Other than the name, what does a Final Fantasy game actually need to contain to be a game in the Final Fantasy continuum? Each one is so disjointed from the next that I feel Square could have plastered half of their other RPGs on with the name and called it the next FF. Most other RPG series follow some sort of universal universe that links them, or an actual storyline that links them. Final Fantasy doesn't follow a theme, a storyline, and recently, gameplay styles. Some have ties in medieval fantasy, others take place in sci-fi universes. Some are turn-based fighting, others are real-time. The gameplay gets an overhaul each new iteration whether something was working or not. So what to you makes a Final Fantasy game worthy of the name? Or is there nothing left to really connect them with?

End Note: This is not a discussion on whether FF games are great RPGs. I think each one i've played has been fantastic in their own ways.

HUGE budget, LOADS of CGI's, TECHNICAL SHOWPIECE for the Console in questin (FF7 - PS1, FFX - PS2, FFXIII - PS3)

Storyline is what makes a Final Fantasy game

FF1-played before got turned off by story
FF2-ditto above
FF3-played the DS version, liked
FF4-never played
FF5-never played
FF6-never played
FF7-the best Final Fantasy in history
FF8-on par with FF7 but generally was rather bland
FF9-story was confusing and boring
FF10-Awesome story and truly engaging characters
FF11-boring MMO,
FF12-boring story and truly not so good characters

FF13-by the look of it, looks boring and the characters look bland. Gameplay is to be determined

@grimboyjr

what do you even know about FF13??

how many characters do you know so far??

don't be daft..give it a chance

It's being made by the FFX team....phew that a relief at least

Huge budget is fine, but many Square games had a large budget, not just FF.

CGs were only introduced in FF7. What about the first six? Also Parasite Eve had CGs for damn near half the game length and isn't a FF title.

About technical showpiece, that's true and all...for three of the 12 FFs. What about the other 9 though?

This is just proving my point further. Some contain many characteristics that don't fit into another FF model.

1. boring coma inducing turn based battles.
2. generic big haired, sword carrying he/she.
3. big omnipotent baddie or corparation
4. Story that makes no sense what so ever and plot holes bigger than the sun
5. Stupidly overcomplicated stat system that takes any fun out of the game
6. Random battles that fustrate to the point of suicide.
7. One dimensional, predictable and generic main baddie.
8. Scantily clad 16 year old girls with god like powers.
9. Those chocobos thingys.
10. Excellent soundtracks.

Well, a great story is one thing, engaging side plots, character history and perception. Awesome music that always made the games feel unique.

@onyxmeth

if you have decided upon the answer then WHY ask the question??

I'm just looking for other people's take on this is all. I could also be overlooking something.

Really what made FFVII and FFX awesome was it had the three best game developers ever in the mix:

1. Tetsuya Nomura-created the characters
2. Hironobu Sakaguchi-father of Final Fantasy
3. Nobuo Uematsu-composer of Final Fantasy games

Those are thee best game developers ever that created the best Final Fantasy's!!