I'm no Square/Enix hater, I'm asking because I literally don't get it.
My first experience with Square was with Super Mario RPG, and I played it for a couple of days but it was so boring I stopped playing. I picked up the Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga and I loved it so it's not a mario issue.
>Heard about FF7 on playstation, game looks boring don't even give it a shot.
>Hear about Kingdom Hearts, try it on PS2, disney characters put me off.
>Play Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance demo, gameplay is fun, boss fight is fun. Story teaser to end off demo, don't buy it, looks boring.
>Nier: Automata comes out, internet makes big deal, friend tells me the story is great, buy the game, gameplay is great opeing scene where they blow each other is cool. Actually start game, get bored the instant story starts.
>Literal Generic RPG Dragon Quest looks lame as frick
I just don't get it, I like visual novels so I know I like stories, I play rpgs from time to time so I dont hate the genre. I just don't see a reason to like anything Square makes or why everyone cares.
Am I just playing the wrong games? Any recommendations?
Square made a lot of classic games. How's this a question?
Did you not read the post?
>I didn't enjoy classic games beloved by millions, did you not read the post?
Again, how is this a question? Final fantasy has sold over 173 million units and that's just one franchise
I literally talk about other Square properties, I'm not talking about final fantasy, I'm talking about square as a whole.
Final fantasy is a large part of square enix as a whole. It's what put them on the map and what they're most known for. Growing up playing them the games were fricking amazing. If you didn't enjoy them when they were fresh then you'll never understand why square is so prolific.
Is that it? I always hear people say they're great but I've never heard reasons why. Should I just give FF7 another chance or is there another one to try?
I really think FF7 was a product of its time. Its systems have more depth than something like Skyrim. As far as an RPG goes it's pretty good. But the graphics are ancient and the world might seem small in comparison to modern games, and there's no voice acting of course. I'm honestly not sure if square enix attracts new fans or if it's banking off its old customer base. Every final fantasy after 12 has sucked, minus 14 but that's only because Yoshi P is a genius. But not everyone's down for a subscription MMO.
Whats wrong with old graphics? I don't see an issue as long as the game is good.
>I'm honestly not sure if square enix attracts new fans or if it's banking off its old customer base
It feels very daunting to even approach a series that is on its 16th entry as a newcomer so might have a point. The only FF conversation I hear is about some Yoshi-P and the MMO but I don't know who that is and I feel the same way about entering an MMO
>I always hear people say they're great but I've never heard reasons why
Part of the problem is that while many of the Final Fantasy games were groundbreaking (for technical, mechanical, cinematic, or story reasons) AT THE TIME, a lot of that impact is lost when looking back at them from 2023. (Also, the games can be so different from each other that it's easy to like one entry in the series and hate the next.)
What's really made Final Fantasy stick over the years is the fact that it's an accessible JRPG with generally interesting plots, a cinematic flair, and a solidly AAA level of polish on everything. I've never been a fan of it myself, but I'm certainly a fan of a lot of stuff that was inspired by it or otherwise wouldn't exist without it.
>The FF games aren't connected?
Holy shit, I'm actually amazed that there's someone on a videogame board in 2023 that somehow doesn't know this.
No, with a couple of exceptions (XIII and XIII-2), the FF games are only connected by some mechanics, recurring spells/items/monsters/eidolons/etc., and general 'vibe'. There's quite a variety in terms of settings, plots, and characters, so disliking one entry in the series doesn't mean you won't enjoy another entry, and there's no continuity holding you back from sampling them all in any order to see if there's one that actually does click for you.
>Any recommendations?
Deus Ex: Human Revolution was good.
>I'm talking about square as a whole
NTA, but that's exactly the issue with your question.
Just like people should not be loyal to a brand or company, you should not assume that if people like X or Y game, then they are fans of the company that made those games.
As example, I loved FF7 and 8, hate 9, loved 10, and 12 too.
I hate Dragon Quest, but loved Automata(which is not made by S-E btw, just published), i loved Chrono Trigger, Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy Tactics, but i also hate FF13, KH, but i also love Valkyrie series and the Mana series.
It's not about Square Enix, it's about the games.
So your question becomes that since you don't like a small bunch of games(the ones you listed), you dont understand why other people do love them, and then extend that love to the whole company, which makes no sense.
