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Valkyria Chronicles or Final Fantasy Tactics?
Feygor
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I really want to give Valkyria Chronicles a good run and I know it is a crime but I have never played Final Fantasy Tactics. I can't seem to pick between the two, I keep going back and forth. I only have the time for one, but which one?!?!?!
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But Tactics is ssooooooooooo good. I'm probably gonna have to buy it after VC and play it... for the 5th time.
Final Fantasy Tactics...ADVANCE.
FFT is well regarded but primitive. VC is very pretty but vapid and easy. VC is a nice my first SRPG I suppose.
The advance games are shit in comparison.
The translation was not that good for FFT, but the story is not about some stupid kids. It's one of the only japanese games I've played where I can say that.
I have a few pairs of rose tinted glasses though, so take that into account.
I haven't played VC, I don't have a PS3.
I STILL play FFT the original. It's the ONLY reason I still have my PS1.
Play both if you can!
No need, it has no games
I keep meaning to play FFT, but I always get distracted and play IV or III instead.
Affraid I don't know much about Valkyrie Chrons, whats the gist?
Though FFT is just so good.
I'll never forgive having to line my characters up in a + formation and have them kick the shit out of each other so I can learn Cure 2.
Keep this in mind. Once you go VC, there is NO going back to SRPGs. I'm seriously not trying Fire Emblem or Disgaea or whatever anymore, because VC has a wonderful level system that cuts out nearly all grinding. And thats the following: You level up entire classes, rather than individual characters. This cuts the grind out. And the only time I needed to grind was near the end of the game. VC is really glorious and it burns me that the sequel is just for PSP.
In VC the characters in gameplay are a cross between Fire Emblem and FFT. In FFT, most of your characters never talk, because if they die they stay dead. In Fire Emblem, this is still true, but at the very least the characters can develop friendships with other characters.
In VC, the characters can die, and lack the development that Fire Emblem does, but each individual character has perks and quirks that make you want to keep them alive.
If you have a PSP get FFT: War of the Lions, as it's retranslated with new cutscenes. The translation in the original tactics was bad bad bad by any standards, and made some of the game hard to understand, though it was still great. I just play it on my TV with the PSP->TV cable.
If you've got a PSP, pick up the PSP port of FFT. The translation is much better, and it has some fantastic animation placed in the cutscenes. The added benefit is that you can play it anywhere, and FFT lends itself well to the portable platform.
I think you can get it on the PSN now, and if you can find it used on UMD it's pretty cheap.
EDIT: I should add that I've completed FFT three or four times, and never managed to completed Valkyria Chronicles.
Then again, there are a few games that I've not been able to finish due to interest burnout.
He's one of those people when it comes to VC. Taken in by the ease of play and the purdy graphics and ignoring all the flaws. We have a whole revolving thread of them.
Despite my leanings towards other games in the series at least I can't fault people when they claim FFT is an alltime classic. It has aged poorly though and moves at a glacial speed.
No.
But god help you if you try to level up everybody. Despite each character having their own properties, some characters are just useless. *cough*, Illyana *cough*
Oh I'm far from a VC fanboy. I don't like it's anime bullshit, or bullshit cheater AI, and am capable of looking past the visuals. But the ease of play is what sells me on it.
This is true. Once you get him it almost takes the fun out of the game, and you have to give up one of your beloved party members. I usually just don't use him.
I've played some TRPGS after Tactics, but FFT ruined me. The Nippon Ichi games I've played (Makai Kingdom, La Pucelle) have come close but for some reason don't live up to FFT. I want more FFT. I want multiplayer FFT. I want FFTII.
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FFT's battles are just so much fun for me, the story is great too, but, I can spend hours leveling just for the sheer joy of it. I dont consider having a blast planning out the battles a grind. Guess i'm just weird like that.
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And for the record I hated FFT Advance, I bought it, played it for 2 days and sold it back. I really didn't like the story, races (hate furries) and the stupid laws/judges.
