I'm sure we've all come across things like this; either at forums, Final Fantasy fan-sites or websites that provide walkthroughs and FAQs. I'm referring to those play-through challenges people come up with as a means of making a Final Fantasy games more difficult.

Don't summon. Don't use magic. Don't fight in any random encounters. Don't upgrade your character's weapon. Don't equip armor. Don't use items. You get the picture; there are all sorts of configurations and combinations.

And don't even get me started about the Speed Guides; trying to shave off every possible second of your play time in an effort to pass-the-post in the quickest time; like that actually means something special. Some people get so competitive with these things...

I'm actually really curious if people bother with these sorts of things. It seems that a fair few gamers out there only feel they've mastered a game when they can play through it in its entirety while depriving themselves of every possible luxury and creature comfort.

So; does anyone bother to take them up?

No not me. I'll do all the sidequests and mini-games, but that's where it ends. I do enjoy watching special challenges though. Some are pretty amazing. Youtube for instance is filled with FF movies. Here (http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Darkkefka) you have a guy who, amongst other things, did a lot of NSG challenges in FFX.

These "challenges" are nothing more than a pathetic attempt to draw more from a game than it holds in order to keep one's interest in it alive when they really can't justify it any longer. To those people, all I have to say is MOVE THE HELL ON ALREADY. There are a ton of other games that you'll enjoy playing a lot more than you'll enjoy playing FFX for the tenth time.

I only do that with FF9, mostly because that's my favorite game and Ilike playing it. Has nothing to do with not being able to move on, it has more to do with having a favorite game I like to play a lot.

Mostly though, I just do normal gameplay, without those challenges. Did a few low-level and sped runs for the Excalibur II thing, if counts as one of those challenges. :P *shrugs* I just wanted to see if I could get the darn sword.

Agreeing with Prak. I play to beat a game as quickly, and as effectively as possible.

speed runs vary greatly depending on the genre. in rpgs I think it's insane. speed runs in doom? hell yes <3 ditto for rts games. total annihilation in particular. I may have had a world record for the hardest campign in the game but there's no way to record it since the game is so old :roll:

I do everything int he game i can
mainly only ff9 cuz steve got me and tina got drunk a wreked msot of steves room ff9 was the only game that worked

I like to just play through the game the first time around, and maybe do a few side quests if they're fun sounding. After I beat it, I'll go back and do all the little sidequests.

I never do the challenges, though. Waste of time, and it takes the fun out of a game because you're taking it too goddamn seriously.

Those challenges are a waste of time, a bore, and makes you a super nerd in my opinion.

I just play and enjoy the final fantasy once, then maybe 3 or 4 years down the track one day when i'm bored pick up the same final fantasy and go oooh... and sit down and enjoy it again.

Well for many of my games, I've unintentionally gone through the game the easiest way possible - I'd follow the guide. I'd buy the game and the guide at the same time. But I'm going to try and master every game that I own...so I've got over 200 to go unfortunately ahaha...damn.

First up: Final Fantasy XII. I don't think anyone's done that yet.