Lionheart early in disc 1. Think Developers knew?

I don't call this complexity, I call it questionable development. Yeah, it's kind of cool to break a game (the fact that you can do so is one of the reasons I enjoy FFVIII), but I appreciate it more when the developers actually balance a game well.

t~

pure mind games posted...

From: tiornys | #002

I don't call this complexity, I call it questionable development.

Yes, it's obviously the developers fault you have no self control

This isn't about my self control (which is just fine, thank you), or about the self control of any player. It's about objective evaluation of game balance, which is an aspect of game development (as opposed to game design).

but I appreciate it more when the developers actually balance a game well.

If you stop using No Encounters and getting high end spells at level 7, you'll notice it's as perfectly balanced as any other Final Fantasy.

This is largely true only in that most games in the Final Fantasy series are poorly balanced. And no, I'm not talking about power leveling. I'm talking about the multiple routes to various game-breaking combinations and/or abilities that exist at par or lower levels, without the necessity of grinding, in almost every game of the series (in FFVIII, limit breaks are the primary culprit besides the elements you mention).

Frankly, most RPGs out there--not just FF games--have questionable balance.

It's a thing. It happens. It usually happens for multiple reasons. Some abilities are outright intended to be game-breakers. Spells named "Ultima" typically qualify, as do many summons. These are placed by the designers to serve a specific goal: allowing less skilled/less patient players to complete the story of the game. Others happen because they are overlooked or underestimated. FFVI's 128% MBlock setups fall into this category; they take advantage of a bug in the game, and were clearly never intended to be as powerful as they are.

Is it a good thing to disturb game balance in the name of accessibility? I'm not sure. I will say that it's not necessarily bad. An RPG is not typically focused on its combat balance; it is focused on the story, and on various other things that can enhance the play experience. An RPG that is highly unbalanced can still be very enjoyable, unlike a fighting game or FPS, because there is far less need for balance in a non-competitive setting.

But just because balance isn't needed, that does not mean it is unappreciated. I think most games are better if they have better balance. There are ways to make games accessible that don't involve handing out game-breaking abilities. As a consequence, I want to promote better game balance--something that the TC's post explicitly wants to break down.

I'm not attacking FFVIII, although it seems that you think I am given your hostile reaction to my comments and your explicit defense of FFVIII in your response. I'm attacking the notion that broken gameplay is better gameplay. If you want to take issue with my stance, take issue with that.

t~