So, what would you like to hear first--the good news, or the bad?
I think we should start with the good, which is that the folks at Square Enix just announced and released--yes, all in the same day--a new, sprite-based Final Fantasy game.
As for the bad news, well, the aforementioned title--known as Final Fantasy: All The Bravest--doesn't seem to be a "real" RPG, despite the fact that it's being described as a "pick-up-and-go RPG with massive battles."
Oh, and it's an iOS-only affair at the moment, which is a bummer for those of us who prefer to do the bulk of our gaming on dedicated handhelds and consoles.
Still, I'm curious about it. It helps, of course, that the sprites used in Final Fantasy: All The Bravest look to have been pulled from, or at least inspired by, the vaunted series' 16-bit releases.
Also, the battles look pretty crazy--although I'm feeling a bit flummoxed as to why some of the enemies (like the Goblin and Nutkins shown at the beginning) in the trailer above now seem to have sky-high HP.
Since I don't currently own a device capable of playing Final Fantasy: All The Bravest, I'd greatly appreciate it if any of you who wind up buying it would share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
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22 comments:
I was very dubious, but then I saw the pixel-y recreation of Final Fantasy VII at about 1:12 in and now I want it. My fickleness is pretty disgraceful, ha ha...
Square Enix's mobile offerings tend to be pretty decent, but I'd have definitely preferred an original title. I just recently played through Final Fantasy Dimensions, which was surprisingly solid and was a title I had been looking forward to for a while... So I know Square can still make a good old-style RPG.
But, I'm a little torn on All the Bravest. The battle system looks like chaotic fun, but it looks like it's trying way too hard to appeal to our nostalgia. FFD had a little bit of that as well, but the story was completely original and the job system had its own unique tweaks that made it enjoyable.
I suppose it doesn't matter anyway. I just checked the Android store and it's not there, so this is currently iOS only, not iOS + Android... So I won't be playing it unless another version comes out.
Yeah, I'm definitely interested in it based on its looks, VGJunk, but I'm not at all sure about it plays. I mean, it kind of seems like a big clusterfuck (pardon my French), don't you think? I'm not sure what's supposed to be fun about it :|
I'm glad to hear that Final Fantasy Dimensions was an OK pick-up, Espiga. Honestly, I would have been more interested in that title if it weren't so damn ugly :| Don't get me wrong, I love the sprites, but the rest of it -- the HUD/UI, etc. -- are just ... ugh.
Thankfully, that doesn't seem to be the case with All The Bravest -- although the folks at SE still seem to have questionable taste when it comes to the use of (all different kinds of) fonts.
Speaking of All The Bravest: I agree w/ you about the battle system. That's my biggest question about the title, actually. Yes, it looks like chaotic fun, but for how long? And do battles consist of anything more than the iOS equivalent of 'button mashing'? I'm not yet sure.
Still, if I had an iOS device, I'd probably pick it up just to give it a try :|
It doesn't even look like there's room for "mashing" in all that chaos, looks like guys ready their attacks and just do it automatically. I was thinking maybe it had to do with character arrangement, like Clash of Heroes (which I love!) but it doesn't look like it.
I'm sure this game is going to sell gangbusters though, the opportunity to fight Kefka with your entire team all at once (instead of 4 at a time!) is awfully appealing and I wouldn't really say I consider myself an FF fan by any measure.
If that's the case, though, Michael, I can't help but wonder: how is this going to be fun in the long run, or at all?
As for being an FF fan: I'm a huge fan of the first six FF games, but my interest has fallen off quite a bit since then.
That said, I absolutely loved FF: The 4 Heroes of Light (which I know I've said many, many times before).
Yeah I just mean it looks really appealing, in spite of not being someone who gets excited about FF games generally and that it looks like it might not be any fun at all, it just looks really appealing anyway, with a low price point it seems like it would be hard to resist.
I have a feeling the folks at SE are thinking the same thing, Michael. I mean, a lot of people aren't going to be able to pass up purchasing this for just $2.99 (or is it $3.99? I can't remember...), even if its gameplay leaves a bit to be desired.
