History Gush / SquareEnix

** Of special note, I have to quote ''WebVideo/ExtraCredits'' when they mentioned the social boss battles. Hopefully they'll make the rest of the game companies sit up and take notice that wittleing away at a life bar isn't the only way to have a satisfying, pulse pounding confrontation with an antagonist.

** Chrono Trigger is basically a nerd's wet dream come true. Featuring Akira Toriyama (Best known for Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump) as the character designer and artist, Yuji Horii (Dragon Quest) and Hironobu Sakaguchi (Final Fantasy) as designers, and Yasunori Mitsuda (Xenogear, Mario Party) and Nobou Uematsu (Final Fantasy) as composers, that alone should convince any reader to buy this game straight onto their PSP or DS or iOS or PS3 or Wii or even (My favorite of all) the SNES off of Amazon. Though be warning the PS1/3/P versions have slow loading times. Also, if you hear the terms "New game+" or "multiple endings" and don't immediately think of this game, then you obviously haven't played it.
*** Hate me for saying this if you like, but FanFic/CrimsonEchoes is full of awesome too.

* ''SecretOfMana'' has been touted by numerous players and reviewers as a pinnacle in gaming design - the ring system, the well-developed characters and motivations, the ''non-silent'' protagonist... hell, it's one of very few ''multi-player'' RPG's to come out pre-MMO! Someone else take over, since there's ''far'' too much greatness to mention about this game in one sitting!

** The sequel ''SeikenDensetsu3'' is one of the more unfortunate examples of NoExportForYou. This game has excellent replay value. There are six heroes to choose from and three possible final dungeons and {{Big Bad}}s depending on your choice, and each story is well presented. It has twenty-four final classes and makes them all viable by averting the AntidoteEffect. The music is also great, with a South Asian flair on several tracks.

* I don't care how bad it is or how little sense it makes, ''LegendOfMana'' will always be one of my favorite games ever. To say nothing of the friggin awesome soundtrack, regarded by even the composer herself as her best work.

* ''FinalFantasyTactics'' didn't have the best cast ever. However, it had an amazing story of medieval political intrigue, an ominous group of antagonists in the form of the demonic Lucavi, & just a breathtaking battle system, that relied upon strategic moves in 3D environments. "Extreme Chess," as I like to call it. Furthermore, the way it was set up eliminated any possibility of having a general strategy, reliable for every battle, until you got Orlandeu.

* VideoGame/ChronoCross is definitely one of my favorite games and the shining example of EvenBetterSequel in video gaming, VideoGame/ChronoTrigger. First off, the battle system is unique from anything I've seen in any other RPG while still being fun in its own right. The characters manage to be mostly unique and interesting (though, I am a sucker for RPG with [[FinalFantasyTactics large casts]] [[{{Suikoden}} of characters]]). The backgrounds are, in a word, stunning and the art style is one of my favorites in a game. The music, if anything, is even better than Chrono Trigger's. I literally cried when I first heard [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome The Stars, Wind, and Waves]]. In fact, the ''only'' major criticism for this game I can think of is the plot, which is endlessly confusing and has some pretty big plot holes. Still, Chrono Cross remains one of my favorites.

** Late to the party, obviously, and in spite of all the flaws that I can see and the fact I'll probably get stoned to death, {{Final Fantasy XIII}} is my first true love. It is not the first great game I've played, but I have a completely irrational love and attachment to the game. I love the world, the music (THE MUSIC! To me, Masashi Hamauzu is more than a worthy successor to Uematsu), the characters (even if there was potential for more development) so much. Special mention to the game mechanics - I love the Paradigm Shift system, especially all the names they give to your paradigms, even the roles themselves. Even if and when a better game comes by, it will be fondly rememberd as my first love, and nothing will ever change that.

* The opera scene (the one where Celes sings) in ''FinalFantasyVI'' is quite possibly the most beautiful, most seat-of-your-pants exciting sequence in all of Final Fantasy. You may call this troper a pussy for saying this, but I cry tears of joy every time I play it...
** ''FinalFantasyVI'' is one of the most beautiful games ever made. And I'm not disowning any other games, I'm just saying that people who think the FF series is about girly men with huge swords should try this one.

** On the other side of the mood spectrum, ''FinalFantasyVI'' has the greatest villain hands-down in the entire series. Kefka's over-the-top flamboyancy and the fact he stands in stark contrast and even [[{{LampshadeHanging}} lampshades]] the heroes' angst and posession of ThePowerofFriendship stand out in this series. Sure, he's an evil, AxCrazy homicidal maniac, but you can't fault a guy for having astronomical job satisfaction, can you?
*** Especially not when he has possibly the best final boss music in the ''FinalFantasy'' series.