From your question, you make it sound like if someone likes, as example, Final Fantasy, then they like ALL Final Fantasy games and also ALL games made by Square Enix...that's not how it works.
On top of this, your explanation of why you don't like the games you tried(or didn't even try) is just....buzzwords, or, ONE buzzword, "boring".
If your entire argument revolves around the word "boring" without ever explaining why you think a given game is boring, then a counter argument where i simply say that i like them cause they're not boring is just as valid...but that makes no sense, does it?
if you think it does, then
>Heard about FF7 on playstation, game looks boring don't even give it a shot.
I like it cause it doesn't look boring.
>Hear about Kingdom Hearts, try it on PS2, disney characters put me off.
Being put off by disney characters is wrong.
>Play Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance demo, gameplay is fun, boss fight is fun. Story teaser to end off demo, don't buy it, looks boring.
I like it cause it doesn't look boring.
>Nier: Automata comes out, internet makes big deal, friend tells me the story is great, buy the game, gameplay is great opeing scene where they blow each other is cool. Actually start game, get bored the instant story starts.
You're wrong Automata is not boring at all.
>Literal Generic RPG Dragon Quest looks lame as frick
Wrong again, DQ is not lame at al.
you see how ALL of these are literally non-arguments?
You're asking why people like these games, but you're not giving any actual reason for why you don't, other than saying they're "boring" without saying why.
>The FF games aren't connected?
No, each is it's own story set in it's own world. There are some consistencies such as the type of monsters, summons, and general magic terms and spells, as well as recurring characters which essentially are just repetition of the same trope with the same name(i.e. a character named Cid who is almost always a mechanic, a ship pilot, and inventor, or anything that involves allowing fixing stuff and allowing your party to fast travel via some ship).
I say boring because I don't know how describe it other than boring. Maybe empty is a better word? once the story started I didn't get hooked by what I was presented and it has been a while since I've tried the games.
Maybe retrying is all I need to change my mind.
>Being put off by disney characters is wrong.
Not a big Disney guy sorry, I'll try it out again but no promises.
>You're wrong Automata is not boring at all.
Everyone has told me this I really should play it again I don't want my momey to go to waste.
>No, each is it's own story set in it's own world.
Oh ok good, then I'll just try whichever one looks the most interesting to me
>replying to my greentexting
those were just example of non-arguments: if you think saying "X is boring" is valid, then replying with "you're wrong X is not boring" is just as valid, but that makes no sense cause literally no opinion is being expressed at all.
>I say boring because I don't know how describe it other than boring. Maybe empty is a better word? once the story started I didn't get hooked by what I was presented and it has been a while since I've tried the games.
it looks to me like you start games expecting something(and your expectations are probably based off of what you want from a game rather than what a game presents itself as), and then get disappointed if your expectations aren't met.
As example, you said empty is a better word, but what if an empty feeling is exactly what the game is aiming for?
And for a direct example, many people think that criticizing Automata for looking barren, empty, and with dull colors...guess what? It'a game set on an a barren and empty earth, devoid of life...barren, empty, and with dull colors is how it's meant to look, so it's not a valid criticism, meaning that it's the expectations that are wrong.
If a game presents itself as X and then dosn't deliver X, that's bad, but if it presents itself as Z and then delivers Z, then it's not a bad game just cause you don't like Z, and from the way yoy describe what you don't like, the latter is how things seem to be for you.
I don't think the world on Nier: Automata is empty, I thought the story was after they arrived at the camp area.
I think I just had expectaions that they would be these amazing games that everyone tells me to play and giving up after they didnt impress me right off the bat.
>I don't think the world on Nier: Automata is empty, I thought the story was after they arrived at the camp area.
the thing is, in this case specifically, the camp area is the starting point, and while yes, the prologue was more action paced, that was meant as a full impact introduction/tutorial about what to expect in general from the game, but it doesn't mean the game will be super flashy fights 100% of the times, so it makes little sense to say that the story felt empty after arriving at the camp when, as a matter of facts, at that point the story hasn't even properly started yet.
>I think I just had expectaions that they would be these amazing games that everyone tells me to play and giving up after they didnt impress me right off the bat.
I think none of these games will impress anyone right off the bat, cause the reason why people consider them amazing games is more often than not the build up and presentation, so before these games show off their full colors, you'll have to give them the time to prepare the canvas.
