I think it's time for a new discussion. The previous one was about Resident Evil: The Mercenaries next installment, should it ever occur.
This time, it's Final Fantasy... nothing too specific, as the Final Fantasy series has become very broad and far from it's JRPG heritage. Even though it may have come off that Final Fantasy was a series transferred to the Playstation brand, it takes you 5 minutes to realise that no, that's not the case at all.
So for this discussion, we talk about Final Fantasy's future on the 3DS and/or Wii U. This is obviously the General Gaming section, so just note whatever I have to say has those two consoles in mind.
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Installments
I wanted to start off first by identifying how diverse the range actually is. It started off with the mainline series. Basically add the next number (in ROOOOOMAN NUMARALLS) to the next title. Basic, simple. Without getting to much into the history of everything, you also have:
* The Main Series - These are straight up numbered titles. Some also have spinoffs.
** Final Fantasy 7 - It has expanded into a number of titles in its' own universe.
** Fabula Nova Crystallis - Set in the universe of Final Fantasy XIII
* Tactics Series - If you've played Fire Emblem before, you know what these titles were like.
** Ivalice Series - Final Fantasy XII's universe is intertwined with the Tactics series, in the world known as Ivalice.
* Crystal Chronicles - An action RPG strand of Final Fantasy. Sometimes referred to as the Nintendo Final Fantasy, as all the titles in its' particular universe have only ever been on Nintendo products, and may highly likely have a new entry on the Wii U.
* Dissidia Series - Oh PWN love me. Dissidia pits main characters from the Main series of titles against each other in a battle of Heaven VS Hell. I feel like saying Theatrhythm here for some reason, perhaps of the crossoverness. That said, I kinda need to say KH cameoship too.
* Chocobo Series - Titles that usually feature the Final Fantasy creature Chocobo as a central figure. As for the actual type of these games, it seems to have covered dungeon crawling, racing and mission mode styled adventuring.
There are others, but I'm not too fluent with those, including the Chocobo series but I have my reason for it being mentioned.
Speculations
Given the diversity of the topic, I can't narrow down on things like I did in the Resident Evil topic. I can probably roll some punches out on possible hits, and potentially create discussions from them.
* Final Fantasy XV - Way back when, people were coming up with what they thought would hit the Wii U, before game listings were officially announced. One of those titles that seemed to be on everyone's list was Final Fantasy XV. Now, I'm not sure if it exists, or what would be central to it, or even how the combat would work out. The only thing I could say for sure are things like chocobos. There's nothing more to say on this.
* Crystal Chronicles - This needs to be said. No, it's not my favourite in the Final Fantasy brand, but it is the Nintendo one I guess. I never had the privilege of playing the original on GameCube, but I have played Ring of Fates, The Crystal Bearers and the two eShop spinoffs. To me, the series as a whole feels like Dark Cloud with a jump button. I like it, and it has the room to turn into an expansive game. I feel like there's a sensibility for mass management options in this universe, and a touch screen on either console to make it work.
It just can't afford to have obnoxious characters like Belle in them ever again.
* Ivalice - Perhaps my favourite strand of the entire brand. Hey, that rhymes! The job system has always had an appeal to me as a player. Although I think it was better in Final Fantasy V, where you could switch in between short battles, as opposed to the length of a SRPG battle. Perhaps they could implement a quick switcher, allowing you to change roles at the cost of a turn.
It, of course, could lend itself once again to the semi-active gameplay present in the FFXII titles. Perhaps a fusion of the two?
* Dissidia - Crossovers have always been a thing that I have liked. Fighting games often make the best examples thereof. Blasphemous or not, I'd love to see characters from the other parts of the Final Fantasy range included in the game as playable. Also, Adrammelech in Monster Hunter wat.
* Final Fantasy Fables - These games are actually really fun. The DS game combined card games with mini-games instead of being a boring card game or a boring mini-game game. The Wii game caught me off guard at times with the dungeon crawling, and has my favourite Battle on the Big Bridge rendition. I think something of Lego City tier interest could come from it.
* Main Series - Almost let this slip. Remember that upgrade treatment FFIII and FFIV got for the DS? And the rumour (or was it expectation) about the possiblity of the same treatment for FFV and FFVI on 3DS? Yes.
Yeah, I just said that.
I haven't got more to add to those, so that'll do for now. I guess you guys and gals can discuss the things you'd like to see in a 3DS/ Wii U Final Fantasy title. Keep in mind, that there is a Chocobo Racing 3D game in the works (if it hasn't cancelled) and there was always Square Enix listening to thought of a HD Collection for Wii U (which would probably worm it's way to the PS3/Xbox 360/PS4/Mango).
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Feel free to post what you wish for in terms of Final Fantasy coming to the 3DS, Wii U or whatever have you. As usual, this is supposed to be a mature discussion between gamers, so no trolling each other.