** This is the game that proved to [[{{@/Fishsicles}} this troper]] that video games are an art form. I hold every other RPG to ''FinalFantasyVI'''s standards, and find myself frequently disappointed. It was not in the awkward graphics era of ''FinalFantasyVII'' or ''FinalFantasyVIII'', had some of the best characters in [[FinalFantasy the series]], and [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome Terra's Theme]], the "[[OverclockedRemix Freebird of video game music]]". Everyone on the planet should play this game, (and then listen to [[OverclockedRemix Terra In Black]], for extra credit) and try to say, with complete sincerity, that it is not awesome. This is quite possibly one of the greatest video games of all time, and one of the defining points of the genre. [[SophisticatedAsHell I AM NOT FUCKING AROUND WHEN I SAY THAT]].
** [[{{Tropers/Serperoth}} This troper]] is a fan of ''FinalFantasyIX''. The entire game is simply STAGGERING. Gameplay that combines simplicity with depth, breathtaking visuals, a story which is comparable to a Shakespearean tragedy (I'm not exaggerating much), and some of the most relateable characters in video game history., not to mention all the in-jokes, large or small ("No cloud, no squall shall hinder us", Doga and Une, Bobby Corwen...). Kefka is still my favourite villain, but you have to give credit to someone who can appear threatening while wearing a thong, a bra-like creation and a cape. Further Final Fantasy fans, feel free to fortify my favouritism. I'll just add something about the music. IT'S THE BEST MUSIC FROM A VIDEO GAME. Each and every song both fits the scene it plays in (You're Not Alone, Freya's Theme), and is FANTASTIC to listen to. My father, no "deaf, dumb and blind kid", heard that. It remains to this day the only good thing about video games he'll concede to. Nobuo Uematsu toured Europe to gain inspiration for the soundtrack, and only now is he recovering from having overworked himself. 'Nuff said (although feel free to elaborate, of course).

** Square-Enix has just been bringing the VideoGameRemake love lately. ''FinalFantasyIV'' just rocks the house in it's new form. They actually ''made it better''. I'd have sworn it couldn't be done. Do ''VI''! ''[[{{Keet}} Do VI!]]'' And for the love of all that's reasonable, do ''VII''. It's a license to print money, for pete's sake!

* ''FinalFantasyV Advance''. [[http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i212/Kerrah_photos/V92.jpg Best]], [[http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i212/Kerrah_photos/P.jpg translation]], [[http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i212/Kerrah_photos/D.jpg ever]].

* ''FinalFantasyIX''. If this game was a woman, I'd make sweet love to her. If it was a man, I'd tearfully tell him what an inspiration he has been to me ever since I got to know him. If it was a child, I'd adopt it and treat it with all the love it deserves, and more. But since it's a videogame, I'll stay content with calling it the best part of the series and the best RPG ever made by anyone, with one of the most touching plots and some of the most sympathetic protagonists. ''Dreadfully underrated'' does not even begin to describe it.

* FinalFantasyVII. Look past the rabid FanDumb and [[PanderingToTheBase the compilation]], people. This masterpiece of a game well earned it's immense success and popularity! It's got a deep story, well developed characters, outstanding music, great gameplay, etc. It's simply got everything. ''Everything!''

* ''FinalFantasyX''. This was my third favorite Final Fantasy. The cast was one of the best, & you could really see how they developed. Wakka got over his hatred of the Al Bhed, Yuna learned that self-sacrafice wasn't the only way to help Spira, etc. Plus, there's Auron. Need I say more? And while Seymour wasn't my favorite antagonist, he had understandable motives, & a well-covered past. He managed to be both menacing & sympathetic. Lastly, there's Sin, who became my favorite non-human enemy in the series. This thing could kill you. It could create monsters that killed you. Monsters would follow it around to kill you. It emitted a substance that messed with your head. It could even fly with gravity magic, & recover within a few minutes of having its arms chopped off, which were the source of its entire locomotion.

* FinalFantasyX2, I don't care if you call it {{Fanservice}} incarnate or CharacterDerailment, I truly deeply love this game! It has it all. [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome And]] I [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome mean]] [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming all!]]

