Breezy

Final Fantasy VII was the first game that really exposed me to digital storytelling. I am so excited for the re-release, though I am hoping that Square Enix remains true to the spirit of the game and the original story line. They seem intent on giving players a new experience, but I am hoping this comes from stylistic and gameplay changes rather than the content of the story. I’m still uncertain about their plan to break the game into multiple parts–I hope this isn’t a DLC-type gimmick or something similar that will ruin the game for fans.

I’ve always looked for this kind of emotional storytelling in Square Enix’s Final Fantasy franchise. At 13 years old, I connected with Final Fantasy VII in a way that I had not previously experienced with out games; it began my love affair with RPGs and storytelling. I haven’t experience a game as strongly as that one (and am highly anticipating the FFVII remake), though others have come close–Final Fantasy X, Warcraft III & The Frozen Throne Expansion, The Last of Us. Most recently, I’ve become intrigued by the Tell Tale games and am actively playing through a lot of them. I’m really interested in the balance of storytelling and active gameplay, which Tell Tale completely flips on its head.

This is a strong article. I am frustrated by the way in which gaming companies are limiting their developers and user experience by planning with a DLC/continued revenue model. The worst part is that they are devoting manpower to developing these aesthetic-type DLC content packs instead of trying to figure out how to improve and expand the user experience.

Bungee’s “Destiny” released with loads of hype, and I even took time off of work to immerse myself in the game. After a few days, I realized that the story had been snipped and cut from it’s original make-up. Instead of the story we were promised, Destiny delivered a shooter that recycled the same levels and mission landscape over and over, turning the entire game into a headbanging loot-grind. As it turns out, Bungee stripped much of the story away in order to release it in future DLC. The game we expected to get for $60 actually costs about $120 when all is said and done. Bungee continues to improve and expand the game, but I wish they would do so through traditionally expansions instead of weak DLC.