Lurker > ZaziGuado

I'm sure it wasn't much but now I feel like I missed out. I always enjoy nods like that.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I reached Heavensward and decided to play dragoon instead of machinist, so playing all that time as monk was a waste. About three levels from 50 on the dragoon. Also decided to round out some crafting levels so that held up progress. Excited to finally jump in either tonight or tomorrow.

Speaking of Dragoon as it relates to story does Estenien acknowledge you when you first meet him with Aymeric towards the end of the ARR patch quests? No spoilers beyond that point if he becomes a major character, please. Based on the Dragoon stuff, it seems like he would see you as a big deal and address it so.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

So there's no etiquette and I can feel free to use LB when it becomes available except in that isolated incident? I always forget that Limit Break is a thing, and when I actually remembered to do it this time, I was disheartened to have been scolded for it. I still don't have full confidence in my skills when it comes to duty finder missions.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I got called a troll for using my Limit Break in the Crystalis Duty where you fight Nabriales. One of the people said "Never use your LB on the boss" and I'm not sure if they were saying that in general or just for that instance. Is there etiquette for using Limit Breaks?

I guess for reference I was playing Melee DPS.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Last night I hit a red MSQ in the filter between ARR and Heavensward because I haven't done se of the hard versions of primal battles. That makes mainlining my way through this stuff hard. How much of the "plus" quests are just dungeons and how much of them are actual other threads of story? I've done a bit of the aethersand stuff, but not much else because I figured it was just all optional dungeons of which I've done barely any during my time with the game. Am I missing out on a lot?

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I'm starting to enjoy the linking quest line from ARR to Heavensward a little more now.

The counsel or whatever just met to discuss Garlemald having a new Emperor, Varis. He looks very not nice and not like a good guy. Also we are now off to pursue the Flames woman who we think is The Ivy. I enjoy the intrigue that comes from the Ivy thread, but I'm worried it might end here soon since we've brought it to the literal second-in-command. Ah well.

I have to imagine I'm getting close to the end here.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I was amused by the literal presentation I was given about Life, Death, and Aether by my comrades.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Hmm I see. It definitely feels like more since there seemed to be many quests thus far that were "go talk to this person in this random place " and then I get there and talk to them and Quest Complete or quests where I do some mundane action for an NPC.

Ah well. I'm confident I'll be able to power through. I'm also excited for more voice acting because having to fully focus on reading can be tiresome to me. It already seems like there's been a slight uptick in that and I can only imagine that they added more as the game became more established.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

If anybody wants to tell me how close I am to Ishgard (since I really want to try Machinist), I'd appreciate it. The quest I just completed was Yugiri and the Domans just arrived to Revenant's Toll and now we have to go look into the Sahagin trying to summon Leviathan.

I'm hoping that's half, but I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't. I guess I also don't know how much of the gap quests take place in Ishgard which getting to is my main goal at the moment.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I've finished ARR and have to be at least halfway through the in-between quest stuff. My oh my do they have you running all over the place and doing menial tasks. The thread it's running along has been interesting enough, at least, but I just feel like I'm doing busy work most of the time.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Man 2020 sure is going hard out of the gate.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Planetary Empowerment. The picture was of Goku doing a Spirit Bomb, so I guess that means this is a good thing? I don't think I want the ability to do a Spirit Bomb. That's too much pressure.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I consider getting the Veni Vidi Vici in VVVVVV trinket is one of my greatest having achievements.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

The Lion King Grasslands or whatever the first level is called.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I'm super excited for the Xenoblade remaster to come out, but that's only because of the hype that this board provides for the game. I know nothing about the story or gameplay. I only know running across two dead gods.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Memories of the City is one of my favorite VGM tracks in existence. It perfectly captures the tone of Persona 3. Wandering around town with that playing is probably the most nostalgic memory I have of Persona 3.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

From the games on this list, Journey is the one I most hope makes the field. It was such a novel experience and it's the first game I introduced my wife to when we started dating.

I didn't participate in the nomination phase, but I'm okay with that. I can't think of anything immediately off the top of my head that I don't see represented in the 98 or 58 that had any shot of doing anything.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

3 will always hold a special place in my heart because it's the first one I played and I really enjoyed the overall dark tone. I'm not sure how well it would hold up for me now.

I like 4, but I don't love the cast as much as others seem to. Dungeons and battling are definitely better than 3, however.

