Wada On FF: "Difficult To Determine Which Way To Go"
Final Fantasy XIIII would like to make one thing clear; it's the best way I can describe my opinion of Final Fantasy XIII: the production values are immense and overall, it's absolutely one of the best games of the generation. It is not, however, one of the best Final Fantasy titles. I think it's important to recognize both aspects of the situation.
The reason is because it seems that some of the negative feedback for the game - most all of it from the long-time fans - has finally reached the ears of Square-Enix president Yoichi Wada. The boss has recently come under fire by saying things like "what's in America should be handled by Americans" and he's also indicated that Final Fantasy's direction as a franchise is very uncertain. This is why we read Gamasutra's interview, where we find out Wada has indeed heard some of the FFXIII backlash.
"Looking at the numbers alone, it is pretty good, because we were able to release the latest Final Fantasy in all three markets of Japan, United States, and Europe in a very short period of time, and we were able to reach 5 million units rapidly — and I think this product will grow further. But when it comes to the customers’ reaction to the quality of the game, some value it highly and some are not very happy with it."
But does he understand why some are unhappy with it? Isn't that the most important thing? Well...no, he doesn't, but at least he admits that he doesn't know. Said Wada:
"Should Final Fantasy become a new type of the game or should Final Fantasy not become a new type of game? The customers have different opinions. It’s very difficult to determine which way it should go."
Okay, I'm fairly certain I - and all our RPG fans here at PSXE - can answer that for you, Wada. Ready? Are you listening? Here goes: make a role-playing game that faithfully retains the mechanics and style of old installments, regardless of whether you think some will call them "outdated." In short, give us modern, updated versions of games like FFVII through FFX (maybe even FFXII). It can't be that hard...and for the love of God, please don't assume we all want a twitch-fest version of the strategic, RPG FF we've always known and loved! Thanks.
Related Game(s): Final Fantasy XIII
Tags: final fantasy xiii, ffxiii, wada, square-enix
7/14/2010 9:00:52 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (77 posts)
godsman
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 10:35:02 PM
Wada: "Hmm... My sixth sense is telling me something is wrong with the FFXIII game, but I'm not sure."
FF Fans: (Waving signs 2 feet away from Wada's face.)
Last edited by godsman on 7/14/2010 10:35:16 PM
5 up, 0 down
eLLeJuss
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 12:32:52 AM
0 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 5:46:40 AM
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 9:44:20 PM
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Please listen. You do not need to abandon the loyal fans of 'old fashinoed' JRPG games in order to court a new market of twitch gamers. You can service both markets with games made that appeal particularly to each market segment. Perhaps some of the gamers who love the old style will buy the new game to see what it's all about, and perhaps some of those new 'twitch' gamers will buy the old style JRPG to try it out. But you cannot grow your market if you only serve half of it. Please think about this and consider serving the loyal fans (who made your company what it is), at least as well as you serve those who are new and have never purchased a Square Enix game before.
Thank you
TheHighlander.
11 up, 0 down
godsman
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 10:40:18 PM
0 up, 0 down
Dante399
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 7:53:08 AM
That's just what I was thinking; making two versions of the game; just like FF13 and Versus but in the two styles of the old JRPG and the new westernized one.
And believe me it'll work like a charm because hardcore fans like myself will buy the two versions just because we want to show our support to the company that actually LISTENED to what its fans want. So by this the company does not lose it's old fans "that made it what it is" and gain new comers with whatever the company has in mind.
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 9:44:33 PM
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Just make Final Fantasy's like you made last gen and one the one before. Stop trying to cater to the shooter nuts. Just make RPG's.
They should have made Nomrua CEO. He like Kojima seems to care about his creative vision instead of expanding the all might empire that is now Squeenix.
Last edited by Jawknee on 7/14/2010 9:49:59 PM
3 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 9:59:31 PM
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3 up, 0 down
Deleted User
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 10:00:21 PM
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3 up, 0 down
kraygen
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 10:01:08 PM
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I'm starting to think he can't get anything right. I hope he doesn't influence versus, if not it'll probably sell more copies than 13 even tho it's ps3 exclusive.
3 up, 0 down
Kowhoho
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 10:02:39 PM
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I'm currently at the tail end of 13 and I'm underwhelmed. It makes me remember my experience with ff12.
I played all the way to the very end and couldn't beat the final boss. In a huff of frustration, I stopped playing. Fast forward to a year later and I am feeling disappointed by never beating it. I went online and watched it on YouTube.
Even after a full year of not seeing the game at all, every memory and emotion of the story flooded my mind all at once. I'd call it something close to an epiphany.
