Board 8 > Save My Favorite Final Fantasy Characters: Special Edition Discussion Topic

(+) Yeah! (+)

I honestly forgot about the wiki

and now they've killed Monobook, so the site is an absolute disaster design-wise, enough makes me want to use it even less
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It looked the same to me when I made a new page a little while ago. Or at least the same enough.
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yeah, Monobook hasn't been the default for a long time now

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Skin_Monobook.png

it was much cleaner and easier to read, but it doesn't work well with smartphones, so it was doomed once those became a dominant player
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Finalized top 25 list:

Ashelia Ashe Bnargin Dalmasca
Auron
Balthier
Barret Wallace
Celes Chere
Cloud Strife
Delita Hyral
Ignis Scientia
Jecht
Kain Highwind
Kuja
Laguna Loire
Lightning
Locke Cole
Noctis Lucis Caelum
Ramza Beoulve
Squall Leonhart
Tidus
Tifa Lockhart
Vivi Ornitier
Wiegraf Folles
Yuna
Zack Fair
Zell Dincht
Zidane Tribal

Bonus rankings of 26-35:

26. Seifer Almasy
27. Dr. Cidolfus Demen Bunansa
28. Rikku
29. Gilgamesh
30. Basch fon Ronsenburg
31. Adelbert Steiner
32. Rinoa Heartilly
33. Serah Farron
34. Hope Estheim
35. Rydia of Mist
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Gilgamesh snub

contest cancelled
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also lefty, do you need anything from me?

assuming you're planning to go through with this, that is

I can send you the SMFFFC Master File that FFD gave me that's got all previous contest results, various statistics, etc. on it if you want it.
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mnkboy907 posted...

Vivi v Locke repeat finals I see.

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Can we swap 26-30 for 21-25 please
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where's vincent
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Lopen posted...

Can we swap 26-30 for 21-25 please

no

KommunistKoala posted...

where's vincent

probably closer to 50ish
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finally, a contest where Kuja finishes above Cecil
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LeonhartFour posted...

also lefty, do you need anything from me?

assuming you're planning to go through with this, that is

I can send you the SMFFFC Master File that FFD gave me that's got all previous contest results, various statistics, etc. on it if you want it.

I would love to have anything you can hand over, sure
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if this is happening host bias better help Lester DeRosso
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where's iris
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I don't think DeRosso will even be making it back in
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Vayne boost incoming. Gogo Dissidia
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th3l3fty posted...

I don't think DeRosso will even be making it back in

i do not accept this
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CelesMyUserName posted...

if this is happening host bias better help Lester DeRosso

yeah we've seen what host bias is worth when the host isn't vote stuffing
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we'll kick this thing off tomorrow
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happy burthday
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thanks but my birthday was four months ago
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your contest is his birthday present
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It begins
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I guess I'll post the writeups in here, too, so no one misses them.

21. Ignis Scientia (Final Fantasy XV)

The Good: I've come up with a new recipe! Seriously, Ignis is the coolest member of the FFXV crew, and a lot of it is due to his great one-liners and voice acting (dat accent). His relationship with Noctis is really heartwarming at times, too. I like that all of the FFXV party members interact differently with Noctis, and Ignis is almost a parental figure to him (even though they're fairly close to the same age, believe it or not, since Ignis looks older than he actually is), constantly nagging him about his eating and sleeping habits, being the one who drives him around everywhere, and stuff like that.

The Bad: Like most non-Noctis characters in FFXV, Ignis suffers from a lack of screen time and personal character development, at least in the main game. The DLC remedies this a bit (which I'll get to shortly), but he's mostly there to help bring Noctis along as the king and be his friend. Everyone in FFXV is subservient to Noctis in one way or another, which is sometimes good and sometimes bad.