And, not meant as an attack, if you instead want immediate and constant action and and constant full expression of the best the game can offer, than these are not the games for you, while other ones such as Devil May Cry might be more up your alley.
Will keep in mind the slow burn this time
I usually play as many sidequests as I can in games
>Will keep in mind the slow burn this time
I'd say Nier Automata doesn't really take off until you hear the words "This cannot continue".
It's also worth noting that the game overall is a relatively slow burn, with several different routes (or alternate perspectives/versions of events) you play sequentially, each of which generally have some downtime built into them so you can frick around in the open world. And to some degree, the game expects you to frick around - you kind of need to be in the right mindset to ask things like "I wonder what happens if I self-destruct inside the orbital base?" or "I wonder what happens if I remove this critical piece of programming from myself?"
The game has a lot of pieces that appeal to different moods, which is sometimes a plus, because there are times when I'm in the mood to just go fishing and figure out what different fish I can catch in different places, or run around the open world hunting for hidden stuff, and can also be frustrating when I'm in the mood to just continue with the main plot, but I've got to do a bunch of other bullshit before opening up the next portion of the story.
Personally, I think it's a very rewarding game overall, but it does require the right attitude and a good bit of time investment, and has portions that I think are deliberately frustrating to make certain thematic points.
You speak wise words anon, I should give these games another go.
>I just don't get it, I like visual novels
You have a severe case of autism, bro. Just "play" what you like
I don't only play visual novels, I just used vidual novels as an example that I don't hate story heavy games.
If this is bait you got me good. All you're saying is that you're not willing to give any of these games a chance. You're dropping them or not starting them for very shallow reasons like not liking how things look or whatever. I wouldn't "get" visual novels either if I shrugged them off for having anime art style and looking boring.
Also Nier Automata is only published by SE, developed by Platinum. All that said, Square Enix has produced more and more stinkers as time has passed. But you wouldn't know that because you're not interested in playing any of these games.
Do you have any recommendations? everyone always makes out Square games to be "classics" but I don't know if I just played the wrong ones or something.
Well for example, Kingdom Hearts 1 which you dropped for arbitrary reasons... just embrace the cringekino, it's a great game. Then there's stuff like FF Tactics, Chrono Trigger/Cross, Mana games, FF games, Drakengard games, Valkyria Profile, The World Ends With You... They have a bunch of games worth checking out.
I just sold my copy of The World Ends with You today... Well I'll try out Chrono Trigger first my friend has been buggine me to play for a couple of years now.
The FF games aren't connected? I never really heard discussion about the games i only hear mentions of FF7 characters and never anything about the actual games' stories.
>The FF games aren't connected?
They by and large aren't. They just reuse a ton of motifs such as the recurring creatures (chocobos, tonberries, the various summons, moogles etc) and character names/archetypes (i.e. Cid) which often get slight makeovers to make them fit in better with each entry they're designed for.
Nothing they made after merging was worth playing
They haven’t made a good game since Brave Fencer Musashi
The merger killed the talent, square doesnt exist anymore but in name
Its another case of blizzard where they made good games 20 years ago and now people life in a bubble despite there being no good games since 20 years
My brother in law still plays WoW, Diablo, and Overwatch no matter how much I've heard him complain about it. You might be on to something
Ok so my list so far is
>Chrono Trigger
>FF7
>Kingdom Hearts
>The World Ends with You
>Nier: Automata
>Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Did I miss anything?
Drakengard 3. It's a love-it-or-hate-it game, and felt (and sometimes looked) like a late PS2 game despite coming out near the end of the PS3's life cycle, but if you've got the right attitude and sense of humor, it's an absolute riot. Where else are you going to find a protagonist who sums up her raison d'etre as "I kill my sisters. I take their men"? (And then, of course, it's revealed that there's a lot more going on than that, because Yoko Taro is an absolute madman.)
It's worth checking out the original Nier or its recent remake. Another interesting Yoko Taro bit of weirdness.
I'm not sure I can recommend Drakengard 1 or 2 in good faith, because despite their interesting plots and characters, the Dynasty Warriors bad ripoff gameplay can be a real fricking slog.
FF6 may or may not have aged well, but in many respects, I think it's far more interesting than FF7, despite FF7 being more iconic. There are some other interesting entries in the series - just pick one you think looks like it might be your jam.
