Full Games List
Featured Games
New Games
Reviews
Media
Images
Blogs
Game Updates
Images Feedback Summary
Game Design Highlights
Tutorials
Articles
Scripts
Utilities / Plugins
Resources
Engines
Engine Bulletins
What is Makerscore?
Past Events
Achievements
Misaos
Forums
Post History
Chat
New to RMN?
Full Store List
RMN Music Pack (free)
[POLL] WHICH FINAL FANTASY HAD THE BEST CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM?
Poll
Which Final Fantasy had the best character development system? - Results
|
FF5 - Job System
|
|
6
|
21%
|
|
FF6 - Espers
|
|
4
|
14%
|
|
FF7 - Materia
|
|
4
|
14%
|
|
FF8 - Junction System
|
|
1
|
3%
|
|
FF9 - Equipment Skills
|
|
5
|
17%
|
|
FF10 - Sphere Grid
|
|
8
|
28%
|
Posts
Jparker1984
2008
Jparker1984
View playlists
CloseAs we all know, while Final Fantasy may not be the BEST series at doing character development, it sure did a good job for the most part. A discussion I had with a buddy yesterday sparked this. Which game in the series did the best job at character devolpment? While I'm not going to list ALL the systems, I will list the ones that I enjoyed the most. Now, keep in mind I have not played past 10-2, so if there was something in there you liked then my bad. I will describe a few of my feelings on each one, but not to much. If I did that, the post would be to long, more then it already is.
FF5 - Job System
It was good because you had alot of options to play around with. It helped distract from the bland story (yes, I understand that era of RPGs wasn't really THAT know for story.) If you were the achievement getting type, it gave you lots of hours to spend maxing out each character. Downside, you could make some fights SUPER easy. Example being, four monks on alot of bosses.
FF6 - Espers
I know this is a fan favorite, but it's not the best in my oppinion. Though kind of similar to FF5's job system, it had it's own ups and downs. The ability to have any character learn anything is great from a do everything stand point. Though, by doing that people tend to use magic over all the things that made ever character unique, because magic is for most part better.
FF7 - Materia
Closer to being like espers, but more diffucult. You had to pick and choose what to learn based off equipment. And the fact magic is learned for good to a character, made strategy a must. This was more fun then espers, becasue magic was more useful due to the fact that besides limit breaks (which you can't use all the time) there wasn't any unique character skills.
FF8 - Junction System
Grrr, how I hate this so. I like that you can draw and equip magics to stats, which was new and it seemed cool I will give it that. However, I almost never wanted to use the magics, because obviously that particular stat will decrease as the magic does. Not only that, it was so broken. With the right magic, you could make a lv70 stronger then a lv90, that should not be able to happen.
FF9 - Equipment Skills
This is my 2nd favorite. I loved it, it gave you a reason to hang on to old equipment. Say that old dagger has a skill your good one dosen't. It's not always as simple as "Oh, I need money. Let me go though and sell all this old stuff and not care." And while some characters had a few skills/magics that were alike. You couldn't teach everyone everything. That brought back the charm of being unique. Which at times, could be annoying depending on who you were required to use at that point.
FF10 - Sphere Grid
Now, to where you could get everyone to every spot on the grid. It would take alot of work to do so. Another thing that was cool, it wasnt just skills. You could get stat boosts to. The fact that it took so long to "Master" a character if you will, made more fun to avoid the boring "Everyone is the same deal." Now, I know some will be better at doing things then others, but everyone still has access to everything. On a side note, Yuna is the best character. Not only for the obvious use of summons. If you teach her Lulu's black magic, damn is she OP. Concidering she has the best magic power in the game.
FF5 - Job System
It was good because you had alot of options to play around with. It helped distract from the bland story (yes, I understand that era of RPGs wasn't really THAT know for story.) If you were the achievement getting type, it gave you lots of hours to spend maxing out each character. Downside, you could make some fights SUPER easy. Example being, four monks on alot of bosses.
FF6 - Espers
I know this is a fan favorite, but it's not the best in my oppinion. Though kind of similar to FF5's job system, it had it's own ups and downs. The ability to have any character learn anything is great from a do everything stand point. Though, by doing that people tend to use magic over all the things that made ever character unique, because magic is for most part better.
FF7 - Materia
Closer to being like espers, but more diffucult. You had to pick and choose what to learn based off equipment. And the fact magic is learned for good to a character, made strategy a must. This was more fun then espers, becasue magic was more useful due to the fact that besides limit breaks (which you can't use all the time) there wasn't any unique character skills.
FF8 - Junction System
Grrr, how I hate this so. I like that you can draw and equip magics to stats, which was new and it seemed cool I will give it that. However, I almost never wanted to use the magics, because obviously that particular stat will decrease as the magic does. Not only that, it was so broken. With the right magic, you could make a lv70 stronger then a lv90, that should not be able to happen.
