Posted on 03/08/2013 at 10:06 PM
| Filed Under Feature
NOMURAAA! Honestly I kind of liked his designs on VII and VIII, but compared to Amano they just come off kinda of flat . Just when we were getting to a level of graphical power that would do Amanos' designs justice He leaves and we get zippers and feathered hair on everyone. He realy has drove the series into the ground style wise.
Turn based combat needs to be brought back. Atlus realized people didn't like AI controlling the party after Persona 3 and gave you the option of semi AI or full control of your party in Persona 4. If I wanted to play an action game or an action rpg then I will play DMC or Skyrim. When I play a JRPG, other than Star Ocean or Tales, I expect a it to be turn based.
Variety in party composition is another spot on point. Both for the sake of the story and the combat system. This is why FFIX is one of my faves. You have a varied cast with specific abilities, strengths and weaknesses, but unlike FFIV, you have control of who is in your active party(most of the time). Putting together the right party is half the startagy and the fun of these games.
Althought not a straight up loot game, gear has had a more important role in FF games in the past but for some reason they have drifted away from that which sucks. You play damn near 3/4 of the way through XIII before you can even modestly upgrade your weapon much less anything else. FFVI was pretty good in the gear department, left hand, right hand, body, head, and two spots for relics that could be anything from speed boots, to a ribbon, to a magic exp amping egg. VII had materia and IX let you actually forge weapons from old gear. And you didn't have to wait 3/4 of the way through the game before you could find or make some cool stuff.
Anyway I think you pretty much nailed it but I wouldn't hold my breath. I have pretty much given up on Final Fantasy ever reclaiming its former glory.