3-D Graphics (Score 1)

Ever since the advent of 3-D graphics in these games, the level of quality seems to have slipped; don't get me wrong -- great cut scenes and production values, but there seem to be so many little things cut because they'd take much more time and resources than in the days of just slamming a few more sprites in there would. I mean -- look at FF2/4 for the infamous 'porno programmers room' .. think you'll see that today? In those days it was a few sprites recycled and some new text.. now it'd require the level designer to really sit down and set things up; perhaps some new assets etc. Maybe not the best example -- but it just seems that games lack those little touches that they had when someone could think of an idea over lunch, write the script when they were having dessert and then code it into the game over a break or two.