Final Fantasy ISN'T the ONLY RPG out there (My Rant)

Although I'm a HUGE final fantasy fan (1-6 only), I agree that there are plenty of other good RPGs out there, except that people are scared to buy them. While the FF games are known to be continuously good, others aren't as well known, meaning you're going to be more cautious with your cash. Other RPGs I enjoy are EarthBound, Golden Sun, Paper Mario and M&L Superstar Saga (not true RPGs, but fun anyways).
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"What is the difference between a man and a parasite? A man builds. A parasite asks 'Where is my share?' A man creates. A parasite says, 'What will the neighbors think?' A man invents. A parasite says, 'Watch out, or you might tread on the toes of God...'" -Andrew Ryan

I'm in the minority when it comes to RPGs. Unlike most people my favorite RPG isn't Final Fantasy VII, it's Panzer Dragoon Saga. Most RPGs I've played, FFVII included I've only played through once and in some cased I've even gotten frustrated and never reached the end. Panzer Dragoon Saga on the other hand is so good, even though it is kind of short by RPG standards, I've played it all the way through several times and unlocked all its secrets.

You hit the nail right on the head, there are other RPGs out there and many are even better than Final Fantasy.

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I'm an old school gamer, but I'm still hip. Wait, when referring to oneself as, "Hip", does it reverse its meaning?

Good blog man!

Yeah, that always annoys me as well. I reckon that if you only get Final Fantasy games, you're gonna miss out big time. Some good examples would Breath of Fire and Golden Sun but my all-time favourite would be Chrono Cross.

I have to agree. The main FF's have been so consistent in their quality (i.e. all considered at least good) many people are quite scared to try other games and series.

Have you ever seen a people makes lists like "Top 10 Reasons JRPGs Suck" and then just about every example they can come up with comes from a FF. Somehow they don't seem to realize there are tons of counter examples to their issues in series other than Final Fantasy. If these people would just stop being ignorant troglodytes and play other games (or listen to people that play them, since most trolls don't ever play the games they complain about) the JRPG might not have such a bad rap these days.

Chrono Trigger.

In my opinion, still the greatest RPG ever made. Square will have to do a lot to top what they did over a decade ago.

However, your points are valid. Square, while they do make incredibly fine RPG's under the Final Fantasy name, are not the only RPG makers out there. Enix did some great things before they were assimilated. Also there exists some great titles out there, like the Star Ocean series, Golden Sun (Incredibly deep for a handheld title), etc.

I can still see where some people are coming from though. Final Fantasy titles are exceptionally well made in most cases. Final Fantasies IV, VI, VII, and X are all testaments to that. It's also gotten to the point where each Final Fantasy is so different from the one before it gameplay and design-wise that they can essentially be their own standalone games.

There are other RPGs out there other than the Final Fantasy games but you should know that people always go for what's popular, familiar and widely known for being nothing but greatness. The Final Fantasy series is the landmark, the capital and the very heart and soul of RPGs. I hate to say it but there are a few great titles that could've never existed and the RPG would not be very different, but what about Final Fantasy? Had it not been for FF4, FF6 and ultimately, FF7 (It doesn't suck. Shut up, you don't know anything.), RPGs probably would not have made it mainstream and it would've been VASTLY overlooked today by all but the most hardcore of gamers.

Sadly, casual RPG players won't feel very comfortably playing anything else, which leaves a lot of amazing games untouched by the masses. When people hear RPG, they immediately think Final Fantasy and that's just how it is.

do like Final Fantasy In fact I like Final fantasy VI (screw VII and it's hype damn it)

but I also like Dragon Quest and phantasy star and Phanzer Dragon there are more RPG's out there I hate people who brag on about just FF like there all that good...trust me there are some FF games that get beaten by other RPG's so to say it's almighty is just looking stupid,

you got a good point mate I like it

While you've made some good points, I just wouldn't be too concerned with what other people think. Of course there's tons of good RPGs out there, some of which are Square related and some of which aren't.

I grew up on Final Fantasy games from the beginning. Why did I always choose FF games? Because the name symbolized quality, because I have yet to play a bad FF game that wasn't a spin-off; although I could care less for MQ and V, that's just personal taste though. But that didn't stop me from playing Dragon Quest, Illusions of Gaia, and any other kind of RPG. Even after playing many of those, in the end I still hold a few FF games very highly when compared to other RPGs. Not because I'm a fanboy, but because they were solid, good games and I enjoyed them thoroughly.