Nothing like that will happen for 13.
Let's hope Versus goes well.
3 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 10:45:57 PM
1 up, 1 down
godsman
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 10:47:01 PM
I feel like supporting used games are like piracy, but for this game, I'll be getting it used. Sorry Sony, nothing against you, but SquareEnix aint getting my money.
1 up, 1 down
Kowhoho
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 11:12:48 PM
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 11:16:55 PM
But then again, i thought we were still going to get a good Final Fantasy with XIII. As you can see I was dead wrong.
Last edited by Jawknee on 7/14/2010 11:17:24 PM
1 up, 1 down
GuardianMode
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 10:06:24 PM
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Last edited by GuardianMode on 7/14/2010 10:08:52 PM
3 up, 0 down
nogoat23
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 10:48:15 PM
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I know there are many people out there (myself included) who would love to voice their opinion.
2 up, 0 down
jdt1981
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 10:56:32 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Pandacastro
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 11:14:11 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 12:01:56 AM
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 1:32:46 AM
There was little to no strategy required in FFXIII. Just about everything was automated. A chimp could play FFXIII.
4 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 1:37:02 AM
0 up, 0 down
SvenMD
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 9:04:11 AM
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telly
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 10:35:43 AM
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Dancemachine55
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 11:17:06 PM
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Remember what Wada said about abandoning fans and trying to get new ones?
Who shoots themselves in the neck like that!?!?!?! Yeah, that's a smart idea, abandon the millions of fans who've been with you from the beginning and try to pick up the few hundred thousand who play COD and might, MIGHT be interested in your games.
... idiot...
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 11:18:02 PM
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2 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 11:18:13 PM
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MS has just cut their puppet's strings loose,
so if you think about it, Wada's just seen his "REAL" Final Fantasy suddenly go South, rather than West.
Can Wada say...Bye bye MS slush fund millions???
Last edited by BikerSaint on 7/14/2010 11:20:37 PM
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Gordo
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 11:25:34 PM
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Traded it for Demon's Souls and couldn't be happier.
What I would like however is FFXIII's production values and cut scenes and Demon's Souls gameplay. Now that would be a cracker!
3 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 11:28:29 PM
0 up, 0 down
Kangasfwa
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 11:37:16 PM
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Ergi
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 11:54:54 PM
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0 up, 0 down
CHAOS THEORY X
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 12:26:53 AM
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1 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 1:33:41 AM
I did the same thing only i had to take a leak.
2 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 9:32:09 PM
0 up, 0 down
telly
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 10:45:09 AM
My comedy story for XIII is me falling asleep on my couch mid-cinema I was so bored. I still chuckle thinking about that night. I shelved the game shortly thereafter. Maybe I'll circle back some day.
And Ben, for what it's worth, I respect your opinions on games and maybe that's a good reason to give this game another go-round. But my first try left me terribly disappointed and ambivalent about future FF games.
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 2:19:14 PM
But like you said, given Ben's reason for liking the game, maybe i will go back someday soon.
Last edited by Jawknee on 7/16/2010 2:23:59 PM
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 12:39:16 PM
3 up, 3 down
AntDC
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 7:35:37 PM
I could think of dozens that you guys have given higher praise too!
Top 50 of this generation maybe...
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Underdog15
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 9:29:25 PM
And anything over an 8 is top quality.
You COULD always READ the reviews to understand that not only did Ben give it an accurate score, but he did indeed mention it was still a great game. The issues involved brought it down below 9... But 8 point anything is a good game.
If you ask me, Ben is incredibly accurate and knowledgeable about RPG's and the FF series. A couple of users including myself have written some top quality reviews on the game as well. All of us gave it near the same score with the same assessment, more or less.
EDIT: also, I think you would be hard pressed to find 'dozens'.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 7/15/2010 9:30:50 PM
1 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 2:10:22 AM
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It sold 5 million copies on name recognition. All those people thought they would be getting a top-notch, engaging, engrossing experience, and I can say that most of them ended up with looks of WTF on their collective faces.
To Wada:
Why can't you simply use your gamer brain for a change rather than your business brain? Understand this, my friend, the only people that are truly interested in Final Fantasy are the same people that enjoy being able to think as the result of a video game. That was taken away and destroyed in an unspeakable fashion with that atrocity you called Fabula Crystallis Nova: Final Fantasy XIII. We were left with a ridiculously straight forward, and vastly oversimplified game that failed, on pretty much all counts, to satisfy the people that really matter. The solution is staring you in the face. Make a game that the people that have been buying your companys games for the last twenty years will enjoy. Give them an epic and satisfying storyline, give them true turn-based gameplay and for goodness sake, give us something worthy of the venerable title 'Final Fantasy' in this generation. Forget the masses, cater to your core, or you will lose everyone.
