(no subject)
I am pretty sure that everyone who follows my journal is also following thebaconfat (and if you're not you should reconsider your life choices immediately), so most of you probably already know that we are replaying FFVIII.
FFVIII was my first Final Fantasy, and while it has its flaws (a LOT of them), it still holds a special place in my heart. Not only because it was my first, but because it's the one I've spent the most time thinking about, the most time exploring the world. It's been really interesting to see how my interpretations of characters have changed over time.
Thoughts about characters!
Zell is still my favorite, and I'm still impressed at how complex he is after the initial shock of 'he over-reacts to EVERYTHING' wears off. Baco has kind of already summed up my thoughts on Zell in her latest gameblog post, but. I just love the fact that he is so predictable yet has way more going on than most people give him credit for. Most of his actions seem to make him appear to be immature and childish, but he also knows and understands that an early death is pretty much a guarantee. He does as ordered, even if he disagrees with those orders and even if it's a losing battle for a shitty organization that doesn't have its act together. He has a lot of self value and is pretty damn proud to be a SeeD, despite screwing up on a fairly regular basis. He has a really clean room, but also shovels food into his mouth. He knows a lot of trivia and information, even though he doesn't really seem to be the academic type.
I am always disappointed that Seifer isn't as awesome in the game as he is in my head. In my head, he's a smart asshole and totally gets that Garden just uses their SeeDs as mindless soldiers when they should be, you know, given more independence. He wants more out of life and is willing to take it. He is incredibly selfish and self-absorbed, yeah, but he also will save a bunch of people (because he'll be a hero). But, uh, in the game he's kind of just a stupid asshole? I mean, seriously, chicken-wuss? Puberty boy? Seifer, Seifer, work on your insults, buddy. They lack a certain sting.
I find myself liking Squall a lot more this time. I think part of it is because I've stopped being annoyed at his internal monologuing and instead enjoy how he manages to actually be pretty professional despite his sometimes caustic thoughts. Also, Baco and I have been experimenting with the dialogue choices, and I've come to the conclusion that if you actually have Squall sometimes admit to liking people or missing them (coughRinoacough), he is horrible at saying it and it's actually really charming. And makes me feel like the transition from "........" Squall to 'freaks out because Rinoa's in a coma' Squall has some basis. Or at least doesn't quite come out of absolutely nowhere.
And speaking of Rinoa! I am actually really charmed by her, this time! I think I blamed her for a lot of the Disc 3 crappiness, when really, that's the fault of the people who wrote Disc 3 and 4. She is really passionate for what she believes in! She stands up for herself and others! She will tell Squall off when he's being a jerk! She is sometimes an asshole! She is also sometimes really nice! I want to see fics where she and Zell hang out and become best buds. I also desperately want to see a fic with her and Raijin back in the day hanging out and talking about Seifer while Seifer's off doing something heroic for the resistance. Or something.
I also like Selphie better. She seems like she's off in her own world a lot and is, uh, really violent and destructive in a totally cheerful way, and what's not to like about that? I still don't really get her, but at least I can appreciate her better this time.
...I regret to say that I actually like Quistis less this time. I think part of it is because I feel like she's supposed to be the "mature" one, but she's just as immature and emotionally stunted as everyone else. I'm also annoyed at the Trepies, which I shouldn't take out on Quistis. Sorry, Quistis! ANYWAY. I feel bad for her when she tried to spill her soul to Squall after the SeeD ball, but... I am, really, Quistis? What were you thinking? Not only do you know that he doesn't want to share things with people, but he's your student and I feel like that would make things super awkward no matter what. (Of course, I can also see the appeal in going to the only person in the entire Garden that is unimpressed by you.)
Annnnd Irvine. Oh, Irvine. I have disliked you from the beginning, and I can only say that I dislike you even more now. He falls pretty firmly in the "douche bag" category, and just. I have no sympathy for him freezing up, you brought it on yourself, dude. Also, stop hitting on the ladies, you're bad at it.
Oh! AND. I find myself really fascinated by what Seifer and Rinoa's relationship was like pre-game. And I find myself liking Raine and Laguna's relationship a lot more - I have a bunch of respect for Raine knowing not to get involved in Laguna, or at least not to expect anything out of him because he clearly has a lot of wanderlust. And I have a lot more hearts for Laguna being horribly in love and desperately trying not to show it to anybody, and kind of hating Kiros for showing up in Winhill when he did, because that pull of the outside world is back and niggling stronger than ever.
I still don't understand why Laguna, Kiros, and Ward's adventures were included. I feel like the bits of gameplay where we run around as them don't really have anything to do with the major plot arc. Like! Getting to see Esthar back in the time of the Sorceress War would have been fascinating. But no, we just run around the Crystal Pillar without any context instead.
IN NON-FFVIII NEWS, everybody should watch this video of a fricken amazing jazz pianist playing Rhapsody In Blue with a super talented tap dancer providing percussion. It's awesome and I love watching both of their facial expressions; they look like they're having the best time.
