Chapter 815 - 815: A Landscape Full of Pits

Setting aside whether the content is good or bad, just looking at how much content a game has, the most direct way is to look at the map.

Although in the actual game, a small map doesn't necessarily mean less content, a large map definitely means a lot more.

After all, there are only so many places players can go, and if a game designs so many maps, players are bound to explore them.

If Final Fantasy were an open world, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Ben wouldn't be too surprised.

He wouldn't even be that surprised if the map design were like Xenoblade Chronicles.

But the shifts in scenery in Midgar, from Shinra to the Sector 7 slums, all proved one thing: Final Fantasy's map isn't a continuous one.

Instead, like traditional RPGs and games like Uncharted and The Last of Us, it uses separate areas.

This means that during scene transitions, the map changes are driven primarily by story cutscenes, rather than allowing players to freely travel from point A to point B.

Coupled with the various side quests and minigames in different areas, it's definitely a massive time sink.

At least, Ben has spent over an hour in the gym so far.

All for the sake of watching Tifa squat, though that big coach was really something else.

Besides that, there's the content in Midgar.

Actually, in terms of the story, the Midgar portion doesn't have much.

It mostly focuses on introducing Shinra Corporation and introducing the core protagonist group led by Cloud, as well as the threads related to Sephiroth.

Although he's the main villain, Sephiroth never actually appears in person from start to finish.

Still, even so, there's a lot in Midgar that leaves a deep impression on players.

Not to mention Tifa and Aerith.

And Jessie from the Avalanche trio is a source of pain for many players.

Then there's Cloud's cross-dressing adventure, which is a major event to remember from beginning to end!

Beyond that, there are the various plot holes scattered throughout the game. Just like the previous CG movie, Advent Children, it left many unresolved questions, making players feel like they were dealing with riddles. They thought these would be cleared up with the official release of the game.

But playing it now, Ben feels more mysteries clouding his mind.

Firstly, Cloud's personality is completely different from how it was in Advent Children. Secondly, the current Cloud seems to have some mental issues, often getting dazed.

Also, who was Aerith's past first love, and why is it censored in the game? It's clearly an important character.

Why did Sephiroth go from being a hero promoted by Shinra to an anti-Shinra figure?

What are Cloud and Tifa's grievances with Sephiroth?

There are just so many confusing points in the game.

...

Of course, Ben isn't the only one confused; countless players feel the same way.

Moreover, compared to players who previously bought games purely based on the Nebula Games name,

this time, Final Fantasy, due to 'Advent Children' beforehand,

has also attracted many casual gamers and some who don't play games much.

The main reason is that the game's presentation is just too outstanding.

All the characters are handsome men and beautiful women.

Not to mention Tifa, Aerith, and Cloud.

Even some of the Shinra villains are incredibly good-looking.

Combined with the linear gameplay, a screenshot from Final Fantasy is definitely among the top-tier visuals currently, with cinematic-level graphics.

At the same time, with an easy difficulty and an automated combat system, it's not too complicated for most players just starting out.

For example, with auto-mode enabled, players don't need to dodge or anything; they can just attack their way through.

The intelligent AI will appropriately heal the player, and even when auto-mode is on.

It's quite difficult for players to even intentionally lose a battle.

As for not having a challenge, isn't auto-mode precisely for achieving that?

Even the weapon development and skill point system allows players to directly choose pre-set playstyles.

It's very simple and easy to get into, especially since it's an RPG.

So, for many players who got into it because of 'Advent Children,' they can completely treat Final Fantasy as a manually controlled movie.

They don't need to research equipment, skills, or combat systems; they can just control their favorite characters and follow the main story. All this content is enough to make these casual players happy.

"Midgar is absolutely incredible! The industrial beauty depicted by the giant machines is so breathtaking!"

"Exactly! Compared to just watching in the movie, exploring Midgar in the game is incredibly awe-inspiring!"

"Also, I didn't expect Cloud to seem so afraid of cats!"

"Tifa and Aerith are just too beautiful!"

"What Tifa, Aerith? I only want cross-dressing Cloud!"

"But I'm still very interested in the game's plot. Isn't Aerith the main heroine? And she had a lover among the Shinra special forces?"

"Relatively speaking, I'm more interested in when Sephiroth will appear. So far, I've only seen his greatsword!"

"Looking forward to Sephiroth +1! In Advent Children, Sephiroth felt incredibly cool. Although he died to his own BGM in the end, honestly, Sephiroth alone took down Shinra and killed the president. That combat power is insane!"

"Forget Sephiroth, don't you find something a little off? Aerith's Ancient race identity gives me a bad feeling. Will Final Fantasy end up being a tragedy?"

"It's not impossible! I played up to when Shinra attacked Avalanche, and Jessie has already died!"

"Speaking of which, Aerith didn't even officially appear in 'Advent Children', and her lines were vague. Could it be!?"

"It... it probably won't be, right? The massage parlor scene, Cloud's cross-dressing, and the 'argument' in the Shinra prison all seem quite fun?"

"Yeah, and although Jessie died, she was just a supporting character."

"I believe Boss Lucas wouldn't be so heartless, would he? If you think about it, didn't Tess die early in The Last of Us? But Ellie didn't die in the end!"

"Heh, I'm not so sure about that. Boss Lucas has a history, doesn't he?"

"Such a great girl like Jessie died, a great little brother like Wedge also passed, and Biggs is gone too. It's unlikely there will be more heartbreak later, right?"

As the game was released, discussions about Final Fantasy online increased.

Many people were shocked when they left Midgar.

After all, Midgar had so much content, and it was just the starting area?

And it dug up so many plot holes.

The Ancients, Jenova, Cloud who became a Shinra special forces soldier idolizing Sephiroth, and Tifa, who has no connection to Shinra special forces, how did she become Sephiroth's enemy? Who was Aerith's first love?

All these questions troubled players, yet as they left Midgar, the entire landscape seemed to be full of pits, not a single one filled.

It's unbelievable!

And as Cloud embarks on his adventure to chase Sephiroth,

the backstories of characters like Barret, Red XIII, Tifa, and Aerith are slowly revealed to the players.

(End of this chapter)