kristinawood.com ~ View topic - Final Fantasy Tactics A3 or Sequel Wishlist

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

If there was a 3rd game of the Advanced series, or a successful sequel to War of the Lions, what would you come to expect of it? Honestly, I enjoyed different concepts of all three. By taking those concepts while adding a few nifty functions, it would be a great game indeed. So here is a few things that would make the game a bit more replayable. If you find something that would be a great idea but isn't here, post it.

1. Make Judges Optional:

The judge system severely hindered gameplay by limiting one's actions in lue of certain bonuses that made the game unnecessarily easy. While that only adds to the challenge, there are plenty of other factors that could do the same. In War of the Lions, if a person was knocked out, save for certain guest characters in the story, they each have 3 turns before the character 'dies'. Judges remove the dark cloud of death in certain situations.

If Judges could only play a minor role in the story, create an option to have them at the beginning, such as offering the main character a law card. There are certain bonuses should you choose one over the other.

-No Judge: Risk of permanently losing a character, but 10% more EXP and AP is awarded.

-Judge Present: Removes the Risk of death, Bonuses to certain attributes given the Privelages chosen.

2. Abilities and Equipment:

In Advanced and A2, one thing that they did right was making it so that one could only gain abilities by arming characters with various weapons or equipment. By earning enough AP (Ability Points), a character can master the equipment's ability and move on to another, retaining the skill learned and learn the next. The JP (Job Points) made the idea of leveling up a character's class tedious at best. Some skills cannot be learned unless a character is at a specified class level (See below).

3. Classes and Races:

The only race I really had a problem with was the Seeq so I'm exluding them from this review. All the others were fine and fitted perfectly in the game. Back on topic, Each race should be able to have equal opportunities to become the same class. Humans can become Assassins and Gunners, and Moogles should become Blue Mages and Archers. This goes on with all the races, although some are more efficient in one class over the other. Say Nu-Mou are selected as Gladiators, their growth would increase less gradually in their stats when they level up as opposed to Bangaa whose stats would increase significantly more. The opposite could be said the same for Bangaa if one decided to make them into a Black Mage, where the Nu-Mou would normally thrive in such a class.

If that idea seems to be a tad unrealistic, make it so that at least the Humes can pull it off and be every job in the game, as well as a few races of their own. I say this because the Humes are the most balanced race in terms of stat development, plus the other game, War of the Lions had sprites for them that can be used as a basework for the next game.

4. Class Levels and Class Points:

Not to be confused with a character's base level, the class levels are determinant by the skills that a character learns, each valued at a specified number of class points (CP). When a skill is learned, that skill has a class point value that is accrued in a single level. When the value climbs to a certain threshold, a character's class level (CL) increases. Some skills require a certain class level in order to learn them. So if a characters class level is too low, some skills will be inaccessible, deeming him/her to be too inexperienced in order to learn it, and thus incapable of wielding that equipment. The same applies when a character wishes to progress in order to use another more useful classes.

Example: A human priest whose class level is at 4 could not wield a staff which could only be wielded by a character with a class level of 7.

5. New Game +:

This is an option that I've been hoping for since the earliest FFT game back in the PSX genre. Remember that first time you beat War of the Lions, and you found yourself unable to go back to the map screen and had to start over from scratch? I certainly do, and with the New Game + option, it could increase the replayability of the game. When a person beats this game, it would be boring just to simply go 'back' to the map screen, so why not simply start over. You can experience the entire story line all over again while retaining the skills and CL you have earned. Your equipment and base levels, however, will be reverted back to square one.

6. Facing:

In FFA and War of the Lions, facing was an important factor when combat was involved. If somebody simply attacked from the front, they had a significantly lower chance of hitting and decreases the damage dealt. In A2, it felt that only the damage was hindered while accuracy remained the same regardless of the facing. The return to the roots of facing will make this right again.

