The harp is a lie.

[Anonymoose]

Bah, I was gonna keep this in my thread, but this seems to be where the real conversations at, so:

I COME BEARING GIFTS

Famitsu "Harp Bow" (collapsed and expanded) vs. actual in-game example of a harp.

Arguments that no longer make sense:

"It cannot possibly be a bow-harp because _________________

• it doesn't have enough strings."
• it wouldn't resonate in that shape."
• the strings are too thick."

[Ferth]

I'm gonna take the "wait, try and see" approach rather than the "I already know what's gonna happen" approach when it comes to jobs. I'm excited for them, especially after that cover.

The problem I see with the "Wait and See" approach is this game is already on thin ice. They don't really have the luxury of releasing any more bombs.

If they release the job system and it is anything less than spectacular then they wasted months of time and who knows how much money, on a game that has already wasted years and millions of dollars.

I am still waiting to see how it turns out... the announcements for change aren't the things that will make me quit. But as it is I've spent more time arguing on forums about this game than playing it, because it is largely more engaging to do so.

The potential in a job system working in correlation with the armory system are enormous. You can see that in the ideas that other forum goers have brought forth, potential for content, potential for character growth, potential for a more emotional connection between the players and their characters...

and SE seems to have largely ignored most of that potential.

You can almost hear the anxiety in Job Discussion posts... we want jobs to be awesome... And I know that I for one am not completely convinced they will be.

I know I am working with alot of speculation, but we don't really have much else to run with, and when I speculate on things my natural instinct is to look for where it can go wrong... I see alot of places this system can go wrong.

[AmyRae]

How, IN ANY WAY, does that make sense? Firing an arrow to play an instrument is absurd.

The whole concept of sticking an instrument onto a bow to make a Bard is absurd. I mean hell, if we're gonna do that, how bout we make Pugilist a Samurai. We can give him weapons where 1 of the knuckles is a hilt, and the other is a blade, and when he holds them together JUST RIGHT, they TRANSFORM into a katana! Woo!

No. The idea is ridiculous, just like a transformable instrument-bow.

Yeah, it's just like a bunch of guys in hooded robes flailing a stick around can make all your serious wounds suddenly vanish. Just what kind of game is this anyway?

[NoctisUmbra]

The problem I see with the "Wait and See" approach is this game is already on thin ice. They don't really have the luxury of releasing any more bombs.

If they release the job system and it is anything less than spectacular then they wasted months of time and who knows how much money, on a game that has already wasted years and millions of dollars.

I am still waiting to see how it turns out... the announcements for change aren't the things that will make me quit. But as it is I've spent more time arguing on forums about this game than playing it, because it is largely more engaging to do so.

The potential in a job system working in correlation with the armory system are enormous. You can see that in the ideas that other forum goers have brought forth, potential for content, potential for character growth, potential for a more emotional connection between the players and their characters...

and SE seems to have largely ignored most of that potential.

You can almost hear the anxiety in Job Discussion posts... we want jobs to be awesome... And I know that I for one am not completely convinced they will be.

I know I am working with alot of speculation, but we don't really have much else to run with, and when I speculate on things my natural instinct is to look for where it can go wrong... I see alot of places this system can go wrong.

There is so very little known about the Job System right now that seeing posts of people so convinced it will destroy the Armoury system just does not make sense to me.

SE is well aware the game is on thin ice. Bickering on about whether or not their Job system will destroy the Armoury system with what little we know is an exercise in futility.

I support the notion of providing creative ideas as to how the Job system can be awesome alongside the Armoury system. People excited about it should and would be doing that.

Hopeless negativity is what I ignore. That hopeless negativity is often times combined with an unyielding sense of foresight that no one forum poster can convince otherwise.

So in the end, I will simply wait and see instead of attempt to convince people the Job system will destroy or compliment the Armoury system.

[Nikita]

Bah, I was gonna keep this in my thread, but this seems to be where the real conversations at, so:

I COME BEARING GIFTS

Famitsu "Harp Bow" (collapsed and expanded) vs. actual in-game example of a harp.

Arguments that no longer make sense:

"It cannot possibly be a bow-harp because _________________

• it doesn't have enough strings."
• it wouldn't resonate in that shape."
• the strings are too thick."

Haha, very cool! I personally hope Archer becomes Bard, that is such an interesting spin and gives them something to do besides just singing. Also, if Bards become the puller b*tch for the party again, having ranged attacks like that would really come in handy!

I always wanted to give Corsair a shot but never got around to it, a ranged attacking class with buffs always seemed interesting to me, if this is how Bard works out, it will be my new main for sure!

[Ferth]

Ok... the fantasy card only goes so far. All the best fantasy worlds still have rules they need to follow. Super awkward magic bow/harps is a bit much to cover up with "It's make believe!"

May as well give us Rat-Flails.

P.S. the linked site contains Colorful Language.

[Ferth]

I will admit that a good portion of my negativity is based on speculation, but I am not pulling that speculation out of thin air. My speculation is based on actual things Yoshida has said in regards to the job system. I can take all my opinions and speculations point by point with reference to Yoshi's comments if you like.

I won't apologize for my negative view though. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. And to everyone who is intolerant of any negativity on these forums you are not being realistic. If you want things to get better it doesn't happen by waiting and seeing.

[Anonymoose]

I personally hope Archer becomes Bard

Honestly, I wanted to let this play out for a while longer before I said anything other than "It would be interesting!" because being noncommittal before a release is usually better... but...

I totally agree with you, and if ARC evolves into a combat minstrel, I'd be ecstatic.

THERE, I SAID IT.

Tactically, bard was indispensable, but let's forget the game mechanics for a minute, since we're talking about how much "sense" it would make instead of how "fun" it would be.

Bard pissed me off.

WE all brought weapons, items, food, and balls to take on the enemy - and you're only going to set the mood music? Sure, it gets us revved up. We fight faster, hit harder, etc, etc, etc. But how about after you set the morale, you get it on this a little bit.

Back us up, Bard!
No cures? ... Fine, do some dam-- I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE SCARED!
FINE. Stay back there. Get a bow.

See? Makes perfect sense. Barcher.

[Travesty]

Yeah, it's just like a bunch of guys in hooded robes flailing a stick around can make all your serious wounds suddenly vanish. Just what kind of game is this anyway?

I don't mean to be rude, but that's a crappy point, honestly.

Magic and mages wielding wands are an accepted, longstanding, and actually pretty logical staple of Final Fantasy and the fantasy genre in general. Bow-harps and bard-archers are not, in the slightest.

[Nikita]

I don't mean to be rude, but that's a crappy point, honestly.

Magic and mages wielding wands are an accepted, longstanding, and actually pretty logical staple of Final Fantasy and the fantasy genre in general. Bow-harps and bard-archers are not, in the slightest.

Honestly, I thought it was a fantastic point. :P Throughout the Final Fantasy series we encounter new worlds, monsters, stories, characters, and even jobs. I really don't see how this can seem outlandish at all, especially in this ever-expanding franchise. If they added bow harps this time around, I personally would welcome it. I already wanted to play Bard, but if they do end up turning out this way, I think I would have even more fun playing it.