Linearly Squared

by Barret

It astounds me that so many people think that square has lessened the quality in their games. Maybe they just dont want to realize that Square has changed directions in their RPG's. Maybe they dont enjoy the new type of character development, the new amazing visuals that tell so much more than tiny sprites could ever do. Or maybe they just dont like the fact that Square has made its newer Final Fantasy games *shudder* linear.

Take a look at FF8 for a moment. The game is linear, totaly and utterly linear. It has maybe 3 side quests, but other than that, you have to play the game out the way it was intended. Now many may say that this is the most evil of all evils, it ruins the whole RPG experiance and turns it into a psuedo interactive movie. If you want a non-linear RPG, go play Baldur's Gate.

A friend and I bought Baldur's Gate after hearing its praises sung from the heights. 100+ hours of true D&D RPG gameplay. The visuals were great. Awesomely rendered graphics. Amazing atmosphere, it felt like you were actually there. So i set off into the world of Baldur's Gate. I found myself struggling to find interest. The game was as non Linear as you could get. You didnt *have* to do anything in order. The story was lacking, IMO. You went around, talked to people, did a quest, got an item, went on your way. I never got in touch with the characters, i never felt myself become my character. Perhaps i'm not a fan of this style of RPG.

This is why I think that Square has done a good thing in making the Final Fantasy series more linear. It allows them to tell more story. It lets you, the gamer, understand the characters, understand why they do what they do. So why do you say that there is no character development in FF7, or even in FF8. In FF7 you have an amazing development in Cloud as you uncovered the truth of his past. In FF8 Squall learns that he can trust others, and that he can love others. Quite a change from the beginning of the game.

So please, dont say that Square is dropping down the quality of their games, when all they are really doing is changing their style. If you dont like it, go play something else. Its progress, and like all progress, not everyone will like it.

I myself enjoyed FF8 immensly. The story wasnt the best I have ever seen, but it had its own merits. The ending, was just glorious. I still think, however, that FF6 is the greatest Final Fantasy game ever created. But FF8, is right now my favorite. I hope that in the future that Square can add non-linear elements to the FF series again, and please both sides. But, as for me, I'm happy with seeing a Final Fantasy being Linearly Squared.