Final Fantasy Explorers is out now in North America and is only days away from release in Europe. We rather liked it in our review, despite the fact that its gameplay may feel a bit too shallow for some. All the same, the game has drawn many comparisons to Capcom's popular Monster Hunter series, yet it has very much carved out its own identity.
Hiroyuki Miura – the Producer for Final Fantasy Explorers – recently took part in a brief interview with Siliconera to discuss the game's development. Evidently, the concept was borne out of the desire to create a multiplayer action RPG that matched the look and feel of Final Fantasy.
Siliconera: What inspired the concept for Final Fantasy Explorers and what makes fighting summon monsters interesting as a plot device?
Hiroyuki Miura: We wanted to create an action RPG that fits the look and feel of FINAL FANTASY, with the ability for players to play with their friends. To that, we tried to add a fresh take by having the players choose specific roles like Attacker, Tank, and Healer. As a plot device, the eidolons are symbolic of the natural world, which forms the basis for conflict with the expanding human civilization.
Additionally, they wanted to create a multiplayer game that was more focused on action. This set it apart from previous multiplayer games in the series, like Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV, which took an MMO approach.
Siliconera: Square Enix made multiplayer Final Fantasy games before, with the Crystal Chronicles series and MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV. How did you design multiplayer for Final Fantasy Explorers to be different?
Hiroyuki Miura: This game may be similar to both in that it is a multiplayer game. However, this game was developed as an action RPG with the roles more prominently figuring in, so the gameplay should have a different feel.
What do you think? Are you glad that they chose to take it in an action RPG direction? What do you think of Final Fantasy Explorers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[source siliconera.com]
Comments 24
Regardless, I'm still purchasing this software.
Happy to see how well it's doing so far. I got the game when I ordered a japanese 3DS and was left very unimpressed. Haven't touched the game much since. But if people like it, good for them.
So...Square Enix-style Phantasy Star Portable.
Where's the 3D!?!?
@AVahne: Pretty much. The game plays very similiar to PSO 1 and PSZero.
New from Square Enix: Final Fantasy Explorers for the Nintendo 3DS...... but er, not in 3D.
"To that, we tried to add a fresh take by having the players choose specific roles like Attacker, Tank, and Healer."
Wow. Such a fresh take...
"they wanted to make an action RPG, not an MMO"
They failed spectacularly, then. LOL
If it's really is not in 3d as some folks above have said then at least we potential buyers deserve an explanation. Any review should have this in their header NOT IN 3D.
So many reviews, recently, have quite a few negitive points about the game but conclude that it's good and stick around the 7 to 8 score.
If this really is not 3d then there has to be a reason and without a reason I will assume it's just lazy offering on the developers part and I will avoid.
Well it's probably the worst representation of an action/RPG I've ever seen. It's more of a lite MMO/Bosshunter game, way off the mark there Hiroyuki.
There's definitely no 3D option, which is a joke for a 3DS game. A demo would've at least helped people on the fence, but I assume they know just how humdrum the game is.
The lack of 3D means nothing. Its a gimmick that has long passed.
I will purchasing this game.
It hasnt "long passed" at all. Unless your definition for those words is "still very much around". Example: PaperJam, Bravely Second, anything currently releasing on 3DS other than this lackluster game.
@freaksloan
Just because you don't use the 3D doesn't mean others don't.
Personally, playing most 3DS games without using 3D gives me headaches.
The only 3DS games that run in 2D are either due to bad programming and laziness (Pokemon), or because it would be impossible without completely reprogramming large portions of the game (Devil Survivor, NES Remix).
Unfortunately, this falls flatly into the former group. The "it's only 2D; I'm not buying" complaint is a very valid one considering the game has been universally recognized as having below-average graphics, and that the console it's releasing on has 3D as a major selling point.
I should be finally getting this today (my pre-order was delayed, boo). I can't wait to try it for myself!
@nacho_chicken Lol, you sound like me. I've said in the past 2d on the 3ds gives me a headache. 2d is washed out and blurry on the system where as the 3d makes the game more crisp.
I'm not going to say I won't buy this because of it though. Wish it was there but they did give a reason a while back as to why they couldn't do this in 3d. It wasn't laziness as some have said it was more performance issues. Now I'm wondering if the new model could handle 3d but the only one couldn't so they just decided to not go the extra mile for New 3ds owners.
For a moment there I thought they were going to explain why 3D is not in the game. Well maybe the next Q&A since I know that must be the elephant question.
@nacho_chicken It's funny you mention that because when I was playing Explorers yesterday for a few hours, my eye was hurting like heck afterwards, yet when I play my other 3ds games in 3D for the same time or long, I'm fine. I guess I just too used to handheld 3D.
I'm liking it so far. Not loving it, but definitely liking it. The early going is almost entirely too easy, but when I encounter challenges from bigger enemies, it's definitely much more fun. I also like that the combat system isn't just auto-attacking and the like, and you need to consider timing and the range of where spells hit and things like that, making it so it's not just a largely hands-off experience when it comes to attacking, as seen in, say Xenoblade X (which I love, and I'm not disparaging). I fear that it won't be long before I hit a wall where I can't do quests alone, but we'll see. If nothing else, I imagine I'll get my money's worth before then. I've just gotten access to monsters to add to my party, and they didn't do much against Ifrit, but hey, they did seem to randomly come back to life on their own, so it's not just a one-shot death for them.
In short, it's a solid 7/10, and one I can see getting deeply into the feedback loop of quests, loot, gear, monsters, skills, gil, and abilities to always have something to do when I head back to the central town, and something to work towards while out in the field. Slow start, but so far, so good. Might try a bit of multiplayer soon as well, just to see how I like it.
A monster hunter clone with no 3D? That's pretty bad.
I actually find pretty sad that being able to create a Final Fantasy game like this, they didn't put a lot of effort. I bought the game, I'm not gonna lie it's catchy, I like the gameplay tho it needs a little upgrade (quite basic) but most important is the graphics, I just can't understand how is that they make a good game with such poor graphics and that's not the worst part, even with those sad graphics the game presents FPS drops when it comes to co-op 4 Players fighting big monsters... I think the game idea is awesome, but they didn't put the effort it deserves.
I was hoping this would be something of a successor to the Crystal Chronicles series.
@Spoony_Tech
I'm totally ok with this. Performance over anything else. I own a regular 3ds and I'm very happy with Final Fantasy Explorers, but I won't be touching Hyrule Warriors for the 3ds at all.
I love FFE so far. I found MH to be a little too hardcore for me, but this works great. Missions are just small enough to help me pass the time while I wait for my ride, or long enough to relax and have fun all afternoon if I want to.
The only thing I wish it had was more clothes and more cosmetic options (especially hairstyles). But I like how I can change my hairstyle and color whenever I want to.
I got the game and tried it out, and while it's no Monster Hunter, it's actually pretty fun. Keep in mind I LOVE MH though so this style of game is right up my alley. I think they did a good job on the real time combat though.
@nacho_chicken I agree. I actually find playing with the 3D on is easier on my eyes now than in 2D. I've played this game and the graphics look muddy and jagged. It would certainly look a lot clearer in 3D.
@freaksloan If 3D is a gimmick I hope it's one that sticks around. I don't think I can ever go back to 2D now that 3D has made gaming feel so much more immersive. Games in 3D look clearer and better. It's one of the reasons the 3DS is my favourite system of all time, besides the great library of games.
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