The real II still feels like a sequel to me, especially considering how much more story-focused it was. Same with the different system - that feels especially like a sequel in the NES era where a sequel often tried something radically different. I see what you're getting at though, and I think that contributed a lot to the decision to title IV as II in NA.I think the major reason they released it as II in NA is because most people would have been very confused as to why the series jumped over 2 installments prior to the internet.
But then they had the problem of American audiences wondering why the hell the game jumped directly from 1 to 4. So they just renumbered it, because what difference did it make? Americans wouldn't know any different. Just like we didn't know that SMB2 was secretly Doki Doki Panic or that Final Fantasy Legend was really SaGa and Final Fantasy Adventure was really Seiken Densetsu (Mana).
I think the major reason they released it as II in NA is because most people would have been very confused as to why the series jumped over 2 installments prior to the internet.
Or, know that Dr. Robotniks Mean Bean Machine and Kirby's Avalanche were actually Puyo Puyo with a fresh coat of paint.The former did at least get us a fun reference in Sonic Mania!
It essentially feels like a sequel to the original Final Fantasy more than II or III did. It has the 4 elemental crystals (and many more), the 4 elemental fiends, the castle/mountain or ordeals, the class change, the rat tail, Excalibur is crafted by a blacksmith instead of found, etc.
Probably not fully the intent, but it feels more like Final Fantasy II then the real Final Fantasy II.
This was also before the days of the Internet being commonly used so most would have to call up Squaresoft to figure out what's going on.
They did give us their contact info in FFVI though. You needed it to send them a check so they could send you this:I have that and the Secret of Evermore one.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6UJ6XjUYAAvxlk.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6UJ6XnUcAAzQOe.jpg
I have that and the Secret of Evermore one.
I've never played II-V. I've only played I, VI, VIII, and IX once and VIII I had to use a game shark to beat it because I fucked up by not playing it properly since I was a stupid kid and "didn't need to draw magic". The rest of the main series (single player) I've spent many hours on.I think I was pretty aware of it by the time I was in middle school, but tbf I was immersed in game magazines and it was post-2000, so post- Final Fantasy Compilation. I could see it being a lot more confusing at the exact time though, if you weren't tapped into game media.
I frequently wonder how confused gamers were when FFVII came out since it jumped from III to VII.
But then they had the problem of American audiences wondering why the hell the game jumped directly from 1 to 4. So they just renumbered it, because what difference did it make? Americans wouldn't know any different. Just like we didn't know that SMB2 was secretly Doki Doki Panic or that Final Fantasy Legend was really SaGa and Final Fantasy Adventure was really Seiken Densetsu (Mana).
Or, know that Dr. Robotniks Mean Bean Machine and Kirby's Avalanche were actually Puyo Puyo with a fresh coat of paint.
Or, know that Dr. Robotniks Mean Bean Machine and Kirby's Avalanche were actually Puyo Puyo with a fresh coat of paint.
I've been playing the 'real' Final Fantasy II currently...just finished the Cave of Mysidia. Honestly, I've been enjoying it a fair bit. Although some kinks have been ironed out for the Pixel Remaster.
Man I wish those weren't so ridiculously overpriced.It's $80-$90 physical which is $13-$15 per game. They're $23.99 CAD individually and often go on sale for 30% off, so $16.79. Fair enough if that's not good value to you but I can part with that for a game every once in a while.
It's $80-$90 physical which is $13-$15 per game. They're $23.99 CAD individually and often go on sale for 30% off, so $16.79. Fair enough if that's not good value to you but I can part with that for a game every once in a while.
Because 5 sucked and they were right to skip it.
Actually, it was because the Japanese devs thought it was too hard for Americans to want to play, and the American side thought it didn't have a good enough story to interest American gamers.
At one point they were considering releasing it as a separate title (like a Final Fantasy Legend or Final Fantasy:Mystic Quest sort of deal), but then changed their mind.
Were sales low at this point of time or something?RPGs hadn't quite proven themselves as big sellers in the west yet.
I've never played II-V. I've only played I, VI, VIII, and IX once and VIII I had to use a game shark to beat it because I fucked up by not playing it properly since I was a stupid kid and "didn't need to draw magic". The rest of the main series (single player) I've spent many hours on.
I frequently wonder how confused gamers were when FFVII came out since it jumped from III to VII.
none of that explains why they jumped from 4 to 6 thoughThat's because us Westerners are too stupid to play those big brain Final Fantasy games with job systems so they had to give us Mystic Quest instead.