Thankyou.
PEACE/LAW
4 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 12:40:30 PM
1 up, 3 down
AntDC
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 7:39:30 PM
Almost everyone here would probably agree, but isn't that the point though? That ominous "if" stuck at the start of that sentence? Sure they could of, but they didn't. That's what gets to me the most.
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Ultimadream
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 3:44:48 AM
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I personally enjoyed FFXIII, the story was a step back in the right direction, it was more character driven than political. I guess the main problem was that they did not give us a chance to explore the world at our own pace, there werent shops or houses to visit. But one thing they did get right was the structure of the story, something was always happening so that did not bother me, FF12 took forever to bring up an interesting plot event, most of them arised with the judges.They just need to get a mix of exploration and story right.
1 up, 0 down
___________
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 4:28:19 AM
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take the series back to its original exploration roots!
RPGs are all about 4 things.
1 exploration.
2 character development.
3 environments and people around you.
4 story.
all RPGs the whole point of a RPG is to have a big open world for people to walk around, and find things they need or will come in handy.
character development is IMO the most important aspect of a RPG.
you need to be able to create your own character, and shape him the way you want to.
be able to really connect with the character, and have him as a digital version of yourself.
environments, now a rich believable environment can add so much to a game!
red dead redemption you really feel like your character has a impact on the world, how people react to you with your previous acts and things like that.
the story in any game not only RPGs is the most important aspect to a game, it keeps the player interested.
prime example, alpha protocol is buggy, repetitive and one of the most frustrating games i have ever played!
BUT the story has me coming back time and time again!
i really am intrigued to find out what happens, i love the idea of my actions changing what levels i get to play, and the ending.
a fantastic story can turn a repetitive mediocre game into a good one.
1 up, 6 down
Lawless SXE
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 5:54:23 AM
Now to flip that on its head, one could argue that gameplay takes precedence over story. Again, Fallout 3 as an example: The story was so slow and drawn out that after about the fourth main story mission I couldn't give a damn what happened to my 'Valken' or his father, but I wanted to keep playing simply because it was so much fun. Or LBP, the story was a morality tale for children, but it was so much fun that I wanted to keep playing it. But then, I don't think that I could have forced myself to finish Assassin's Creed were it not for the story.
Story and gameplay should be listed beside each other when it comes to importance to the game.
As for exploration, Valkyria Chronicles is one of only five RPGs that I've played, and it thus far is my favourite, yet it features no exploration whatsoever. Granted it is an SRPG, but it does not feature this mechanic, and works better for it. It is preferable in a proper RPG, but not necessary. A primarily linear (branching paths to take, but still leads you to the same point) can be as good as any open-world RPG.
Character development, well, most WRPGs have next to none of this. Particularly the create-a-character ones. It is about you being whatever you want to be, and the other characters are merely there for you to craft a personality.
Create a character and a set personality cannot work well together, and that is the flaw in your logic.
Peace.
1 up, 0 down
Ultimadream
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 6:27:41 AM
2 up, 0 down
___________
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 9:22:38 AM
that and a living breathing world, are 2 really important things for a RPG, without them as far as im concerned there not true RPGs.
as for story, you used a really bad example.
fallout 3s story did nothing over the gameplay because it was so boring.
the best story versus the best gameplay i think story would win out of the 2.
obviously they are both a important part of each other, but what i meant was a game with bad gameplay but good story can be a good game.
but a game with great gameplay but poor story is less likely to be a good game.
why?
because story is one of the very few things unique to a game.
most games the gameplay is very similar to a game, so if i dont like said games gameplay but the story is good ala alpha protocol it will keep me playing.
but if a game has great gameplay but poor story, than i will probably loose interest in said game because the chances are i can find the same gameplay with a better storyline in a other game.
1 up, 0 down
Gamer Girl Gemo
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 7:00:16 AM
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I'm currently working away at FFXIII (Chapter 11 is seeming to DRAG) and I feel lke I'm constantly needing to pay attention. There's not much strategy to this twitcher's delight. (Not the same kind of stretegy as it used to be, at least. I hate when you have to scramble to change paradigms to just have a medic.) It seems as though it's pretty lights, fast action, and many, many things to kill. I mainly miss the exploration! Linearity really sucks in a FF installment. In all honesty, I feel like my carpal tunnel may return soon... (Shudder)
Anywho, it doesn't hurt to give us all a throwback! Especially, like you said Ben, VII through X would make my day. Those beauties coming back in HD, and exclusive, would be the best ever. Would Cloud and Tifa actually have fingers? Would Squall finally look as though he has eyes instead of square pixels? And would Tidus' hair move when he did his bouncy little run? It makes a die-hard dream...