Let me tell you about Demon's Souls....
It featured:
I've caught shit from people here for not liking it but I've given it a serious attempt or two. One of those attempts, I had a thread chronicling my playing. I didn't make it very far before stupid crap just frustrated me.
And I still haven't.
Once you get a hang of the mechanics it becomes incredibly fun to set yourself new challenges. You can breeze through the game with special characters or you can grind regular characters up to become retardedly powerful, sure. But it's really fun to use funky classes and try to make it past the tough story battles without over-levelled characters.
The story's fantastic, too. If you're even posting here it means you'll be able to look past (and probably even enjoy) the outrageous translation in the original PSX version and still enjoy the story, so I'd suggest playing that one.
Yes the gameplay is clunkier than many modern SRPGs, but this here is the reason to play FFT. It has easily one of the best plots of any rpg I've played (Even if it is ripped straight out of Tactics Ogre/Ogre Battle). It's like Final Fantasy meets A Song of Ice and Fire.
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Great, now I just vomited everywhere
Are you suggesting ASOIAF is shit? Or just don't care for my comparison? If the former, do explain what the hell you think is a good book if ASOIAF isnt it.
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I just don't care for it
oh cool we're doing this again
If you have a PSP, get Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions (it is the original FFT but with updated and beautiful cutscenes and way better translation).
If you don't have a PSP, get FFT for 10 bucks on PSN and then VC for 20 bucks new at Gamestop. $30 for both games? Yes please!
Both games are pretty long, but even with the DLC I don't think I surpassed 50 hours with VC. I don't know if I can even check? I played out the entire game (almost twice?) and every skirmish on hard and very hard (which is DLC content). I started FFT late last year maybe and I've still not completed it with 60 hours (I suppose I am on the final chapter though, although I've not made much progress in it.)
I would suggest both. They're both fine games. Definitely play both inevitably, even if time constrains you otherwise for now. Saying that though, while they're both sort of strategy games, they feel too different to really compare on any sort of objective level.
So I'll just state what my experiences have been with them and let you decide which sounds more interesting!
FFT:
Excellent storyline! A fine combat system that is pleasingly deep! Diverse classes and a cool class system. People rag on the translation, but it hasn't been that bad (using the PS3 downloadable version, not sure how that fits in). I've been able to understand and relate to the characters quite well! While the graphics can't really compare to a new game like VC, I find the sprites quite charming. I like the style of FFT. There are a few cons. I don't really like random encounters: there's a healthy dash of those in FFT though. Leveling can be tedious. I have a strange desire to have everyone stay at about the same level. That tendency has been hampering my enjoyment for this game as of late, as my main character skyrocketed in levels during chapter 3! If you like strategic positioning and ability use, this game can be really great.
VC:
Excellent characters! They're colorful and interesting on the whole. The story is straight forward, but I found it pleasing. Exciting combat system! Puts you into the action and has a unique feel and flavor. There were a great deal of stressful but thrilling moments when I was personally commanding a solider deep in enemy lines who had to accomplish an objective this turn or surely the mission would end in failure! Leveling is quick and easy. You still maintain a good level of customization over your forces as well. I know that there is a PA comic that talks about how tedious this game's upkeep and management of forces is, but compared to FFT, it's a great deal simpler. The game is beautiful as well, wonderful style and presentation. There are a few cons. Lots of videos/cutscenes. Some of them are pretty sappy and corny, but there are some bright spots. You can choose to skip a cutscene if that bothers you though. Not a whole bunch of side questing to do. A skirmish feature lets you play maps you've beaten in campaign with new enemy forces, and small bonus chapters can be bought in the store, but that's about it. DLC can help with this though, if you're hungry for more after the campaign.
Hmm. I think I might be showing some VC bias here. I haven't really finished FFT though and it looks like the best is yet to come.
Maybe you should read the rest of my post!