* Haters gonna hate, but I ''loved'' FinalFantasyXIII. The music (not Uematsu, but still good), the story (confusing but epic once you get into it), the character development--holy hell, the ''character development''--the top notch voice acting, the absolutely obscenely gorgeous graphics, the fun and challenging battle system... Heck, I even think the linearity is a great change. The main characters feel like an actual [[TrueCompanions family]] for once, something the FinalFantasy games consistently have difficulty achieving. The ending makes me cry every time I watch it.
** I'll admit that I hadn't played a ''FinalFantasy'' since [[FinalFantasyIV IV]], but I too loved [[FinalFantasyXIII XIII]]. Especially the soundtrack. Oh good gods, the soundtrack... And the characters! And, and, the plot! ''And the soundtrack!'' * flails arms*

* This page is not going to happen without FinalFantasyXII anymore. Sorry. I'm a huge fan of IX, X, even VII and VI to some extent, but there's something about XII that just feels ''different.'' I agree IX has the plot of a Shakespearean tragedy, but XII has the ''dialogue'' of a Shakespearean play with the plot of a high-tempo political thriller. The translation is ''incredible.'' Character-wise, Balthier is easily one of my top five characters of all time ever, and Ashe is a fantastic female protagonist who belongs in the pantheon with Yuna and Rydia and Celes. Vaan and Penelo are surprisingly easy to ignore if they annoy you, and if they don't they're both fairly sympathetic. The Judges are perhaps the most interesting antagonists in the whole series, especially Drace (who's very nearly a HeroAntagonist) and Gabranth, and Vayne is one of the most brilliant and twisted BigBad contenders ever. The morality of this game is not straight and easy - those opposing you have understandable if not ''noble'' goals, just twisted methods. It only makes it worse that [[spoiler: two of the major villains are secretly related to people in your party.]] Beyond all of that, the locations are vast, varied, and breathtaking, the boss fights are incredible and challenging, and while the music is certainly not on par with To Zanarkand or One-Winged Angel, there are moments in the soundtrack that still give me score chills. Best of all is the battle system, which does away with the curse of random battles and makes you feel like a real hero on a real adventure.

** Indeed, Mickey has proven that characters like him CAN be taken seriously. He pulls it off so well, that it shows the writing genius of the game creators. When Donald and Goofy aren't being used as the [[KingdomHeartsII comic relief]], they can [[KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories pull it off pretty well, too]].

** Indeed, Mickey has proven that characters like him CAN be taken seriously. He pulls it off so well, that it shows the writing genius of the game creators. When Donald and Goofy aren't being used as the [[KingdomHeartsII comic relief]], they can pull it off [[KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories pretty well, too]].

** Indeed, Mickey has proven that characters like him CAN be taken seriously. He pulls it off so well, that it shows the writing genius of the game creators. When Donald and Goofy aren't being used as the [[KingdomHeartsII comic relief]], they can pull it off [[KingdomHearts pretty well, too]].

** Indeed, Mickey has proven that characters like him CAN be taken seriously. He pulls it off so well, that it shows the writing genius of the game creators. When Donald and Goofy aren't being used as the [[KingdomHeartsII comic relief]], they can pull it off pretty well, too.

** Indeed, Mickey has proven that characters like him CAN be taken seriously. He pulls it off so well, that it shows the writing genius of the game creators. When Donald and Goofy aren't being used for [[KingdomHeartsII comic relief]], they can pull it off pretty well, too.

** Indeed, Mickey has proven that characters like him CAN be taken seriously. He pulls it off so well, that it shows the writing genius of the game creators. When Donald and Goofy aren't being used for [[Kingdom Hearts II comic relief]], they can pull it off pretty well, too.

** Indeed, Mickey has proven that characters like him CAN be taken seriously. He pulls it off so well, that it shows the writing genius of the game creators.

**** As an old-school Disney fan, I was delighted by the care and research they did for the old Disney films. Some of them were genuine NightmareFuel (the whale from Pinocchio, Malenificent and the Queen from Snow White), and the bittersweet aspects were played for all they were worth. You could tell they genuinely loved these films, and wanted a new generation to see them with fresh eyes. The last thing I expected was for "Final Fantasy meets Disney" to actually work, but it does and beautifully.

* Christ on toast, ''LiveALive''. I had to emulate it, of course, and after spending some time with it, I don't regret it at all. It's just ''adorable''. The first scenario I played, the prehistoric one, was very innovative in conveying the story without dialog. I am only about halfway through the game, but I think this is one of the most fun games I've played in a while. They don't make 'em like this anymore. The game is like a hybrid of a more-functioning ''VideoGame/SagaFrontier'' and a less-overexposed ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger''. If you don't have any moral qualms about emulating older games(and let's face it, who does?), then run, don't walk to your nearest computer and get the fan translated ROM from one of those less skeevy emulator sites (I suggest Cool {{ROM}}s) to get your hands on ''LiveALive''!