7. Weather and Time:

In all the games thus far, time has always been a factor in Final Fantasy. More often than not in reality, some weather can only be experienced during certain times of the year. In spring, rain would occur the most often, while snow would occur only in the winter. In certain regions in Ivalice, however, there could only be one type of weather. Far nothern regions could only experience snow, Areas along the oceans along the equator would experience alot of rain. Occasionally, one would come along an area during the summer and experience draughts. You get where I'm going with this. Anways, some forms of weather could impact how gameplay could be made :

Be aware that some monsters or certain equipment gives immunities to these effects

Rain- Jumping height decreased by 50%

Snow- Movement is decreased by 25%

Draught- Damage Dealt and Recieved decreases by 10%

Moderate- Status remain unchanged

8. Terrain Hazzards and Traps:

As fans of War of the Lions and A2 are aware, some terrain have certain qualities that are harmful given certain conditions, as well as traps that inflict many different kinds of status ailments. All of which are not always laid by NPCs or characters (Much like the level down or doom traps).

Swamps: If stepped in, the character will instantly become poisoned.

Volcanic: After a certain number of turns, the volcano will erupt, damaging all characters on the map.

Lava: Being in a lava filled environment damages those who are not protected from the intense heat.

Deep Water/Snow: Characters in deep water/snow cannot perform actions.

9. Ability Timers, Bravery, and Spirituality

Some skills in the advanced series are really powerful, and often times used on the fly with nearly nothing more than the MP to use them. While many don't need them, some spells and the more powerful abilities may need significantly higher AT (Ability Time). Some classes require significant time to activate their abilities, such as the Summoner and Illusionist techniques, while others like the Monk or Warriors need no time and can be instantly used.

Though not perfect in War of the Lions, the Bravery and Faith stats were a good concept. Each have a certain stat that altered ones abilities depending on how high or low both were.

Bravery- Affects the percentage of how often a character's reaction ability activates, how powerful bare handed attacks are (No weapons), and also how weak a character's will is to withstand magic attacks.

Spirituality- The higher the spirituality, the more effective a person's magical ability becomes, meaning more damage dealt and more one can heal. Having it higher also means you have a shorter AT on any spell you cast (50% reduced at the highest level) This also means that you are just as weak against physical attacks.

Basically, having high or low stats easily alters ones ability to recieve and deal damage. Sometimes having High Spirituality and Bravery is'nt always good, as it means you are able to just as easily recieve damage in the process. Having these stats in the low has its advantages as well, as low Bravery means your character will recieve less magic damage, and having low spirituality means that he/she will recieve less physical damage. This means this kind of character would be useful as a tank.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 12351

STOP MAKING FINAL FANTASY GAMES!!!

That is all.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

Again I say Silv: THAT IS YOUR OPINION. I love Final Fantasy Tactics series. You may not appreciate the series too much, but I don't think you care for most things anyways.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 4287

If they did a good sequel of the original tactics and put some online feature to it to face others online id buy it in a second. (the psp one was good cept for the laggy graphics)

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

Yeah, I just hope they don't make a 3D game of it. The sprite based gameplay is traditional to the series.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 9138

i have to agree im a huge fan of the FF series but tactics hmmmmmm not a huge fan of them but i will still play them ^_^

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

The Tactics has always been my favorite in the series thus far. The advanced series is a bit more light hearted, but its still enjoyable when you want something that is'nt dark and gloomy. After all, it takes real thought when you play this game as opposed to some of the others. Of course you need to equip a character right, but when the classes enter the field, you arm a character the way that suits your play style best. Most games have main characters that have a limited form of customization in that regard.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 4287

I liked the original tactics more jsut cause every class was completely different andunique. Have to admit in the advanced ones some classes had the same moves as others.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

Thats why I hate how races are limited to only a small numbe of classes. If each race had access to every class, then it would be up to the player in how they develop. Like How Nu-Mou could be capable warriors or snipers, even if that is not really their strong suit, or Bangaa visa versa with being mages.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 3428

i like ffta 2 better than 1.

Just some info on my perspective

What you say is true. But let me point out some things.

Judges: True they limet what you do but that is why they are made. They add on a little more stratigy to the games. True some times they are unreal on the rules... (thats one reson i like 2 better than 1... only 1 law not 3 X.x) Also at the start of the game and for who knows how long you can't alwase keep all your guys from getting k.o.ed.
Truth be told he adds more of a challange if you lisen to hinm or not. If you do less forms of attack/healing/movement. if you don't no one can get revived.

Abilities and Equipment: agreed. It made it easyer to get info on the skill and know what class that skill goes to.