I love how flashy and crisp 5 is. I wish the cast had better chemistry, though. Maybe P5R will aid in that.

If forced to rank them, I usually go 3 > 5 > 4, but it's a pretty nebulous overall.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I have a file going on it right now as well (Chapter 6 or so I think?). Not enjoying is quite as much as Yakuza 0 so far, but still greatly appreciate what it has to offer.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I'm about an hour away from finishing Day 4.

I really appreciate the recaps and am glad they do it. It offers the chance for them to talk about games that people may enjoy that have no chance of winning any category they may do, and also let's them talk negatively about things without having to get into an argument of "this is worse than this" which can be fun to listen to but probably makes the tone of GotY more negative than they want. All that said, I just wish there was a way it could be condensed into two days rather than three. The categories are a fun part of their GotY model and I feel a split of two days recap, two days category awards, last day Top 10 would be a fantastic format.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Of games that I purchased and then actually played, I'd probably say Dragon Quest XI. Not because I didn't enjoy my time with it, but because I bought it after playing the Switch Demo knowing full well that I wasn't going to get anywhere close to finishing it and lo and behold I completed the first area after the demo ends and haven't gone back to it because the RPG part of my brain is broken.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

There's not as much distinguished variability in terms of style of play, but sure. The world also feels more alive and lived in, imo.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Games are good, but I would recommend listening to the first audio book, and the second if you find yourself with the time. They are a series of short stories and each episode (I've only watched the first two so I can't confirm this fully) seems to be based off of a short story in terms of what Geralt is doing.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I've watched the first two episodes. Not sure how I feel yet. I appreciate everything I see. I've read The Last Wish, so I have some knowledge going in about the stories they are telling. Things feel rushed and jumpcutty. Maybe that will improve though once the main cast starts sharing screen time. Assuming the second season leads to a third season, maybe things will also feel more cohesive when the source material is a novel rather than a series of short stories.

I'm very excited to keep watching, but I plan on getting my wife to watch too and I worry that she'll be confused not having and prior knowledge of The Witcher.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Ever since pictures and videos started releasing, I've heard nothing but hype. Granted I don't seek it coverage, especially among fandoms, but that doesn't seem like "shit on" to me. I'm excited to watch this when I get home.

One initial gripe I have is that I wish they were dropping it an episode a week. I understand that's not the Netflix model, but it's a great way to build hype and investment if it's able to hit the ground running. Maybe if season 1 gets rave reviews they'll do that for season 2.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I spent $200 once, hoping they would be quality enough to not get holes in the crotch. They got holes in the crotch in only a few months. Got them patched up, and the hole came back in the same amount of time. They are the most comfortable pair of jeans I own, and I can always get them patched up at the place I got them (for a fee) but that's an annoyance. I guess my body composition is such that my thighs always rub together when I walk, which I do often during my day job. As such, I'll probably not go over $50 for the foreseeable future.

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Bump to be safe

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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

While I concur, I must always state the opinion that FFX-2 had the better theme for Besaid.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Haybae Vernley
Zalera / Crystal

I took the plunge and bought Shadowbringers while it was on sale. All the hype surrounding it was too much to bare and I've been feeling the itch to jump back into FFXIV even though I haven't gotten very far. I'm nearing the end of ARR at the moment. I haven't bought any game time yet, but it's only a matter of time.

I've been running around as a Monk so far, but I've had my eyes on Machinist and will probably switch to that when I get the chance. I like the thought of other classes, but since I usually play alone, I find DPS is easiest when running dungeons.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I can agree with that frame of mind. I think since I was taking an initially more active approach to listening to these songs, it was easy for Decision on the Dock to slide down the list since it's very one note.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

More bad writeups, ho!

66. Decision on the Dock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=584XzVXQmJE&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=35&t=0s

Context: Blitzball menu and other points during the game

Decision on the Dock is basically a drumline, which isnt a bad thing. There arent many differences between the new arrangement and the old one aside from a tiny bit of polish. This track is more of a framing piece than anything that gets much attentive listening. I enjoy it for what it is, which is a good thing considering its one of the most heard tracks in the game if you are a lover of blitzball such as myself.

