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[D.Final]

Nope
And I'll explain why.

Developing a game, especially AAA, isn't just about graphics.
But also the script, the plot, the gameplay, the music, etc....
And minimizing everything, even excluding it, turns out to be a substantially wrong reasoning.

I am quite satisfied with the recent Final Fantasy games during this generation.
I liked them all, including WoFF.
And especially Final Fantasy XV, which I now consider one of my favorite Final Fantasy.

However I also understand your speech on the will to have a faster development of the new Final Fantasy games.
And there would also be a solution to this too. And that is to use most of their teams to make the next Final Fantasy games, only main and non-spinoff.
Since Square Enix now uses its teams on ever-changing projects and very different IPs.
(with rare exceptions)

Opting, therefore, for an approach to Capcom.
Where there are 2 team that develop Resident Evil 2 Remake and Resident Evil 3 Remake at the same time.
However, this approach implies that not all of them could have the same production qualities.

While if we only talk about pure graphics, I assure you that the years of development would still be needed to create the rest of the game, beyond the graphics.
And an example I can give you is Octopath Traveler.
Game that uses pixel art, and which was developed in about 3/4 years of development in the end.
(and therefore a standard development of today's games, such as FFXV, FFVII Remake and KH3)

Therefore, to have a faster development on more games of the same IP, it is necessary to move towards the management of the development teams.
[example:
to make Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy XVII and Final Fantasy XVIII, all for PS5, it is necessary to use multiple different teams and develop them in the same years.
By managing teams in a way similar to this:

Business Division (9999): realizes Final Fantasy XVI

Eidos Montreal: realizes Final Fantasy XVII

The Bravely Default team: Final Fantasy XVIII

(for example)]

But, even if made differently, and regardless of the graphics used, they may like or dislike based on the plot or gameplay, for their own personal tastes.
And this can never be changed by anything. And for the same reason, since something new will always be created, they certainly cannot always please everyone.
(and especially for those looking for old-fashioned games at all costs)

So, you just need to manage the teams in a certain way.
And the graphics are certainly not the only important thing in development.
(because today, if you present an AAA game with bad graphics, and after 4 or more years of development, it is obvious that it affects the evaluation of the final product)

PS: I would also like to remind you that not everyone liked Final Fantasy X (for the excessive linearity and disappearance of the explorable worldmap) and Final Fantasy XII (for the boring political plot, and the battle system with the excessively automated Gambit system which, potentially , allows you to win battles even without pressing any buttons)

For this reason, following your desire, even games like Dirge of Cerberus Final Fantasy VII, Drakengard, Final Fantasy X-2, or Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles - The crystal bearers, could easily become new games in the main Final Fantasy saga, keeping the exact same graphics and gameplay but brought to date in 2020.
[same gameplay, same graphics, no upgrade and just a game with the graphics of 20 years ago.... ]
(which I consider more of a disadvantage, and a technical and graphic downgrade too high to not affect a final evaluation of today's product and of such importance as this brand)
[and always remembering that Remastered games are rated as Remastered, and not as new AAA games.
This applies to all games, both Dark Souls, Final Fantasy, or Saint's Row, etc.....
And if they were not evaluated as Remastered, or ported, they would be demolished in the evaluations for obvious technical and graphic reasons of the age of the software in question]

 

[Deleted member 17706]

I mean, part of the appeal and identity of Final Fantasy, especially starting with the PlayStation games was always pushing the bar in terms of graphics, so no, not really. Square is pumping out a series of garbo low-budget JRPGs through their "Tokyo RPG Factory" label. They suck.

 

[Vawn]

I can't answer this. I'd take lower budget games, but PS2 era? I don't think so.

I'd take a numbered Final Fantasy game in Octopath Traveler style though. Or even a 2D one that looks similar to the PSP Remakes (but improved a bit with animations and the like).

If you give me the choice between FFXVI being like FFXV or looking like a PS2 game though, I'll take the PS2 game.

 

[Sander Cohen]

Well, they already have one huge franchise (at least in Japan) Dragon Quest that doesn't care about high-end graphics (but still looks absolutely gorgeous). It would make no sense for FF to go backwards. Actually, they can't. FF is all about audio-visual spectacle and pushing the graphical boundaries with their cutscenes.

They need to figure out combat system and writing that will work today and if that guy from XIV is working on XVI as people say I think it will turn out just fine.

But I understand, dev times are getting ridiculously long. Soon, we will be getting one mainline entry from biggest franchises every 10 years. Last Elder Scrolls? 9 years ago. Last GTA? 7 years ago. FF XIII > XV? 7 years.

