Review Rant on FFIX
May. 18th, 2004 06:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dagas_isaI miss everyone!! *glomps* Hope that you're all suriving well without me. ^_^ *knows that just about everyone is* *huggles anyone who isn't*
Ahem...
Since I don't think anyone should be interesting in the domestic adventures of Dagas, I won't wast my breath on saying anything except that I'm fine, and that I'm staying up way too late for my own good and that I'm living in relative isolation, leaving everyone alone who leaves me alone in general because that's how I am. Deal.
Anyway, I have few things to talk of. Namely things concerning Final Fantasy IX.
Well, because I really can't give a review without ranting about characters and setting and somesuch, I shall do the nice little in depth review, that shall leave you all hopelessly lost as to whether I liked the game or not. Okay, so I like the game very much and am now somewhere in the third disk. Again, Deal. Especially if any of you are suspiciously like my parents.
Characters:
In general:
It's a good ensemble cast. No one really stands out as being better developed than everyone else and even the leads Zidane and Garnet/Dagger know when to shut the heck up and give the spotlight to another character. The game doesn't really pound out that any one or two characters stand out more than any other. Except for Vivi. Because everyone needs to feel the Vivi love. Everyone.
And they do a good job with making the NPCs actually have a purpose other than serving the main cast. No one who was ever a major character just goes away. And they have their own reasons for doing what they're doing. Oh yes, and Black Mage 288 is probably one of the best NPCs ever.
No, none of the characters were created to be particularly complex. The characterization is straightforward and solid, and while there aren't any hidden depths, there are a surprising lack of cliches as well, at least as far as my inexperienced eye can tell.
Zidane:
His most outstanding trait is that he's not an angst bucket. Oh yeah, and he has a monkey tail, that was actually put to use in a cut scene once. And the ruffle. But let's not get into the ruffle. He's sweet, self-confident, and never short on pick up lines. Since I haven't really 'met' Cloud and Squall yet, I'll say that I definitely like him better than Tidus at least. Why? Because I know that I can go out in public with Zidane and the worst thing that he'll do is flirt with a waitress or forget some woman's name and try and cover it up. No huge social norm violations are anything. He's amusing without being embarassing, which is more than I could ever say for Tidus.
Actually, getting further into the game, I realize that I actually adore Zidane as a leading character, which is weird for someone who usually prefers the side characters to the leads. First, his role as leader of the group seems natural. Partly because he's the only one who knows how to read the Terran script, but also because he's had experience in the world and knows how to deal with people. Also, he seems to know how to put his issues behind the issues of everyone else and the goal to find Kuja, which is something that Tidus never seemed to do. Not that this is any particular bashing on Tidus, but of all the playable characters in FFX, he was the probably the least qualified to lead the party at the end. No experience in Spira, no skills, and personal issues up the wazoo. And yes, I know, I'm sure I can have lots of long lovely arguments about the merits and flaws of that type of characterization all day with some people.
Garnet/Dagger:
One thing with a probable spoiler-- when I go out and get these horns removed, I want to know who did her hornosectomy because damn they are good. No sign of scarring and I'm sure that they'd find a way to help me grow hair over where the horns used to be. Other than this feat of medical engineering that was performed on her long ago, there's not much to say about her. She's the typical Final Fantasy heroine. Brunette, gorgeous, princessy, and after the hero. Okay, so Zidane's trying a lot harder, but still... At least she's likeable enough. Although I'm wondering why no one remarks on Dagger being a strange name for a girl.
Oh yes, and seeing Dagger after she gets her hair cut always reminds me of Firefly/Saturn. *huggles* I hope that you're doing okay.
Vivi:
Dude, it's little black mage boy. How can you not love Vivi? Trust me, Vivi is absolutely adorable, and the fact that he's wonderfully useful in battle rocks. It's the classic Final Fantasy Black Mage sprite given a new life in polygonal form. Although the story never explains how he reconciles helping me kill those monsters encountered in random battles with his issue with things stopping, he's still nicely characterized. Powerful but scared little kid and I just want to take him home and huggle him.
Actually, I love the Black Mages in general. They're just so lovably inexperienced. Except for No. 288, who appears to have some sort of knowledge about stopping, death, and individuality.
