I’m talking about games that you still like but you had no idea were criticized so much.
The perfect example for me is Sonic Unleashed.
I admit that the game has its bad things, but I would have never imagined that it was so hated at the time… Although, that could be extended to the entire Sonic franchise, since for many years I was not aware at all of that “Sonic was never good”, “Sonic had a rough transition to 3D” nonsense.
Mine was final fantasy 12. I played that game so hard, really enjoyed it and if was released in the time of trophies I would have platinumed it. Even did the grinding for Gilgamesh to spawn for a sword or something. But I was hated at the time.
Now everyone is saying it was one of the best and I was proved right all along.
Sure the story was star wars and the main character wasn’t, but the combat system was really fun, way better than 13.
FF12 is definitely my favorite FF. The combat system is the most interesting to me - programming your party to act how you want without spending the time of selecting combat options every single round. It’s also why I love the first Dragon Age and hated the sequels. I wish more games used that type of combat.
I still like FF12, although I’ve never beaten it. I had no idea people disliked it.
Dude I put that game down after like 30 hours going “what the fuck am I doing?” First game I just abandoned.
Hated it. Literally the best part was the opening cinematic. After that I could not give less of a shit about anything I was doing, my love for Final Fantasy X was carrying me through it. But even that had its limits.
Imagine being me a few years ago discovering that apparently, as you said, it is now one of the most lauded in the series. Fucking baffling. I cannot stand that game lmao
Amen, I am equally puzzled.
Truly some of the worst FF decisions all in the same game.
Why is the key to the postgame dungeon a piece of undifferentiated loot? Why did the game allow me to accidentally lock myself out of the postgame by selling it?
Why is the story is a low effort clone of Star Wars?
Why set FF12 in the world of FF:Tactics but make no reference to it?
Why, oh why, an all-women-race of playboy bunny girls in lingerie and heels?
That being said, programming your own teams’ AI is peak jrpg wish there was more of that. This baby got thrown out with all that dirty bath water unfortunately
I hated the game at first too. But I actually gave it a replay a while back and ended up loving it. Ironically, my love of FFX was holding me back from enjoying XII. Once I replayed it with a more open mind, I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are certain things I dislike about it, sure. But that’s true for any Final Fantasy game.
I think replaying it when I was older also helped. I didn’t have the patience for the politicking when I played it the first time. And the game’s story is very political. So I think the added maturity meant I was able to appreciate the story more.
I loved it at the time too! But you’re the first other person I’ve seen praise it.
I’ve gone back to replay it a couple of times and, yep, still love it. The story has its flaws but that’s final fantasy for you.
I liked a lot about the original. I thought the real-time, turn-based fighting system was going to take over as the new fighting system going forward to replace the ATB as the go-to, and I was happy about it (XIII and XV would have been better for it).
The remaster raised the game to its full potential imo. Having jobs is so much better than free-for-all. And getting rid of the Zodiac Spear disqualification treasure chests is just good on my psyche.
Interesting I don’t think I’ve seen anyone call it the best before. I loved the shit out of ff7/9/10 and was so excited for 12 and it was one of the first big gaming letdowns I can remember. Ive still had the heart to pick it back up.
I’ve seen a lot of people recently give it praise. I think 4, 9, and 12 all seem to be looked back at far better than their original reception.
XII remake is my third favorite after X and VIII.