Speaking For RPG Fans Everywhere: Written in regards to a slightly insane man

by Colin Otto 

Now, this is coming from a person who is both a fan of new and ancient RPGs. I will be the first to say that Final Fantasy 7 was a great game; this is stated in all fairness to everyone, as it surely deserves the recognition it received from the gaming world. It broke barriers and opened the console RPG world to so many new fans, transforming the RPG scene into much more than your typical shunned group of gamers. Its predecessors, however, were also great, and have contributed in their own way to make the series great. I would have to say that I am thoroughly disgusted with the sacrilege that a Mr. Patrick Ralston has been spewing across the Internet. It is purely lacking in deep thought.

My first point is attributed to his lack of thought in comparing music quality. How could anyone say graphics don't matter, only to turn around and say that music quality does matter?! Kind of thoughtless, I'd say. Music quality matters, but graphical quality doesn't? Large double standard, eh? I will say this, here and now, and I believe this thought to be thoroughly true: If Final Fantasy VI had the graphical capabilities of any of the Playstation RPGs, many of these "complainers" would be shutting their mouths, ceasing their spewing of profane words, and ceasing to say everything sucks. Final Fantasy VI is from a generation of games that in all aesthetic senses is exceptionally weak in comparison to the modern generation. Using the opera scene as any sort of problematic example is stupid. Again in similar form to the music, he spoke simply about the game's aesthetics(appearance), as well as how annoying the music and graphics were. Any true fan knows that a game isn't about the aesthetics. If he hated Final Fantasy VI and was "disappointed" with Final Fantasy V, he would hate Final Fantasy IV even more and condemn the rest of the pre-Playstation series for sucking so bad. (It sounds like he already feels that way toward six.)

My second point is in regards to the gentleman's thoughts on the battle system. It's true that the Esper system is quite different from materia, and I'm not about to say it is any better than materia (although you may think I was about to). I may personally like Espers better, but gameplay is subjective to the player, and the individual decides which gameplay is best. That said, claiming that the gameplay bothered you, and that getting your characters up in levels bothered you, is not very rational. It's part of the game. Building up my characters to face the Emerald and Ruby weapons in VII wasn't the greatest experience to me, but it's part of the game. I personally think both systems tie well into the two game's storylines. Both were quite interesting in their own respect and worthy of respect.

My third and final point deals with Patrick's remarks aimed toward the storyline. First of all, he considered the Opera scene to have nothing to do with the storyline. Before I continue I'll say this (and I quote):

"People who say Final Fantasy VII's story makes VI's look like trash, or who say that it had no significant or touching moments in comparison, make me sick to the point of hurling. I am depressed by people who say that they got their start on VII and hated VI. I would rather they got their start on Brave Fencer Mushashi (one of Square's worst pieces of crap ever, doesn't even deserve capitals in it's title, then I would understand why this gentleman is so confused.) and spared Final Fantasy VII the disgrace. To say one sucks and the other is great is like saying 'hey, I'm a moron who understands little to nothing about games and storyline, and should be put out of my misery before I harm anyone else.' So with that said, I'll continue."

The opera added a lot to the story between Celes and Locke. It showed a lot of feelings between the two. I am a guy who is not afraid to say that their romance touched me. (The opera scene at the time of the games release sported awesome graphics, by the way.) There are so many great and memorable spots in VI that it would take another editorial in its entirety to post.

"The tears that streaked down my face as I realized I held a $40 dollar piece of plastic in my hand began to land on my controller. Part of me wanted to play "Gogo Frisbee" with it, but I decided the suck that was burned onto the piece of plastic shouldn't cause the plastic to be broken. Gee, looking at the beginning of the editorial, it seems as if I LIKED FF6, well, in the beginning of FF6, I liked it too. Its just Square decided the World of Ruin should be a World of Suck. If you really want to see how I feel about FF6, replace all the forms of "suck" with many a line of cursing."

An excellent line that was sadly wasted on a very befuddled point of view. Had he been talking about a game that truly sucked and lacked value I would have gleefully smiled at this line. The tears from my eyes were tears of frustration. Why would anyone tear at a staple in RPG history? Sure it's his opinion, but I question this gentleman's mental stability. I'm afraid as much as I like to be objective about these things I'll have to end this rebuttal by saying. "Could I have ever read a more sucky opinion ever? I doubt it."