Is It Really That Bad?

by Nick Ferriola

Original Editorial: The Foreboding Change in RPGs

In the 5/27 editorials Dragon Flame made certain complaints regarding the current trends we have been seeing in RPG’s, in particular starting with the advent of Final Fantasy 7. Now, while I have not particularly enjoyed Final Fantasy 7 or 8, I have played both to completion, and agree that there certainly is something lacking about those two games, but on the other hand, I, who began playing RPGs with the original Dragon Warrior way back in the day, and later the Final Fantasy series, would really rather not see things go back that way. Why? I’ll tell you.

For starters, these old games that Dragon Flame seems so nostalgic about, while they may have been great for their time, tend not to be nearly as entertaining. In fact, while Dragon Flame remarks about the challenge in games as an advent of the 32-bit era, I would preferably point to the Super Nintendo. I loved my Super NES, make no mistake, but the games were never challenging; not FF6, not FF4, not Chrono Trigger. The games were easy. Ridiculously easy to veterans of the original Final Fantasy, and Dragon Warrior.

So what makes this era different than the 32-bit era? The flashy graphics? An odd point in Dragon Flame’s article is his remark “But the industry seemed to be out of ways to amaze us with the story,” he implies that there are no good stories past the Super Nintendo exempting 2 games. In contrast I would bring up another 2 that seem to have escaped your attention, Xenogears, and Xenosaga. Both of these games, in the opinions of many, pushed the envelope of great storytelling in an RPG utilizing amazing cut-scenes, Beautiful music, and challenging gameplay. While certainly not as difficult as the oldest RPG’s they are more challenging than the average new release. So, how does this work Dragon Flame? If your thesis is correct then these two games cannot possibly be any good, and yet, they are in many people’s minds.

I see no reason for flashy graphics to get in the way of a good story. As a matter of opinion, I would note that better graphics can actually IMPROVE the quality of a story in order to better express emotions, actions, and emotion, that simple sprites cannot. In the case of Vagrant story, which Dragon Flame seems infatuated with, some of us who in fact do enjoy challenge (meaning myself), found the game particularly slow paced and dull. Certainly challenging, but when you play a game whose plot plods along at a snail’s pace, the action had better be good, and the battle system in Vagrant Story was, in a word, lacking.

I won’t argue Chrono Cross with you, because I loved it, and see no reason to contend. And I also agree that too many people use strategy guides. But so what? If that’s how they enjoy playing, so be it. And that’s the point. If we enjoy are games, who is to say we are wrong? Are we hurting you by enjoying games that you don’t like? If so, I’m sorry, but you are fighting a losing battle. In the end, the companies will continue making the games that sell for them. It seems you are blinded by your own nostalgia, and are closing your eyes to new experiences. The old age of Role Playing Games is gone, and it is not coming back. If you liked it better then, oh well. I know how good an RPG experience can be, and I feel perfectly happy watching the Horizons for great upcoming games. When you look in the past, you will only find disappointment. Keep your mind open, and enjoy each game for what it is, and if you find you don’t like it, don’t play it.

You speak of suffering. This is entertainment, not a way of life. If you are suffering over your games, you should probably find a new hobby. Also, if you’ve managed to tolerate the last 7 or so years of these RPG’s and continue to play them, you cannot possibly hate them as much as you seem to imply. Your problem mostly seems to be, in fact with your friends styles of play, which really should in no way infringe upon your enjoyment of a game. If you enjoy your gaming experience, that’s what matters, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else. And most people seem to like the stuff coming out these days.