Fandomy Things
Feb. 14th, 2011 01:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
crankyoldmanSo I'm almost done with FFIV DS! Just have the final boss fight left (I think, knowing FF I have like three boss fights).
So, if I didn't like the characters as much as I do, I would have quit this game ages ago. The dungeons are needlessly difficult, and I am not a grinder. Which is hilarious considering how much I like RPGs. If I had more control over the abilities for people, I would be ok with the dungeons, but I don't. In fact, they switch party members around on me so much that I can't really refine anyone but Cecil. And Rosa and Rydia, but only later. I am clearly spoiled by later RPGs.
Even though I know most of the story from having watched old boyfriends play it (yes, my knowledge of FFIV is from being a Gamer Girlfriend... I am so glad I'm hanging with less patronizing nerds now), I still find myself reacting to the plot twists. XD Which is a good thing! Storyline is very early RPG, but it's fun.
Mostly, I just really enjoy the characters.
Cecil - I cannot go on about how much I enjoy his character arc. There is nothing I love more than a drone of an empire deciding to think for himself (or herself in some cases). I feel an incredible amount of empathy for his character, and it's nice to see he breaks the Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker mold, but with the fun elements still intact (HALF MOON PERSON ABANDONED BY HIS BROTHER? HOW CRACKY). I mostly love how much of a contrast he is with the "cool" sorts of protagonists, who are kind of douchey. I would totally want this guy to have my back.
Rosa - The DS version seems to go a long way trying to show her motivations, and I think she's a dear. I really adore that she wants to go out into battle with the man she loves, and how freaking powerful of a white mage she levels into (unlike some games, YOU NEED A HEALER BADLY in this game), and how competent she is (anything bad that happens to her is morethe douches' the creators' fault). I also like that they gave her an offensive weapon that actually does damage. This is how you do a white mage.
Edward - So, I really love Edward. I'm going to measure up every bard from now on against this guy. Because he's fabulous. And femme-y (not just Japanese pretty, HE'S REALLY FEMME-Y). I love femme-y guys. I just. There are no words. You can bet he'll show up in every FFIV fanfic I write ever, or at least get mentioned.
Rydia - I get the fandom love. She's a great character. In fact, my favorite FFs ALWAYS without fail have female characters in the main party I love. While it doesn't have a trifecta like FFVII, FFX/2 of awesome (Porom is lovely, but she's just a kid and only there for a brief time), Rydia and Rosa really make up for the loss of the third. I think my favorite thing about Rydia is that she's not entirely human (like Terra) in her values, but is still a person of feelings. Also badassery (I have a thing for summoners). And I adore baby!Rydia as much as grownup Rydia.
Edge - A kind of douche I can get behind. XD His ability to get right to the point and say what I am thinking (come on, "What happens when you get mind controlled again?" BEST LINE) makes up for his arrogance and bravado. Approve.
Yang - WHY ARE THERE NOT A BAJILLION FANFICS ABOUT THIS GUY. SRSLY. I love how badass he is, how noble, and I especially love that they took the time to establish a spouse for him (even if they failed to give her a name). Another dude I would want to have my back.
Cid - Never met a Cid in an FF game I didn't like, and this Cid ties with Cid Highwind for Favorite Cid. THIS SAYS A LOT. I mean, I like dwarves, because they aren't a pretty speshul race, they MAKE THINGS. This Cid and Edgar from FFVI need to get together and build mecha or something. ADORE.
Palom and Porom - WAAAA ADORABLE LITTLE WUNDERKINDS OF MISCHIEF. I love how many different magic users this game gave me. I want them in my final party, I need more black and white magic. T_T
Tellah - I MISS YOU. A LOT. WHY COULDN'T YOU MAGICALLY COME BACK LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. I love cranky old men and Tellah is THE DEFINITION. I really do miss him. D:
Golbez - WHY HALO THAR SYMPATHETIC VILLAIN. That kind of smacked me upside the head liek whoa. Hooray family issues! I wish I'd seen more of this guy not being an MYSTERIOUS DOUCHE in the game. Approve.
Kain - I saved him for last, because um, he's the only character I just can't like. I tried, because he has so many fans, clearly there was something there I was missing? But no. I know a lot of fandom is obsessed with this guy but... I don't get it. He's not snarky; he's mean, petty, and kind of psycho. And not in the fun way I like, either. He's got every character trait that I can't stand in either myself or other people, and kind of acts like my ex-husband. His kidnapping Rosa leaves me with creepy almost rape-y vibes (I'm sorry, the whole "I just wanted her to be near me longer" was fucking CREEPY and Cecil and Rosa's "..." reactions didn't help). I'm mostly disappointed because they could have done a lot with the character, but instead they made him into a creepershark with no personality, aside from being obsessed or jealous. Disapprove. Of course, I could also be really tired with the "unrequited love makes you crazy" trope.
So, overall, enjoying the game, and hope that the boss battle goes well!
My two favorites:
FFVI Daryl Goggle'd by ~Litheba on deviantART
The rest are on my dA.
