Could FFIX's chibi art style work today in console FF?

Members see less ads - sign up now for free and join the community!

  • This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn more.

Azuardo

Keyblade Master
Moderator
Sep 26, 2013
755
279
#1
Playing FFIX at the moment, and every time I do, I'm always reminded of just how fantastic the game looks. Of course the game is pre-rendered, and that helps it to hold up even today as one of the best-looking FFs, and certainly one of the best-looking PS1 games.

But the actual character models and backgrounds went hand-in-hand with each other - they complimented each other. Imagine FFIX's backgrounds with FFVIII's character models - wouldn't have worked.

So that chibi style, then. That's one of the things that defines FFIX. It allowed for a huge degree of character, personality and expression. Of course, some people don't like it, but I think the majority universally agree it worked, and it was wonderful, helping to bring FF to life in ways previous art styles couldn't.

As we all know, home console FFs after IX went the realism route in terms of actual character definition. Different species and races were still around, in particular with XII, where you had the viera, bangaa and seeq (that Ivalice setting), but IX took it to a new level with anthropomorphic fish, birds, hippos, rats and more. And again, it was the chibi style that perhaps let it get away with it much more than the realistic design of later FFs may have done.

Ignoring portable games, where it seems games on those systems can get away with the chibi style better (see 4 Heroes of Light, Bravely Default, Crystal Chronicles), do you think a home console Final Fantasy game in FFIX's chibi art style could work today? So, could FFXVI on PS4 make that style work? Would it be suitable? Or do you think we are simply confined to properly defined character models with realistic proportions for all of FF's home console future? Is that the way it should be? Or do you think FF should try to deliver varied graphics styles more often? Would you want to see the style come back in a console FF? Or are you content with getting the more realistic style and happy with the disfigured style staying consigned to handhelds? Do you want to see more anthropomorphic characters, and which art style do you think works better or allows for more/better variety of said characters?

Share your thoughts.
 
Last edited:

hui43210

Red Wings Commander
Sep 26, 2013
122
62
34
Ottawa, On
#2
I, on other hand, would've liked the game A LOT more if they used VIII type models, and the Chibi style was a big turnoff. It worked on the 2d setting, but it felt like a step back on PS1 after VIII. S0 no, I don't think it would work on a PS4 game since I don't think it worked back then to begin with.
 

Azuardo

Keyblade Master
Moderator
Sep 26, 2013
755
279
#3
I, on other hand, would've liked the game A LOT more if they used VIII type models, and the Chibi style was a big turnoff. It worked on the 2d setting, but it felt like a step back on PS1 after VIII. S0 no, I don't think it would work on a PS4 game since I don't think it worked back then to begin with.
Thanks for your thoughts. I understand it wasn't to everyone's tastes, though I was under the impression there was a majority that really loved the style, too. Thoughts from both sides definitely welcome, however!
 
Likes: hui43210

Azuardo

Keyblade Master
Moderator
Sep 26, 2013
755
279
#5
It would work well today as long as they went with the right art style. Imagine FFIX made with HD, Ni No Kuni-esque visuals. No, Ni No Kuni's characters aren't exactly chibi but, one could imagine it.
Great point. Ni no Kuni definitely gives off that FFIX vibe in its actual art style and design, as well as its humour and character charm (that style and charm need to be present for it to come together, as FFIX and Ni no Kuni did so well!). An FF in that style on PS4 hardware would be a joy to play.
 

hui43210

Red Wings Commander
Sep 26, 2013
122
62
34
Ottawa, On
#6
It would work well today as long as they went with the right art style. Imagine FFIX made with HD, Ni No Kuni-esque visuals. No, Ni No Kuni's characters aren't exactly chibi but, one could imagine it.
As you said, those guys aren't Chibi, they're kids, and the adults are adults. Its a perfect example of how you can pull off an FFIX without resorting to Chibi actually.... So does that further support my side? :) lol
 
Likes: Zero

Azuardo

Keyblade Master
Moderator
Sep 26, 2013
755
279
#7
As you said, those guys aren't Chibi, they're kids, and the adults are adults. Its a perfect example of how you can pull off an FFIX without resorting to Chibi actually.... So does that further support my side? :) lol
True, it's not really chibi in Ni no Kuni, but I woud love to see an actual FF using Kuni's style, for sure.

Whether the chibi style could work today is a different matter :] Would love to hear what other people who loved IX's style think.
 
Oct 4, 2013
47
13
#9
Yes ,but i am not fan the proportions of the characters in most chibi JRPG. At the worst, it might end up looking cheap because cartooniness makes modeling a lot less strict and might even have smaller areas.

Personally, I would love to have a good nitty gritty and violent JRPGs for change at least.

Edit: I have to say i do like early 90's chibi a bit more than nowadays. For example, BDFF characters are barely animated or does have emotes and Color wise the game feels washed out.
 
Last edited:

Squirrel Emperor

Nuts
Moderator
Sep 26, 2013
1,612
626
#10
Of course it can.

The concern though is a Final Fantasy console game not getting big sales because of it. It's an appeal issue and the style could turn some people off.
 
Likes: Azuardo

Leon Aether

ShinRa SOLDIER
Sep 26, 2013
177
68
33
Corfu, Greece
#12
I think it would work. Imagine a huge medieval world (FFXVI for example) with such characters.

Chibi characters really fit in this kind of worlds in my opinion, as it allows art style to go a step forward as it happened in FFIX, with all kinds of races, weird decorations and architectures. I mean putting normal character models in such a world (like Noctis for instance) it would be a complete dissonance. PS4 allows a game to reach it's limits, and that's exactly why such a FF could be an astonishing result without necessarily turning off people. Besides art style is a major element in a FF game, so when trying to use a specific one, characters should be able to support it.

I believe this is one of the many reasons they chose a tailed Zidane in FFIX back then as the main character and they added a rat and an anthropomorphic character to accompany him (Freya and Quina respectively).
 
Likes: Azuardo