65. Macalania Woods
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaGn3dxy_uo&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=52

Context: The song that plays while you are roaming Macalania Woods

This is a track I wish I liked more, because themes meant to convey a forest always seem to work for me. However, this one doesnt do it for me. I think its the pulsing instrumentation that sets the pace of the song. Rather than provide a soft tone, it discomforts me slightly. Perhaps thats intentional. I will say it does capture the mysticism of Macalania Woods, though.This is another track that was left as is for the Remaster, so theres nothing else there for me to latch onto other than what Ive already heard many times before.

64.Reception fo Grand Maester Mikat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKkl9XxUCyc&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=33

Context: Grand Maester Mika arriving at Luca Docks for the start of the Blitzball season

This track provides an entrance fit for a Grand Maester with drums and horns and that pomp and circumstance giving it a parade-like feel at times. This rearrangement of the track does a good job of making the instruments more cohesive unlike the original where they seemed to be competing for the listeners attention. The layering of the horns and strings and other bits and bobbles jumping in and out is well done and makes for an interesting piece when you stop to examine it, albeit unmemorable when compared to the rest of the OST.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I'm going to bump this just to remind myself to get back at it over the weekend.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

It's been a busy week, but here's a quick write up to keep up even the tiniest bit of momentum.

66. Djose Temple
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UrbUpnQBik&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=45

Context: Djose Temple

This track starts off very uninspiring, but once it starts playing Bop-It and the melody kicks in, its more memorable. The Djose Temple theme gives me strong FFIX vibes, and I wouldnt bat an eye if I was told this was a track cut from the FFIX OST. The pulsating melody is interesting enough, but it cuts in and out between that and the opening too often and feels a little disjointed. This track wasnt rearranged from the original OST, and thats a bummer because like Peril Id love to have seen what could have been done to elevate it and make it more interesting. As it stands, I dont hate it but its pretty unremarkable in my mind.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Tier 6 -- The Mostly Melancholy or Panicky Tier
A lot of these tracks offer themes of unease. Not all of them, but most of them.

69. Peril
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H93A879EJlA&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=60&t=0s

Peril is most notably played during the Guado attack on the Al Bhed Home. The reason its most notable there is because theres a guy screaming over the loudspeaker what sounds like Im annoying, huh!? over and over and over and over. Ill be honest, as much Stockholm Syndrome enjoyment I get out of that, I docked the track points for it. It also plays during the Sinspawn Gui battle and other parts.

This track actually wasnt rearranged for the HD Remaster, which is a pity. I think there was some potential here, especially during the slower buildup parts. As is, its just a barrage of percussion and horns. It should be commended for its panicky feel, but I dont find it more interesting than anything above it.

68. Gloom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-3HVXUT9xQ&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=82

Context: Omega Ruins most notably.

The new arrangement doesnt do really anything interesting as compared to the original. Considering Gloom was almost assuredly low on the original OST list, its only natural it would find itself low again. The Remaster arrangement is definitely less abrasive and more polished than the original, so thats a positive. This track is also an interesting take on the theme of darkness, offering a more bumping (in the night) theme that I can appreciate.

67. Believe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FPwlKfPyDk&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=65

Context: Yuna is jumping off a building in Bevelle

A shorty but a fairly goody, though I always found the scene a bit goofy. Its not like summoning Valefor was a huge surprise. Its a flying Aeon that Yunas had from the very beginning and if she didnt summon Valefor well then maybe Id have to question her abilities as a summoner. I could be missing a larger point to it all, like its a sign of the amount of trust she has in the power of the Aeons.

The buildup is fine, but the star here is the triumphant horns at the climax of the song. On that end, the new arrangement has better horns. They do more to separate from the background and stand out. Theres also a slight hint of a song higher on this list that is much appreciated.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

With the first tier out of the way, I'll start plugging away at the next tier on either Sunday or Monday. Thank you for your patronage.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

74. Creep
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsDIgJZxKvc&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=8

Context: Baaj Temple

More of that misty humming here coupled with more clanging in the background. This track also throws in a bit of bubbling. Honestly, I think all the ambiance songs were done a great service by the rearrangements for the HD Remaster. I dont remember hearing each detail so clearly before. As I get further into this list, I plan on taking more time to weigh the difference between the original and HD Remaster versions of tracks, but I just wanted to take a moment here to acknowledge the overall good job the HD Remaster does.

This track is good for a desolate and mysterious place like Baaj Temple.

73. Underwater Ruins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09zgMBrZQE4&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=15&t=0s

This plays during the excavation of the underwater ruins by Tidus and Rikku.