Steiner:
Ahh... allow me to go off on a tangent, and explain my first official FFIX conspiracy. Steiner is the matriarchal society's answer to a women's right's leader. Only he's a man, and he fights for men's rights. Let me present my evidence. The kingdom of Alexandria is matriarchal. Pretty much all the people on top of things are female. Queen Brahne, General Beatrix, and Princess Garnet. And there's a lot the points to the fact that the line to the throne is also through the mother's side or at least does not discriminate against gender. Garnet's father is dead, and if he wore the real royal pants in the family, Garnet would be queen and Brahne would be the Queen mother. You know like England, except with out the figureheadness. With the exception of the nine Pluto Knights, the entirety of the Alexandrian military is female, and there's a general attitude that men in the military is a bad thing. Of course looking at the Pluto Knights, this might not be inaccurate. Anyway...
So Steiner not only leads this group of Pluto Knights, the only male military unit in Alexandria, but he posts notices saying that he needs men who are willing to serve their country. He doesn't want to embarass himself in front of Beatrix and look like a fool compared to her in front of the Queen (he does anyway, and he needs to deal with that before he hurts himself). He's out to prove that men can serve Alexandria just as well as any woman can, gosh darn it! That they're not to be left at home and be considered useless. He even wears eyeliner, just to prove that like women men can doll themselves up if they want too. And I'm sure that he participated in a boxer burning or something. You know, just to prove that he's not going to put up with the confinement subjected on him by women...and that is something that I really, really don't want to think about. Seriously.
Although to put it bluntly, all of this would be more effective if he wouldn't sputter "Princess" every third word or so. I think I'd like him better for that too. And he should stop trying to hook up with Beatirx. Rust-dude, she's out of your league. As is the princess. So you should go to Lindblum and hit on the old lady selling the Gyshal pickles.
Freya:
I really don't have much snarky to say about her. She's a rat, or if we're to be politically correct a "Burmecian," which translates into "Big Friendly Rat, Mark I" She's quiet, calm, and useful in battle, if only because that 'Jump' technique is a really useful way to avoid attacks. And you have to admit, for a rat, she's a class act. Although if I saw a human sized rat, I'd probably go around screaming, but that's just me.
Quina:
I have to love her/him for achieving the type of characterization that would be impossible in a game with voiceovers. Imagine having to try and pronounce s/he everytime that her/him comes up as a topic of conversation. Yes, she (to pay tribute to the FFIX feminism theme) has a serious case of OTS (Odie Tongue Syndrome), and the frogs that she catches are probably smarter than her, which really, really, makes them sad. What makes me sad is that she gets married to Vivi at ones point in the game. Although her complete stupidity probably keeps her from getting depressed, which I think sort of ties into my theory about depression being a possible side effect of intelligence.
Eiko:
She likes moogles, and therefore she's fine by me. Too bad she needs to be baby-sat. Oh yeah... and she wants a piece of Zidane's tail. Kids these days... *shakes head* Resident adorable kid.
Amarant:
Umm... is all the red stuff his hair, or does he just wear a hat or something. I can't figure it out. He's the resident wanna-be tough guy, who's trying to 'figure out' Zidane. Makes me wonder what the 'Flaming' part of 'Flaming Amarant' really refers to. *evil grin* But no. Actually, he's just a bozo who's there to let people know that being strong isn't about showing off your strength, else you're gonna get tricked by those darn sly eagles. And of course as the old grouch/resident tough guy, he's always going to be the one stuck with the little kids. Honestly, I can see Eiko just trying to wrap Amarant around her finger.
Other things about the game:
Plot: Surprisingly, I don't think it's the plot that's hooking me into the game, rather than the characters and the setting. Things happen really fast, and it's basicially the type of high fantasy romp that really doesn't have that much surface symbolism. As far as I can tell, it's not really trying to make a point that no other high-fantasy game is trying to make. Taken for what it is, it's charming, although not absorbing. Not in the face of Chocobo Hot and Cold anyway. But then again, playing at 3, 4, 5, in the morning is usually not the best time to start looking at plot stuffs.
