Ugh, fine, the kids are down so I'll do it "Jari" style and address everything as best I can, including gjorulv's concerns. Please keep in mind that a lot of this is going to be playing devil's advocate and using some extremes, but it's mostly to make a point
No, seriously, it LOOKS like a hack and slash game with some tweaks (probably feels different if you play yourself, I dunno...). Nothing wrong with hack and slash games, but isn't this supposed to feign realism?
If it was supposed to be realistic, you would get an uncanny valley vibe. Nothing in the demo actually appears to be going for realism. Further from cartoony graphics? Yes. All out realism? No
Yes, I know that you have to have some suspension of disbelief in a fantasy setting, and that the action can't be 1-to-1 realistic in certain styles of games to make it fun/interesting or whatever, but the slicing and dicing here is WAY over the top for a realistic setting. IF you are supposed to get this realism impression from the overall design I have no idea what they were thinking. To me it just looks dumb, and I would rather prefer it be 110% balls-to-the-walls DBZ. You know, if the game didn't take itself too seriously. If you're trying to look cool like this why not go all out?
If you watch videos of people doing multiple play throughs, or play it a few times yourself, you'll notice it's not nearly as hack and slash as it appears. Once people understand the stagger mechanic and how to best use their ATB bar, the enemy fights are extremely quick. Think of it like the first time you played FF7, you probably died to the guard scorpion. The next time you beat it but it took quite a while with a lot of healing. Playing it now you'd breeze through no problem (hence a harcore mod is needed). It's the same concept. Whether or not it will hold up throughout the whole game, who knows, but so far it works well.
Also, you need Barret to shot things up on ledges, but why, Cloud can jump like a ¤/¤%#&8.
I've only played the demo, but have seen a few other videos of later chapters where Cloud is attacking in the air, so his movement isn't completely ground based. It's also likely done to encourage players to learn how to switch between characters to use their unique abilities. And honestly, how many times did you actually NEED Barret's long range? Like, 2 fights? 3?
Classic mode is NOT the same as original FF7. Not that anyone expected that, but the devs pointed out that this mode was for those who would prefer the original gameplay. It's basically a super easy mod as far as I can tell.
I haven't played classic mode, but my understanding is you're right. I think it's a story mode. Normal seems about perfect, but I really hope there's a hard mode for seasoned players to really dig into the battle mechanics. Also, isn't the original game super easy mode it's also pretty much "press X to win"
The banter from Biggs, Wedge and Jessie was well made if you ignore the setting. Jessie seems like a total player. But the attitude and tone they create is off from what their mission is.
They are blowing up a reactor, killing people, doing eco-terrorism, but they act like sunday morning cartoon characters about it.
I mean, the comments they give to Cloud when they leave the guards to him, the nonchalant attitude, the carefree banter, etc.
Having been in the military and done my share of deployments, I can vouch that this is how military personnel act. Sure it's serious when it needs to be (like when escaping an exploding reactor) but taking care of the mundane enemies and situations is akin to working a 9-5. No one's really stressed or worried, you're just doing your job.
Example: First they are hiding from the guards, and when the guards notice Cloud they sneak behind the guards to move on. Only... They don't sneak. Before leaving they make sure to chant: "You got this Cloud!". It's so $%&£ dang stupid, and disregards almost the entire situation. Why even hide in the 1st place? I dunno, maybe they smoked some greens before they started the mission. That could explain their behavior. They do resemble hippies at some level. I mean, their behavior CAN be explained, but I can hardly imagine there will be some super awesome logical explanation.
I would agree with you if this were a Tom Clancy game. The original had similar banter while still fighting enemies. They're just use it here to show that Cloud was actually hired to do the fighting. You actually see them avoiding battle and saying "All yours, buddy" and whatever to help reinforce that his job there is strictly to defend them as they infiltrate the reactor. Also, from a military perspective, if you see someone who is an active threat, versus someone not immediately posing a threat to you, you attack the threat, not the guy running away. From a strategic level, sure, don't let them blow up the reactor!! From a personal level of not wanting to die, you attack the threat
Barret acts like a brat sometimes, which seems out of character to me (or perhaps that's what they aim for?). For example when they enter the reactor, he goes on a tantrum because Cloud doesn't answer him right away. I know he doesn't trust Cloud, but, geez, his patience is in negative space at that scene.