The Best: Episode Ignis was awesome. He's super fun to play as. I didn't think Gladio and Prompto were all that fun compared to Noctis, but I could definitely see myself playing as Ignis in the main game whenever I eventually replay it now that you can switch party members. Finding out the reason he went blind is because he put on the ring to protect Noctis from Ardyn was awesome. The dude's level of determination and loyalty to Noctis is unmatched by anyone else in the game. Then Episode Ignis giving you the ability to get a completely different ending through his sheer will alone and defeating Ardyn to save Noctis was awesome. Dude's just the best.
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Ignis is cool. Don't know about top 25. But then again, maybe, I haven't actually thought that far.
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3. Ramza Beoulve (Final Fantasy Tactics)

The Good: I like my heroes to be heroic, and there might not be anyone else in the series who can rival Ramza in that department. He does what he believes is right because it's the right thing to do, plain and simple, regardless of the cost and the consequences. I find that level of integrity really impressive and commendable. He's probably the only person in the entire game who doesn't have some ulterior motive or isn't trying to manipulate people and events to his liking, which makes him stand out all the more. Delita talks about how he goes against the tide, but Ramza is the one who actually does it. He gets labeled a heretic by the church, a disgrace to the family name by his brothers, and is forgotten by history for centuries, but he keeps fighting for what's right anyway. Plus, the dude unironically orders milk at a bar and wears the buttpants without shame. How great is that?

The Bad: I kinda wish Ramza had a special job class with unique abilities in it that were cool. Yeah, Yell can be really useful, but it's also kinda boring and not even necessary. I guess he can learn Ultima, but I've never been able to get anyone to use it on him so he can learn it ever. Also, why in the world does Square keep using Ramza's worst design when they use him in other properties? The long ponytail and the academy uniform are lame. Give me the spiked breastplate or the blue armor with buttpants all day long.

The Best: One of my favorite parts of Final Fantasy Tactics in general is when the characters talk to each other during important storyline battles, and Ramza's almost always involved in those conversations. I love watching him debate Gafgarion and Wiegraf over life philosophies. I think my personal favorite one might be the total ownage he gives to Balk the second time you fight him when he blasts him for giving up his pride and freedom just for a second chance at something less than true life.
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Yes, poor Ramza...
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we'll take another day to mourn Ramza
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Yes, Porom;Ramza...
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13. Zack Fair (Final Fantasy VII)

The Good: I actually really liked Zack even before Crisis Core came out. The optional scene in Final Fantasy VII that shows you what really happened to Zack is so good. I remember my mind being blown the first time I accidentally stumbled onto that thing. Of course, finding out that Zack, not Cloud, was the one who actually came to Nibelheim as a First Class SOLDIER with Sephiroth was a crazy revelation, too. That's my favorite part of FFVII, and even though Zack doesn't have a big role in it, he's a key to its resolution. It's cool how important he is to the formation of Cloud's character even though you never meet him in the game. One of the more understated things about him in Crisis Core that I like is how he befriends Cloud even though he's a First Class SOLDIER and Cloud's just a regular grunt.

The Bad: I don't have a lot bad to say about Zack himself, but I always think it's weird when series use prequels to retroactively impact scenes in the main game. Zack is the one who convinces Tifa to name the bar Seventh Heaven and the one who suggests Aerith should sell flowers, among other things. The dumbest one is when they have Zack fall through the roof of the church just like Cloud did for no reason whatsoever. They also retroactively make his relationship with Aerith a bigger deal, I guess just so they don't make the Clerith fans too mad by giving her a cool guy who's just like Cloud to be with in the afterlife.