Gameplay: Hmm... to respond to Wendigo's comment, the battles themselves aren't particualarly difficult, although running into the place where Zidane meets the first Black Waltz without saving or healing was really a bad idea. I do like the fact that it's not all about fighting though. Really the most outstanding thing about the game is how much you can interact with the environment. I like that about the game. Also that there's much more of an active role in doing things like rescuing and escaping, although there were times when not-so-random battle after not-so-random battle was rather annoying, and there's so many not battle things in the game, that I'm really not liking my complusion to level up like mad. Overall, for my first game without obsessively clinging to the strategy guide. Note that I have my lappy constantly displaying the walkthrough I saved, you know for those times that I get stuck.
Chocobos: I still think that Chocobo/Chicken jokes are funny. So sue me. But I haven't gotten the urge to kill Choco yet. And as long as Choco doesn't choco-meteo Zidane's tail. However, looking at the dream sequences gives me the impression that Gyshal Greens is the chocobo equivalent of LSD, only addictive. Also Chocobo Hot and Cold is like choco-crack.
Over all, I'm enjoying it. And yes, it took me three hours of prying to get me away from that mini game. Dagas has issues oh yes she does.
Anyway, enough with the prewritten entry stuff. I'm here at the library, I'm fine, and I shall huggle all you people who are having tough times right now *huggles Megumi and Saturn* I miss you guys!
And yes, otherwise sorry for nothing in particular. Just feel like I should be doing more to help people. I'll deal. Feel free to call me, even if the answering maching picks up, I'm likely to hear your message sometime and call you back.
Over and out.
Ahem...
Since I don't think anyone should be interesting in the domestic adventures of Dagas, I won't wast my breath on saying anything except that I'm fine, and that I'm staying up way too late for my own good and that I'm living in relative isolation, leaving everyone alone who leaves me alone in general because that's how I am. Deal.
Anyway, I have few things to talk of. Namely things concerning Final Fantasy IX.
Well, because I really can't give a review without ranting about characters and setting and somesuch, I shall do the nice little in depth review, that shall leave you all hopelessly lost as to whether I liked the game or not. Okay, so I like the game very much and am now somewhere in the third disk. Again, Deal. Especially if any of you are suspiciously like my parents.
Characters:
In general:
It's a good ensemble cast. No one really stands out as being better developed than everyone else and even the leads Zidane and Garnet/Dagger know when to shut the heck up and give the spotlight to another character. The game doesn't really pound out that any one or two characters stand out more than any other. Except for Vivi. Because everyone needs to feel the Vivi love. Everyone.
And they do a good job with making the NPCs actually have a purpose other than serving the main cast. No one who was ever a major character just goes away. And they have their own reasons for doing what they're doing. Oh yes, and Black Mage 288 is probably one of the best NPCs ever.
No, none of the characters were created to be particularly complex. The characterization is straightforward and solid, and while there aren't any hidden depths, there are a surprising lack of cliches as well, at least as far as my inexperienced eye can tell.
Zidane:
His most outstanding trait is that he's not an angst bucket. Oh yeah, and he has a monkey tail, that was actually put to use in a cut scene once. And the ruffle. But let's not get into the ruffle. He's sweet, self-confident, and never short on pick up lines. Since I haven't really 'met' Cloud and Squall yet, I'll say that I definitely like him better than Tidus at least. Why? Because I know that I can go out in public with Zidane and the worst thing that he'll do is flirt with a waitress or forget some woman's name and try and cover it up. No huge social norm violations are anything. He's amusing without being embarassing, which is more than I could ever say for Tidus.
Actually, getting further into the game, I realize that I actually adore Zidane as a leading character, which is weird for someone who usually prefers the side characters to the leads. First, his role as leader of the group seems natural. Partly because he's the only one who knows how to read the Terran script, but also because he's had experience in the world and knows how to deal with people. Also, he seems to know how to put his issues behind the issues of everyone else and the goal to find Kuja, which is something that Tidus never seemed to do. Not that this is any particular bashing on Tidus, but of all the playable characters in FFX, he was the probably the least qualified to lead the party at the end. No experience in Spira, no skills, and personal issues up the wazoo. And yes, I know, I'm sure I can have lots of long lovely arguments about the merits and flaws of that type of characterization all day with some people.
