M'kay, so Yu Yevon battle has just been eliminated. I'm okay with that. As Genny said in the saving topic, the prelude to the battle is good, but the battle itself is underwhelming and it's hard to allow the prelude to boost the moment when the battle is rather disappointing. I'm not too disappointed, though, as I rather see the penultimate battle against Braska's Final Aeon as the true climax of the end. The Yu Yevon battle is just finally getting to Yu Yevon and cleaning his clock. With nothing left for him to hide behind, he truly is weak and powerless, and this battle just feels like business rather than "OH GOD HERE WE GO LET'S END THIS!"
I'm okay with this elimination and of the final three left to have been saved that round, it's probably the one I cared about the least.
My thoughts: The buildup to the Yu Yevon battle is great as Tidus finally reveals that this is the end for him and once the battle is over, he'll disappear. The music is really good, too.
But yeah, the fight itself is...yeah. So I'm not too sad to see it go.
So Defeating the Aeons was eliminated, huh? My thoughts: I actually like this part less than the Yu Yevon battle because it drags on too long, especially if you got all the Aeons and you've powered them up. Plus, the music isn't as good. However, the one really good part is seeing the look of agony on Yuna's face as you do it because you can tell it's killing her having to do it since she's grown attached to them. Plus, the bonds being severed has to take a toll on you, since severing the bonds between a summoner and her Final Aeon is enough to kill them. I always take out Valefor last because I feel like it's Yuna's favorite Aeon.
So "Seymour proposes to Yuna" was eliminated next. According to the Google doc, this encompasses everything that transpires when you visit Seymour at Guadosalam, including the gorgeous FMV of Zanarkand as the party watches in awe as it's recreated as a hologram. There's a cool moment where Seymour says, "She once lived in this metropolis," referring to Yunalesca, prompting an understated "Hmph" from Auron, since he knows the truth about her. The proposal itself is kind of okay-ish. Yuna's reaction is kind of awkward, but you get some cool dialogue between Seymour and Auron. "Spira is no playhouse. A moment's diversion may amuse an audience, but it changes nothing." "Even so, the actors must play their parts."
And if you count it as part of the scene, Seymour asking Auron why he's still here (referring to the fact that he's unsent) and saying that the guado are keen to the scent of the Farplane, prompting Tidus to start sniffing around Auron, is pretty hilarious.
But yeah, it's an okayish moment overall, aside from the beautiful FMV of Zanarkand. I don't mind it being eliminated here.
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"So cold. I am always by your side." "There ain't no gettin' off of this train we on!"
Fitting that Yu Yevon and Defeating the Aeons fell back to back, since they're consecutive events. I agree with them going early. They are events that have to happen, but there's nothing particularly special about them when they do. Some argue it's an anti-climax, but I'm of the view that the real climax of the game occurs in Zanarkand, and once the party resolves to go after Yu Yevon directly, his only hope is the Final Aeon. His plan to preserve Zanarkand was effective, not because he was an amazing combatant (if he was, why did Bevelle annihilate Zanarkand in the first place?), but because he was an exceptional summoner and had worked out an ingenious plan with Yunalesca. The finale of the game has three big events - the battle with Sin, the battle with BFA, and the events after Yu Yevon is sent.
I think Seymour's proposal could serve to be a bit higher. Like, Leon says, there's an amazing FMV there and some great lines. It's interesting how effective Seymour is in persuading Yuna with the holographic Zanarkand and Zaon/Yunalesca. It does come at the end of a very long section of scenes, which perhaps diminishes its effect, though. The Farplane sequences are better.
-- We are living our lives Abound with so much information
Omega Ruins was the most recent elimination. I used the entrance of Omega Ruins to farm my gold for my blitzball craze, so I have fond memories of that. However, the dungeon itself was scary with all sorts of terrible status effects and Malboros and Mimics and oh my. A fun dungeon, though. I will say it was my preferred moment to be eliminated of the remaining ones, so awesome.
We are 15 rounds in, and I think it's time to start thinking about when the saves needed should be upped. I don't have much experience with these contests, as has probably gone noticed, so I'll ask for any advice. Two has been working so far, and we have a good voting base. Are there still too many moments to consider bumping it up to three?
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snowpork I wanna be a SuperNiceDog when I grow up!
Also, Omega Ruins is a decent dungeon, but nothing special. It's got some tough enemies, although after a while, I get tired of fighting Mimics. I was also expecting Omega to be a bit tougher than he ended up being, but at least Kimahri learned Nova from him.
The fight is understandably maligned but the only thing I really dislike about it (and the Aeons battle) is the damn Auto-Life. Better balancing might have eliminated the need for such silliness and made these battles far more memorable.