FF9 - Equipment Skills
This is my 2nd favorite. I loved it, it gave you a reason to hang on to old equipment. Say that old dagger has a skill your good one dosen't. It's not always as simple as "Oh, I need money. Let me go though and sell all this old stuff and not care." And while some characters had a few skills/magics that were alike. You couldn't teach everyone everything. That brought back the charm of being unique. Which at times, could be annoying depending on who you were required to use at that point.
FF10 - Sphere Grid
Now, to where you could get everyone to every spot on the grid. It would take alot of work to do so. Another thing that was cool, it wasnt just skills. You could get stat boosts to. The fact that it took so long to "Master" a character if you will, made more fun to avoid the boring "Everyone is the same deal." Now, I know some will be better at doing things then others, but everyone still has access to everything. On a side note, Yuna is the best character. Not only for the obvious use of summons. If you teach her Lulu's black magic, damn is she OP. Concidering she has the best magic power in the game.
UPRC
5516
You need to factor equippable items into the equation as well (which is what made me vote FF6, relics had a stupidly high amount of functions) because they also add a great deal of customization.
I say FF6 > FF7 > FF9 > FF5 > FF12 (where is this in the poll?) > FF8. I can't factor FF10 into my opinion because I only played it for about ten hours long ago before dropping it out of sheer boredom. I've forced myself to forget everything about the game beyond character names. I say FF8 is the worst of those listed just because the junction system was so cumbersome. It had clunky menus, had too many confusing abbreviations and could be broken the moment you had access to it (laughably so). Can't forget that the junction system had like a bazillion tutorials as well, which by itself is a pretty bad sign.
I say FF6 > FF7 > FF9 > FF5 > FF12 (where is this in the poll?) > FF8. I can't factor FF10 into my opinion because I only played it for about ten hours long ago before dropping it out of sheer boredom. I've forced myself to forget everything about the game beyond character names. I say FF8 is the worst of those listed just because the junction system was so cumbersome. It had clunky menus, had too many confusing abbreviations and could be broken the moment you had access to it (laughably so). Can't forget that the junction system had like a bazillion tutorials as well, which by itself is a pretty bad sign.
Jparker1984
2008
author=UPRC
You need to factor equippable items into the equation as well (which is what made me vote FF6, relics had a stupidly high amount of functions) because they also add a great deal of customization.
I say FF6 > FF9 > FF7 > FF5 > FF8. I can't factor FF10 into my opinion because I only played it for about ten hours long ago before dropping it out of sheer boredom. I've forced myself to forget everything about the game beyond character names.
Really, you didn't like the FF5 job system to much? I thought it was alot of fun.
UPRC
5516
I didn't dislike it, I just feel that the ones I put before it are easily superior and offer more customization. Really, the only one I didn't like was the junction bullshit of FF8.
Jparker1984
2008
author=UPRC
I didn't dislike it, I just feel that the ones I put before it are easily superior and offer more customization.
Very true, but for it's time it was nice to use.
RyaReisender
200
FF5 - I really dislike the FF job system. It's too easy to mess up your party by taking the wrong jobs.
FF6 - Is great because everybody can learn everything eventually so it's not possible to mess up your build at all. At the same time the character's special abilities are so unique that they all play differently.
FF7 - Also good, out of the same reason as FF6.
FF8 - Horrible HORRIBLE.
FF9 - As average as the game itself. Too strong focus on status changes imo.
FF10 - Was really fun, luckily the path was pretty linear so you couldn't mess up your build either. The system itself has huge risks, if you think of Path of Exile which has basically the same system just with a million different paths, you can see its flaws. Way too complicated.
So for me:
FF6 > FF7 > FF10 > FF9 > FF5 > FF8
FF6 - Is great because everybody can learn everything eventually so it's not possible to mess up your build at all. At the same time the character's special abilities are so unique that they all play differently.
FF7 - Also good, out of the same reason as FF6.
FF8 - Horrible HORRIBLE.
FF9 - As average as the game itself. Too strong focus on status changes imo.
FF10 - Was really fun, luckily the path was pretty linear so you couldn't mess up your build either. The system itself has huge risks, if you think of Path of Exile which has basically the same system just with a million different paths, you can see its flaws. Way too complicated.