I have been aware of the "problem" that Final Fantasy gets more promotion than many other RPGs that may be outshined, and I have made effort to explore other RPGs over time. Unfortunately, when I've tried other RPGs, I've found it difficult to find a good one at times.. let alone worth investing 30+ hours into. So yeah, when a FF game comes out or even something by Square, I'll be willing to try it out because of their reputation, but that would never stop me from trying a different RPG out if it is worth my time.

Edit: It's kinda like any other genre if you think about it. Sure someone who enjoyed the Gran Turismo series will be excited to get the next game, even if there are tons of other racing games being released all the time, but I wouldn't blame them for sticking to what they enjoy. Or even something like Mortal Kombat, I've enjoyed MK games all my life and didn't invest the money/time to find out what SNK and all that was until I got older and could afford it. Of course if I had the opportunity to try something new I would have, but to invest my money in it? Not unless it got a killer review.

Totally agree with you. I love rpg games and have to search forever for a game that's not final fantasy when it comes to the consoles. Plus since they stopped doing the turn based combat I really hate the newer games.

Zenn would like to assure you that she is a girl. Not all gamers are boys, some are girls and some times they kick the boys arses. Unfortunately it seems to led to awkwardness...

I love some RPGs that are dying out, and I've always blamed it on people not buying other tha FF/Square products.

Capcom, we NEED another BoF.

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Sometimes, it's hard to be a Turn-Based man in a Real-Time world...

Actually, I'm more likely to get annoyed with this conversation:

Guy: Final Fantasy Seven is the best RPG ever!
Me: Really? I thought Final Fantasy Six* was better.
Guy: Um... I've never played that. Actually, I've only played Seven.

*or Final Fantasy IV, Chrono Trigger, Skies of Arcadia, etc.

FF 10 was to too linear with rarely any sidequests, X-2 was fruity and boring, 12 was boring with repetitive hunting, and I have less hope for 13 because it looks like 10 all over again.

Their latest installments aren't what they used to be over 10 years ago and I agree that Final Fantasy is not the best RPG, although it is the most popular.

And Rogue Galaxy sucks although it's created by those who made the great Dragon Quest 8.

I think Square doesn't care about the quality of their games anymore. They want to bring in more money by using their Final Fantasy name since it's their most popular franchise.

I know also ppl who think that FF is kinda the only RPG Game, they are simply annoying. I have played many other RPGs, the best ones i have ever played were so far Final Fantasy VII and Secret of Mana.

That's awesome that you want to raise awareness about other RPGs, but you're kinda preaching to the choir.
Hey, we all know that FF games are (usually) decent games, and we all know they get more attention than they (usually) deserve. I am sure most of us classic gamers would agree that FF has become bad, we all know!
IMO the last greats were FF6 and FF9.

So anyone who doesn't know about other great RPG series (like Dragon Quest, Suikoden, Elder Scrolls) is probably just uninformed.
You can help!
Go to your local gaming store and talk to the guys about how you want other RPGs represented on their shelves. They will care! You are their Customer!

You're not alone, many of us feel the same.

I love Final Fantasy (1-6+9)and I've played them all (except 11). The main problem today is that the stories are getting quite retarded and all the character designs are crap. All the lead characters in the modern series are moody emo kids with the exception of Tidus who could still be a whiny bitch given the chance. I'm not saying 7 , 8, 10, and 11 are garbage, I just wouldn't put them on the same level as 1-6 and 9.
One thing I'd like to put out there is that some people, like me are Traditional RPG fans. So your Personas and Disgaeas and Eternal Sonatas won't be enjoyed as much by people my me. The other RPGS I play are:
-Dragon Quest (1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and the Monsters Series)
-Chrono Trigger
-Robotrek
-Dark Cloud
-Dark Cloud 2
-Rogue Galaxy
-Chrono Cross
-Star Ocean(1 and 2)
-Legend of Dragoon
-Legend of Legaia
-Phantasy Star (1-4 and Online)
-Breathe of Fire (1 and 2)
-Pokemon Silver
-Actraiser
-Crystalis
-Snatcher (if it counts as an RPG)
annnnd.. I think that's about it.

