Miscellaneous Talk: Why is Final Fantasy 8 not as popular and status as Final Fantasy 7?

Let's talk about the representative historical status of FF7 in the transition from 2D to 3D. The CG level of the picture, character proportion, summoning beast performance, theme song and so on are not enough to affect the historical status of the game.

FF8 is not as high as FF7's historical status. I think there are some reasons (including but not limited to):

The transformation from 2D to 3D era

FF7 Excellent Skill System

FF7 Excellent character creation

I. From 2D to 3D

Before

FF7, the series had always used 2D to interpret the story. Although Square was already familiar with this at that time, the game had reached its peak in 2D expression. However, no one knows how the series should be expressed in 3D. Square's genius developers at that time gave players around the world a relatively satisfactory answer on PS.

The static CG background + 3D character method has avoided functional shortcomings and brought the picture expression to a new stage. Even European and American players who never play JRPG are attracted by the amazing graphics effects of FF7 and the worldview like Seborpunk.

Arguably, FF7 has completed the series' leap from 2D to 3D very well. Although FF8 has taken a step further in graphics technology, it is only an improvement and does not have the disruptive evolution as much as FF7.

2. Skill system

FF7's magic stone system is very classic, with magic, support and other magic stones. Players can learn the corresponding effects by inlaid magic stones on weapons, and achieve the purpose of activate dual effects by matching different magic stones. For example, you can assemble Fire Magic + Stealing Magic Stones, and use Fire Magic + Stealing in one command.

This system has very high researchability and playability. It can be said that the fun of this series will not disappear until the game is over. In order to study new effects, many players have the desire to repeat the game several times.

Back to FF8, although I admire Square's innovative spirit very much, the skill system of this work can be said to be shocking.

The game canceled the weapon system. Yes, you read that right, RPG cannot be equipped with swords, guns, clothes, etc., insteadWhat is the equipment magic upgrade ability. For example, intermediate life magic can upgrade health from 500 to 700, intermediate fire magic can increase attacks, etc. The acquisition of magic is to randomly draw the draw points on the map, or obtain it by drawing the enemy's magic.

Therefore, if a player wants to become stronger, he can only draw magic all over the world, or draw the opponent's magic first when fighting against powerful enemies. Very anti-traditional, and many players are not adapted to it at all. And the price of this system that cannot be studied is far less than FF7. When the game ends in the late stage, the world is full of powerful magic, and then the game becomes boring.

Although RPG is a game that attaches great importance to plot, it does not mean that the system is not important. At this point, FF7's historical status is indeed higher than FF8. It can be said that even today 25 years later, FF7's magic stone system can be considered very playable.

III. Character creation

Finally, I won’t mention the most important character creation in RPG, after all, this is an important prerequisite for the success of the story.

It has to be admitted that in terms of expressing the character's emotions, FF8 has seven-headed bodies and more movements, and players can more easily feel the character's joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, but it is limited to this. I think FF7 has done more successfully in shaping the character of the more important role.

Claude, carrying the past, was silent. Childhood sweetheart, ideal lover like Tifa. Alice, who has a tragic fate, is in ruins when the game is in the game. As well as the most popular villain, Sephiros, etc. Although some of the characters in FF7 have certain model drama elements, they are still very recognizable in general and the character creation is more successful.

But FF8 is a bit embarrassing, except that players can feel the heroine Linoya's daring to love and hate, the protagonist's arch-rival Saifa's arrogance, and the funny actor Sel's straightforwardness. The other characters don’t have a strong sense of existence, and in the second story line, the male protagonist’s father, Lager, and his brother, are of some interest.

Although the double story line seems to me to be more innovative, it does not play much role in shaping the character's character. Instead, it dilutes the scenes of the main story line. It's like a double-edged sword, and the end result is that the character of FF8 is not as strong as FF7.

Of course, in addition to what is mentioned above, there are some other small systems such as chocbi cultivation (FF7), magic refinement (FF8), etc. But these are all icing on the cake and cannot affect the historical status of the game.

So, based on the above view, it is obvious that FF8's historical status is not as good as FF7. However, I still like Square's work and dare to use my leading role to modify itResult experiment, what this generation lacks now is this courage, which makes the game look the same.