So for me:
FF6 > FF7 > FF10 > FF9 > FF5 > FF8
Whoa! Bias much? Anything ff6 can do, ff5 can do better~ And it really helps things out that you can have any character fulfill any kind of role. In ff6 you can't get Locke to throw gil, or have Cyan hit 8 times in a row (you can, but that's a waste of pretty good relics). In ff5 with the right setups you can have all kinds of ass-kicking parties without having to settle for: "everybody cast Ultima"
From there I'm actually willing to put together ff7 and ff6 in second place, and ff8 and ff9 in third. ...Yeah the lack of actual equipment in some of these games was kind of a bummer, but you could enjoy a good deal of customization. The only difference being that ff7 and ff6 allowed you to swap things around more freely than in ff8 and ff9... Also, stop with the Junction hate, bros! =B
I'm not sure about ff10. I've only played it once. But as far as I can remember, the progression was quite linear. Once you had chosen a path you had to stick with it... Mmmh, maybe I should play it again... That Tidus guy, though. *cringes*
Edit: Wow, it's like we live in different worlds. =/
From there I'm actually willing to put together ff7 and ff6 in second place, and ff8 and ff9 in third. ...Yeah the lack of actual equipment in some of these games was kind of a bummer, but you could enjoy a good deal of customization. The only difference being that ff7 and ff6 allowed you to swap things around more freely than in ff8 and ff9... Also, stop with the Junction hate, bros! =B
I'm not sure about ff10. I've only played it once. But as far as I can remember, the progression was quite linear. Once you had chosen a path you had to stick with it... Mmmh, maybe I should play it again... That Tidus guy, though. *cringes*
Edit: Wow, it's like we live in different worlds. =/
GoatBoy
706
I haven't played VI or IX enough to say anything about 'em.
As for the rest. For me it would be X > VII > V > VIII
I loved the sphere grid. It was a lot of fun. I'm even working on a similar system in one of my side projects. Materia was cool back in the day, and pretty easy to get the hang of and do some neat shit. V's Job system... well, I don't have much to say. It was a job system. And I didn't like many aspects of the gameplay in VIII at all, including character customization/advancement.
I also wish XII were on the list. Similar to X's sphere grid, but unique as well.
@alterego
Haha, Tidus is a bit cringe worthy isn't he? I felt the same way about XII's Vaan.
As for the rest. For me it would be X > VII > V > VIII
I loved the sphere grid. It was a lot of fun. I'm even working on a similar system in one of my side projects. Materia was cool back in the day, and pretty easy to get the hang of and do some neat shit. V's Job system... well, I don't have much to say. It was a job system. And I didn't like many aspects of the gameplay in VIII at all, including character customization/advancement.
I also wish XII were on the list. Similar to X's sphere grid, but unique as well.
@alterego
Haha, Tidus is a bit cringe worthy isn't he? I felt the same way about XII's Vaan.
Jparker1984
2008
@alterego
If you can give a good justified reason the Junction System isn't the worst, I'd love to here it. It seems you and I agree on MOST of this.
If you can give a good justified reason the Junction System isn't the worst, I'd love to here it. It seems you and I agree on MOST of this.
Jparker1984
2008
author=Sailerius
FFXIII's was definitely the best. Not sure why it's not listed.
As noted in the post, I haven't played past 10. That's why it's not there.
author=Jparker1984
keep in mind I have not played past 10-2, so if there was something in there you liked my bad
Well, I did rank it third, isn't that enough? I doesn't allow you pull crazy stuff like a full fledged Job System would do, but it does allow you for a decent amount of customization. Objectively speaking, it is not worse than normal equipment in your average rpg... Also, I don't think it's "broken" like some people say. It would be "broken" if you could do stuff the developers didn't intend you to do. But he fact that you CAN do it, speaks for the system's flexibility. Ultimately, it's up to you to play the game as you please.
Anyway, there's probably far more competent people to argue in favor of ff8 than me... Where's SorceressKyrsty when you need her? xP
Edit: Heh; I often hear the opposite. That the game offers no challenge. Either way, the answer lies in whatever choices you've made. ;P
Anyway, there's probably far more competent people to argue in favor of ff8 than me... Where's SorceressKyrsty when you need her? xP
Edit: Heh; I often hear the opposite. That the game offers no challenge. Either way, the answer lies in whatever choices you've made. ;P
Jparker1984
2008
How is it not broken, when you can have a character 30 levels higher then another one and still be weaker?
Mobh
4
When you start preparing for the toughest bosses in the game, the Sphere Grid becomes a nightmare since you basically have to replace every stat boost. It's awfully time consuming.
My favorite is the job system: Level up in one class and be able to transfer abilities/stats to another class and build up your army of death gods. I'd take FFT or honorary FF Bravely Default's implementation over FF5 though. Pick a secondary action ability and some passives you've picked up instead of just one free slot for anything.
Second pick would be the expert grid in FF10. I used it once and threw everybody under pseudo-random paths (mostly not their default ones at the start and go wherever at a branch but quick eyeballs to try and avoid duplication) and I got some interesting results, like having all the white magic spread across a bunch of characters and trying to remember who had what. I had a lot of fun on that playthrough trying to get my mish mash of failures to succeed.
