Final Fantasy Ability Systems

[griever]

Ok, one of the biggest parts of the gameplay in Final Fantasy is obviously the system of magic used, it's changed again and again throughout the game and I was just curious to see what your opinion of each of the individual systems is.

As an example, the materia system as opposed to the draw and junction system, or the sphere grid learnt system as opposed to the learning of spells from equipment or purchase.

For me I quite disliked the materia system because I much preferred being able to have a single player master all black magic spells as a black mage etc. and I didn't care for the method of obtaining spells by drawing either. Can't say I fancied games where spells were purchased for that matter, learnt appeals most to me.

Also, if you want to comment on how specific spells differ throughout the games that would be kool as well.

[Clone]

what i hate to be given jobs where u can only use certain spell for that particular job and what not. i think i like the materia system best as u can give the materia to differnt character whilst still keeping the same amount of ap, also u can mix and match so the characters all have differnt magic and skill.

I like to have differnt types of equipment/cloths for the characters but as to learn magic from them i dont think i would like. Mainly because u need to have certain cloth for certain characters with a spasific job, which as iv said i diss like job systems.

[Zoidberg!]

I really like the esper system from FFVI. It works well, and really adds customization to your characters.

[bamak93]

Junction system from 8 was difficult to use at first, but after awhile I taught myself how to use it.

[Donnie Yen]

I loved the Sphere system from FFX the best.

[Becoming X]

The Esper system was great.
I loved it.

The Materia system I didn't like at all, whilst the Junction system didn't bother me that much when I got used to it.

Buying magic like in XII, was meh at only that I had to go searching for certain ones, which was sometimes a pain.

[Sophia Esteed]

Materia was about the ONLY flaw I found in FFVII. But at the same time, it allows for changes from time to time when facing new opponents, just like Junctioning. It depends on what Mateira (or Junctions) you use.

I really like the FFIX ability system, nuff said. Espers of FFVI are okay, but you may have to hold off leveling and yada yada...

[Raeneth]

I like FF9's system, but also the Sphere Grid is nice too. License Board also makes me happy. However my favorite is probably the materia system, though it makes your characters all pretty much the same. The only recent game I know of where you have unique characters is 9, so I applaud them for it. I dislike Junctioning immensely.

[bizness86]

Nine was most awesome; however, I didn't get to fully explore FF9 like I would have wanted to. FFX's level-up system didn't require strategy unless you actually wanted to be strategical about it (for example, skipping using spheres on unnecessary stats like Auron and Magic, or Rikku and Strength). I really wish I could have gotten used to FF8; my experience would have been so much better.

[JH]

If we're talking about favorites here, Final Fantasy Tactics/Tactics Advance/Tactics A2's ability systems take the cake in my opinion.

[Koji]

I really loved the original Materia system used in FF7. But my favorite is FFX-2's Dress sphere system. It was really fun to use, and pretty crazy. The abilities were cool, and allowed for different players to have a personal favorite. One was not better than all the rest. The costume designs were so totally out there, but having so many choices made it worthwhile. Well, thats my opinion at least.

[New2Ya]

The two best systems IMO are without a doubt the Junction System and the Sphere Grid.

Both allow you full customization, WITH boundaries. That's what it's all about IMO.

[griever]

Originally Posted by New2Ya

The two best systems IMO are without a doubt the Junction System and the Sphere Grid.

Both allow you full customization, WITH boundaries. That's what it's all about IMO.

Coincidentally these are both my favourites as well xD

Though I don't see how the Sphere Grid gives limitations... every character can obtain every ability and max out all their stats. The only thing that you're still limited by is that one character can't use another's Overdrives.

[New2Ya]

Originally Posted by griever

Coincidentally these are both my favourites as well xD

Though I don't see how the Sphere Grid gives limitations... every character can obtain every ability and max out all their stats. The only thing that you're still limited by is that one character can't use another's Overdrives.

Plus Summons are Yuna-only, and far-distance is Wakka-only (attack-wise) and there's more I think. xD

Coincidentally these are both my favourites as well xD

Both FF8 and FF10 are my fav in the series, so there might be a connection in that sense. Though I never thought it being the gameplay that attracts me most to the two titles.

[griever]

Originally Posted by New2Ya

Plus Summons are Yuna-only, and far-distance is Wakka-only (attack-wise) and there's more I think. xD


Both FF8 and FF10 are my fav in the series, so there might be a connection in that sense. Though I never thought it being the gameplay that attracts me most to the two titles.

Fair points about the limitations.

And we have something in common, FFVIII and X are my faves again though like you I don't think it's because of the gameplay.

For FFVIII I loved the storyline to bits and for FFX I just loved the fact that no matter how many times I played it I never got bored with it, I got bored with FFXII after my first 2 run-throughs for example, whereas I've beaten FFX at least 12 times (and that is a very big AT LEAST)