Last one I played was FF12, played for exactly 100 hours and stopped for some reason, was at the VERY end too... probably should finish that.  I just have way too many games I want to play... so the new FF's can suck, they can be great, but I probably won't take the time to play em (bought 13 and never even opened it....).  I even started a FF8 playthrough a few months ago on an emulator (man do quick saves make that game a lot more fun....), but started playing Borderlands 2...

Frankly, between Skyrim modding and the Kerbal Space Program, my gaming rut was ended. :P

I frankly gave up on FF after FF10, bought 13 it was a waste of money .

I doubt I will ever buy another Final Fantasy game ever again. 

BUT WHO CARES! There are plenty of fish in the sea.

I like this article, specially the part about being influenced too much because of reviews.

It is a sad truth of this era: It's very easy for any and everyone to write down a review with so much access to information... and it's even easier to make a review like everyone else's to please the masses.

Not that access to information is a bad thing, but I think you get my point.

Anyway, good read! :)

I just want a great game with the words "final fantasy" on them, and have chocobo's and bahamut in it. I liked all the of the ff games until 13, and didnt even try 13-2 or 14. I dont care if they are different from classic ffgames, i just want   it to be good

Well, the problem with those people who complain about the ruination of Square and FF series, is that they keep comparing the newer games to the older ones and fail to appreciate them as the individual games they are - and they simply don't (want to) understand that the creators don't want to create the same thing all over again, but to create something new and, of course, bring their game over to the " new generation".

I have honestly enjoyed every Final Fantasy there is (excluding a few spinoffs and the MMOs) and those who find themselves unable to enjoy the series anymore can simply stop playing and buying them and moving on to something else - agreed on that!

I don't play as much JPRGs as I used to.  Suikodon was one of my favourites. Unfortunately I made the mistake of selling it on Ebay at an inflated price a couple of yearrs back and now the price for a copy is even more inflated. We all make mistakes.

Ever play Skyrim or KOTOR?  Those are pretty good RPGs. :D trololololol ok sorry

I don't see why it's so difficult for people to enjoy each game for what it is.  The only Final Fantasy I can say I honestly didn't enjoy was XII ( haven't played XIV).  When you stop trying to spend so much time comparing them to each other it's a lot easier to enjoy them all.  They each have their own great things about them as well as their flaws.  I personally like XIII, I can understand the complaints but I feel it's still a fun game.  Square might not feel like they need to be so "crazy" like they were with XIII if people would get off of their backs.  Lol

WHO wrote this blog? i can't even tell. no author name or avatar or anything!

I do prefer the older Final Fantasies but that's not to say I haven't played others, I've played too many games to mention, I love many of them but still think Final Fantasy X was one of the best, personal preference and it's fair enough to think SE can release a good game at some point, Final Fantasy FXII was actually pretty good, you have to admit. FFXIII was a pretty clear cut failure but those are really the only two they put their money on in all this time, I'd just put it down to bad luck that their choices weren't good enough for the people, 3rd time lucky perhaps? I probably won't wait on them but being it shouldn't be too long now, I'll check it out, haven't lost faith yet, only the 3rd real attempt.

I loved FF13, and generally do not enjoy Atlus and Monolith Soft games at all. (I didn't like P3 and P4, and thought Xenoblade was just awful)

Well I'll admit that FF7 was my favorite in the series I have tried most of the newer ones in an attempt to recapture that feeling.  Though with 15 years having passed and my views being more realistic (cynical) it's doubtful that I could ever get that same feeling as I did back when bills and other responsibilities didn't exist in my life.  Granted I still keep an eye on what SE does to see if they come out with a game that I can really enjoy, which is always a good possibility; though I've grown past the "are they going to make another game like FF #."  I guess I'd just really like to see another game, doesn't even have to be a RPG, that has a strong narrative.  A game that really sucks you in and makes you care about the characters and the worlds they come from.  Mass Effect was a game that actually did a good job of that for me for awhile, so now on to other "uncharted seas" for that next fix.

My favorite Final Fantasy is XI but counting the normal off line games X was my favorite, but I consider XI to be the last good one.  I thought XII was ok just not my thing in terms of story and I did not care for the battle system.  I did not really like XIII because SE tried too much too make it easier and appeal to the Call of Duty crowd.  I mean linear game play, only controlling the party leader, no mp, healed after every battle, and making most of the game like a tutorial.  The story was weaker then XII and I couldnt really bring myself to care about the characters.  I really wanted to like XIV because I loved XI but you had to let your life suffer to some degree to get anywhere in that game as there was little you could do by yourself.  I liked how XIV was more solo friendly but the UI was too unfriendly but I did like the story from what I saw and hope a realm reborn will fix all the problems.