* Haters gonna hate, but I ''loved'' FinalFantasyXIII. The music (not Uematsu, but still good), the story (confusing but epic once you get into it), the character development--holy hell, the ''character development''--the top notch voice acting, the absolutely obscenely gorgeous graphics, the fun and challenging battle system... Heck, I even think the linearity is a great change. The main characters feel like an actual [[{{Nakama}} family]] for once, something the FinalFantasy games consistently have difficulty achieving. The ending makes me cry every time I watch it.

* I think VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution qualifies for this page. Not as long as the original VideoGame/DeusEx, not as dense as the original VideoGame/DeusEx, but if anything brought the brand back to the popular conscious and ensured even more "reinstalls" and fresh new installs from VideoGame/DeusEx virgins, and it really does feel definitively like a true modern day Deus Ex game. Finally. Thank you, Eidos, for reminding us why Video Games really are art. Seriously, half that game is arguing and debating the merits of various humanist philosophies, I love it.
** Of special note, I have to quote ExtraCredits when they mentioned the social boss battles. Hopefully they'll make the rest of the game companies sit up and take notice that wittleing away at a life bar isn't the only way to have a satisfying, pulse pounding confrontation with an antagonist.

**** As an old-school Disney fan, I was delighted by the care and research they did for the old Disney films. Some of them were genuine NightmareFuel (the whale from Pinocchio, Malenificent and the Queen from Snow White), and the bittersweet aspects were played for all they were worth. You could tell they genuinely loved these films, and wanted a new generation to see them with fresh eyes. The last thing I expected was for "Final Fantasy meets Disney" to actually work, but it does and beautifully.

*** Birth By Sleep! I'm happy that you're becoming the new [[ConfirmationBias sacred cow]] of the series and [[KanyeWest imma let you finish]], but for this troper, Chain of Memories was the best KH game of all time!

** This troper wouldn't neccesarilly ''mind'' a VII remake...but ALSO for the love of all that's reasonable, ''please'' don't retcon stuff or tie it into the [[FanNickname complication]], Square!

** ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' is a case where I don't know where to ''start'' gushing. The fact that it's a time travel story that [[FridgeBrilliance mostly stands up to logic]], the tragic aftershocks of what happened in Zeal kingdom, the music that's [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome heartbreaking and badass and gorgeous]] as the scenes demand, the friggin' awesome combo attacks, the way every time period had a unique and striking color palette...

* ''DragonQuest'' is popular in Japan for good reason. The games have great music, unique graphics and most importantly, the ability to stick to tradition without going stale in the gameplay department.
** DragonQuestV is by far one of the greatest games of all time. Despite being released in 1992, the game's story has aged ''amazingly'' well and the characters are so endearing. Unlike most silent protagonists, you actually FEEL like you're the main character and what makes the story so amazing is because its not an epic quest to go killing monsters, but a more personal one. It lacks the recognition and fame it truly deserves. Hell, it's Yuji Hori's favorite Dragon Quest!

* VideoGame/ChronoCross is definitely one of my favorite games and the shining example of EvenBetterSequel in video gaming, VideoGame/ChronoTrigger. First off, the battle system is unique from anything I've seen in any other RPG while still being fun in its own right. The characters manage to be mostly unique and interesting (though, I am a sucker for RPG with [[FinalFantasyTactics large casts]] [[{{Suikoden}} of characters]]). The backgrounds are, in a word, stunning and the art style is one of my favorites in a game. The music, if anything, is even better than Chrono Trigger's. I literally cried when I first heard [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome The Stars, Wind, and Waves]]. In fact, the ''only'' major criticism for this game I can think of is the plot, which is endlessly confusing and has some pretty big plot holes. Still, Chrono Cross remains one of my favorites.

** I'll admit that I hadn't played a ''FinalFantasy'' since [[FinalFantasyIV IV]], but I too loved [[FinalFantasyXIII XIII]]. Especially the soundtrack. Oh good gods, the soundtrack... And the characters! And, and, the plot! ''And the soundtrack!'' * flails arms*

* I think DeusExHumanRevolution qualifies for this page. Not as long as the original DeusEx, not as dense as the original DeusEx, but if anything brought the brand back to the popular conscious and ensured even more "reinstalls" and fresh new installs from DeusEx virgins, and it really does feel definitively like a true modern day Deus Ex game. Finally. Thank you, Eidos, for reminding us why Video Games really are art. Seriously, half that game is arguing and debating the merits of various humanist philosophies, I love it.