And after those 7 years you release game that sucks. How depressing is that for FF fans like me? Very. But fortunately, they returned on the right track with FF VII while FF XIV is still great if you like MMOs.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

I think I would be fine with lesser gameplay graphics as long as they continue with impressive pre-rendered cinematic cutscenes.

 

[Trogdor1123]

Sure, if the story and the battle system is good

 

[Nethernova]

id take them every 2 years if it meant better final fantasies

just graphics though? nah

 

[Keihart]

I doubt it would be faster really. Crappier that's almost for sure if you want to increase time by only scaling back graphics, but 2 years it's reasonable even for current gen graphics, it's just that SE usually trips with themselves during development.

 

[Aion002]

Why PS2 era graphics? In 2 years a studio that makes a game like FF can sure make a game with great PS4 graphics (for example).

I feel that S-E problems lies in their management division and too many cooks pushing their visions. FFXV is the perfect example of all the issues that S-E has these days, it felt that they were completely lost until Tabata arrived and made the thing move on.

Same thing happened on the OG FFXIV, how did they released that thing is a freking mystery.

This crap started to happen on FFXIII, then The 3rd Birthday and even more recently on Left Alive....

S-E is basically:

And they just hope for the best.... sometimes it works like in FFVII Remake and Octopath.... in other's we get Left Alive.

 

[Strider7]

I'd rather they go back to pixel graphics, but make it very detailed and high res. Now THAT would be something.

 

[Danjin44]

If they are smart about how they approach making the visuals.

Xenoblade is a Wii game which basically little stronger than PS2 systems.

To this day no linear single play JRPG on both PS3 and PS4 has same scale as this game.

 

[Bolivar687]

Yes.

 

[Silver Wattle]

PS3 graphics @ 4K @ 60Hz.

 

[Aidah]

Personally I want better games, not more games.

 

[Self]

Reminds me of Hiromichi Tanaka on Chrono Cross:

"Although essentially an RPG, at its core, it is a computer game, and I believe that games should be expressed with a close connection to the console's performance. Therefore, in regards to game development, our goal has always been to "express the game utilizing the maximum performance of the console at that time." I strongly believe that anything created in this way will continue to be innovative."

 

[UltimaKilo]

First of all, it has nothing to do with graphics. A 2 year turnaround game is bound to have a terrible soundtrack and a rushed, lackluster storyline.

Secondly, why would you want a PS2-era graphics FF in 2020 and beyond? The way Final Fantasy has been abysmal the last decade, now we have to accept PS2 era graphics?

 

[Griffon]

I mean... I loved Trials of Mana and that was almost a PS2 game (with better looking models).

So yes.

 

[Jboemios]

Ps2 graphics give me headhache, so no.

 

[sid2vicious]

If they are smart about how they approach making the visuals.

Xenoblade is a Wii game which basically little stronger than PS2 systems.

To this day no linear single play JRPG on both PS3 and PS4 has same scale as this game.

I agree with the first part of the statement, being smart of how to approach the visuals, is just another way of saying making the most out of the hardware limitations, nobody is arguing that. Pushing the limit of the hardware is what final fantasy is all about.

I strongly disagree with the second half, no "linear" JRPG is at the same scale of Xenoblade? But Xenoblade is openworld, hardly linear, so how is that a fair comparison? Secondly I don't know about JRPGs, but the Witcher 3 was much larger in scale than Xenoblade, and it had visuals to boot, so it certainly feasible. If FF7R part 2 had an open world like Witcher 3, I'd be all for it, and they can take as long as they need, I have backlog of games that will last me a lifetime and then some, so I'm in no rush to play it. Whatever happened to quality over quantity? If I want to play PS2 graphics, all I need to do is boot up my PS2 and play the real deal.

 

[Danjin44]

But Xenoblade is openworld, hardly linear,

Xenoblade X was open world but both Xenoblade Chronicles 1&2 are linear progression JRPG, same way DQXI is, only difference is the area in Xenoblade are much, much bigger.

 

[sid2vicious]

Xenoblade X was open world but both Xenoblade Chronicles 1&2 are linear progression JRPG, same way DQXI is, only difference is the area in Xenoblade are much, much bigger.

Xenoblade Chronicles (video game) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Opening sentence:

"Xenoblade Chronicles is an open world action role-playing game developed by Monolith Soft and published by Nintendo for the Wii."

 

[Danjin44]

Xenoblade Chronicles (video game) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Opening sentence:

"Xenoblade Chronicles is an open world action role-playing game developed by Monolith Soft and published by Nintendo for the Wii."