2 up, 0 down
JackC8
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 8:12:01 AM
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That right there is the problem with FFXIII - no challenge, no skill, no thought required.
Everything else about the game was quite good - the graphics were fantastic, the story was moderately interesting, the characters, well...they were pedestrian and one-dimensional, but they weren't too terribly bad. But for the love of god, the gameplay was like working in a factory and completing some menial task over and over until the sheer tedium of it just sucked the life out of you.
Fix that - quit assuming us Westerners are too damned dumb to do anything more complicated than pressing X repeatedly - and I'll be pretty happy with whatever "direction" they go.
2 up, 0 down
Ultimadream
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 10:00:14 AM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 10:46:14 AM
I want to see a return to games that require mastery, not just persistence.
1 up, 0 down
nogoat23
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 11:36:52 AM
0 up, 0 down
Ultimadream
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 2:10:21 PM
But with FFXIII it does require attention, you i noticed also for the more dfficult mission you would have to have the correct accessories on too or you would be in trouble. In FFVII later on in the game it did not matter what accessory you have really it only mattered towards the materia.
Also if your going to complain at difficulty, look at FFIX, i beat Ozma at levels 50-60, thats a bit simple for the hardest boss on the game. once you got to level 60 there was no need to level up anymore anyway, you'd start getting minor stat bonuses like Hp+1 every level.
Last edited by Ultimadream on 7/15/2010 2:13:11 PM
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 12:17:13 PM
0 up, 0 down
gumbi
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 8:15:54 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 9:51:27 AM
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Easy solution, LISTEN TO YOUR FANS!!
No wait, listen to Square Enix's fan I mean.
1 up, 0 down
BigBoss4ever
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 9:59:20 AM
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Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 7/15/2010 10:00:10 AM
1 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 10:17:11 AM
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Isn't this what happened to Metallica? KISS? AC/DC?
I know it's music....but still, it also applies to this. Fans want what MADE those bands, not some new age BS. Let the newer bands play that new age crap.
If I wanted a "modern" rpg I'd play stuff like Dragon Age, Oblivion, or any of that crap
If I want to play traditional rpg, I'll play FF.
---
Imagine if they drastically changed the rules of any sport just because it's "outdated?"
Imagine if all of a sudden they said "oh, let's make baseball a 5 Innings game since people don't like watching the game for 3 hours."
Seriously, outdated is a word for technology, not something used for game mechanics.
I've moved on anyway, feel sympathy for those who actually bought FFXIII. You have my condolences
1 up, 0 down
DeathOfChaos
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 12:55:35 PM
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1 up, 0 down
marcusfrommo
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 2:12:18 PM
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0 up, 5 down
Jawknee
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 3:43:29 PM
The game sucked for Final Fantasy and RPG.
4 up, 1 down
Douchebaguette
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 2:55:26 PM
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1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 3:59:20 PM
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he secretly wishes that he was born in Wyoming.
Square Enix CEO Implies Japanese Gaming Industry is Weak
http://www.thealistdaily.com/news/square-enix-ceo-implies-japanese-gaming-industry-is-weak/
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 4:07:34 PM
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1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 4:22:08 PM
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http://www.industrygamers.com/news/final-fantasy-creator-calling-it-quits/
1 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 8:54:03 PM
So he's been out on his own with his own company for a while now.
Blue Dragon was alright, or so I heard.
His latest game, The Last Story, will probably be great. He says he wants to put all his creative skills to make this a great/legendary game. It's for the Wii (told you guys the Wii has some good quality games).
Can't wait to see how it turns out.
Sad to see him retire of this though
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Wage SLAVES
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 4:49:33 PM
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No one seems to like the linearity. As much as people liked the combat I'm sure most would prefer, even by a small margin, the older turn-based system.
0 up, 1 down
SuMtOnE
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 8:33:13 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Alienange
Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 9:36:35 PM
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By all means, add in your high def flash and fantastic CG cut scenes. Just don't release any more action games with the FF name on it.
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Underdog15
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 1:11:09 PM
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No matter how much you might yell at Dora the correct answer, she still doesn't hear you.
This is exactly the same.
1 up, 0 down
Ravagerfromhell
Sunday, July 18, 2010 @ 11:06:48 PM
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0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Reply
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 9:38:39 PM