Off Topic Discussion Megathread

[Illy_Peridot]

Now, I haven't played any other FF games really, but from what I can recall, they are kind of like team based pokemon battles, right?

go Cloud, I choose you! Use Omnislash!

[VirusOnline]

For turn based to be entertaining it has to have a lot of bells and whistles for me, even then I am more interested in the theme of the game or the story than the actual combat. Now, I haven't played any other FF games really, but from what I can recall, they are kind of like team based pokemon battles, right? As for the new FF being action or turn based, it makes no real difference to me personally.

fair enough and i quite agree there'd need to be at least some innovation past "cool graphics turn based"

[Payotz]

actually had a talk about this recently
i think with today's graphics - specifically xvi's, turn based might actually be quite innovative even if it is a "step back"
a reimagination of turn based translated to today's modern engines would be quite a turn imo

I think games like Persona 5 proves that turn-based games still has merit. That game added so much refreshing ideas into the combat system that the combat didn't feel stale or anything.
Looking at how the older FF games iterated from the FF1 combat system to the "cinematic" FF6 combat system makes me have confidence in Square's ability to innovate in the space. It's just a matter of wanting to do it.

[Vahlnir]

I think games like Persona 5 proves that turn-based games still has merit. That game added so much refreshing ideas into the combat system that the combat didn't feel stale or anything.
Looking at how the older FF games iterated from the FF1 combat system to the "cinematic" FF6 combat system makes me have confidence in Square's ability to innovate in the space. It's just a matter of wanting to do it.

Yeah, turn based games can still be great if done right. It just needs fresh ideas. FF did it masterfully for years, but like many other series in the industry, it needed to evolve to keep up with the times. Action/hack and slash games are all the rage, so it's no surprise that they went this route as well.

[Vyrerus]

Honestly, Turn Based games are most engaging when the results of battle matter a whole heck of a lot in terms of going through a dungeon. Or when there's multiple challenges that rise to the amount of power the player can acquire (or limits power acquisition in some way).

They should also preferably be snappy with regards to how long battle animations take. In the late PS1 and PS2 lifespans, a lot of turn based RPGs really kicked up the graphics on making attacks huge and cinematic. While very cool looking the first time, do you really want to spend a minute or two every time you summon an Eidolon?

With regards to this, I really like how Xenogears handled battles. You could grind your character's levels all you wanted, but if you didn't master Deathblows, then the set power that Gears were allowed to obtain couldn't be fully exercised. All of the deathblows were cool with powerful collision sounds and effects, and played out within a few seconds. And when you built AP to do up to 7 Deathblows in a row, they played out completely but automatically fast forwarded.

[TheMightyMollusk]

They should also preferably be snappy with regards to how long battle animations take. In the late PS1 and PS2 lifespans, a lot of turn based RPGs really kicked up the graphics on making attacks huge and cinematic. While very cool looking the first time, do you really want to spend a minute or two every time you summon an Eidolon?

But summoning Ark with Auto-Regen equipped was a great way to heal the party! And watch a transforming robot blow stuff up!

Oh, and uh, damage enemies and stuff. Yeah.

[Vyrerus]

But summoning Ark with Auto-Regen equipped was a great way to heal the party! And watch a transforming robot blow stuff up!

Oh, and uh, damage enemies and stuff. Yeah.

Ah, yes, the Gundam summon that takes a full 2 minutes to go through its laser beams of death! Like a whole 20 seconds longer than Knights of the Round :P

Your mecha fetish is showing! :P

[TheMightyMollusk]

Ah, yes, the Gundam summon that takes a full 2 minutes to go through its laser beams of death! Like a whole 20 seconds longer than Knights of the Round :P

Your mecha fetish is showing! :P

I did have a half-idea to turn an Eclipse Gundam kit into Ark (or, well, Cruise Chaser, which is basically Ark in HD). I just don't have the skills to pull it off. Yet.

[SturmChurro]

Another piece of tree fell in my backyard last night. Not on the house this time, it's just laying in the backyard, part of it still attached to the tree. It's a part of a giant old tree back there, and this singular piece is about the size of a decently sized tree on it's own! The thing is like 30-feet long, I'd guess. I think all of it landed on my property. This old tree is falling apart.

[Midareyukki]

Another piece of tree fell in my backyard last night. Not on the house this time, it's just laying in the backyard, part of it still attached to the tree. It's a part of a giant old tree back there, and this singular piece is about the size of a decently sized tree on it's own! The thing is like 30-feet long, I'd guess. I think all of it landed on my property. This old tree is falling apart.

That just sounds like a hazard. I'd get it removed.