I'm not crazy, but...

by Matthew Furrow 

Well, put me in a straightjacket and stick me in an asylum, because I'm another heretic who is about to "spew" my "sacrilege" about Final Fantasy VI. I'll warn you right now: I don't like FFVI. Those of you whose immediate knee-jerk reaction is to insult my intelligence, please stop reading this editorial, because I'm afraid it might be a frustrating experience for you.

The primary thing I notice about Colin Otto's editorial in defence of FFVI is just that--its defensiveness. Rather than give reasons why FFVI is a good game, Mr. Otto seems to pile on the excuses. He writes: "If Final Fantasy VI had the graphical capabilities of any of the Playstation RPGs, many of these [people who criticize FFVI] would be shutting their mouths." A very good point indeed. If FFVI was as good as FFVII, people wouldn't say it was worse than FFVII. A simple tautology. Unfortunately, FFVI's graphics *aren't* as good as FFVII's. Period.

Final Fantasy VI's defenders always hasten to point out that FFVI's graphics are worse than FFVII's because of the Super NES's limitations. This is certainly true; but somehow they think this argument can defend FFVI's quality as a game. Mr. Otto writes, "The opera scene at the time of the games [sic] release sported awesome graphics," as if this is supposed to mean that FFVI is a better game than Patrick Ralston or I give it credit for. Is a 1908 Model-T Ford a better car than a 2001-model Ford car just because the Model-T was cutting-edge technology at the time it was introduced? Of course not. Does the fact that FFVI's graphics were limited by the technology of the time mean that FFVII's graphics are somehow not actually superior? Of course not. As Mr. Otto himself puts it: "Final Fantasy VI is from a generation of games that in all aesthetic senses is exceptionally weak in comparison to the modern generation." I couldn't agree more. I am mystified as to why so many people use this argument to claim that FFVI is a better game than FFVII.

I also disagree strongly with Mr. Otto's statement that "Using the opera scene as any sort of problematic example is stupid... Any true fan knows that a game isn't about the aesthetics." Because Patrick Ralston doesn't agree with your specific criteria for measuring a game's worth, he's no longer a "true fan"? I suppose I could have played RPGs all my life, but if I dared appreciate their graphics or music, that would make me not a "true fan." If you do not agree with a person's opinion, fine. Do not, however, try to call that person insane or stupid just because of your disagreement.

Mr. Otto also writes, in response to Mr. Ralston's gameplay complaints, that "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." Mr. Otto seems to be arguing that gameplay is not a valid reason upon which to judge a game. Indeed, he seems to be arguing that it is irrational not to like any "part of [a] game." If I have a game that has terrible graphics, sound, and gameplay, I am apparently irrational and not a "true fan" if I dislike it, or consider another game with superior graphics or gameplay better.

Mr. Otto, unable to comprehend Mr. Ralston's dislike of FFVI, asks, "Why would anyone tear at a staple in RPG history?" The obvious answer is of course "because it's a mediocre game." Just because a game is old does not mean it is necessarily a good game. It is my belief that people like Mr. Otto are clouded in their judgement of FFVI by nostalgic memories of the game from when they were younger. I played Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VI within two months of each other. After playing both, the details of each game were fresh in my mind and unclouded by sentimental reminiscences. My opinion: Final Fantasy VII has a superior plot, superior graphics, superior sound and superior gameplay. It is my belief that the people who defend Final Fantasy VI against any possible hint that it might not be a marvelous game are basing their arguments on personal emotion and vague, nostalgic reminiscences rather than attempting to give objective criticism.

You can tell me that you prefer Espers to Materia if you like. You can tell me that you prefer over a dozen characters, with moderate to little character development, to nine characters with heavy character development. You can tell me you like FFVI's plot better than FFVII's plot. Don't, however, tell me that FFVI's graphics or music are better than FFVII's just because FFVI is older. Don't tell me I'm crazy just because I disagree with your opinion.