The storyline surroundings themselves are superb. Fighting a tick as what's left of Yevon himself after a thousand years is equally terrific, screw the haters. I am a bit bummed to see it go so soon but I knew it was going to happen based on voting trends.
Defeating the Aeons
Now this one I'm incredibly sad to see go so soon. The same Auto-Life crap applies here, but the music is absolutely exceptional and as it's no secret I'm a huge Yuna fan seeing that sorrowful yet unyielding face of hers between rounds really drives home the message and makes for an incredibly poignant sequence for me.
But I can speak volumes on that track. One of the best and somewhat criminally underrated. Uematsu took "Hymn of the Faith" farther than I ever thought it could go. So good.
Seymour proposes to Yuna
Such a gorgeous string of graphics to feast the eyes upon in 2002 and 2012 alike. The storyline development is crucial and Yuna's resolve really begins to show its full colors. Sad to see it go but there are far better parts.
Omega Ruins
A pretty decent optional dungeon in a series with several noteworthy optional dungeons, Omega Ruins is a good time. Some minimal world-building really helps make the place memorable. The fights can be moderately tough going as you progress. The boss itself isn't much to write home about though. Not too sad to see it go so quickly.
It's cute. It's cheesy. It's a fun little diversion. It's a sobering wake-up call on second playthroughs when you get what Tidus' narration is talking about when he remarks that he was the only one truly laughing. It just plain works.
When I saw what was left, I had already planned on saving O'aka, but I figured I'd give the other one the benefit of the doubt and try to remember what it was. For the record, is that right before (or after?) you fight the Chocobo Eater thingy?
-- First is mnk'boy'907, who looks fab with her gray skin and grandma poncho/shawl thing~ http://img.imgcake.com/nio/boypngbu.png - Nio
From: mnkboy907 | #117 For the record, is that right before (or after?) you fight the Chocobo Eater thingy?
No.
It happens after Yuna stays up all night after Operation Mi'ihen tending to the wounded and Tidus has to go wake her up so they can resume the Pilgrimage.
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"I can set you free, mate." "My freedom was forfeit long ago!"
It's a scene you truly appreciate more on a second playthrough. You forget about it during your first one, and then when you reach it on the second, it just makes you pause for a second. I love moments like those.
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snowpork I wanna be a SuperNiceDog when I grow up!
Oh, then nope. I don't remember that at all. I mean, the lines sound familiar, and I can sorta picture Lulu saying one of them. But anyway, if it were really memorable, than I'd remember it! Also I don't recall completely forgetting Operation Mi'ihen. I do believe I mentioned saying it involved attacking Sin and had big guns. And I half-remembered the part involving Seymour.
I would've saved the Chocobo Eater scene maybe.
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http://i50.tinypic.com/23qx00.jpg "First time I got punched in the face, I was like "oh no", then I was like "this is a story"."
Learning the Jecht Shot was just eliminated. My thoughts: It's a fun little mini-game. I actually failed it the first time I tried, but I've gotten it every time since then. There's some fun little dialogue involved in it, such as the conversation between Tidus and Yuna afterward about the Jecht Shot. It's a pretty minor moment overall though, so this is a fair placement, I think.
I'm the probably the board's biggest Jecht fan, and as such I like any scene that has Jecht in it. I would have liked to see this moment go a little further because of that, but the scene really isn't that important in the grand scheme of things.
It's a nice enough moment and kicking the ball into the dialogue is pretty funny but it doesn't really do much for me. Good elimination.
Tidus reunites with Rikku
The FMV itself is pretty overrated and awkward and the conversation that follows is about average as far as FFX goes, which is to say pretty decent but not especially memorable. Good elimination as well.
Wakka punches Luzzu
This is actually a really solid scene and I'm kinda bummed to see it go so soon but with what was left, I couldn't let it live.
I feel the opposite here in thinking that Wakka punches Luzzu should've been eliminated sooner. I mean, it's a nice little scene and sheds some light on Wakka and Lulu's past, but it...doesn't really do anything for me.
I like that scene. I like all the scenes that give some development to the secondary cast members, because sadly there's not that many of them.
O'aka
Good riddance.
Guado attack Home
Another scene that probably went further than it should have. Those damn Al Bhed sounds are driving me crazy everytime I'm there. Can not unhear: I'M ANNOYING, HA! HA!
I like O'aka XIII, merchant extraordinaire, despite how most of his stuff is way too pricey most of the time. There are a couple of times where you can convince him to give you a big discount and get some nice stuff. I love the voice acting for him though, great accent.
I really like the Guado attack Home sequence because it's one of those "oh snap it just got real" moments. The battles are pretty tough, too, and you get to meet Cid. Yeah, the guy over the loudspeaker constantly repeating the same five words in Al Bhed over and over again gets kind of annoying, but still. Also, we totally missed out on having "Blowing up Home" in this contest, now that I think about it, but I'll consider that part of this sequence, too, because that was really cool.
