I'll bump this one more time for the weekday crew with some final thoughts.Other than that, happy to let this topic fade into the purge. I'll also entertain any final questions or requests for more rankings.
Thanks for reading! This was so fun to write, and reminded me of when I did this all the time in the 2000's. I have to say, if it wasn't obvious, I was extremely impressed by this game. It literally feels like my dream "FF7 remake" in many ways.
I wish my enthusiasm transferred to more sales for this game. This should be the FF game that gets the series back on the map. However, all the sales talk seems to be negative, which is a shame. This will happen when you release a series of disappointing/incomplete games for over a decade. There's a real failure on SE's part to attract younger players to the series (aside from FFXIV, which is I think both a blessing and a curse for the series). This is a game made for 40 year old fans, which is why I love the game but also why it isn't breaking sales records. Console exclusivity hurts it somewhat - I know Sony paid some of the development costs, but the future is Steam/PC (unless they completely shift gears and go back to making smaller / retro-influenced games for Nintendo, which I wouldn't be opposed to).
Where does the series go from here? Remake part 3 ideally will receive the Tears of the Kingdom treatment. Basically the same world map with some additions and added emphasis on flight. Hopefully the story features some actual major twists and turns, because if it stays true to the original the best parts of the story have already been covered. Remake Part 3 really needs to be significantly different in order for it not to feel anti-climactic.
As for the series, I think gameplay wise this is how the games should be. Tone down some of the open world stuff to appease the detractors, but keep the Xenoblade esque world map stuff. There needs to be party members and tactical, if not turn-based, battles. Pure action isn't the way to go. Focus on characters.
Last thought: There should not be a FFXVII. Yoshi P is right on this one thing: let's get rid of numbered sequels. I do think it's hurting the series. Switch to subtitles, or maybe do a huge rebrand. Maybe "The Final Fantasy?"
Anyway - thanks again for reading.
while you slept, the world changed