An intriguing question was recently dropped in the Final Fantasy subreddit – which game holds the crown for the best progression mechanics? As expected, the question stimulated a vibrant debate among fans of the franchise.
Summary
- Most fans leaned towards Final Fantasy VII mode of progression, valuing the freedom provided by its adaptable materia system.
- The job system and Crystarium in Final Fantasy V and XIII also received favourable mentions, renowned for their flexibility and strategic depth.
- Some users admitted a sweet spot for ‘broken’ systems such as those in FF8 because the faults add a fun, quirky element to the gameplay.
Player Favorites- FFVII and Crystarium System
‘For instance, RoboCaesar229 tipped his hat towards Final Fantasy VII. He noted that once you master the materia combos, a fresh world of custom classes opens up before your eyes. Watton’s on the same page, admiring the FFVII materia system for its simplicity and configurability.
Job System and its Applications
The job system got some love as well. twili-midna held up both the job system from V and the Crystarium from XIII as standout features. Meanwhile, Urbandragondice pointed to Five’s application of the job system as a ‘refinement of three’s system’ that many later games have sought to emulate.
The Fun Factor of Broken Features
On the other hand,Glathull argued that the most enjoyable system is actually the most ‘broken’. He claimed FF8’s progression mechanics are ‘so insanely and hilariously broken’ that they become an engaging and amusing part of the gameplay.
At the end of the day, player preference plays a big part in the verdict. Every title in the Final Fantasy series brings a unique flavour to its progression mechanics. For some players, the thrill lies in the complexity and strategy, but for others, it’s the element of surprise that counts most.