Garnet/Dagger:
One thing with a probable spoiler-- when I go out and get these horns removed, I want to know who did her hornosectomy because damn they are good. No sign of scarring and I'm sure that they'd find a way to help me grow hair over where the horns used to be. Other than this feat of medical engineering that was performed on her long ago, there's not much to say about her. She's the typical Final Fantasy heroine. Brunette, gorgeous, princessy, and after the hero. Okay, so Zidane's trying a lot harder, but still... At least she's likeable enough. Although I'm wondering why no one remarks on Dagger being a strange name for a girl.
Oh yes, and seeing Dagger after she gets her hair cut always reminds me of Firefly/Saturn. *huggles* I hope that you're doing okay.
Vivi:
Dude, it's little black mage boy. How can you not love Vivi? Trust me, Vivi is absolutely adorable, and the fact that he's wonderfully useful in battle rocks. It's the classic Final Fantasy Black Mage sprite given a new life in polygonal form. Although the story never explains how he reconciles helping me kill those monsters encountered in random battles with his issue with things stopping, he's still nicely characterized. Powerful but scared little kid and I just want to take him home and huggle him.
Actually, I love the Black Mages in general. They're just so lovably inexperienced. Except for No. 288, who appears to have some sort of knowledge about stopping, death, and individuality.
Steiner:
Ahh... allow me to go off on a tangent, and explain my first official FFIX conspiracy. Steiner is the matriarchal society's answer to a women's right's leader. Only he's a man, and he fights for men's rights. Let me present my evidence. The kingdom of Alexandria is matriarchal. Pretty much all the people on top of things are female. Queen Brahne, General Beatrix, and Princess Garnet. And there's a lot the points to the fact that the line to the throne is also through the mother's side or at least does not discriminate against gender. Garnet's father is dead, and if he wore the real royal pants in the family, Garnet would be queen and Brahne would be the Queen mother. You know like England, except with out the figureheadness. With the exception of the nine Pluto Knights, the entirety of the Alexandrian military is female, and there's a general attitude that men in the military is a bad thing. Of course looking at the Pluto Knights, this might not be inaccurate. Anyway...
So Steiner not only leads this group of Pluto Knights, the only male military unit in Alexandria, but he posts notices saying that he needs men who are willing to serve their country. He doesn't want to embarass himself in front of Beatrix and look like a fool compared to her in front of the Queen (he does anyway, and he needs to deal with that before he hurts himself). He's out to prove that men can serve Alexandria just as well as any woman can, gosh darn it! That they're not to be left at home and be considered useless. He even wears eyeliner, just to prove that like women men can doll themselves up if they want too. And I'm sure that he participated in a boxer burning or something. You know, just to prove that he's not going to put up with the confinement subjected on him by women...and that is something that I really, really don't want to think about. Seriously.
Although to put it bluntly, all of this would be more effective if he wouldn't sputter "Princess" every third word or so. I think I'd like him better for that too. And he should stop trying to hook up with Beatirx. Rust-dude, she's out of your league. As is the princess. So you should go to Lindblum and hit on the old lady selling the Gyshal pickles.
Freya:
I really don't have much snarky to say about her. She's a rat, or if we're to be politically correct a "Burmecian," which translates into "Big Friendly Rat, Mark I" She's quiet, calm, and useful in battle, if only because that 'Jump' technique is a really useful way to avoid attacks. And you have to admit, for a rat, she's a class act. Although if I saw a human sized rat, I'd probably go around screaming, but that's just me.
Quina:
I have to love her/him for achieving the type of characterization that would be impossible in a game with voiceovers. Imagine having to try and pronounce s/he everytime that her/him comes up as a topic of conversation. Yes, she (to pay tribute to the FFIX feminism theme) has a serious case of OTS (Odie Tongue Syndrome), and the frogs that she catches are probably smarter than her, which really, really, makes them sad. What makes me sad is that she gets married to Vivi at ones point in the game. Although her complete stupidity probably keeps her from getting depressed, which I think sort of ties into my theory about depression being a possible side effect of intelligence.
Eiko:
She likes moogles, and therefore she's fine by me. Too bad she needs to be baby-sat. Oh yeah... and she wants a piece of Zidane's tail. Kids these days... *shakes head* Resident adorable kid.