I don't know they are not open world same way games like Witcher 3 or FFXV are. In original game in linear fashion your are going through each titan's body parts and in 2nd you are going through different titans. They even have loading scream each section you are going through.

Also if that's the case does that mean DQXI is "open world" as well?

 

[sid2vicious]

I don't know they are not open world same way games like Witcher 3 or FFXV are. In original game in linear fashion your are going through each titan's body parts and in 2nd you are going through different titans. They even have loading scream each section you are going through.

Also if that's the case does that mean DQXI is "open world" as well?

If memory serves me right there's also fetch quests given by the towns folk? If that's the case should be able to explore the open world and play the game in a non-linear fashion. I could be wrong, I haven't played this game in ages.

 

[Danjin44]

If memory serves me right there's also fetch quests given by the towns folk? If that's the case should be able to explore the open world and play the game in a non-linear fashion. I could be wrong, I haven't played this game in ages.

Well that's the case every JRPG and you can fast travel pervious visited areas but they are not open world. They are loading in each section of area in both XC1&2. Xenoblade Chronicles X is one that considered open world.

 

[sid2vicious]

Well that's the case every JRPG and you can fast travel pervious visited areas but they are not open world. They are loading in each section of area in both XC1&2. Xenoblade Chronicles X is one that considered open world.

"Open World" just mean the area is large enough to explore, Xenoblade fits that description. Not every JRPG have sidequest that allow you to explore. I'm currently playing Bravely Second and that game is pretty linear, point A to point B, with story inbetween, I would say a large percentage of JRPG are like that.

 

[Danjin44]

"Open World" just mean the area is large enough to explore, Xenoblade fits that description. Not every JRPG have sidequest that allow you to explore. I'm currently playing Bravely Second and that game is pretty linear, point A to point B, with story inbetween, I would say a large percentage of JRPG are like that.

What most JRPG have are overworld which you can go back pervious area to explore.

It's same with Xenoblade Chronicles 1&2

 

[sid2vicious]

What most JRPG have are overworld which you can go back pervious area to explore.

It's same with Xenoblade Chronicles 1&2

Overworlds or maps are not the same as "Open World". Witcher 3 or Skyrim are easily classified as "Open World", yet you cannot climb a mountain for example because even those world have boundaries, same as Xenoblade.

 

[Rentahamster]

Generally speaking, any game can be amazing with PS2 graphics.

However, "Final Fantasy" is a brand as well as a game, and that comes with certain expectations, one of them being cutting edge graphics.

 

[Danjin44]

Overworlds or maps are not the same as "Open World". Witcher 3 or Skyrim are easily classified as "Open World", yet you cannot climb a mountain for example because even those world have boundaries, same as Xenoblade.

But I don't think in game like Witcher 3 there is loading time in each section of the map same way XC1&2 has.

 

[-Arcadia-]

I think Square Enix more needs to catch up with western development. There's no reason for them to have so much development trouble, and also take so long to release games.

For a direct comparison, even Nintendo's Monolith Soft is regularly making games that dwarf SE's scale, on a strict schedule of every few years, and they certainly don't sport PS2 graphics. They're even so efficient, they had time to help out with Breath of the Wild.

There's a structural problem with how SE builds games here, not just modern game development challenges.

 

[sid2vicious]

But I don't think in game like Witcher 3 there is loading time in each section of the map same way XC1&2 has.

There is, except it's seamless so you don't notice them. For example in Witcher 3 when you're on the icy mountain tops, you can't travel back down to the swamps without progressing through the story.

 

[DGrayson]

LOL @ PS2 graphics.

Hell no.

Some amazing 2d graphics maybe.

 

[Danjin44]

There is, except it's seamless so you don't notice them. For example in Witcher 3 when you're on the icy mountain tops, you can't travel back down to the swamps without progressing through the story.

Let's agree to disagree, I think we both have different idea what we considered "open world".

 

[sid2vicious]

Let's agree to disagree, I think we both have different idea what we considered "open world".

I already explained to you what "open world" is, I don't know what your definition is, but it certainly not "open world".

 

[Hypereides]

Aboslutely. I think even high end polished PS2.5 graphics would be fine. As long as it means they don't compromise on the content. Modern graphics are generally overrated.

 

[KingT731]

If the games looked as good as FF13 it would still leaps ahead of other JRPGs

 

[Danjin44]

If the games looked as good as FF13 it would still leaps ahead of other JRPGs

Really?

 

[kevm3]

no. graphics is one of the main points of final fantasy.

 

[Ikutachi]

Absolutely.

 

[Moogle11]

No. The a big part of the appeal of FF has been its always had top of the line, current generation production values. There are plenty of Lower budget and lesser graphics JRPGs out there. Including from Square Enix with things like Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default etc.