FFVIII was my first Final Fantasy, and while it has its flaws (a LOT of them), it still holds a special place in my heart. Not only because it was my first, but because it's the one I've spent the most time thinking about, the most time exploring the world. It's been really interesting to see how my interpretations of characters have changed over time.
Thoughts about characters!
Zell is still my favorite, and I'm still impressed at how complex he is after the initial shock of 'he over-reacts to EVERYTHING' wears off. Baco has kind of already summed up my thoughts on Zell in her latest gameblog post, but. I just love the fact that he is so predictable yet has way more going on than most people give him credit for. Most of his actions seem to make him appear to be immature and childish, but he also knows and understands that an early death is pretty much a guarantee. He does as ordered, even if he disagrees with those orders and even if it's a losing battle for a shitty organization that doesn't have its act together. He has a lot of self value and is pretty damn proud to be a SeeD, despite screwing up on a fairly regular basis. He has a really clean room, but also shovels food into his mouth. He knows a lot of trivia and information, even though he doesn't really seem to be the academic type.
I am always disappointed that Seifer isn't as awesome in the game as he is in my head. In my head, he's a smart asshole and totally gets that Garden just uses their SeeDs as mindless soldiers when they should be, you know, given more independence. He wants more out of life and is willing to take it. He is incredibly selfish and self-absorbed, yeah, but he also will save a bunch of people (because he'll be a hero). But, uh, in the game he's kind of just a stupid asshole? I mean, seriously, chicken-wuss? Puberty boy? Seifer, Seifer, work on your insults, buddy. They lack a certain sting.
I find myself liking Squall a lot more this time. I think part of it is because I've stopped being annoyed at his internal monologuing and instead enjoy how he manages to actually be pretty professional despite his sometimes caustic thoughts. Also, Baco and I have been experimenting with the dialogue choices, and I've come to the conclusion that if you actually have Squall sometimes admit to liking people or missing them (coughRinoacough), he is horrible at saying it and it's actually really charming. And makes me feel like the transition from "........" Squall to 'freaks out because Rinoa's in a coma' Squall has some basis. Or at least doesn't quite come out of absolutely nowhere.
And speaking of Rinoa! I am actually really charmed by her, this time! I think I blamed her for a lot of the Disc 3 crappiness, when really, that's the fault of the people who wrote Disc 3 and 4. She is really passionate for what she believes in! She stands up for herself and others! She will tell Squall off when he's being a jerk! She is sometimes an asshole! She is also sometimes really nice! I want to see fics where she and Zell hang out and become best buds. I also desperately want to see a fic with her and Raijin back in the day hanging out and talking about Seifer while Seifer's off doing something heroic for the resistance. Or something.
I also like Selphie better. She seems like she's off in her own world a lot and is, uh, really violent and destructive in a totally cheerful way, and what's not to like about that? I still don't really get her, but at least I can appreciate her better this time.
...I regret to say that I actually like Quistis less this time. I think part of it is because I feel like she's supposed to be the "mature" one, but she's just as immature and emotionally stunted as everyone else. I'm also annoyed at the Trepies, which I shouldn't take out on Quistis. Sorry, Quistis! ANYWAY. I feel bad for her when she tried to spill her soul to Squall after the SeeD ball, but... I am, really, Quistis? What were you thinking? Not only do you know that he doesn't want to share things with people, but he's your student and I feel like that would make things super awkward no matter what. (Of course, I can also see the appeal in going to the only person in the entire Garden that is unimpressed by you.)
Annnnd Irvine. Oh, Irvine. I have disliked you from the beginning, and I can only say that I dislike you even more now. He falls pretty firmly in the "douche bag" category, and just. I have no sympathy for him freezing up, you brought it on yourself, dude. Also, stop hitting on the ladies, you're bad at it.
Oh! AND. I find myself really fascinated by what Seifer and Rinoa's relationship was like pre-game. And I find myself liking Raine and Laguna's relationship a lot more - I have a bunch of respect for Raine knowing not to get involved in Laguna, or at least not to expect anything out of him because he clearly has a lot of wanderlust. And I have a lot more hearts for Laguna being horribly in love and desperately trying not to show it to anybody, and kind of hating Kiros for showing up in Winhill when he did, because that pull of the outside world is back and niggling stronger than ever.
I still don't understand why Laguna, Kiros, and Ward's adventures were included. I feel like the bits of gameplay where we run around as them don't really have anything to do with the major plot arc. Like! Getting to see Esthar back in the time of the Sorceress War would have been fascinating. But no, we just run around the Crystal Pillar without any context instead.
IN NON-FFVIII NEWS, everybody should watch this video of a fricken amazing jazz pianist playing Rhapsody In Blue with a super talented tap dancer providing percussion. It's awesome and I love watching both of their facial expressions; they look like they're having the best time.