* I don't care how bad it is or how little sense it makes, ''LegendOfMana'' will always be one of my favorite games ever. To say nothing of the friggin awesome soundtrack, regarded by even the composer herself as her best work.

* ''FinalFantasyVIII'' will be loved by me until I die and [[TheSpoonyExperiment Spoony]] and the rest of the {{Hatedom}} can take a hike. I love the love story, I love the non-traditional concept of a main character (he's not "I'll just go and save the world now, tee-hee!"), and I love the character-driven story. I love the Junction system too.

* ChronoCross is definitely one of my favorite games and the shining example of EvenBetterSequel in video gaming, VideoGame/ChronoTrigger. First off, the battle system is unique from anything I've seen in any other RPG while still being fun in its own right. The characters manage to be mostly unique and interesting (though, I am a sucker for RPG with [[FinalFantasyTactics large casts]] [[{{Suikoden}} of characters]]). The backgrounds are, in a word, stunning and the art style is one of my favorites in a game. The music, if anything, is even better than Chrono Trigger's. I literally cried when I first heard [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome The Stars, Wind, and Waves]]. In fact, the ''only'' major criticism for this game I can think of is the plot, which is endlessly confusing and has some pretty big plot holes. Still, Chrono Cross remains one of my favorites.

* ''ChronoTrigger'' is worth buying again on the DS. So very very worth it.

** ''ChronoTrigger'' is a case where I don't know where to ''start'' gushing. The fact that it's a time travel story that [[FridgeBrilliance mostly stands up to logic]], the tragic aftershocks of what happened in Zeal kingdom, the music that's [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome heartbreaking and badass and gorgeous]] as the scenes demand, the friggin' awesome combo attacks, the way every time period had a unique and striking color palette...

* ChronoCross is definitely one of my favorite games and the shining example of EvenBetterSequel in video gaming, ChronoTrigger. First off, the battle system is unique from anything I've seen in any other RPG while still being fun in its own right. The characters manage to be mostly unique and interesting (though, I am a sucker for RPG with [[FinalFantasyTactics large casts]] [[{{Suikoden}} of characters]]). The backgrounds are, in a word, stunning and the art style is one of my favorites in a game. The music, if anything, is even better than Chrono Trigger's. I literally cried when I first heard [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome The Stars, Wind, and Waves]]. In fact, the ''only'' major criticism for this game I can think of is the plot, which is endlessly confusing and has some pretty big plot holes. Still, Chrono Cross remains one of my favorites.

* Christ on toast, ''LiveALive''. I had to emulate it, of course, and after spending some time with it, I don't regret it at all. It's just ''adorable''. The first scenario I played, the prehistoric one, was very innovative in conveying the story without dialog. I am only about halfway through the game, but I think this is one of the most fun games I've played in a while. They don't make 'em like this anymore. The game is like a hybrid of a more-functioning ''VideoGame/SagaFrontier'' and a less-overexposed ''ChronoTrigger''. If you don't have any moral qualms about emulating older games(and let's face it, who does?), then run, don't walk to your nearest computer and get the fan translated ROM from one of those less skeevy emulator sites (I suggest Cool {{ROM}}s) to get your hands on ''LiveALive''!

* Christ on toast, ''LiveALive''. I had to emulate it, of course, and after spending some time with it, I don't regret it at all. It's just ''adorable''. The first scenario I played, the prehistoric one, was very innovative in conveying the story without dialog. I am only about halfway through the game, but I think this is one of the most fun games I've played in a while. They don't make 'em like this anymore. The game is like a hybrid of a more-functioning ''VideoGame/SagaFrontier'' and a less-overexposed ''ChronoTrigger''. If you don't have any moral qualms about emulating older games(and let's face it, who does?), then run, don't walk to your nearest computer and get the fan translated ROM from one of those less skeevy emulator sites (I suggest Cool {{ROM}}s) to get your hands on ''LiveALive''!

** Story-Wise, I was really skeptic about ''XIII''. ''Reaaaaally'' skeptic. Since the series shifted from the medieval, steam punk settings for futuristic ones, I thought the overall plots had taken a dire hit. I was very surprised when I realized that... I ''really'' liked ''XIII'''s story! Sure, it isn't the ''best'' plot of the series, and it takes some cues from past games and all, but it is well done. For example, after [[spoiler: the first confrontation with Barthandelus]], where the BigBad explains lots of things to the main heroes that supposedly he ''shouldn't'' be telling then, I was ready to cast the "bad story telling" stone when, gasp! [[LampshadeHanging The characters themselves addressed this fact]]! And those who played the game will understand the reasoning behind this. In any case, I support the above tropers' opinion wholeheartedly.