Final Fantasy: The 150 Greatest Moments/Scenes
140. Looking Forward (XV)
'I would also like to announce that we are preparing for the development of a new Final Fantasy title!'It's hard to find many diehard Final Fantasy fans that agree with the direction that the series has taken since Square's merger with fellow Japanese games company Enix in 2004. Seemingly gone is the focus on creating high quality standalone games (XII and XIII have been the only non-MMO main series releases in the nine year period since the merger, compared to five games in the ten year period preceding it), replaced by a never-ending sequence of remakes (welcomed, but not every few months or so), sequels/prequels (some of which have been excellent, admittedly, but some of which, such as Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, have been terrible) and mobile games (of which there literally seems to be a new one every quarter as of late, from Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade to Final Fantasy Artniks) designed to cash in on the Final Fantasy name. As a result, the series future isn't in any doubt (it's profitable, by all accounts), but its reputation is floundering, particularly given that Final Fantasy XIII received only lukewarm reviews and Final Fantasy XIV, an MMORPG, was universally panned following its initial release, forcing a three year redevelopment. With the release of a new generation of consoles looming, however, the series' creators have a shot at redemption and reinvention, as the upcoming release of Final Fantasy XV (officially announced during Sony's first PS4 presentation) gives them a chance to shine on a new stage. From first impressions, the game appears to be a step back in the right direction with its stunning visuals and high octane gameplay, though only time will tell if it can live up to the high standards set by contemporary console RPG series such as the Elder Scrolls. The announcement, subsequent anticipation and eventual release of a new game in the series always used to be a great moment for Final Fantasy fans, so here's hoping that it can be once again, particularly whilst the market is crying out for a complex and deep story-driven RPG to offer an alternative to the endless array of bland Call of Duty clones.
139. Anima's Introduction (X)
Never has a new summoned monster been given an introduction quite as spectacular as Anima. Nobody is quite sure what she is meant to be exactly, but she stands out as the most iconic summon in Final Fantasy X, which is an impressive feat given that the game also includes series staples such as Ifrit, Shiva and Bahamut, whose legendary status has already been touched upon. Following a Blitzball tournament in the city of Luca that player characters Tidus and Wakka have been involved in, a series of monsters attack the stadium. The pair become involved in the fight against them, but most of the eradication is done when a character named Seymour unleashes the being known as Anima, which makes short work of everything in its path. The scene shocks and awes everybody in attendance, as well as the player, who is not aware at the time that Seymour, a newly appointed authority figure of the Yevon religious order, arranged the attack with the intention of repelling it in order to earn the attention and trust of the world's people. The character of Auron also makes a similarly impressive arrival in this scene, effortlessly cutting down a number of beasts with his blade, but even his appearance is overshadowed by that of the formidable summon, which players can get their hands on (and unleash Oblivion) should they complete an optional sidequest towards the end of the game.What's happening?
138. The Purge (XIII)
Final Fantasy XIII attracted much criticism upon its release for its linearity, as around 99% of the game consisted of simply moving from point a to point b, engaging in a battle and repeating the process over and over. Something resembling a storyline was fitted around this, however, set on two distinctive worlds - Cocoon and Pulse. Most of humanity lives on the floating Cocoon, experiencing a high standard of living as everything from water and heat to protection is provided by godlike overseers known as fal'Cie. Pulse, meanwhile, is believed to be a primitive and contaminated wasteland. A fal'Cie from Pulse is inexplicably discovered in the Cocoon town of Bodhum, prompting authorities to round up everybody in the town (both residents and tourists) and quarantine them out of fear that contact has been made with the being, which supposedly has destructive tendencies. The game begins with these individuals sitting hooded and hopeless on a train, due to be exiled to Pulse's barren landscape. This prompts the appearance of a saviour a woman who removes her hood and reveals herself as Lightning, a rogue soldier intent on rescuing her sister Serah from such an unenviable fate. Teaming with a man named Sazh that seeks to rescue his son, the two kick off the game in style as they engage those in charge of the operation, making quick work of several soldiers in an electrifying sequence as they take control of the train. Lightning turns out to be something of a bland protagonist, but her introduction was second to none, starting off the series' PS3/Xbox 360 debut in style.I WAS a soldier
137. Argath 2.0 (T)
'Is it not time you awoke to the fact that we are different from them? They are of lesser birth, and so meant to play lesser roles in life!'The Final Fantasy series has featured its fair share of truly loathable characters, but few are as detested as Argath Thadalfus from Final Fantasy Tactics. First appearing as a squire who joins forces with lead character Ramza at the beginning of the game, he quickly establishes himself as a pompous individual, loudly and openly voicing his disdain towards the peasant class (to which Ramza's battle ally and best friend at the time Delita belongs) whenever he gets the opportunity, comparing them to animals and expressing the belief that their lives are far less valuable than his. This is somewhat ironic, given that the standing of his family has plummeted to rock bottom since his grandfather was found guilty of treason during the war that precedes the game. Ramza and Delita remove themselves from his company after a few battles, only to see him return and become remorselessly responsible for the tragic death of an innocent character, fuelling them (and the player) with rage as they face him on the battlefield and kill him. This brings an apparent end to Argath's role in proceedings, until much later on in the game (exclusively in its PSP remake, the War of the Lions), where he is brought back to life as a zombie (complete with decaying flesh). He faces Ramza once more, giving players the satisfying opportunity to hurt and kill him yet again. Whoever thought that killing somebody on a game could be so enjoyable? Maybe I'll go out and do it in real life, said nobody ever (take note, any politicians/journalists that who wish to blame games and not bad parenting or the dwindling standards of the educational system for all of society's assorted ills).
136. Retaking Fynn (II)
'We have regained Fynn, but the war is far from ended'Final Fantasy II was (obviously) the second game in the series to be released, the first (and last) to feature a complicated combat system where attributes increased with associated actions and the first to give its main characters a personal involvement in the story (I's protagonists were nameless 'Warriors of Light'). It focuses on Firion, Maria and Guy, three individuals who are orphaned by the destruction of their home, Fynn, at the hands of the Palamecian Empire. Said destruction didn't have have too much of a visual impact until the PS1 re-release of the game added a cinematic video, but it set up a surprisingly deep and powerful narrative for a 1988 NES game as the parentless trio become part of a resistance movement, the Wild Rose, and go on a number of errands that incorporate item collection, intelligence gathering and sabotage in order to prove their worth to the rebel leadership, avenge their losses and hamper the Empire's efforts to dominate the whole world further. Over time (though not without sacrifice), the resistance gains strength enough to launch a counterattack, allowing the game's leads to triumphantly participate in the retaking of their homeland and reverse the momentum of the war. It's something of a downer that several towns and villages are destroyed by the Empire in the aftermath of the event as retribution, but such action serves only to motivate the heroes further as they find themselves in pole position in their conflict for the first time.