Classes and Races: I agree with that, but i understand why they didn't.Becouse some skills would stack up and make a guy darn near invincible.
example: red mage's double cast, spell blade's blood price, and Illusionist's spells. that = turn one win (unless they got reflect). That is why Viyra don't have any taget all spells, and no one else can lern double cast.
here is another Ninja's duel weild, Gladiator's strike back (well any attack counter would work), and any Bangaa spear class. No one could take him on 1v1 by without useing abilitys. (even normal counter would be deadly) i know this is a bad example.

Class Levels and Class Points: That is a good idea, but how random the weponds are it would be some what of a pain to get the low lvl requirement one's before the higher lvl one's.

New Game +: agreed but everyone in your clan has to be a certain lvl before you can do it, becouse all the battles are the same lvl as you are now. basicly all the starting missions are like lvl 50+ starting off.

Facing: agreed. after a while you can be face to face and still have a 99% chance of hitting.

Weather and Time: agreed. that would make things a little harder and adds to the fact that your in defrent terrain.

Terrain Hazzards and Traps: agreed. It would make certain places more dangerus than others.

Like i said on the top just my two cents on what you said.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

I like A2 as well other than the facing and accuracy factors as well.

Judges:I know what you mean about the judges, but they often played out too much into the storyline. If I remember correctly though, the clan Luso started in used judges voluntarilly, as if they were not forced to use them in the first place. However, if they made it an option to use the judges at the beginning of the series, it would determine the difficulty of the game, as well as the benefits that go with them. I would'nt mind them being in the game if it means making them an option.

Abilities and Equipment: No comment

Classes and Races: I have a solution that I'll be adding to that. I forgot to add in the AT (Ability Timer), which is what was used in the original means to cast spells by charging up the spells then casting. I do think the Illusionists abilities are a bit too powerful. And perhaps there should be some limitations. Like I said, some classes are more adept in some areas, but still capable of doing them. However, that also means that some of the costs increase for other races than it was for the original classes in other games.

Humans: Balanced in stats (Good for any class)
Moogles: More operable in classes in need of DEX and INT.
Nu-mou: Extremely high INT
Bangaa: Extremely High STR
Gria: Moderate STR and DEX
Vierra: High AGI

Within those boundaries, regardless of the class chosen, their stats will be affected. If a person wanted a Bangaa as a mage, their stats would still be meager when they level up. If the Bangaa followed the guidelines of its races capabilities, it would develop far better as a warrior or dragoon. That is how all the others would be affected as well. Hell, even some skills would require higher skill levels in order to use some of them, as opposed to other races. I'll have to map it out later. I think the other reason they did'nt was because it would recquire tons of different sprites for each race and class.

New Game +: I think it would be best if the characters started over at level one. Just the skill levels and abilties should be retained.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

Just added a new section. #9

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

Ok then, I just modified section 3. I figured if it sounded a little too unreal to make EVERY race be everything since it would take too much work to create a ton of sprites. The only exception I made was for the Humes. (Read first page.)

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

I just joined a site where we are creating an unofficial FFTA3.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

Oh?

Any details you can share with us Rune?

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

Well, there are currently 5 of us working the project. Its still being discussed, as the original creator of the project quit out awhile, so we are just taking the pieces he left for us and making it our own. 2 artists, a writer, and two other people who have not really done too much since I joined, but was under the impression that they have things in real life they are dealing with. So far, the two people who run the site by far are really impressed with some of my skills.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 3428

That sounds cool.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

Well, so far we can't do much till we have a programmer or two on our side.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/429522

Here is a bit of music in regards to a few scenes for background and/or a few select scenes of the game.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 4287

Actually pretty close to how it would sound from the real game.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

No songs in the game ever sounded like this.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 4287

Really? Sounds close to something from the original FFT.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

Show me.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

Well, the site has come a long way since its early findings. We have a story, plot, missions, new classes, new races, and new forms of character interactions.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

Just created a very unique class within the Viera jobs. Here is the thread, and the image at the top.

http://www.beacon515l.co.uk/ffta3/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2240.0

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

An image of said class.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 3428

Won't let me go to the area of what it is posted in the forum there Rune.

0v0 Dang! Dream walker much? She looks awesome.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

What is dream walker?

Sorry, the site changed drasticallly since the time I posted this.

http://www.beacon515l.co.uk/ffta3/news.php

I am what you call the head class developer in the site.

Royal Member of BonBon Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010

A class I created, the Vanguard, finally has a face to go with it.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2709

Looks really cool Rune.