Advice please: Should I start playing World of Warcraft?

[Mr. Kebop]

That game may be just what it takes to get me playing an MMORPG again. Need a good computer...dammit...

[PavlovianModel146]

I'm not sure if I remember what had and had not occurred at that point in the game you mentioned... where the world ended and you controlled Terra. I thought that was amazing though, it did spark emotion for sure. Just when I thought the game couldn't surprise me anymore. I think they did this...because Terra is so important and we are supposed to become closer with her through this experience, sympathize with her more, see how she manages in the survival situation.

I think FFVI probably was better then FFVII simply because of the grandiose manner in which they wove together everybody's stories, all of their destines, to make such a beautiful tapestry.

Unfortunately, you're incorrect in the first paragraph. You controlled Celes after the World ended, had it been Terra, I would've understood.

I agree that FFVI may have had a better story, and Kefka was hilarious, but I think that FFVII allowed us to get to know the motivations of all of the characters (even the antagonists) better. For instance, Sephiroth actually had a background, a raison d'etre, as it were, where Kefka was just a Nihilist who wanted to destroy the world and that was it.

Additionally, I didn't think there was enough to the second, "Half," of the story of FFVI. After the world ended, you basically ran around and found everyone (with a little, "Over the last year," story here and there) and then it was time to level up and get ready to beat Kefka's ass. It just seems like, with respect to both story and gameplay, the whole thing was very front-loaded. They could have had any number of actual quests and story related to the monsters Kefka released upon the world after the end of the world, but those manifested themselves largely in optional side quests.

Basically, had it been a 300-page book, it climaxed on Page 295, had falling action on Page 296 and resolved between 297-300.

[Mr. Kebop]

Totally agree with all that, the character development as a whole was pretty weak in FFIV. Though something about the world and the various cultures explored really inspired wonder in me.

On the other hand, like you said, the character development and individual stories were incredibly in depth. So I guess, thinking about it now and listening to the points you brought up, I would agree that FFVII was the better game.

Oh man...do you remember when you first left Midgar? It was like, oh my God, this is only the beginning. Then you travel to Niblem and the whole story of Sephiroth is revealed. This is when the game really started to pull you in. Then not long later, we are faced with an incredible display of Sephiroth's power with his simple and gruesome disposal of a problem, which for us, was difficult to overcome. The story was playing out masterfully with all the intense emotion leading you into an ever-more complex scenario. At this point, the pace of the action is very fast and a lot is being introduced to you, it's really cool. The game doesn't slow down for a while after this. Then eventually, we are placed into a situation where we have the ability to do, basically, what-ever we please. We write the story. No restrictions, ultimate transportation and so many mysteries to explore.

[PavlovianModel146]

Totally agree with all that, the character development as a whole was pretty weak in FFIV. Something about the world and the different cultures explored really inspired wonder in me.

On the other hand, like you said, the character development and individual stories were incredibly in depth. So I guess, thinking about it now and listening to the points you brought up, I would agree that FFVII was the better game.

To the first paragraph, I believe that is why FF, as a whole, decided to go with fewer playable characters. I also think that is why you had playable characters such as Red XIII, Vinnie Valentine, Yuffie and Cait Sith, to name a few, where the characters were already, basically, developed and the story did not focus on them so much. It really seemed like they tried to spread the story out too much in Final Fantasy VI, and the character development ended up being pretty thin all-around.

Oh man...do you remember when you first left Midgar? It was like, oh my God, this is only the beginning. Then you travel to Niblem and the whole story of Sephiroth is revealed. This is when the game really started to pull you in. Then not long later, we are faced with an incredible display of Sephiroth's power with his simple and gruesome disposal of a problem which for us, was difficult to overcome. The story was playing out masterfully with all the intense emotion leading you into an ever-more complex story.

What? The game's not over!? But, I won, didn't I?

It was excellent, but at the same time, Midgar was one of the coolest areas (if not the coolest) of any video game in history, and that is still true in my opinion. I could have played the entire game in Midgar and I wish it would have been more of a focal point of the game (in terms of gameplay) even after you first left it.