Its okay. If I were being more nitpicky, Id probably drop this a couple of spots. Im having trouble mustering anything more to say about it. Its a theme for underwater ruins named underwater ruins and when I hear it I think of underwater ruins. That means its doing its job and I respect that.

72. The Wedding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XaJ1qogDsg&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=63&t=0s

Context: During the ceremony of the doomed-from-the-start wedding of Yuna and Seymour

This track doesnt sound happy or joyous at all. Its also very short and should be lower on this list, but the Tier 7 caveat continues to apply. Its a melancholy tune which does a good job of telling us how nobody truly in the know wants this to be happening.

71. They May Pass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_UhwPnpcto&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=43&t=0s

Context: Seymour is telling the guards at the end of the Miihen Highroad to let Yuna and Co. through the gate towards the super important operation. My favorite part about this is when Seymour tells the Wakka to pretend he isnt doing what he is doing which is the first outward hey this Maester Seymour is really not a very trustworthy fellow.

If Twilight wasnt the lowest song from the ten years prior ranking, it was They May Pass. I think the little jingle at the end of this is what pushed it this high in the tier for me this time. Im not sure if that part was in the original OST arrangement. Couldve been. Either way, this is the first hint we get of Seymours theme with its shrill strings that make us all kinds of uncomfortable. A good foreshadowing piece.

70. Tragedy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfpkhwUJtyw&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=64

Apparently this track plays when Seymour kisses Yuna at the wedding, in which case its an aptly named track am I right? I also assume its playing throughout the scene leading up to that moment.

Its a solemn wedding theme filled with hopelessness as our heroes are forced to watch the conclusion of Yuna and Seymours wedding. Like all the tracks below it as we finish up this necessary first tier, it does its job well and Im happy it exists.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Tier 7 -- The Background Noise Tier
I feel the same about most of these songs. They mostly provide ambiance during a scene and mostly go unnoticed by me.

77. Twilight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY7T_1n8RKU&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=44

Somethings gotta finish at the bottom, and it may as well be Twilight. This may have finished last in the first ranking I did as well. It was that, or another song that finds itself in this tier.

The context for this song is mainly the flashback's that Tidus has, especially early on in the game. It doesn't do much in the way of melody. The most notable thing is a bell that chimes in the distance from time to time. I can't say I hate it. I can't say that about any song on the FFX OST. What I can say is that it's the easiest to ignore. That's mainly why it is last on the list.

76. The Void
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roiKotjSXmA&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=53

The FFX Wiki that I'm using to remember what the context for each song is tells me this plays when Rikku reveals to Wakka that she is Al Bhed. I...do not remember that being the case. I remember this playing when the gang falls below ice under Macalania Temple. To be fair, the could be when Rikku does reveal this fact to Wakka (I honestly don't remember the exact time she does this), but it's odd to use that as the description and not just the location.

Anyways, ambiance. Honestly, this track is probably more interesting than a couple of the ones above it, but in the bottom tier I'm not going to bother trying to create an exact order. It's got an industrial sound and the metallic clanging in the background is interesting enough. The misty exhales also give it that icy feel so I'd say it's good for what I perceive the context to be. Again, I don't hate any song on this soundtrack. A lot of them are just stay in the background for me until I'm forced to try and conjure up words about them.

75. The Temple Players
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRfeWRV7unA&list=PLldNgdLVBzhJWkMcKMwFFLr3wt81f_o4I&index=54

Context here is Macalania Temple. The track is named after the three instrument wielding humanoids who are playing off to the side a bit. I like them.

I enjoy the visual I get of the drum belly player while listening to this track. He's the real star of this show. I like to thing he has cymbals too. It'd be neat if every instrument used in the track was represented on the three musicians. One of the players has a harp and I don't hear a harp in this track at all. Anyways, it has a bit of a regal important sound, but also sounds foreboding which is good for this point in the game.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

