I thought it was impossible...

[ZenErik]

@o.pwuaioc: I suppose that makes sense. I never really felt that the world map really opened up an rpg though. It usually goes from you being stuck on a small continent, to finding a ride on a boat, to getting your own boat, and then to finally getting an airship. Its been done so many times that it doesn't really feel all that different to just have a straight path through the game.

I actually like the way FFIV and older stuff like Lunar progress. It feels like I am experiencing the game exactly the way the programmer wanted it.

If we didn't have Elder Scrolls, I might be more upset that the games aren't more open-ended, but to me that just isn't Final Fantasy. Thinking about it, the most opened-ended FF games, VIII and XII, ended up also being my least favorites

Lunar is my favorite.

I didn't realize that FFVIII was seen as that open ended. Or even XII. Anyway, I don't mind linear at all. Though FFXIII was perhaps TOO linear in that you could only move in a straight line through most of the game.

[dunpeal2064]

I wouldn't say THAT open-ended, but moreso than other FF games, just because it doesn't save the side quests till the end. I mean, in VIII you can track down Brothers, fight Diablo, etc, and in XII... I guess you have missions? I dunno, maybe that one was a bad example, because XIII has missions too.

XIII did hide chests in random little corners, so you did at least have to look at the map... but yeah, it has been running in a straight line pretty uch the whole time. I just got into Gran Pulse now though, and have been moving in the opposite direction of the little "go here" marker for quite soe time, and keep finding new missions to do (although they are set up so that its super obvious which mission to get next, and it has just been another straight line in the opposite direction:lol:).

Its a valid complaint though, just something that doesn't bug me. Getting lost on a world map and ending up in the wrong dungeon is fun once or twice, but it loses its charm pretty fast.

I'm ashamed to say it, but I have never played Lunar, but I finished Lunar 2. I just got Sega CD games working on the Wii, so I intend to change that. I know most people prefer the remakes, but I want to try out both games in their original itteration.

[ZenErik]

I wouldn't say THAT open-ended, but moreso than other FF games, just because it doesn't save the side quests till the end. I mean, in VIII you can track down Brothers, fight Diablo, etc, and in XII... I guess you have missions? I dunno, maybe that one was a bad example, because XIII has missions too.

XIII did hide chests in random little corners, so you did at least have to look at the map... but yeah, it has been running in a straight line pretty uch the whole time. I just got into Gran Pulse now though, and have been moving in the opposite direction of the little "go here" marker for quite soe time, and keep finding new missions to do (although they are set up so that its super obvious which mission to get next, and it has just been another straight line in the opposite direction:lol:).

Its a valid complaint though, just something that doesn't bug me. Getting lost on a world map and ending up in the wrong dungeon is fun once or twice, but it loses its charm pretty fast.

I'm ashamed to say it, but I have never played Lunar, but I finished Lunar 2. I just got Sega CD games working on the Wii, so I intend to change that. I know most people prefer the remakes, but I want to try out both games in their original itteration.

Very true. And XIII becomes very open on Gran Pulse. I wish I had finished it. My main complaint about XIII is Hope's existence. Super annoying.

I admit that I prefer more linearity. Open world is so cool at first. But after a while I get sick of it. Just get to the point. I don't feel like wandering around forever.

I have played both the PS1 and Sega CD versions of Lunar. Only played the PS1 version of Lunar 2. But overall I much prefer the PS1 versions. Maybe because I played them first. And all the anime cutscenes are appealing to me. The games also come with so many goodies and a 'making of' disc. I love that.

[dunpeal2064]

Hope definitely stands out as the weak point, but I do prefer him to Vaan from XII... who was supposed to be your main character. So, I guess I didn't expect much. He's whiny as hell, but you do see some growth there, and at least you know why he is there. He is attached to Vanille right off, and then has his thing with Snow that is pretty intense, and then when he spends time with Lightning, and how it changes both of them...

I dunno, the game is cheesy but warming to me. I love seeing all the characters grow yet stay unique, and I love how every character has ties to at least 2 other characters, and how everyone is in the shitty situation together. The game has its flaws, thats for sure, but I think they are small enough to not hurt the game overall. My favorte thing about the FF series in general is the story/characters, not the combat/exploration, so I guess thats why XIII is so appealing to me.

XII had a cool story, but it didn't feel like it really involved your party, or changed them at all. Hell, none of em even needed to be there, Reddas was the coolest character in the game, pretty much saves everyone, and you never play as him

And the costumes, at least in the first XIII, are pretty tame.

[ZenErik]

Now you're making me want to finally play XIII-2. Looks like it's now $20 new. Could be worth it once I finally play Persona 4 Golden.

[noiseredux]

Now you're making me want to finally play XIII-2. Looks like it's now $20 new. Could be worth it once I finally play Persona 4 Golden.

XIII-2 is def better than XIII. And I liked XIII a lot.

[ZenErik]

Now you're making me want to finally play XIII-2. Looks like it's now $20 new. Could be worth it once I finally play Persona 4 Golden.

XIII-2 is def better than XIII. And I liked XIII a lot.

Good to know. How is the story? From what I got out of the demo it didn't seem great. But the gameplay appeared a bit improved. Seems like they added a lot of QTE too. So maybe I'll go snag a copy after work..

[noiseredux]

the story is ridiculous. It's got time travel. And it's a sequel to FFXIII.

But whatever, it's fun. The battle system is great. The boss battles are exciting. Yes, there is added QTE's but somehow they seem to kind of fit. For instance, the first time you encounter one is during this really badass fight sequence and the QTE's somehow seem to make you feel like more of a badass. Or maybe it was just me. I don't know. But FFXIII-2 went down in price FAST this year -- like I got my copy for $40 only about a month after release. Def was my favorite RPG of the year. Not that I played many. But I expected to like Hyperdimension Mk-2 way more and XIII-2 way less.

[ZenErik]

Neptunia mk2 might have been my favorite RPG of the year. Only one I played besides one of those Tales of games on PS3.. Can't even remember what it was called. I also played Eternal Sonata, but that's not from 2012. I need to pre-order Hyperdimension Neptunia V soon.

I'd say, if I actually start playing it, Persona 4 Golden is likely to be my favorite this year.

I've also played some cool RPG maker games recently. The best one I've played so far isn't actually an RPG but is worth checking out. Called The Witch's House.

If you're interested: http://vgboy.dabomstew.com/other/witchhouse.htm

It's free.

[J T]

Meh, Square's done worse...