I think most people agree that Sephiroth killing Aerith was the most surprising part of the game. Of course, many of those people had an emotional, from-the-heart, reaction to it. I must admit that my reaction was a little different:

WHAT!? Are you fucking kidding me? She was Main Party, MAIN FUCKING PARTY. Jesus Christ, Level 40 for absolutely no reason! I could have levelled Tifa for fuck's sake! Who's going to die next, Cloud!?

I'm telling you this, assholes, not one Level, not one FUCKING level! I am not going to get one level above the absolute minimum necessary for me to complete this game! I lost at least six hours on her!!!

[_________]

Massage? To LeBlanc? I thought that was Yuna?

Was it? Damn, I haven't played that game is soooo long. Shows how much I payed attention to it though.

Hahaha so brooding (reminds me of some of the people here lmao), that's how the Japanese like to portray their heroes, either that way or the complete opposite, "nothing gets them down" sort of attitude.

Hence Titus in X...well, except for the end where he's all immaterial and shit...and that last blip...where he just sort of pops up...and yelps? I'm still not sure what's going on there.

But I like the Metal Gear Awesome series better...

That was hilarious.

I think most people agree that Sephiroth killing Aerith was the most surprising part of the game. Of course, many of those people had an emotional, from-the-heart, reaction to it. I must admit that my reaction was a little different:

Oh man. I hated Aerith more than I hated Yuffie...and Yuffie steals all your materia. That scene made me sooooo happy I didn't invest in her.

[Stoic Guardian]

The only Final Fantasy I've played is the newest one (as of this post) Final Fantasy XIII, and I didn't play that much if it. From what I've heard from people who have played the other ones, this one isn't that great but better than some of it's forebears (though not FFVII of course). From what I did play, I found it somewhat odd and "soft" but I thought the atmosphere at certain parts was very interesting.

[PavlovianModel146]

Was it? Damn, I haven't played that game is soooo long. Shows how much I payed attention to it though.

LOL I wouldn't normally remember something like that, except I just did that scene two weeks ago.

Oh man. I hated Aerith more than I hated Yuffie...and Yuffie steals all your materia. That scene made me sooooo happy I didn't invest in her.

I thought she was annoying, too, I can't quite remember why I had her in my main party.

[PavlovianModel146]

The only Final Fantasy I've played is the newest one (as of this post) Final Fantasy XIII, and I didn't play that much if it. From what I've heard from people who have played the other ones, this one isn't that great but better than some of it's forebears (though not FFVII of course). From what I did play, I found it somewhat odd and "soft" but I thought the atmosphere at certain parts was very interesting.

I've not played that one yet. Soft in what sense?

[Stoic Guardian]

I would say at certain instances something was implied to be more dramatic than I thought was needed (melodrama) at other times certain events and situations seemed to have dispraportionate levels of emotion, either being too much or too little. As I said, I have not played the others or much of that one so I can't really tell if certain things are simply themes in this series or if it's only with this specific game/part of the game.

I'm going to try to get around to playing it again and maybe some of the earlier ones as well.

[Mr. Kebop]

Yeah, FFVIII was way too melodramatic, although there were times when they could hit you with real emotion...the music was nice at times, there were some piano pieces from this game that I play around with these days.

The only redeeming thing about FFVIII for me was how they toyed with this concept of living out another's life through dreams. Those parts were cool. The futuristic city at the end and the whole segment in outer space was way cool. Then again... the end of the outer-space sequence was almost just too sappy to even sit through.

[_________]

But VII had One Winged Angel...

[Mr. Kebop]

I haven't even attempted playing One Winged Angel on the piano but that piece is very important. It's a piece which is enjoyable to listen to and fits so perfectly within the context of the game. Also, this piece radically alters a very classical composition method and fuses it with modern musical styles. Musically, it is very important and can be used to discuss composition in a teaching setting.