The Best: Of course, Crisis Core builds up to the recreation of that one scene in Final Fantasy VII, and I wasn't sure if they'd be able to top the original. Well, they did. First of all, "The Price of Freedom" is one of the best songs in the series. Secondly, having Zack nearly take down an entire battalion of Shinra soldiers by himself instead of having him get offed by a few grunts was a good change. Then that final charge to Cloud about him being his living legacy was really well done and emotionally touching. That's the one retcon (that speech perhaps being the catalyst for Cloud getting his memories mixed up with Zack's) in Crisis Core I thought was well executed. I like Zack's obsession with wanting to be a hero because I like my heroes to be heroic, as I've stated, so it's good to have a character on the same page.
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6. Locke Cole (Final Fantasy VI)

The Good: I like Locke's archetype as the noble thie--er, treasure hunter, and he's got a cool design (love the bandanna, especially) and theme to match. I like his solo section in the World of Balance because it focuses more on stealth than on using brute force to get through. Plus, you get to steal a dude's clothes! He's got one of the more interesting character arcs in Final Fantasy VI as he feels an obligation to protect Terra and Celes due to guilt for failing to save Rachel, although even then, you later discover he hasn't given up on her completely. The reason he's so obsessed with treasure is because he can't let go of the past, and he's determined to find something that can bring her back to life. At the same time, I like that he's able to remain upbeat despite it all and rarely lets his sorrow show on his face. I thought it was a compelling storyline, even if it did culminate in the Phoenix Cave.

The Bad: It sucks that you can't get Locke back into your party until deep into the World of Ruin. I guess it makes sense because it adds drama to Celes's quest to find him again, but still, he misses out on a lot of good content. Also, in terms of battle ability, Locke isn't super great. I give him the Genji Glove and Atma Weapon to help compensate for it, but even then, there are much better options. Plus, Steal rarely nets you anything worthwhile in FFVI. Still, Locke's always in my party if he's available, and it's not like FFVI is a particularly difficult game that you can't win with him.

The Best: I thought the climax of his sidequest in the World of Ruin was really well done (partly because "Forever Rachel" is really fitting for the scene). I like that he's able to get some definitive closure and move on ("I feel lighter than air" is a great line to Celes once it's all over). Plus, he gets a chance at redemption during the ending when he saves Celes as they're escaping from Kefka's Tower. Overall, Final Fantasy was still finding its footing in terms of consistent character development and writing at this point in the series, so Locke really stands out to me amongst the old school games. I think he's as good as they get in that window of time.
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Are you excited for Rinoa in Dissidia Leon?
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I mean I don't play Dissidia but it's pretty cool that she's getting in

now we just need to get her into KH3
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Selphie always struck me as an odd choice for the first one. I mean you got big names like "Leon", Cloud, Tidus, a memorable cameo like Yuffie (and even Vincent sort of within Cloud's design), and major supporting roles like Aerith and Wakka, and then... Selphie!?
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well

selphie is like a top three female ff character so
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well she's a top 3 FFVIII female party member if nothing else
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don't make me go searching externals for my 'in defense of selphie as the psychotic heart of the team' post
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I mean she was just a little Destiny Islands kid. What's really weird is Tidus getting wasted like that.
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GenesisSaga posted...

Are you excited for Rinoa in Dissidia Leon?

Great trailer! Opening movie reference, Angel Wing transformation, Force Your Way, is this her first voice acted appearance?
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I remember for the LONGEST time thinking that the kid that's hanging out in the open area of the first district of Traverse Town was Tidus from Destiny Islands because they had a similar design.

Forget that the Traverse Town kid I think had darker hair among other differences. I was a dumb kid.
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pjbasis posted...

I mean she was just a little Destiny Islands kid. What's really weird is Tidus getting wasted like that.

Well, it makes sense for Tidus and Wakka to be Destiny Island kids. It's a shame they got wasted like that, but yeah. Selphie didn't really "fit" in with that group.

pjbasis posted...

is this her first voice acted appearance?

Pretty sure it is. She's not in World of Final Fantasy, right?
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FFDragon posted...

don't make me go searching externals for my 'in defense of selphie as the psychotic heart of the team' post

No I'm going to make you
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5. Balthier (Final Fantasy XII)

The Good: Balthier's "Leading Man" gimmick is probably the best one in the entire series. One of my favorite things about Final Fantasy XII in general is how the other party members repeatedly undermine Vaan's attempts to be the protagonist, but Balthier does it better than any of them. He's got one of the best voices in the series, too. Gideon Emery's performance is masterful. Balthier is a weird hybrid of Han Solo and Captain Jack Sparrow. He's a lovable rogue who always manages to stay calm under pressure, and he's not as bad of a guy as his reputation suggests. He's actually a good man deep down, but he also makes no attempt to correct the misconceptions about him either. He's fine with however others choose to perceive him.