Second pick would be the expert grid in FF10. I used it once and threw everybody under pseudo-random paths (mostly not their default ones at the start and go wherever at a branch but quick eyeballs to try and avoid duplication) and I got some interesting results, like having all the white magic spread across a bunch of characters and trying to remember who had what. I had a lot of fun on that playthrough trying to get my mish mash of failures to succeed.
Avee
5794
I can't resist:
What you're talking about is character customization.
Character development refers to how the character changes on a narrative level.
I think the Junction system had the most potential to be awesome, but was badly executed in the game. It definitely needs to be rethought for a fangame.
FF9 and FFX are similar: characters have semi-exclusive paths/equipment/skills. I enjoyed those.
FF6's Espers are nice for the Level Up bonuses, but most spells are useless.
FF5's offer nice variety but learning skills is too linear and most Jobs are useless.
FF7's Materia system is the most boring one in my opinion, even though I love the game. Everyone can equip all Materia. There is very little strategy involved in picking stat boosts and spells/summons. Plus the game is too easy: I end up spending 95% of my MP casting Cure to save on Potions.
What you're talking about is character customization.
Character development refers to how the character changes on a narrative level.
I think the Junction system had the most potential to be awesome, but was badly executed in the game. It definitely needs to be rethought for a fangame.
FF9 and FFX are similar: characters have semi-exclusive paths/equipment/skills. I enjoyed those.
FF6's Espers are nice for the Level Up bonuses, but most spells are useless.
FF5's offer nice variety but learning skills is too linear and most Jobs are useless.
FF7's Materia system is the most boring one in my opinion, even though I love the game. Everyone can equip all Materia. There is very little strategy involved in picking stat boosts and spells/summons. Plus the game is too easy: I end up spending 95% of my MP casting Cure to save on Potions.
LockeZ
I'd really like to get rid of LockeZ. His play style is way too unpredictable. He's always like this too. If he ran a country, he'd just kill and imprison people at random until crime stopped.
5958
I love me the hell out of some FF6, as you can probably tell from my name, but magicite wasn't a very useful system. It penalized you extremely hard for not using the same characters through the entire game.
I can't decide between the FF5 job system and FF9's system. The things you could learn through the system in FF9 were far more polished and balanced, which makes it seem a lot better, but I can see the potential in the FF5 system too. If you play Final Fantasy Dimensions, you can see what the FF5 job system would look like if its skills and jobs were balanced better, since FFD's job system is pretty much exactly the same system but the jobs are all equally useful and all improve at similar rates.
I can't decide between the FF5 job system and FF9's system. The things you could learn through the system in FF9 were far more polished and balanced, which makes it seem a lot better, but I can see the potential in the FF5 system too. If you play Final Fantasy Dimensions, you can see what the FF5 job system would look like if its skills and jobs were balanced better, since FFD's job system is pretty much exactly the same system but the jobs are all equally useful and all improve at similar rates.
Gonna say this. On FFVIII I spent more time messing with junctions than playing the game because I couldn't get it right.
On FFX, I spent more time messing with spheres than playing the game because they were so cool, I was constantly going back and looking for updates every time I leveled up. I literally spent hours at a time going from character trying to beef them up.
FFXIII I've only played a little to sample, but from I have sampled, it feels about the same as the sphere system on FFX. So yeah. The sphere system was hella fun.
I actually have to go back and play FFXII, but that game was one I had put on the same level as FFVII as far as an overall fantastic game. Still, I felt X had the better character growth system.
X may not be my favorite Final Fantasy (don't get me wrong, I still put it in my favorite games list, even though other Final Fantasy's are higher on that list), I'm going to have to vote X. XI, VII, and VI have the best stories sure, but I always felt X was the most user friendly. In the earlier FFs, I always felt like I was fidgeting with the system.
On FFX, I spent more time messing with spheres than playing the game because they were so cool, I was constantly going back and looking for updates every time I leveled up. I literally spent hours at a time going from character trying to beef them up.
FFXIII I've only played a little to sample, but from I have sampled, it feels about the same as the sphere system on FFX. So yeah. The sphere system was hella fun.
I actually have to go back and play FFXII, but that game was one I had put on the same level as FFVII as far as an overall fantastic game. Still, I felt X had the better character growth system.
X may not be my favorite Final Fantasy (don't get me wrong, I still put it in my favorite games list, even though other Final Fantasy's are higher on that list), I'm going to have to vote X. XI, VII, and VI have the best stories sure, but I always felt X was the most user friendly. In the earlier FFs, I always felt like I was fidgeting with the system.
