Dissidia:Final Fantasy

[Himiko20]

So, what is everyone thoughts about this game? Are you excited or don't care?

[Hikarutech]

Maybe it's too much but I'm hoping for this game to be Squaresoft's version of Smash Bros. All of the different Final Fantasy characters put together to fight makes me giddy.

[Michael Dudikoff]

I'll wait for reviews or impressions. It was a different era but I still have bad memories of Ehrgeiz.

[Cobra Commander]

I'll wait for reviews or impressions. It was a different era but I still have bad memories of Ehrgeiz.

C'mon man. Ehrgeiz was a decade ago and Dream Factory(The guys who made t and The Bouncer) aren't around anymore. You can't judge this game because of Ehrgeiz.

[Himiko20]

He's right and this game seem really cool.

[Mad Max]

Has anyone tried this yet? A friend of mine played a bit of the import and said it was really cool though also really confusing. I'll have to ask him how he feels about it currently now that he's had a few days to play it but if any of you have any impressions, share em. ;)

[Rock_Dash3X]

Has anyone tried this yet? A friend of mine played a bit of the import and said it was really cool though also really confusing. I'll have to ask him how he feels about it currently now that he's had a few days to play it but if any of you have any impressions, share em. ;)

I know I'm getting to this super late, I actually enjoy the game. Of course, I'll probably enjoy it much more when the US version hits. But yeah, it's fun and the controls are pretty simple. There is a level system so there will be some grinding to new skills.

[steamwolf]

My friend downloaded the import, and from what I can see? The game is a throw-away. A gimmick really, nothing more. He said its fun, pretty cool but has some severe downsides overall that just make it not worth most people's time. I shall explain.

1. No online multiplayer. Yup, thats right. PSP is capable of this, yet Square-Enix constantly decides that its handheld games should have no online content. Which is crazy, as FFT and the like would have been lots of fun online. They seem to be thinking the world is like Japan, where I can walk outside or find someone via wireless around me who has a PSP and the specific game I'm playing. Which is a Fantasy in itself. The likelihood of such a thing happening without seeking it out extensively is almost impossible, at least in this country it is. I dunno, maybe Tokyo is easier to do this but they should figure out the world is not like Tokyo, or the rest of Japan for that matter.

Now there is a way to do online multiplayer. Sure, its easy...if you have a PS3. Thats right, not only do you need a PSP and the game itself, you also need a PS3. Its a little feature Sony came out with called Ad-hoc Party, where you connect your PSP to the PS3 and find people to play. However, this again weeds out even MORE people from playing. Its even less likely now to find opponents. And what is a fighting game without any competitive play? More people in Japan own PS3s so there its not as much of an issue. But what about us? America is dominated by the 360 (we won't count the Wii) so what now? Some argue they don't need multiplayer, and single player is just fine. Sure, thats fine for them but how many thousands of people play fighting games to actually play other people? Quite a lot, take a look at the amount on SFIV. And Final Fantasy is popular enough. It would work. But SE doesn't want to do it. Why? It costs money. And they don't care about this title. You know what this is? Its to make money off of us quickly while they put all their efforts in Final Fantasy XIII and Dragon Quest X. Thats it. They know they can make a quick buck my slapping FF characters together on a PSP game and it'll sell. Why bother putting effort into a title designed to milk your franchise quickly? Also, Sony is PAYING them to do this. Something to make PSPs sell. And because of this, we can't even play offline multiplayer very easily. Hell, at least fighters on PS2 and such could play two player with your friends. That'd be enough honestly. I can play with my friends who don't even own said console and what not. Wtf do I do with a PSP version? I am the only person I even know with a PSP (Shows exactly how well its doing).

2. The bosses have no story mode. Yeah, none at all. Its heavily story-based with the heroes, but none of the bosses have this. Kind of disappointing for the single player experience. Again, shows lack of care and funds put into the project. How hard would it be to add something like this...?

[Rock_Dash3X]

Apparently somebody has not heard of Xlink Kai. Yes, it does suck that select games do not feature true online. It's also bad enough that I don't have much friends with PSP. But that doesn't mean I can not play with strangers online. There is also sites out there with people always willing to play. Before bashing and talking down on things, maybe you should do some research.

Honestly Max, I say the game is good. Been playing the Import for some time. Though I say wait for the official US release. Fun and enjoyable fighting game. Especially if you're a fan of the FF series. Not sure if I'm willing to pay the 40 bucks most PSP games cost. But I do it is a good you should have in your collection.