The Bad: Balthier likes to keep people out of the loop. He's perceptive and quick to catch onto things (He sees through "Lamont" almost immediately, for instance), but he never really feels inclined to share what he knows with others. Also, true to sky pirate form, he tends to act detached from everything and claims to act only in his own self-interest. Balthier doesn't seem to be all that interested in the overall plot of the story (though to be fair, I'm not sure I was either because it felt like it was all happening somewhere else). It's not until later that you learn it's largely a facade.

The Best: Once Balthier actually does decide to let you in, his backstory and characterization are really great. I love the scene in the Phon Coast where he tells Ashe about how he ran away from all his father wanted for him. "All that running, and I got nowhere." Then there's the confrontation with his father at the top of the Pharos Lighthouse. That last line is just so bittersweet: "Was there no other way?" Both of them recognize that there was no chance of reconciliation between them because they refuse to change their minds on what they believe, but they both hate that fact. Then there's that great final line in the ending: "I hope you haven't forgotten my role in this little story. I'm the leading man. You know what they say about the leading man. He never dies."
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Balthier's a guy who I enjoy but I can't really like that much because I don't think the story uses him well.

I feel like he's a decent character who'd be a great character in a different game.

Or a decent character who seems better than he is because of the game he's in.

Not sure which it is but either way he's not one of my favorites by any means. But I have nothing particularly bad to say about him either. I can't disagree with anything in your write-up but I just have trouble finding any passion for him, or any FFXII character really.

I guess he's probably my favorite FFXII character for whatever that's worth.
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I finally played through all of FFXII for the first time recently and found the whole cast to be pretty boring.

Balthier is fine, but I think my favorite actually turned out to be Basch.
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I think Balthier, Ashe, Basch, Dr. Cid, and Gabranth are all really good characters. As such, it's no surprise that the Pharos Lighthouse is by far the best part of the game because they're all involved in it.

It's just proof that having really solid characters sometimes isn't enough to compensate for a generally aimless plot where everything of import seems to happen offscreen (or at the very least away from your party on the very rare occasions they show Vayne doing something).
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Lopen posted...

But I have nothing particularly bad to say about him either.

He could use a better running form
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oh right I meant to mention this but it's weird that Balthier is the guy who's supposed to be the best at guns but because he has a unique firing animation that slows him down he's better off not using them
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That is the only remotely compelling part of the game.

But yeah good characters can only do so much when the game refuses to focus on them whatsoever. I mean hell I can't even say they're not fleshed out. But I feel more love for countless random Fire Emblem characters, many of which are characterized almost entirely through optional support conversations, than I do for anyone in FFXII. Probably because even though the game itself doesn't acknowledge most random Fire Emblem side characters matter, the support conversations are at least a part they have 100% to themselves where they feel actually important.

It is a shame and I'll never scoff at anyone for liking FFXII's cast, but yeah none of it really does anything for me. I do like all of those characters you listed but it's a very lukewarm like. To make it worse I can't honestly say I like Balthier or Ashe way more than Penelo, for example, even though they are clearly more interesting and fleshed out characters, because Penelo isn't terrible and is likable enough in her own right despite being completely irrelevant. Which, being realistic, functionally isn't too far behind what Balthier and Ashe are in the story.
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Eh, Ashe is honestly the only character I don't think you can say isn't important to what story is there to be found. It's why I tend to regard her as the real main character of FFXII. Everyone else is basically along for the ride in Ashe's quest. She drives the action, and she's the one the Occuria are trying to compel to do their bidding. Of course, she ultimately turns down the role, which is a fitting commentary on the game's plot.
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