So ya basically I haven't played a Final Fantasy game I liked since 2004, the year I got Final Fantasy XI.  It is a  shame because I have some great memories of playing both X and XI and really getting into them and really investing a lot of time in XI.  I think SE has the mind set of many new gamers have grown up with COD and Gears and want the linear action style game play but the problem there is still the older fanbase who plays Final Fantasy games as well as not every young person is obsessed with the COD style game play.  Another major factor is a lot of those COD players don't want to play something else.  The fact SE has said nothing about Versus XIII, FFX HD remake, and instead given us 2 XIII sequels that were never planned and a rhythm game are showing us that SE does not trust the original fan base anymore or wants to attract a new fanbase instead.  

Sometimes a work is so profoundly moving that people who are affected by it become preoccupied with repeating the same experience.  When the genre that you associate with those positive feelings starts to disappear, it can be frustrating.  I think PS-era Final Fantasies, and Final Fantasy VII in particular, are like that for many people.   It makes sense to look to Square to repeat that feeling, since they created it for you in the first place. And it makes sense to be upset that SquareEnix doesn't do it for you anymore.  Unfortunately, Final Fantasy is one of those series that gets reinvented with each numbered entry.  So there just isn't another FF7-like game to scratch that itch, except maybe FF9.  Of course there are plenty of JRPGs, but the fans pf FF7 want something more specific -- that same combination of gameplay, setting, and story that so many people fell in love with.  In the end it doesn't matter that SE is getting worse, it only matters that they aren't re-creating FF7.  I think the author of this piece is correct, at some point you must move on.  Nothing will recapture that same experience (except perhaps replaying FF7), but there are plenty of new, but different experiences worth having both in the JRPG genre and outside of it.

Wow...and I thought I was bad waiting for Half-Life 3. Great stuff :)

Reading how long it's been since Final Fantasy 9 was released only made me realize how old I am. Thanks dude! :P

Bravo! Manly tears were shed today. This post was fer reals.

FF 6,7, and 9 are the best.  Started going downhill after those.

"There's an entire ocean of games out there. But how can you enjoy the ocean if you're standing on the beach, arms crossed, cheeks poked out, complaining about how there's sand in your shorts and the beach is just too darn hot?"

 I like that, you're right, but you don't have to move on completely, I always peek in and see what Square is up to.

TL:DR after a couple paragraphs. However, in response to what I did read, I would like to say that the earlier FF games are the only ones I enjoy. Esp the first few... and 7. After that, they just got so boring...

Unfortunately, these things happen, like EA buying out Bioware and countless other studios, and Activision buying out Blizzard. It is disheartening and sorrowful, but we have to move on. Set your expectations to zero, and just be pleasantly surprised if they do occasionally get things right, no matter how bleak or sad that sounds.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I feel like I'm the only one who enjoyed FF 12, 13, and 13-2. Even now I want to replay the hell out of all of those titles. The FF name is like a curse of expectations and if FF13 or 12 wasn't labeled such they would have both probably been considered really good JRPGs. I even see FF12's type of gameplay carried over to games like WKC and Ni No Kuni and even Xenoblade had a similar feel IMO yet those aren't regarded as total crap. I agree that not only we have to move on, but Square Enix really needs to as well. If they would release some more games without the "Final Fantasy" title then maybe their games would be respected a bit more and not be bashed because the insane expectations people have for the series.

Despite all the negative hype around FF at the moment, I see a lot of potential in Versus 13 and to me, it could be one title in the series that gives both old any new fans everything they want. Stylistically, it's very similar to Final Fantasy 7 - which many FF fans believe is the best in the series - however, gameplay wise, it's very different, which might be something that feels fresh and inviting to newer fans. If they add things like hidden bosses (Imagine fighting Cloud, Sephiroth and Squal) and a few nice details that pay homage to what the series once was, we could be in for a real treat.

In the end, being able to look forward to a new game doesn't mean you have to be a fan of the series it is married to. Part of moving on also involves letting go of past mistakes and judging each new game by its own merits, not by the merits of its predecessors. To me, choosing to abandon a company or series just because of a few bad experiences is not what I call moving on, but rather, is what I'd call "holding a grudge." In saying that though, I do also get tired of hearing constant complaints about the newer titles. If you're not happy, either wait for a new installment or say your goodbyes, whichever suits you. But don't complain so bitterly all the time. It's a waste of energy.

Not sure that anyone's been strictly waiting for that long - new players certainly haven't, and old players have at least had all the main series games in the interim to keep them interested. It's the luxury of hindsight that gives the false impression that there's been some phenomenal wait.

Your 3rd to last paragraph ("You can rejoice...") pretty much sum up my sentiments as a gamer.

I'm cool with digital downloads. Especially if they're DRM-free, like GOG and a good deal of Gamersgate's offerings. Steam is cool, but GOG is my first choice, unless it's: really good, only on Steam, and cheap/on sale.