The people who stick only with the Final Fantasy series as their only RPG, and even go as far as to only include 7-13, to me are not really RPG fans. That's like saying your a big fighting game fan and only ever playing Mortal Kombat, or boasting to be the biggest FPS fanatic ever, yet you've only played Halo.

I started my RPG gaming back with the original Dragon Warrior (Dragon Quest) and went from there. Although you could considered the Treasure of Tarmin game on the good old Intellivision as being an RPG as well, and perhaps a sneek peek at the FPS genre to emerge many years later. I played small portions of Final Fantasy, missed the SNES ones, and eventually picked up again with 7. I was one of those people who actually looked things up before saying things like "Waa? Where is 4-6?!"

One of my favorite RPGs at the moment is the Wild Arms series, although I've only beat the first 3 of them, own the 4th and haven't picked up the 5th yet. And although the game stuck to no end and is probably considered on of the worst RPGs on the PSX, I enjoyed Beyond the Beyond.

So yeah, while I will buy and enjoy many of the games that Square releases, I'm not going to simply enjoy them just because it has their name on it.

I have to say I am quite impressed that you mentioned Digital Devil Saga and the Shin Megami Tensei series. Not many people know of those games. Not anyones fault for that. The series doesn't get much publicity. i was even lucky to hear of it.

But yes, there are more RPGs out there besides Final Fantasy, which is a solid series no doubt. And there are other RPG developers besides Square out there. I admit that when I was a teen I overlooked many RPGs cause I was busy with the Final Fantasy series and other things made by Square. But in my own defence I was new to RPGs back then and didn't know what else is out there. Now I have a much broader view on the RPG universe. One that I hope many come to share with me.

I picked up Persona 3: FES just a few days ago. I would have had this game MUCH sooner but you think I could find it anywhere? It was a stroke of luck that I did actually.

Out of the Box ate my first post . . .dang.

I agree, Final Fantasy is NOT the only RPG out there. It has its place though. I consider the Final Fantasy series like a gateway to bring people into the RPG world. It keeps you around with its many games and eventually you find yourself exploring the world and seeing what other residents you can meet.

And this is where people start experiencing Dragon Quest/Warrior, the Shin Megami Tensai games, other Squaresoft/Square Enix titles, Wild ARMS, and many, many more.

I also agree with one point touched upon that a lot of Final Fantasy fans seem to only include various groupings of the series. I mean, if you are indeed a true RPG fan than yes, you have tried or have an interest to try them all (I myself never had access to 1-3 and 5 until the remakes but I'm discovering and loving them). Overall in the end, a true RPG fan has sampled various games and not one or two appetizers.

The point also about attaching Final Fantasy to a title, sure it draws attention but as it is known that does not always bring about success. Might be off topic to mention this, but what about "The Spirits Within"? Sure, Final Fantasy was in the title buuut it still bombed.

In the end I agree that a lot of work is very much put into these massive worlds. To have it squandered because it does not have Chocobos or Moogles or Cid's popping up in the game, is wrong. And yes, try other RPG's too! I took a chance with Persona 3 FES (due to a recommendation by the gamestore clerk) and I do not regret it, heck both my boyfriend and I now love Shin Megami Tensai titles. For me, it is beginning to rival Final Fantasy in my heart. Not necessarily a bad thing.

Random question though, does anyone think that the fact, people who pretty much established the Final Fantasy series have anything to do with the successes of Blue Dragon and Lost Oddessy? Or do you feel they stand strong on their own gameplay and offerings?

The reason why some new RPG releases are hardly noticed is because they aren't really well known. Here's an example: Dark Cloud 2 (not sure if this is really an RPG or not, the box says so) is a squeal to one of the most popular games on the PS2, yet when it was released, nothing was shown in any game store. I think the same thing happened to Xenosaga as well. Only a small population of the gaming world know about these rare gems; like Disgaea. *Shameless plug time: BUY DISGAEA! ITS A GOOD GAME WITH LOTS OF TWISTS AND TURNS! Anyways your opinions actually make sense.

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Pissing people off is easy and fun. Don't deny it, you know its true