventing it's self constantly. The fan base of said game series is for the most part is very resistant to change. Nostalgia is a very powerful thing.

[Skyrant_Kangaroomouse]

Just a personal observation and opinion. I find it interesting and funny that with a series that is known for reinventing it's self constantly. The fan base of said game series is for the most part is very resistant to change. Nostalgia is a very powerful thing.

No one is resistant to change, in fact, the series changed quite dramatically over the years. What remained throughout most incarnations however was that great story telling and immersion.

FF14 does not have either, the story telling is almost non existant and immersion is broken with every update. Monster levels, HP bars, NPC floaty icons, Emity meter, jumping. God knows what brilliant idea they come up with next.