I've moved on from consoles. Not for "elitist" reasons, but for practical reasons. Most of my PC favs are older games with modest hardware requirements.

Things like backward compatibility, universal perifferals (m/k and USB controllers), accessibility and gaming on a device I already get more practical uses out of...were the driving factors in my going the PC route. Consoles just have too many hang-ups anymore.

And, the last great FF game was FFX. But I'm not one to wait. I'm enjoying FF6 for GBA on my DS Lite, along with Chrono Trigger (DS), Summon Night 2 (GBA), Divinity II (PC, via GOG, DRM-free)... You get the picture: life goes on.

I'm a Square Enix fan and I think that there hasn't been a single good Final Fantasy game ever but I'm still waiting for a good one to come out! -sarcasm-

Honestly I don't like playing games anywhere as much and I am in a rut, but the only games I really find fun anymore are really creative puzzle games. Portal, Antichamber (love it), Braid, Limbo, and others. That's where I'm having the most fun. Along with sandbox games.

Ummm... FF6 was the best. Obviously.

I only liked FF5, FF3 and the original. I'm old school. :/

FF7 was alright I guess, but I'm the type of person that said the same for LoZ Ocarina of Time.

I feel that square has lost it touch. what made ff so great was its stories and characters. I believe ff12 could have been a good game if it had a solid story and awesome charters, but it didn't. the story and charters where very forgettable. till this day i still don't know who the main charter was. but serious  Level-5 is going to be the next king of rpg if square doesn't get there act together.

You hit the nail on the head with this -" or maliciously attack gaming companies, games, or reviewers from behind the comfort of your computer screen," This is the problem.When people can say or do whatever they want without having to answer for it they will say things they wouldn't say if they were face to face.I'm gad you liked the newer FF games.I'm thinking you liked them going by you're ratings.I didn't like them but I would never call you names or say you have no taste in gaming because of that.And I applaud you for seeing a problem and atleast making a effort to change it by writing this.

final fantasy is just ripping people of milkking them by makeing cheap sequel after sequel my love for FF died after FF13 had 13-2 played it only for 20 min and some how it couldnt grab me to finsh it nor hold my interests and i wont bother with 13-3 nor verus nor 15 and i am dam sure thier will be 15-2 and 15-3 in the line up  with DLCs on the PSN store. Final fantasy 13 was the biggest ripof  

The open world element that had side quest, hiden places, caves , treasures, secret to be discovered, hiden boss or monsters ,flying ships , was what made FF great it gave a sense of adventure like it was a FANTASY it should feel like a FINAL FANTASY that feeling was long gone coz they changed there gameplay started to make it in to more action focus and less on what thiers trad marks was or what people loved about the series and fans defend FF13 alot and are still willing to buy cheap sequels like sheeps ready to be milked blindly and refusing to acknowledge that the core essence that made final fantasy a legend was long gone from it they still nag and fight and argue over it claming its better this way then before but they forgot or are refusing to acknowledge it .Fandom makes people blind i had my "FINAL" fantasy  which was sadly 13 lol

they also need to take all there best chars from all games and bring them in to one world, cloud lulu auron, riku, lightning , as the new cast each iterartion as there chars get left behind so does there interest

atlus rpgs pretty much became my replacment to jrpgz,to bad they dont have the buget for cgi, but the classic turned based gameplay pretty much trumps , the recent big budget FF, i do lke lightning tho

I really don't know why you picked out the FF games for such derision. All games these days are hugely oversimplified  for the 'can't think/won't think' mentality of modern gamers. No surprise then that recent FF games pretty much play themselves. Just like Skyrim.

There might be a few people pining for FF remakes or longing for 'better times' but there is certainly no deluge of complaints that I've seen at least no more than the predictable whining you get for just about every major release. I'm not sure what your point is to be honest. I'm guessing you've had a run-in with a couple of people who keep saying how great FF used to be and how awful it is now and you're letting off steam here.

I wouldn't have gone to such lengths to moan about the moaners but hey ho different strokes etc.

Before 2003 Square were, arguably, my favourite company in gaming. I adore all their NES, SNES and PlayStation games (even the supposed crappy ones), but something has seriously gone missing. Maybe Sakaguchi leaving was what caused the downfall? Maybe the merger with Enix was the reason? I don't know, all we have left is what remains today. Most of their best talent have left and created other companies, companies of which I enjoy now far more than Square (such as Mistwalker and Monolith Soft), and what slim amount of good games they have made since haven't been enough to justify them staying as one of my favourites. Since 2003 the only games Square Enix have released that I have enjoyed have been Kingdom Hearts II, Dragon Quest VIII, Dragon Quest IX, The World Ends With You and Final Fantasy XII. Aside from these the only good stuff the company has released have been remakes of their classics.