[_________]

I haven't even attempted playing One Winged Angel on the piano but that piece is very important. It's a piece which is enjoyable to listen to and fits so perfectly within the context of the game. Also, this piece radically alters a very classical composition method and fuses it with modern musical styles. Musically, it is very important and can be used to discuss composition in a teaching setting.

It can. I'm not sure you could voice it properly for two hands...it would lose so much. If that's you in the music thread, I dig the white vertical (it is a vertical, right?).

[Mr. Kebop]

Yeah of course that's me. It's a grand, cream in color.

I tend to shy away from pieces that I can't easily adapt to my own playing style, you know, I'm lazy. Classical pieces can be difficult for me and really I don't play or practice anything like that at all, it's all done by ear, I can barely read music.

[_________]

Yeah of course that's me. It's a grand, cream in color.

I tend to shy away from pieces that I can't easily adapt to my own playing style, you know, I'm lazy. Classical pieces can be difficult for me and really I don't play or practice anything like that at all, it's all done by ear, I can barely read music.

I apologize, the angle threw me.

[Mr. Kebop]

Well it definitely looks like a vertical from that angle, no way of telling really. Cept asking.

[Trajicomic]

But VII had One Winged Angel...

Dancing Mad >>> One Winged Angel.

[_________]

Not at all, trajicomic. Not at all.

[Kriswest]

The development going to WoW now from Blizz is laughable. I would wait for Diablo 3.

love that game!! I actually became addicted for awhile,, then life beat me over my head

[Stoic Guardian]

I'll have my eye on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

[Stoic Guardian]

I'll have my eye on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

[_________]

Yeah, if I still jugue videojuegos, I would too. Oblivion wasn't too shabby.

[eyesinthedark]

brevel, when are you going to join the real world, and live amongst us? world of fucking warcraft, are you affriad of something here, do you wish to express something here, do you wish to kill, or to lead people, do it here, in reality, let this be your videogame, or are you a coward. i have robbed stores motherfucker, i have drank, done drugs, i have held a knife to another man's throat, it was glorious, although it spent some time in prison. live here, live your fantasy here, now, if you want to be the leader of a nation, do it in reality, let us build a new world together, what do you have to lose, you're only alive 80 years and it's over, what do we have to lose, fuck it motherfucker fuck you, let's do it, let's build our own world of warcraft right now, if you are unsatisfied with reality, let's change it, do not be affraid, let us build a new world. you're going to die anyway, so you have nothing to lose. let's start our own world warcraft, let's change this world, if we all got together and said, to hell with it, let's build a new world, i guarentee it, we could do it, intellecutually powerful men like us, everyone on ilp got behind one principle, or one idea, we could do it, we could lead the masses, and make this a better world to live, so we wouldn't have to escape from it, with drugs, alchohol or video games, but all of your are too weak to do so, in the end, you are bound by what society has prescribed for you.

[Mr. Kebop]

Of course Skyrim will be amazing. Bethesda knows what they are doing. However...if you have played Morrowind, the Elder Scrolls installment which came before Oblivion, you would know that they pretty much destroyed everything that made their games great. They decided that catering to the masses was clearly more profitable and they made some rash decisions. I think if they would have stay trued to the original concept, then they still would have sold millions of copies.

Those games are absolutely beautiful though, no doubt of that, Skyrim will surely impress.

[_________]

Of course Skyrim will be amazing. Bethesda knows what they are doing. However...if you have played Morrowind, the Elder Scrolls installment which came before Oblivion, you would know that they pretty much destroyed everything that made their games great. They decided that catering to the masses was clearly more profitable and they made some rash decisions. I think if they would have stay trued to the original concept, then they still would have sold millions of copies.

Those games are absolutely beautiful though, no doubt of that, Skyrim will surely impress.

Morrowind wasn't too bad. Whatever that scroll was that gives infinite agility et cetera was (you know, where the guy just falls out of the sky screaming) caught me by surprise and had me rolling on the floor for a minute or two, even before I tried it out. Or was that Oblivion? It's been a while. The load screens got ridiculous though (at least for console).