Yep, I've got no idea how it's supposed to work. I'm sure it'll all be based around overpriced microtransactions, though...
I mean, let's leave that fact that I own no iOS device aside, but I'm entirely put off by the fact that you can buy characters, but won't know which one you get before... this also seems hectic and ultimately boring gameplay-wise.. so no, not interested.
I'd wish S-E would finally do remakes for FFV and VI (actually, just skip V and do VI next!) for the 3DS... ever since they did the III and IV remakes for the DS I've been hoping to see a pretty and voiced version of VI... sigh, please, Squeenix, don't let me wait much longer! ;>
In response to your first comment, miruki: that's exactly why I hated to admit that I'm curious about this game. I mean, if it didn't 'look nice,' I wouldn't be interested in it at all, I'm guessing :|
As for 3DS remakes of FFV and VI: Yes please! They'd better not pass up V in favor of VI, though, as V is my absolute most favorite FF around. No joke!
I really thought these games were givens, by the way, but I'm starting to worry a bit. After all, SE hasn't exactly been dumping 3DS announcements on us, have they? Sigh.
Ha! Yes, of course. Good ol' SE... :(
Hm. It doesn't seem to be in the app store yet. Anyone know what it's gonna cost?
It isn't? I thought it was released right away. Hmmm, sorry about that, Justin. Oh, and the basic game costs $3.99, I believe, although there's paid DLC, too (of course!).
From what I can gather, the game is played by tapping a character once the little ATB bar over their head is full. They're grayed out until then, and once their bar is full, they march in place and can be tapped in order to make them attack. Apparently each character is a one-trick pony, which is why the groups have so many characters.
Also, which parts of the UI didn't you like about FFD, Bryan? While it didn't particularly stand out as appealing to me, the UIs used in FF games never really have, and the UI itself seemed like a natural progression given the touchscreen controls. Maybe I'm just being too lenient? While I can't say for the iOS version, the Android version didn't strike me as particularly offensive in terms of design, though.
Hmmm, that's ... interesting, Espiga. The description of ATB's battle system, I mean. Certainly sounds like a mobile game, doesn't it? :|
As for FFD's UI: really, I should have said (or focused on) its HUD. I just think it's ugly. The rest of the graphics are OK, but the HUD seems to be in a different (and more boring) style.
I agree that past FFs had HUDs that were somewhat boring/utilitarian, too, but they were better fits for the rest of the games' graphics, IMO.
http://penny-arcade.com/report/editorial-article/final-fantasy-all-the-bravest-on-ios-is-a-steaming-pile-of-in-app-purchasin
It seems to have a sorta nasty in-game transaction system!
When a character dies it will respawn after 3min or you can use a special hour glass item to instant rez. The thing is, you get 3 hourglasses with the base game. You can't get new ones through normal play, you have to buy them!
$1 for 3 hourglasses,$2 for 8, $3 for 20.
Plus they sell other aspects of the game in their little shop.
Yeah, I'd heard that they were pushing in-game transactions with this game. Damn SE. Of course, folks don't have to make use of them, and even if they do it's their fault, but still :|
You've got to love how people are OK with this kind of thing, but not OK with buying, say, the 3DS version of Theatrhythm for $30 or $40...
I think someone worked out that the iOS version of Theatrhythm works out to be around $140 or so (if you buy every single thing). I believe the 3DS is much less than that since you get so much in the original package as it is.
Yes, I've read/heard the same thing. Kind of crazy, isn't it? Personally, I'd just go with the 3DS version myself :P
Just from a glance this looks like the FF version of Pacman DX on PSN with the retro style and extreme excess--it looks pretty fun. And I realize they only charge a couple dollars for mobile games, but I have no patience at all for in-game transactions. Must be because I mostly play NES games!
Ah, I like the comparison to Pac-Man CE DX, Jeremy, and I agree with you that this looks similar in a way. I also agree that I have little to no patience for in-game transactions for the most part. Sadly, I think this is how things are going ... at least for the time being.
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