FFXIV was funny, since everyone watching the press conference said "... oh, wow..." and then the "Online" tagline popped up at the end and you could practically hear the groans of FF geeks worldwide. I guess FFXI made Square money (given it was still releasing expansions last year, it must've), and it makes more sense now that every PS3 comes with a hard drive, but... it's still online FF, and that's no fun.

That said: FF has sometimes been about the *systems*, not necessarily the story, like in FFIII, V, and most recently XII. That's why XII was so polarising; it was a remarkable achievement from a gameplay standpoint, but it tweaked the collective nose of everyone who just plays the games to get to the next cinema*.

* - AKA "Metal Gear Solid Syndrome."

They sold me on FFIV: The After Years as soon as I saw the names Cecil and Rosa. That's just awesome.

I'm going to slightly disagree with your groans on XIV. Please hear me out.

I've never had the slightest interest in MMORPGs. I bear them no ill will, but guilds and partys and all that.. not for me.

I decided to look into FFXI and I was pleasantly surprised about something most haters might not realize.

FFXI has all the things a MMORPG has; farming and parties and all that. But that coexists with an actual FF game that you can "almost" play with no interaction with people at all. (Every once in a while, you need to find someone to help you with something). But mostly there is a complex tale (which I don't pretend to fully follow) and a wonderful "system" as Stephen is fond of.

And no one can kill you, or rob you or anything like that. You essentially can play the game and ignore the fact that other people are around.

If FFXIV is like that, I might be interested.

FFXI was the worst MMO I ever played. A friend and I couldn't even start on the same server without someone who already played the game giving us a world code, then they had mixed U.S and Asian servers and the system was so poorly designed we couldn't even figure out how to group.

Plus there idea of character creation was picking between like 2 to 4 different heads for each race/sex.

So fucking lame. I'd never try 14, and that trailer gives absolutely no idea what the game is even about.

Here's an idea. Ditch the server based MMORPG and remake FFVII with an online co-op mode. Trust me you'll make more money.

Squaresoft is kind of like an old rocker who used to have a lot of talent and drive, but has run out of ideas and does car commercials for cash. You can occasionally imagine one of its bandmates saying, "You've changed, man! It used to be about the music!" and Squaresoft responding, "Slag off!" while hurling a whiskey bottle.

I am one who played FFXI for extensive periods of time. No, you cannot be killed or robbed from a random player. And the story IS epic and very absorbing, especially considering it's YOUR character getting involved.
Granted, it has the same problems that most MMORPGS have, such as consistently having to level grind, but hey, FFXI was my first MMORPG, and it was not bad.

I second your comments about Final Fantasy XIV. I lost all interest as soon as I heard "Online."

See,

Drakonnen's post is kind of what I meant. FFXI was a FF game with (what appeared to be) a lame attempt to be a MMORPG. I believe Drak when he says it was a lame online game. It's like they built a huge FF game and added online playing as an afterthought.

I'm sorry to MMORPG fans who were rightfully dissapointed, but I'm sad FF fans missed out on a great FF game because they assumed it was a MMORPG.

Bad marketing, but not a bad FF game.

I was very excited to hear about ff online. I played 11 a lot and had a lot of fun with my friends on there. It was a party based game that after lvl 10 you had a hard time going on alone. I think if they make the necessary improvements it will be an epic game. It will definitely get a lot of people playing despite the majority of people here not liking it.

http://www.slycomics.com/

I'm shocked at how excited I am about FFIV: The After Years. I had no idea it existed, was being translated, or that it was going to be for the wii. But I just finished moving and was feeling bad about having so few games for the wii. I'd never tried the wii store before, and that was the first game I saw on it. Awesome timing that made my day.

Watched the XII trailer... I shouldda brought an extra pair of pants to work.

This and Blessed in Thor. It might be a good day after all...

And no, I have very little interest in a FF MMORPG, or any other mmorpg for that matter.

Damn typos... I meant the XIII trailer...

I agree that XIV shouldn't be an MMORPG its a really bad idea. I tried to play WoW for bought two months before I gave up. A final fantasy game should be about the story not dealing with trying to find a group or getting into a guild or any of that crap. It should have an online coop option. I think that would make it more interesting.

Just downloaded FF4:TAY. Loving it. It's pretty tough, actually. It's great seeing all the old characters again, especially Cid with his now-white beard.

Also, why is Porom kinda hot?

http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Porom#Final_Fantasy_IV:_The_After_Years

Personally, I thought Final Fantasy 11 was a letdown. Although I never played it, I DID play the trial, and it just didn't have the feel.
Of course, FF12 blew, too, but I digress.

Final Fantasy 14, however, I'm very excited about. It looks like it has so much more promise than 11 did, so there isn't a doubt in the world that I won't pick it up the moment it comes out.
And to be honest, I'm not sad in the least that its online. I mean, there are two great final fantasy's (ff13 and versus) that are coming out soon for major consoles, and I think an online game, that isn't 11, would be refreshing.