I can't believe how long it takes each day for Abes vs. Duggles /Sin attacks Zanarkand to be saved. That cut scene still gives me chills when I watch it.
I like things like this in RPGs. Recurring shopkeepers you meet on your journey. You get the sense they're on a journey as well. And then later on when you find out he's been arrested and whatnot, I dunno, maybe it's just me but I always do feel a pang of sadness over it all. He's a cool dude.
Guado attack Home
The cutscenes with the monsters encircling Home are really cool, the s*** hitting the fan is always fairly well-done in FFX, and yes, the loudspeaker should have been better-handled indeed. Altogether it's good and the flames on every corner add appropriate atmosphere. Good Rikku development too.
Obtaining Anima
Pretty bummed this one had to go so soon but it's not the end of the world. Basically what Gen said toward the end of the last round applies here through and through. Revenge against Geosgeano, more Seymour backstory, the best Hymn of the Faith rendition in the game... what else can I say? Oh yeah, you get Anima! She's my second favorite Aeon in FFX, and that has everything to do with the fact that Bahamut is my perpetual numero uno. And Baaj Temple is a terrific place too. Altogether, great, great 'moment'.
Thoughts on the Biran/Yenke battle: This is a pretty good battle, one that the game built up from the first time you meet them in Luca. Unfortunately, they're not really compelling as antagonists. They're more like low grade trolls who make fun of Kimahri when they show up and then run away. Still, it's kind of nice to see Kimahri finally prove his worth to them by beating them in battle. That moment when you first show up at Mt. Gagazet and Biran faces him down, and you see how much taller Biran is than Kimahri is really cool. Kimahri seems so big compared to humans, but he's pretty short for a Ronso. The battle is also a nice way to get new Overdrives for Kimahri. If you use Lancet on them, you can generally get 3-5 new ones from them. Plus, there's that moment after the battle where all the Ronso sing the Hymn of the Fayth, which is cool.
It's cool, but the whole Ronso rivalry thing has always been the weakest thing Kimahri has going for him in my eyes, which is a shame since it's his 'backstory' and all that. It just feels kind of juvenile and anime-silly in a game that -- well, yes, it features several such moments, but I generally like them the least. The whole thing with Biran and Yenke on the Highroad is just kind of a groan for me, i'ts so cliche. And I really like the Ronso in general, even. I mean, they're no Klingons, but only one Square game has ever managed to flesh out a people to the extent of a long-running franchise, so yeah.
Anyway, back to the point. The confrontation itself is pretty cool. Seeing how much shorter Kimahri is, having that rad music play during the fight, picking up some Blue Magic you might have left behind if you're most players and stopped using Kimahri so much after a while. (Not me!) The resolution is also nice. It's kind of a shame they had to die off-screen so soon thereafter, but I've come to respect the literary decision there. It makes Seymour just that despicable.
Omega Ruins - Cool optional dungeon. My main memory of it is running around within touching distance of the save sphere for countless hours in NSGNSNONC trying to capture everything.
Yuna oversleeps - I find it a little bit heavy-handed as a lighthearted moment (I think there's an element of humour not translating well across cultures coming into play here, perhaps), but Tidus' narration packs a punch. That undercurrent of hopelessness undergoing everything during the pilgrimage is one of main favourite aspects of FFX.
Learning the Jecht Shot - The actual mini-game itself isn't all too memorable, but I love the scenes afterwards. First, the Aurochs in awe with Tidus', who's happy with both impressing his teammates and overcoming the mental block Jecht left him with. Then Yuna, inadvertently, brings it all back by observing the shot was his. Nice relaxing music and scenery too.
Wakka punches Luzzu - One of a relatively small number of memorable moments not centred around Tidus, Yuna, Auron, Sin or Seymour. Emotionally charged conclusion to one of the early minor plot arcs. Helps to build up the tension before Op. Mi'ihen, but it went out roughly where it should.
O'aka - I love the scheming merchant. One of a number of characters whom the party's journey conveniently intersects on multiple occasions. Adds a bit of depth to Spira, and often has useful weapons. Went out where he should.
Guado attack Home - Unlike Op. Mi'ihen, this sequence isn't hyped up at all; instead the instant change of pace lends it added oomph. Great battles and graphics during the section, from the field models of the Bombs, Chimera and Dual Horns to the fire and debris. Largely, and rightly, overshadowed by the relevation that takes place in the depths of the battlezone.
Obtaining Anima - I probably don't care for this moment as much as most others. It's interesting to see some of Seymour's backstory and return to Baaj (probably the best aspect; when Tidus was in Baaj before the pilgrimage he was terrified and out of his depth, not anymore). Also, Anima's most memorable quote? "Thus I atone."