The Final Fantasy X HD Remaster OST

To Zanarkand
Prelude
Tiduss Theme
Otherworld
Run!!
This Is Your Story
Creep
Battle Theme
Game Over
Out of the Frying Pan
Leap in the Dark
Underwater Ruins
Oui Are Al Bhed
Enemy Attack
The Blitzers
Besaid
Spira Unplugged
Hymn of the Fayth
Phantoms
The Trials
The Summoning
Braskas Daughter
Yunas Theme
Movement in Green
The Sending
Calm Before the Storm
Luca
Grand Maester Mika
Decision on the Dock
The Splendid Performance
Face-Off
Blitz Off
Aurons Theme
Miihen Highroad
Chocobo Jam
The Travel Agency
They May Pass
Seymours Theme
Twilight
Djose Temple
Ridess the Shoopuf?
Rikkus Theme
Guadosalam
Thunder Plains
Jechts Theme
Macalania Woods
The Void
The Temple Band
Seymours Ambition
Pursuit
The Burning Sands
Peril
The Truth Revealed
Launch
The Wedding
Assault
Tragedy
Believe
Via Purifico
Moment of Truth
Patricide
Suteki Da Ne
Yunas Decision
Lulus Theme
Bravely Forward
Servants of the Mountain
Wandering
Someday This Dream Will End
Challenge
Beyond the Darkness
Gloom
The Unsent Laugh
Fight With Seymour
A Contest of Aeons
Final Battle
Ending Theme
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

If pressed, I normally say FFX is my favorite game. About 10 years ago I ranked the Final Fantasy X OST. Ever since the HD Remaster came out with almost all the tracks rearranged, I've always wanted to do the ranking again with the HD Remaster OST. A few months ago, my wife played FFX for the first time via the HD Remaster, and that sparked my desire to do something involving FFX again (other previous projects included a tournament to determine the best blitzball player (I don't remember who won, but Argai was "our guy" and the star of the show) as well as Save My FFX Moment which I remember fondly because many fine folks helped me keep it running).

Fast forward to three nights ago and I decided to just dive in and do it. I've made a list while listening to the HD Remaster via a playlist on Youtube (thanks genodennis!), checked it twice (kinda), and am ready to shoot some writeups from the hip.

A note: these writeups will be rather informal and ignorant of the instrumentation involved in the songs because my knowledge of musical composition is minimal and I also don't want this project to loom over me for too long. I'm a lot busier than I was 10 years ago. Basically what I'm saying is there's a chance I ramble during these writeups and might be wrong about how the music is made and I'm going to apologize now. Don't expect masterful prose because I'm doing this to prove to myself that I can still start a project like this and complete it. Luckily the purge rate is not what it once was and I can not get discouraged by potential purging of the topic.

So yeah. I'm going to try and pump out a writeup or three tonight before going out of town for the weekend. Hopefully when I get back people will have tagged. I'd love to see predictions for the top 10. I'll list the songs I'm ranking in the next post.

There will be 77 songs ranked. I've sorted them into 7 Tiers (this is subject to change as I write and spend more time listening to the songs, especially near the top). Here is how many songs are in each tier:

(from least favorite to most favorite)
Tier Seven - 8 songs
Tier Six - 18 songs
Tier Five - 19 songs
Tier Four - 6 songs
Tier Three - 9 songs
Tier Two - 12 songs
Tier One - 5 songs

Lastly, there will be unmarked spoilers in this topic. If you have not played FFX and wish to not know events that occur during the game, please tread carefully or not at all.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Breaking Bad is the only show that I can confidently say every season is better than the previous season. I had trouble watching the first couple of seasons because they were so uncomfortable. Hell, I even fell off the show in the second season. However, once things start breaking (this was unintentional and I'm going to leave it) the way they do and Walter dives deeper into the game and begins thriving in it, I was fully invested.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I can never beat Madden because I always lose in the super bowl.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Video game Villains would be better than bosses imo
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

FFX OST Top 10 (or more should you choose to!)
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I'm intrigued by this.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I actually didn't mind Diablo 3's story from what I remember of it.

Starcraft 2 offended me.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

I've already had the talk with my wife that we will be a Grookey household and she seemed receptive to that.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Thatsrad.gif
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Whiskey_Nick posted...

FUCK TAMPA!

You watch your damn mouth. As a lifelong Tampa Bay Vipers fan, I will not stand by while you insult my beloved team.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Tampa Bay Vipers
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.

Wait how new is this being able to run dungeons with NPCs? Is it expansion-specific? I hadn't completed ARR before taking a break from the game. One of biggest hindrances in advancing through FFXIV was a fear of running storyline dungeons because I'm not sure what I'm doing fully. Granted the community has given me no reason to be fearful so far in all the dungeons I've played, but it's still a personal problem of mine.
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snowpork
Zazi is OP.