Also, the battle banter really made me cringe for the most part. This has plagued soooo many games, please make it stop![/spoiler]
Some of the banter is good and does help with character development. I wouldn't say it's completely necessary, but it also doesn't do any harm (so far as the demo is concerned)Is Barret over the top? Yes. Was he over the top in the original? Yes, getting all riled up and beating his chest and yelling expletives and trying to intimidate Cloud so everyone knew he was the leader. His remake dialogue feels right in line with how it was 20 years ago(Whether or not that was his intended personality in the original is irrelevant since he was translated to be over the top and that's who his character became)
Cringe reactions from the top of my head:
"Omg, there is a map!!??!!?"
"Omg, you interact with stuff??!!?!?!"
"Omg, there can be stuff in the way that prevent bullets from hitting me??!?11?!1!?"
After killing 3 enemies: "Omg this is the best battle system ever!!!!11!!1"
(yes, there are people who mash square on the controller, kills the 1st couple of enemies, and all of a sudden it's the best battle-system ever.)
"This is a deeper look at a story we thought we knew, with new scenes."
...lol
Things that have been normal in games for over 40 years is now super impressive for some reason *cough*fanboying*cough*.
Surely these are people appealing to their base of subscribers. I would suggest finding different youtube personalities to follow that review games a way you might better respond to. I personally also don't like that crap and the fake crying and the other nonsense they do to try and get subscribers. I recently discovered Maximillian Dood (sp?) and really appreciate his take on things.
A repeat in TL;DR version:
1. The tone of the setting does not match how the characters act overall. 2. The design mentality is in conflict with the actual design.
The technological evolution in gaming have been great, why does storytelling need to regress to the point which, in part, it has to rely on trivial musings? (hint: welp, again, we know why)
1. Pretty sure I address this higher up. 2. You'll have to be more specific on what the conflict is. I genuinely don't know, nor what the regress in storytelling you're referring to.
Dude, I'm not angry. If anything, I tried to be rather comical in my criticism, which I guess can be intrepeted as angry ranting (hard to convey your emotional state by text only).
I'm disappointed by the direction SE is headed and fascinated by the fanboyism, yes . Trump....??
On what I expected: If I'm not mistaken, I believe I mentioned somewhere that I expected the gameplay to be ok but that the story would annoy me. At least that's how I remember it, but me and my former self don't always agree.
I didn't take you as angry at all. DLPB though....
What direction are they headed? I will happily admit I think it's been pretty bad since IX. I kinda barely liked X, but couldn't get into 12 or 13, and probably won't even try 15. But it appears they've actually put in effort here. Like they actually want to make a good game that respects the original and isn't just a cash grab. I'm sure it's a cash grab for SONY, but I think the directors and employees genuinely want this to be great.
And, not a response to anyone in particular (lol these walls of text should be documented for future archeologists) (I'm a bit drunk so I feel I have to write more):
Back when, Square had a lot of failed attempts to get FF popular in the west. Making the FFs easier was a way of making them more appealing. That combined with the 3D of FF7 definitely helped getting FF to the mainstream.
And this is my main criticism of most of the "old" FFs. They are too fucking easy. Why do I need those ultimate weapons? Glamour?
Today, gaming is a much bigger part of the culture. To the point where calling gamers "casuals" can be considered an insult. The tables have turned. Nerds rule! Learn how to code goddammit!. Marked research teams knows this, and is THE MAIN reason why AAA companies strives to make their games more gamer friendly (harder). They do this in order to please the "true" gamers, or whatever lall (yes there are other reasons, devs aren't souless zombies).
Is this "bad"? Not self-evedently at least. Imo it's a good thing gaming has been generally accepted as a genuine form of entertainment. But at the same time it bears the mainstream baggage of, for example, stupid batle banter. And out of character behaviour. Like you you see in FF7R demo.
Again, maybe the battle banter isn't 100% necessary, but so far it does help to establish the characters. And it's also currently in fashion. If you remember, turn based games also used to be in fashion. Maybe that part won't age well. But neither did a character saying "Press X to climb the ladder"
Would it really be that bad if they changed the genre of the game. I mean, come on, just like it! (sorry couldn't resist, nothing against you).
Still not angry. If FF7R will be the best game to ever grace God's green earth, I will be a happy man.
Could it win game of the year? Potentially. Will it be the mega hit the original was? No. It's not pioneering any new technologies. It's not introducing anyone to anything they haven't seen before. But that also doesn't mean it won't be good