If you're into grid-based SRPGs, Tactics Ogre is cool, and it also got a remake recently. FF Tactics is good as well.
I've heard good things about Bravely Default and its sequel, although I don't know enough about them to make a recommendation.
I will return with another thread to let you guys know if I enjoy Square/Enix games.
Until next time anons...
at least try to play a game to full completion this time. You can skip all the sidequest stuff and other fluff but at least play the game before you formulate an opinion, unless the game is absolutely and insurpassably shit
>You can skip all the sidequest stuff
unless he's playing Automata, side quests in Automat should never be skipped, they're an actual part of the game and story
>inb4 then they should have been main quest
there's reasons why they're not main quests, but it's heavy spoilers
>people talk about how amazing square are for 2 decades
>7th gen introduces a shit load of normies to video games
>normies latch onto the opinions of the old guard without really understanding those opinions
>people parrot 'OMG I LOVE SQUARE' to the ends of the earth
>the monkeys have forgotten why they shouldn't climb the ladder but still enforce it
same shit happened with skyrim
These do explain things like people saying FF6 is a prequel to FF7 because they think a prequel means any and all preceding work to the main subject being discussed.
it's completely driven by the newbie influx of the 7th generation consoles, where 'gaming' became a thing rather than 'playing video games'. normies had playstations and whatnot before that, but they were a much more niche hobby in terms of how they were used. few people would sit there and play through a 50+ hour game. with the advent of 'gaming' and the rapid influx of newbies, people exposed themselves to things they thought were 'good games', even though they were tasteless tards.
people raved about morrowind and oblivion, which led to the advent of skyrimgays who can't fathom playing any of the older entries. meanwhile, tes fans knew oblivion had already been diluted and wanted to see it expanded upon again.
the exact same shit happened with final fantasy. ff hasn't been good since they merged with square, but people hold them up as amazing games, so people latch onto the brand identity rather than having any critical thought.
>ff hasn't been good since they merged with square
The rest of what you're saying is absolutely correct but this bit kinda confused me since the FF franchise has always been a Squaresoft IP. You probably meant to say Enix, who was the publisher for Tri-Ace among others before it merged with Squaresoft in 2003. And yes the signs of decline were immediately apparent after that.
merged with enix* my bad man i misstyped
x-2 was a joke
12 was a dud
13 shit the bed hard
14 was so bad it had to be remade from the ground up
15 was a development hell disaster
7r was ok but not amazing
not played 16. funnily enough i think stranger of paradise has been one of the better FF games in recent years.
> i think stranger of paradise has been one of the better FF games in recent years
Its not something you think, its something that is objective fact.
mainly because they made the best JRPG in existence
That's Tri-Ace
That's not Jade Cocoon
>Skips 99% of the catalog
>"I DON'T GET IT THESE GAMES SUCK"
Okay moron
You know OP, it's possible you just don't like the kind of games they put out. That happens sometimes. There doesn't have to be some big mystery to it. Like, I personally don't enjoy games made by Rockstar. Never enjoyed GTA's gameplay, never got into Red Dead, not a fan. The games they make aren't for me. There's no mystery about it; it's just personal taste. People enjoy games like FF, KH, Nier Automata, and others due to it appealing to them for a variety of reasons. It's not one key thing.
As for recommendations, why? You've clearly tried a bunch of games they've made, including the "classics" most rally behind, and haven't enjoyed them. Why keep trying to dig into games you don't enjoy?
Not everything has to have this arguable reasoning behind it. People like what they like. Taste differs from person to person, and what's quality to one individual is trash to another.
>I play rpgs from time to time so I dont hate the genre.
You lie.
>I like visual novels
Okay so you're just moronic
They've been steadily losing fans for 20 years now so if you're playing modern Square games trying to understand where the fans come from you won't find it because Square makes shit games now besides DQ.
FF15 sold more than DQ11
And look at how that went
This isn't a Ganker question, go to /adv/ if you want to blog about your mental deficiencies.
I never liked Square Enix.
I've only ever liked Squaresoft.
Square Enix hasn't made a single good game.
past glory + enix games + occasional low to mid budget games that turn out great.
Square-Enix has never been good.
Squaresoft was good.
Enix was ok.
Square-Enix has always been shit.