 

[UnravelKatharsis]

FF7, my personal favorite, was not just about its groundbreaking visuals, Its engaging story or its battle system. It was the culmination all these things that made it the great, standout game that it was. There isnt any one thing that makes a final fantasy game great. Its everything together. That's just like saying if every ff game had the same story but with better graphics and a better battle system would you still want it?

If any one aspect of a game stayed exactly the same while the others evolved, would you want that? Probably not.

 

[Dr. Claus]

Final Fantasy at its best is a franchise that consistently pushes the genre and games as a whole forward technically.

I, IV, VI, VII, X and 7R are all examples of this. To just release a bunch of technically inferior games in a row would basically turn FF into something blander like the Tales series or Dragon Quest franchise.

Dragon Quest is not at all bland or rushed out, mate.

 

[Shifty1897]

Or you could just play a good JRPG every year by playing mutiple franchises like Persona, Final Fantasy, Tales, Xenoblade, etc...

 

[unintelligent orange]

ill take a ps2 ff game with good mechanics and a compelling story over anything with better graphics any day

 

[Shrap]

No thanks. Final Fantasy hasn't been great in a long time. Increasing the quantity of games certainly wouldn't help that.

They need to get back to what makes for a great game and story instead of a flashy presentation and a melodramatic anime.

 

[teezzy]

Give me SNES graphics or give me death.

 

[Dark Oni]

nah at least ps3 graphics with 2-3 years between releases but with nomura removed from the director role and put back in the art department and also bring Sakaguchi back.

 

[Collin]

Dragon Quest is not at all bland or rushed out, mate.

I wouldn't call them bland as a whole, but each release takes a lot less risks than your average Final Fantasy does. (Or, like I said "blander")

Dragon Quest is great, I love every one of them that I've played, but they're much safer games. The franchise evolves in small ways but not nearly at the rate of FF. There's never been a Dragon Quest that took as much of a unique direction as FFVII did. Even FFXIII, for as shitty as it was, is certainly tough to call a "safe" game.

My point is just that Final Fantasy as it's gone on has started to become defined by its ability to be malleable and take risks. Not to say that there isn't FF "cliches" or tropes but it's tough to say that FF is a franchise you can easily predict. DQ on the other hand, eh, more predictable. Nothing wrong with that, but I wouldn't be as much of a fan if FF went down that route.

 

[#Phonepunk#]

Square has moved WAAAAAY to far away from their own Final Fantasy core design priciples that made Final Fantasy 1 to 10 so great. Especially FFXV and Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

i entirely disagree. as a fan of FF since the 16 bit era, FF 7 Remake actually feels like an old school 16 bit JRPG to me. everything about it feels like a classic Final Fantasy game. you need to state what exactly these "core design principles" are that you think are missing. the game has a linear narrative, it has towns with NPCs, weapon/item shops, it has an engaging combat system, it has character customization, it has characters splitting off and joining up, it has set pieces, it has side quests, it has optional characters, it has materia system, etc. what are these "missing core design principles"? im not seeing it. this game plays very much like the old ones. with ATB you can even fight almost entirely through the menu system.

honestly i think it is overblown when people say things like this. maybe provide a single example of how they are different from the earlier games? to me it feels very much like playing a classic FF game. people act like there were these great open worlds in the old games, that was never the case, you were walking from scenario A to scenario B. they were quite linear. they had lots of areas where you just read a bunch of dialog and it becomes almost a play, now those are nicer cutscenes. the classic stuff, the blizzara and chocobo and mog and cactuar and tonberry, etc have always been there. really i have no idea what people even mean when they say "core design principles" and pretend like these are entirely unique games that have nothing to do with the old ones. how so?

to me FFVR is fully in the spirit of those old entries. feels like with FFVX they finally got a handle on the new technology, and with FFVIIR they figured out how to use it to present stuff in the best way. i can't wait to see what they do next.

 

[Kumomeme]

i kind of guy who put visual as second...but i rather had square keep their cutting edge visuals..its already part of their 'dna'...as long the content wont suffer from visual attention during development

but i didnt mind if they downgrade the visual a bit..as long it paired with suitable artstyle...but no need go to the level of ps2

however, if OP really want a new final fantasy at each 2 year with 'ps2-ps3' level of visual, you already had it...its name is Final Fantasy XIV...new expansion should come out each 2 years with content worth of single final fantasy games...it had really good content and storyline though..particularly 3.0 heavensward and 5.0 shadowbringers which is easily among the best franchise can offer, better than any ff released this past decade