Still need to do a shoot with my Setzer someday. I swear I will make it happen. I'll probably do a photoshoot with my sorceress!Selphie costume when it gets even warmer, as that costume lacks a nice coat to keep me from freezing.
So, if I didn't like the characters as much as I do, I would have quit this game ages ago. The dungeons are needlessly difficult, and I am not a grinder. Which is hilarious considering how much I like RPGs. If I had more control over the abilities for people, I would be ok with the dungeons, but I don't. In fact, they switch party members around on me so much that I can't really refine anyone but Cecil. And Rosa and Rydia, but only later. I am clearly spoiled by later RPGs.
Even though I know most of the story from having watched old boyfriends play it (yes, my knowledge of FFIV is from being a Gamer Girlfriend... I am so glad I'm hanging with less patronizing nerds now), I still find myself reacting to the plot twists. XD Which is a good thing! Storyline is very early RPG, but it's fun.
Mostly, I just really enjoy the characters.
Cecil - I cannot go on about how much I enjoy his character arc. There is nothing I love more than a drone of an empire deciding to think for himself (or herself in some cases). I feel an incredible amount of empathy for his character, and it's nice to see he breaks the Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker mold, but with the fun elements still intact (HALF MOON PERSON ABANDONED BY HIS BROTHER? HOW CRACKY). I mostly love how much of a contrast he is with the "cool" sorts of protagonists, who are kind of douchey. I would totally want this guy to have my back.
Rosa - The DS version seems to go a long way trying to show her motivations, and I think she's a dear. I really adore that she wants to go out into battle with the man she loves, and how freaking powerful of a white mage she levels into (unlike some games, YOU NEED A HEALER BADLY in this game), and how competent she is (anything bad that happens to her is more
Edward - So, I really love Edward. I'm going to measure up every bard from now on against this guy. Because he's fabulous. And femme-y (not just Japanese pretty, HE'S REALLY FEMME-Y). I love femme-y guys. I just. There are no words. You can bet he'll show up in every FFIV fanfic I write ever, or at least get mentioned.
Rydia - I get the fandom love. She's a great character. In fact, my favorite FFs ALWAYS without fail have female characters in the main party I love. While it doesn't have a trifecta like FFVII, FFX/2 of awesome (Porom is lovely, but she's just a kid and only there for a brief time), Rydia and Rosa really make up for the loss of the third. I think my favorite thing about Rydia is that she's not entirely human (like Terra) in her values, but is still a person of feelings. Also badassery (I have a thing for summoners). And I adore baby!Rydia as much as grownup Rydia.
Edge - A kind of douche I can get behind. XD His ability to get right to the point and say what I am thinking (come on, "What happens when you get mind controlled again?" BEST LINE) makes up for his arrogance and bravado. Approve.
Yang - WHY ARE THERE NOT A BAJILLION FANFICS ABOUT THIS GUY. SRSLY. I love how badass he is, how noble, and I especially love that they took the time to establish a spouse for him (even if they failed to give her a name). Another dude I would want to have my back.
Cid - Never met a Cid in an FF game I didn't like, and this Cid ties with Cid Highwind for Favorite Cid. THIS SAYS A LOT. I mean, I like dwarves, because they aren't a pretty speshul race, they MAKE THINGS. This Cid and Edgar from FFVI need to get together and build mecha or something. ADORE.
Palom and Porom - WAAAA ADORABLE LITTLE WUNDERKINDS OF MISCHIEF. I love how many different magic users this game gave me. I want them in my final party, I need more black and white magic. T_T
Tellah - I MISS YOU. A LOT. WHY COULDN'T YOU MAGICALLY COME BACK LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. I love cranky old men and Tellah is THE DEFINITION. I really do miss him. D:
Golbez - WHY HALO THAR SYMPATHETIC VILLAIN. That kind of smacked me upside the head liek whoa. Hooray family issues! I wish I'd seen more of this guy not being an MYSTERIOUS DOUCHE in the game. Approve.
Kain - I saved him for last, because um, he's the only character I just can't like. I tried, because he has so many fans, clearly there was something there I was missing? But no. I know a lot of fandom is obsessed with this guy but... I don't get it. He's not snarky; he's mean, petty, and kind of psycho. And not in the fun way I like, either. He's got every character trait that I can't stand in either myself or other people, and kind of acts like my ex-husband. His kidnapping Rosa leaves me with creepy almost rape-y vibes (I'm sorry, the whole "I just wanted her to be near me longer" was fucking CREEPY and Cecil and Rosa's "..." reactions didn't help). I'm mostly disappointed because they could have done a lot with the character, but instead they made him into a creepershark with no personality, aside from being obsessed or jealous. Disapprove. Of course, I could also be really tired with the "unrequited love makes you crazy" trope.
So, overall, enjoying the game, and hope that the boss battle goes well!
My two favorites:
FFVI Daryl Goggle'd by ~Litheba on deviantART
The rest are on my dA.
Still need to do a shoot with my Setzer someday. I swear I will make it happen. I'll probably do a photoshoot with my sorceress!Selphie costume when it gets even warmer, as that costume lacks a nice coat to keep me from freezing.