Has Final Fantasy jumped the shark?

[BoringSupreez]

I say it jumped the shark with X. Everything X and afterward I couldn't care less about. TBH, I think it started going downhill immediately after VII, but X marks the shark-jumping moment. Too much focus on the art style (an art style I don't even like), and annoying characters.

[BoneSnapDeez]

The main series sucks ass now. Annoying characters and tedious plodding gameplay. IX was the last numbered game that was solid. And let's not even talk about the two MMOs, those were abysmal.

I will say this though: the side games are awesome. 4 Heroes of Light and Echoes of Time on the DS are fun as hell. The recent DS/PSP ports/remakes of 1, 2, 3, and 4 are also great games.

[MrEco]

I don't think it's jumped the shark.

I think they're just trying to please too many people.

After having so many games in the series they figured people would start to get bored of the same thing (Just like how many people complain of Call of Duty never changing. And it's only 5 games in since CoD4). So they tried to change the direction a bit. Keep the series in the same style of world that their fans have come to know but change something about the gameplay to keep things fresh.

VII and VIII tried making the themes more mature. XI tried making it an MMO. X-2 tried changing the tune. XII tried changing the combat. XIII changed the combat again and made it more linear in an attempt to make the story more concentrated and cinematic.

None of these are bad things. They're not necessarily good either. They're just different.

If somebody doesn't like the changes then they don't have to buy the games. But please leave the rest of us to enjoy them without being subjected to all the bitching.

[indecks]

It's a 6 page thread, so I'll be honest and admit I didn't read anything but the title, but I'll put in my $0.02

The last really good Final Fantasy was III/VI. The one with Khefka and Terra and the Espers. Final Fantasy VII was good, but it wasn't as awesome as it's made out to be.

Final Fantasy III/IV was the last true epic FF game, in my opinion. So yes. FF has jumped the shark. Like 7 games ago.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

FFVIII? Mature? Lulz. I like the game, I really do, but I think FF1 had a more mature plot than that one. Hmm.

I think FFX jumped the shark in terms of story and characters. None of it makes any sense, and the characters are mostly annoying, selfish jerks It's like a Star Wars prequel except a lot more fun. The gameplay was alright though and some of the songs were great. FFIV didn't make a whole lot of sense either with people sacrificing themselves for ridiculous reasons and going to the moon and all that, but the characters were very relateable. I contend that X and XII still have awesome gameplay, but XII lost the magic there too.

The side games rocked. They seem to get overlooked a lot. Like I said before, Crisis Core and Dissidia are awesome. Sank 350 hours into that last one. 4 Heroes of Light is on my list if I ever get a DS.

[sabrage]

My favorite part of any Final Fantasy game I've played has been Blitzball.

Felt good to get that off my chest.

[o.pwuaioc]

I say it jumped the shark with X. Everything X and afterward I couldn't care less about. TBH, I think it started going downhill immediately after VII, but X marks the shark-jumping moment. Too much focus on the art style (an art style I don't even like), and annoying characters.

IX > VII.

[BoringSupreez]

I say it jumped the shark with X. Everything X and afterward I couldn't care less about. TBH, I think it started going downhill immediately after VII, but X marks the shark-jumping moment. Too much focus on the art style (an art style I don't even like), and annoying characters.

IX > VII.

Disclaimer: I haven't actually played IX. I was assuming based on VIII and X that it was of similar quality.

[o.pwuaioc]

I say it jumped the shark with X. Everything X and afterward I couldn't care less about. TBH, I think it started going downhill immediately after VII, but X marks the shark-jumping moment. Too much focus on the art style (an art style I don't even like), and annoying characters.

IX > VII.

Disclaimer: I haven't actually played IX. I was assuming based on VIII and X that it was of similar quality.

Not at all. It really hearkens back to its older SNES predecessors. I haven't played X tho, and only a little bit of VIII (didn't really care for it), so I can't compare, but it's way better than VII in my opinion (many will disagree with me, tho).

[CFFJR]

Not at all. It really hearkens back to its older SNES predecessors. I haven't played X tho, and only a little bit of VIII (didn't really care for it), so I can't compare, but it's way better than VII in my opinion (many will disagree with me, tho).

I think you're totally right.

9 is undoubtedly the best between 7-10. There's really no contest.

Though as you said, I'm in the minority when I say that.