And to answer number 2 for Mr. Steamy. How hard would it be to add story to the bosses? I don't know. Somewhat hard. Ask them. But I want to know is how hard was it to add stuff to your game? And how much effort did you put into this? Was it just a team of yourself? Please, I would like to know.

I think this game was more there for the series 20th anniversary. To showcase the main heroes. That's important. Let's not forget that probably had a deadline too.

[steamwolf]

Apparently somebody has not heard of Xlink Kai. Yes, it does suck that select games do not feature true online. It's also bad enough that I don't have much friends with PSP. But that doesn't mean I can not play with strangers online. There is also sites out there with people always willing to play. Before bashing and talking down on things, maybe you should do some research.

X-Link Kai is in the same line as Ad-Hoc party. Yes I have heard of it, though its a tad complicated to set up and again requires more money to be spent. Not to mention it again drops the amount of players capable of being played against than say if it were on something like PS3/PSN or 360/XBLA. I never said there was a problem with strangers, you missed my point. I was stating at least on a console like PS2 without much online play, I can play with friends locally. On PSP I cannot do this. Yes I can find people to play with, but there is less people available than there could be, a select few on PSN (who need a PSP, the game and adhoc party) and X-Link Kai. I find this to be very lack-luster and troublesome, especially since Square-Enix could have easily taken advantage of the PSP's wifi connectivity. Socom on PSP does this, so I don't see why a company like SE couldn't themselves. This day and age has fighters and various other games with online connectivity in some form or another. If Square-Enix can't figure out how to use this beyond Moogles delivering mail (See FFIII DS) then I have no sympathy for them on this.


And to answer number 2 for Mr. Steamy. How hard would it be to add story to the bosses? I don't know. Somewhat hard. Ask them. But I want to know is how hard was it to add stuff to your game? And how much effort did you put into this? Was it just a team of yourself? Please, I would like to know.

I think this game was more there for the series 20th anniversary. To showcase the main heroes. That's important. Let's not forget that probably had a deadline too.

I'm not a developer, no. However why can't I be entitled to have a negative opinion and expect something more from a game from Square-Enix? They're one of the largest Japanese third-party developers, yet they leave out something even a private company like SNK Playmore has. Stories in their fighting games for the badguys. I don't think, all things considered, I should be denied the right to be irritated by this. I can still enjoy the game, but why do you insinuate I should not be allowed to voice complaint over this? Gamers review things and voice complaints quite often, and they don't all develop games. Do the guys at IGN make games? Maybe some, I doubt all do. And besides: fan feedback helps people like Ignition and SNK understand what needs to change and what doesn't.

Also, about me apparently knowing "how hard it is"? Well lets take a look at the things SE has done, and compare here. They can create class systems for games like FFT, balance them out, adjust damage ratios and gear etc etc...which is pretty time-consuming and requires tons of alpha and beta testing. However, for what I was asking for out of the villains would be...adding CG cutscenes for ten more characters and dialogue. While I don't know the full extent of this, in comparison it seems less difficult. This is a huge corporation who can push out crap like that in every single game. We're talking 3D cutscenes in GBA titles (which was unheard of back then). So why is it not fair of me to expect this company to do this now?

Exactly, the 20th anniversary. More milking of the name. But you gotta understand, the bosses are there too and had just as much hype as the heroes. For them to lack their own story modes I feel is lazy. These aren't even unlockable characters yet they lack their own stories for the single-player mode, which is gonna be the highlight of this game due to SE's decision on the WiFi. Deadline or not, as Miyamoto himself said: "A delayed game is eventually a good game, but a rushed game is always a bad game." I have to agree with him on this, as rushed games often have issues. I'm not saying dissidia has severe gameplay issues, but the little things really can build up and matter. If you don't mind all this, thats fine. But I believe I am entitled to voice my own complaints without being a "developer" myself.

[Rock_Dash3X]

I'm not saying you can't have a voice. You can! I was just a little mad that you would be angry about the game over the fact that it didn't have true online. Instead of being simple, you just went on about how SE is dumb and such. I just wanted to say that there is a way to get online in a way. And Xlink Kai isn't really expensive. All you really need is the program (free) and a Wireless Router. Most people that have broadband/dsl internet own a wireless router. I feel it's better just having ad-hoc cause even if this game had online, I doubt it would be that populated. Just find a site with dedicated fans and connect. Not much games on PSP have alot of people playing all the time (except Monster Hunter series). It probably would be a waste of effort for SE. And I don't think the whole Moogle thing on the FFDS games is a bridge to online gaming in future games.

