The allure just isn't there anymore for the Final Fantasy titles and we have to ask why. Loyal fans try to create hype, but the games are just not combining new and old expectations.  Maybe it's because every game, we have to warm up to new characters and worlds. Square sets itself up for hit and miss titles with no character regularity. The only motif running through the series I can identify is a blond guy and clueless protagonists. Most of the recent Final Fantasy games (dare I say Square Enix games) have a blond hero who is completely clueless as the world collapses around him.

But it's the closest thing to regularity the series offers in its constantly redesigned worlds. I mean, at least we have our clueless blond protagonist that reassures us that the FF games are related. Right?

It's like Square is having a blond moment in its thematic creativity.  They need to think of a real theme for this series to hold together.   If they're going to continue switching worlds they need to develop a deep running mofit to connect the completely unrelated plots.  The best device they have at their disposal is heart wrenching nostalgia of past games. The recurrence of the characters always tied the series in tighter: cameo appearances or reusing Cid the engineer. One of the most exciting parts in FF Tactics was getting Cloud, no matter how pointless it was to the plot.  Its the reason why every Final Fantasy fan bought Kingdom Hearts: Final Fantasy meets Disney (It's a tsunami of nostalgia).

So I'm fine with the worlds constantly changing and moving on to new characters and stories. My feud is that blond looks will only get Square so far if they're clueless about what to do with the series.  They need to find a solid theme and in the meantime take a little time to remind me of times past, so I remember why I continue to follow these games even though there's no linear plot.

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written by Lan Party Socialite , May 30, 2008

right on!! Square Enix needs to stop ruining the Final Fantasy brand by releasing crappy spinoffs and return the franchise to the greatness we're used to and expect. It says a lot that the remakes have been better than any new games..

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written by Jb343 , May 30, 2008

Pretty sure the themes of FFXIII and Versus will change your tune. Time will tell.

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written by BevoBoy , May 31, 2008

I think it has to do with how every main character in FF since FF7 has been a huge homo... or emo. Look at squall in FF8, he was so emo, he cut had to cut his face with his emo lover. Square is just trying to cater to the mainstream trends. This is why Amano doesn't do the character designs anymore.

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written by ... , May 31, 2008

I'm a little confused on what this blog is really trying to say. are you complaining that square enix needs to tie more of their games together...or is this a complaint about the typical male protagonist in modern japanese story telling? (naruto, bleach, etc.)

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written by Puff , May 31, 2008

FF is Squaresoft's Mario or Zelda, yet it offers very little for fans to hold on to. We just have to anticipate that the next FF title will be as good as the last and when its a huge let down, there's no title comparisons we can make except "it wasn't as good" or "I didn't like the characters as much." I can say that about any two random games.

I'm wondering why Final Fantasy continues to follow the series "7,8,9..etc.." when the only theme they are selling now is blond looks and a game name.

Personally, I have not felt the same nostalgic FF vibe from the latest titles. FFX had good story parts, but the last one I REALLY connected with was VII (and I don't think I'm alone in that).

I didn't even add titles like Crystal Chronicles or FFXI (I consider Chronicles the worst FF title ever).

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written by Residentnelson , May 31, 2008

Okay, 2 things wrong with this picture:
1. Squall isn't blonde
2. Ramza isn't clueless... okay maybe he is a little bit, but he's actually a decent protagonist unlike whiny bitch Tidus and mute Squall :-

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written by BevoBoy , May 31, 2008

Puff, FF8 and Mystic Quest are easily the worst of the series; Actually take that back, have you played FF Legends 1-3 for the original gameboy? 'Shudders'

HAHA

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written by Puff , May 31, 2008

Bevo, I loved FF Legend 2 for Gameboy(thought 3 did stink). It had a great battle system where you gained life and stats based on what weapons you used.

Resident Nelson, notice how Squall is in the background looking at all the blonds...He's jealous he was left out. Square didn't realize the blond selling point till after Squall was clearly second to Cloud. Then they went blond for almost every game after...

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written by 8128 , June 03, 2008

Uh, Final Fantasy has always been about innovation, yeah? About new worlds, mechanics, storylines? Surely you don't want each of your sixty-hour RPGs to only be a chapter of some larger story? You could play Xenosaga, for that!
Each Final Fantasy has a different "feel", and it'd be hard for me to say that any one (after III, I guess) is better or worse than any other. And the series already has running themes; Cid, chocobos, item/spell names, airships.
Square isn't selling blondes or the Final Fantasy name (er, not in the main series, anyway!); they're selling consistent RPG gameplay innovations. Some may have more appeal than the others, but you can't say that any Final Fantasy is like any other game you've played, can you? And I mean, hell, FFXII may have been their best effort yet!

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written by xXRikkuXx , June 27, 2008

OMG you guys are so mean. FF8 and FF-10 were the best games I have ever played. Squall was so cute in FF8 and he had to sacrifice alot to change his personality for Rinoa. There was genuine human emotions that arn't in other rpgs. Also Tidus was really good in FF-10. He was the best player at blitzball and he also protected his party even though he was in a different world. I bet you tough guys would shake in your boots in you were in the same position.

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written by Alamo Adamo , August 03, 2008

lol I laugh at the picture. Ingenius, they do make alot of blonde characters!!! But to say that Final Fantasy has lost its "magic" is completely not true. I have been impressed with every 3d Final Fantasy thats been released. Sure, maybe their character design has been shit lately but lets not forget all the other aspects that make up a good game!!! Music, graphics, gameplay, its all there in Final Fantasy. I hope they continue to make FF games, just with a larger vareity of characters (NO MORE MAIN BLONDE CHARACTERS!!! HAHAHA)

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written by Alamo Adamo , August 03, 2008

And besides, its only the main characters that need to be improved. Lets not forget characters like Auron!!! haha. And as to the main characters being clueless, I think that adds so much potential to the game! As long as the main character in ANY story is clueless it keeps us in curiosity or suspense! Whats the point of reading/watching/playing something when we know all the answers!!!! haha

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