Biran and Yenke Battle - One of the more underrated moments I think. Kimahri's struggles with the Ronso reach a head as they won't let him pass and he has no option but to take Biran and Yenke on. It's a battle that has a beautiful tribal feel to it, on a snow-covered plateau, People of the North Pole playing, lots of physical attacks, and Kimahri learning their techniques to overpower them. By the end, Kimahri's the only Ronso standing. A like the trick they pulled in tying B&Y's stats to Kimahri's so no matter how little or much you'd trained Kimahri, the fight would be winnable and fairly similar.
-- We are living our lives Abound with so much information
It's a shame to see Battle with Sin eliminated so soon. It's probably the one challenging endgame boss battle, and of course, the game has been building up to it from the start of the game. The FMV right before you fight Sin is awesome, where he does that ridiculous gravity attack that splits the oceans apart and stuff. You really get a sense of scale fighting this thing, especially as you try to slowly disable it from the airship, shooting off its arms and then destroying its core. Then it's time to fight Sin head on, and it's kind of intimidating because you've seen what it's capable of. The first time Overdrive Sin pulls the airship in is a pretty "Whoa" moment as you realize you're in a race against the clock to beat it before it annihilates you. It creates a great sense of tension, throwing everything you've got at Sin trying to beat it before it's too late, and it's a big sigh of relief when you finally do.
I'm sure you can just destroy the thing effortlessly with endgame grinding, but that defeats the fun of this fight.
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"I can set you free, mate." "My freedom was forfeit long ago!"
Battle with Sin lives up to the bill. There's battles with two fins, the core, and Sin itself as it powers up to finish you off, which in total take at least an hour to get through, at normal levels. There's an unease about all the fights where you aren't totally sure what Sin is capable of, since it has dangerous counters available to it. The scale of the battle, particularly in the FMVs, is like nothing else in the game - not even Evrae, or Mi'ihen - making it particularly memorable. It lacks the personal edge that some of the other big fights have, but I that's the point - Sin's not like Seymour or Yunalesca, it's an unfathomable monster.
-- We are living our lives Abound with so much information
Maechen: Probably the best minor character in FFX. Voice acting really helps him come off as knowledgeable and eccentric as he does. Offers a lot of interesting information as he pops up around Spira (on the Mi'ihen Highroad about the Crusaders, at the Moonflow about the Shoopufs and Hypello, at Guadosalam about the Fireplane and pyreflies, at the Thunder Plains about the towers, at the Calm Lands about battling Sin, and finally, at Gagazet, about events 1000 years ago).
I don't like that he's revealed to be an Unsent (from the real Zanarkand, IIRC) in X-2. Seemed more fitting that he was simply an exceptional historian and scholar. Either way, he adds a lot to FFX's world.
-- We are living our lives Abound with so much information
I love Maechen's stories. I always listen to them, no matter what, every time I play FFX. Dwight Schulz does a great job with his voice acting and really makes him sound the part. I also wasn't a big fan of what they did with him in FFX-2, especially making it seem like he's just some boring old man who talks way too much and why would you want to listen to this guy. I'd want to listen to this guy because he's awesome!
Washing ashore Besaid is one of those moments I'm surprised lasted as long as it did. It's a fun little moment, but it's not much. It's cool seeing Besaid for the first time, and "BLITZBALL!"
But other than that, why did it last this long? I dunno.
I was so very bummed to see Maechen go. I loved his insight and his wonderful VA. That first encounter with him on the Mi'ihen Highroad just left me thinking "who is this guy?" but as I continued to hear his stories, I really began to appreciate what he brought to the table. Plus, who can't love "...and that, as they say, is that" or "pity"?
As for Washing Ashore Besaid, I really like it because that first trip through Besaid is pretty great. Up to that point all you've seen is a futuristic city and ruins. Now you get to wander through a tropical island, that wonderful theme song playing in the background, swimming through waters as you begin to grasp everything around you and learn more about the world you've entered. To me, it marks the end of the prologue and the beginning of the journey. Plus, Besaid is one of my favorite locales in gaming.
Battle with Seymour Omnis was eliminated. My thoughts: Pretty anticlimactic for the final showdown with Seymour, really. The setting is excellent, as is the music, of course, but it's just so easy. Summoning Anima against him gets you a neat little bit of bonus dialogue, at least. Then the scene afterward where Yuna finally sends him is kinda underwhelming, honestly. I know defeating Yu Yevon is the main goal at this point and you're focused in on that, but still, for a guy who you fought four times, there should be a bit more to his "exit" from the game, I think.
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Guess who I am! http://gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs3/1345748_o.gif