And you also have to remember that there weren't as many people on the Dissidia team compared to FFT. Alot of people from different teams went on to help on work for FFXIII. So having less member on their team from the start of the project is gonna have a slower progress. And let's not forget deadlines. If they had enough time, yeah, they probably would of added a story to the badguys. I don't think SE wanted to delay it anymore since it's been in the works for some time. They wanted it out that year like schedule. Plus, you never know. They may go back on it later cause we know SE likes to re-release games with extra stuff.

Also, the bosses are unlockable characters. You have to play the game enough to obtain points to purchase them. It's not like they are there at the start of the game. When you played them, your friend may have already got them. But like I said, you can express your voice. But really, all it seems like you're doing is attacking from something that really isn't a biggie. That and now comparing them to different work expecting more. You can't expect them to get it all right on the first try. Most likely, their first priority was to have a working game. After that's done, than they can hit the goodies. Lacking online and story on a already heavy story based game is not a game breaking thing.

[steamwolf]

I'm not saying you can't have a voice. You can! I was just a little mad that you would be angry about the game over the fact that it didn't have true online. Instead of being simple, you just went on about how SE is dumb and such. I just wanted to say that there is a way to get online in a way. And Xlink Kai isn't really expensive. All you really need is the program (free) and a Wireless Router. Most people that have broadband/dsl internet own a wireless router. I feel it's better just having ad-hoc cause even if this game had online, I doubt it would be that populated. Just find a site with dedicated fans and connect. Not much games on PSP have alot of people playing all the time (except Monster Hunter series). It probably would be a waste of effort for SE. And I don't think the whole Moogle thing on the FFDS games is a bridge to online gaming in future games.

I went on about SE being dumb because I find Dissidia to be a poor decision made by a large company who has the resources to do something better with its time. Of course there is a way to get online. But you're mistaken about X-Link Kai: Wireless routers do not work with it. I quote from the X-Link Kai wiki PSP section:

"You CAN NOT play PSP on XLink Kai using a WIFI router*. You just can't.

You CAN NOT use the USB cable to connect and play online.

You need a compatible dedicated WIFI card/usb adapter. You cannot connect to the internet using the same WIFI card/usb.

Not everyone has/needs a wifi card. While its not super expensive, its another price which is 30-50 dollars. Now, you feel not many people would play on PSP? Thats my point. There wouldn't be. Being on PSP in itself hinders the multiplayer aspect, which is the main focus of fighting games. On PSP this is hindered all ready, and then it even lacks wifi connectivity. My largest point is putting it on this handheld at all is mistake, and then not including an online mode further hinders the amount of people to play, making it almost exclusively a single-player game. There are plenty of lesser-known titles that have a decent online community on PSP though, as FF is more well-known and popular than Monster Hunters and Socom. Regardless, on PSP its a bad enough decision as is and they went the extra mile of caring less and not bothering to include something to help with the multiplayer. Of course the moogle thing is not a bridge to online gaming, you missed the point. My point is thats about the extent they've gone so far with wifi. I'm saying if thats all they can do, I don't feel sorry for them at all.

And you also have to remember that there weren't as many people on the Dissidia team compared to FFT. Alot of people from different teams went on to help on work for FFXIII. So having less member on their team from the start of the project is gonna have a slower progress. And let's not forget deadlines. If they had enough time, yeah, they probably would of added a story to the badguys. I don't think SE wanted to delay it anymore since it's been in the works for some time. They wanted it out that year like schedule. Plus, you never know. They may go back on it later cause we know SE likes to re-release games with extra stuff.

Exactly. Now you're understanding what I'm trying to say. The title shows lack of development and resources due to this specific thing. You can think this and that till your blue in the face, my point is still valid. They did not want to put any further resources into adding something like this, regardless of the amount of people who worked on FFT compared to Dissidia. My point is they have done much more obviously complex things, and yet they could not do something like this with Dissidia. The company has a reputation for doing a lot of things that could be considered "hard" and can do quite a lot with games. For the biggest rpg company in Japan, and one of the biggest in the world, to totally not include stories for the villains is down-right lazy, ridiculous, and shows lack of care for the game. They can put all they want into FFXIII or have all these deadlines etc etc. But that does not change facts. That does not make things peachy. Plenty of bad games have "excuses" for why they're bad. That doesn't change the facts. And rerelease it? During the PSP generation with special villain modes? Great. Another way to milk the series and pull in extra cash. Its like Pokemon Yellow now if they do this! That is ridiculous. I hope you're wrong and that does not happen, cause it'll just be another way to leech quick cash.

