But FFXIII is not Final Fantasy.  End of story.

Final Fantasy died for me since FFX.

Although it's a good game. It's not Final Fantasy, and the following titles aren't either. They just have the name, not the core gameplay.

I'm still waiting for the real FFX

no FF is still very much alive!Every FF brings new ideas with it and thats enough for keeping it alive.some segments of gamers will be disappointed while others will be happy with each FF.FF XIII is a great game with good story although ending was a bit weak.

This seems to be the gripe of many who feel the series has lost it's way. What was it that was so different in FFX that makes you say that out of interest?

I have the same view on all since that game, they just aren't Final Fantasy enough, I'd consider FFX-2 more FF like then X. As I said before, there are many features that were once recogniseable in the series that have been removed for modernisation but it was those aspects that made the games popular to begin with.

If FFXV turns out like shit, then yes, they have.

I honestly think Wada will drive SE into the ground. Let's look at the evidence:

1) FFXIII is mediocre

2) FFXIV is even more mediocre

3) Lots of FF out on every console and handheld available, diminishing brand value

4) DQ seems to be on its way to following point 3, but Hori still has some pull to not let it get that ridiculous

5) DQX and FFvXIII should be moved from Wii/PS3 to 3DS for maximum sales potential, but won't because Wada is too dumb.

6) SO4 is beyond mediocre, brand value has been significantly damaged

7) Not enough good new series/franchises, The Last Remnant was horrible and they're coming out with Loco Gun for XBL, but no one cares about that. 

There is still hope for them, Ogre and PE series seem to be getting good buzz and will possibly be good. TWEENY was supposedly good, they can always come back and with a new Chrono, Xenogears or Vagrant Story would go a long way. They could put those up on PSN to get the buzz going, but again, Wada is too big of an imbecile to do anything worth a damn.

I agree somewhat with what you've said, i think the respective games Toriyama and Kitase have developed speaks for themselves, they've never reached success without the Final Fantasy name, even then some of those game are very poor; where as Matsunos' games have achieved critical acclaim without the FF brand.

however its time to leave that behind my friend, FF12 was what it was because Matsuno walked away, and we have to deal with what Sqaure have turned the series into with FF13. however i think Wada has said to Kitase that there must be a new release every 2 years, so for this reason i think that team will be doing FF15....

i was under the impression that Matsuno will make more games with SE after Tactics Ogre, whether or not he will be reinstated to FF is not out of the question imo. and theres a chance that if Sakaguchi finds new success with the Last Story he will be approached for some input into FF15.

bolded for agreement.

FFX turned my worry into reality (a worry that started with FFVIII and the Spirits within movie but was eased with FFIX... for a while): The heavy focus on story. While I do agree that story is an important part of any RPG, it was never the main focus. Many of the game mechanics that made the franchise famous in the past are missing in FFX,  FFXII and of course FFXIII.

Sales are a coverup of the real problem. Since FFX, XII and XIII have become many's first game. So you have people who are new to the series and bought the games, and people who feel left out and has no intention of buying the game. of course there are some still faithful.  but the sales numbers are indication of a problem with the series, even though it's successful

Oh Matsuno is GOING to make more games after the TO remake, but I doubt he's ever going to touch the FF series again. After having dealt with grown men throwing tantrums during 12's development there is no way he's going to develop an FF title unless Square gives him total control over the project's story and design and any naysayers will be dealt with unlike last time.

As for Sakaguchi, that's even less likely. At this point I think he doesn't even really care about FF anymore;  I know someone sent him a copy of FFXIII, but I get the impression he didn't even touch the damn thing as he had more important things to do. Plus him and Square didn't leave on the best of terms

It's bizarre how Square has managed to alienate some of the best talent in the goddamn industry. What would happen to a Konami CEO who treated Hideo Kojima this way.