Amarant:
Umm... is all the red stuff his hair, or does he just wear a hat or something. I can't figure it out. He's the resident wanna-be tough guy, who's trying to 'figure out' Zidane. Makes me wonder what the 'Flaming' part of 'Flaming Amarant' really refers to. *evil grin* But no. Actually, he's just a bozo who's there to let people know that being strong isn't about showing off your strength, else you're gonna get tricked by those darn sly eagles. And of course as the old grouch/resident tough guy, he's always going to be the one stuck with the little kids. Honestly, I can see Eiko just trying to wrap Amarant around her finger.
Other things about the game:
Plot: Surprisingly, I don't think it's the plot that's hooking me into the game, rather than the characters and the setting. Things happen really fast, and it's basicially the type of high fantasy romp that really doesn't have that much surface symbolism. As far as I can tell, it's not really trying to make a point that no other high-fantasy game is trying to make. Taken for what it is, it's charming, although not absorbing. Not in the face of Chocobo Hot and Cold anyway. But then again, playing at 3, 4, 5, in the morning is usually not the best time to start looking at plot stuffs.
Gameplay: Hmm... to respond to Wendigo's comment, the battles themselves aren't particualarly difficult, although running into the place where Zidane meets the first Black Waltz without saving or healing was really a bad idea. I do like the fact that it's not all about fighting though. Really the most outstanding thing about the game is how much you can interact with the environment. I like that about the game. Also that there's much more of an active role in doing things like rescuing and escaping, although there were times when not-so-random battle after not-so-random battle was rather annoying, and there's so many not battle things in the game, that I'm really not liking my complusion to level up like mad. Overall, for my first game without obsessively clinging to the strategy guide. Note that I have my lappy constantly displaying the walkthrough I saved, you know for those times that I get stuck.
Chocobos: I still think that Chocobo/Chicken jokes are funny. So sue me. But I haven't gotten the urge to kill Choco yet. And as long as Choco doesn't choco-meteo Zidane's tail. However, looking at the dream sequences gives me the impression that Gyshal Greens is the chocobo equivalent of LSD, only addictive. Also Chocobo Hot and Cold is like choco-crack.
Over all, I'm enjoying it. And yes, it took me three hours of prying to get me away from that mini game. Dagas has issues oh yes she does.
Anyway, enough with the prewritten entry stuff. I'm here at the library, I'm fine, and I shall huggle all you people who are having tough times right now *huggles Megumi and Saturn* I miss you guys!
And yes, otherwise sorry for nothing in particular. Just feel like I should be doing more to help people. I'll deal. Feel free to call me, even if the answering maching picks up, I'm likely to hear your message sometime and call you back.
Over and out.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-05-19 12:34 am (UTC)I liked the mist technology, the city that had the Hunt, and a few other side things, but I never liked the story particularly much.
Actually, what really bugged me was that they kept making me go places and then telling me who I could take once I got there.
I beat it without getting really into the Chocobo stuff. Without breeding and racing like in 7 it just wasn't as cool. If you like the characters in this one, I think it's a sure bet you'll like 7, as alot of them are almost carbon copies. X3
no subject
Date: 2004-05-19 12:35 am (UTC)possible spoilers??
Date: 2004-05-19 02:02 am (UTC)I recently replayed FFIX. It's a great game ^^ I thought better the second time through. I liked Zidane a lot more second time, and actually Garnet a little less. But you cannot help being madly in *heart* with Vivi. I like Freya a lot, but Amarant's just a loser... You are so right about the NPC's, too! And Beatrix is the best of them all!
Oh, and the absolute BEST scene out of any Final Fantasy game is the scene where Quina and Vivi get married!
"I...so happy..."
"...Me too."
I love it!!
P.S. Surprised you didn't mention moogles???
no subject
Date: 2004-05-19 03:49 am (UTC)*huggles* I hope to be able to talk to you sometime during the summer, Dagas! It's always fun talking with you, and you introduced me to Mew Yevon, and I shall be forever changed (in a good way! ^-^x).
Take care of yourself, okees? And enjoy the rest of FFIX! Tis a fun game, it is. Teehee, as Zidane's Theme plays on my winamp...