Also, the bosses are unlockable characters. You have to play the game enough to obtain points to purchase them. It's not like they are there at the start of the game. When you played them, your friend may have already got them. But like I said, you can express your voice. But really, all it seems like you're doing is attacking from something that really isn't a biggie. That and now comparing them to different work expecting more. You can't expect them to get it all right on the first try. Most likely, their first priority was to have a working game. After that's done, than they can hit the goodies. Lacking online and story on a already heavy story based game is not a game breaking thing.

They're unlockable? Wasn't aware. Regardless, it still shows lack of development and care from SE. Negativity usually is taken as attacks. Am I being negative about this game? Yeah. I am voicing a negative opinion. Why? Because Square-Enix has shown they could have put the extra mile into this game, things that "aren't a biggie". The small things in life can sometimes add up to be something much larger. Sure, I can't expect them to get everything right on the first try. But you know what? I'm not they're dad. I'm not teaching my son to ride a bike and after he falls over going "Don't worry, bud. You can get it next time! Keep trying!" No. I am a consumer, finding displeasure from a product due to it lacking specific features A. It can have, B. Should have, and C. Other similar products have been shown to have. The point I'm trying to make? Dissidia is a throw away gimmick designed to milk Final Fantasy fans of their cash and had a lack of resources and time put into it because SE didn't care. I never said anything about this being "game-breaking". The gameplay is fine, but the backbone of fighting games is its multiplayer. A fighting game that was intentionally developed to have limited access of said multiplayer imo is trash. Whats the point? Its like a cup that was made to leak. What do you do with something like this? You don't buy it, or you throw it away for being trash. And if one argues the single-player is where its at? Well that'd be fine but ten of the main characters in the game lack story modes of their own. Every character in Street Fighter IV has a story mode, even the unlockables and the boss. Why should I expect Dissidia to not to and be okay with it? I shouldn't. As a consumer who pays good money for these products, I expect better results from a huge corporation like SE.

[Rock_Dash3X]

Gosh, the more I read off this site, the more my eyes hurt. I think it's cause of the too much white. SE has been making alot of poor decisions lately (cough Crap Undiscovery). And not sure about Xkai wiki, but I have played Monster Hunter 2 with my router. Maybe it was written awhile ago since I haven't been using it when it first came out and what not and maybe they didn't have router support in the begining. But the whole Xlink is an alternate. But like you said before, it's probably not a problem in Japan cause everybody has a PSP. You should probably super petition online mode to SE US. And in Japan, Monster Hunter is pretty huge. Probably for the reason why everybody has a PSP there.

Do you get disappointed in every game company cause they don't add thing you felt they should.? I understand where you're coming from, but not everything is possible. They probably didn't see this as the game to have it all. Cause not SE games have everything you feel is essential. And milking a series is nothing new for SE or other companies. They know people will pay more to have more. Not sure why they didn't add stories for villains. I'm fine with that. I feel the game has enough content already. Borrow it from your friend and start a new game. It's enough to justify a 40 dollar price tag.

And Street Fighter 4's story mode is really lacking compared to Dissidia. SF4 you see a short clip than a handful of battle. 2 lines or so of words against your rival, than another short clip for the ending. That's it. Fighting games in general don't really have a strong type of story mode. Dissidia on the other hand has a prolong. A crap load of talking with more talking with matches in between. Ingame and fmv type cutscene through out the character's story mode. Even more talking. Final battle and ending. That's way too much for a fighting game. Way more than SF4 and probably slightly more than GGXX. I think people should be pleased with that.

Really, I feel you should only be mad at the fact of online and not story. And though it's not the same, you are still getting a story mode for the badguys while playing the good guy side. They kinda fuse the good and bad guys story into one. So I'm still getting the entertainment portion of the story on both side. So I feel story is set. Online would be a nice thing to have, but I really don't see it as a need. That's just how I feel. The people who really want it probably know other people that want it. And the people who really want to play with others will look into it.

[Alba Meira]

Im really psyched for this title ive heard a lot of good things but I dont own a psp yet to play it unfortunately.