Dissidia [duodecim] 012: Character Predictions (FINAL FANTASY II)
So pretty much everyone is discussing what characters they would like to see from Dissidia: Final Fantasy 012 Duodecim. I figure I would jump on the bandwagon with the characters I want, but also who I think are the most likely to appear based on varying facets of popularity, playstyle and importance to the game plot. I'll take a look into a new game every day, so it'll also be an exercise in writing for me as well.
Today up? Final Fantasy II. (FF2 spoilers ahoy!)
I think there are only two viable options for the choice of a new character from FF2. I see Maria and Leon being the most likely choices. If the game adds both, then Maria would be on Cosmos side with Firion, like Leon would be on Chaos' with the Emperor.
Maria's reasons are fairly obvious. She is a permanent member of the main trio, as well as a female which would add a little more much-needed gender diversity to the cast. I would love to see her personality developed as well, as I actually liked what Dissidia did with Firion and Emperor. (Of course, everyone knows my opinion is that FF2 has tons of unused potential and I think it could make an amazing story)
Maria has a very close connection with Firion, and a playstyle wouldn't be too hard to make up for her. Give her some bow attacks, and mix it up with some magic to make her mostly a ranged fighter ala Ultimecia (maybe give her a staff or dagger attack for up close). I'm sure an EXMode would be easy to come up with (Perhaps a rehash of "Obtained Blood Equipment!"?)as would the EXburst.
A second outfit would be easy too. Make her default based on her original Amano art (Amano Maria) and her alt can be based off her origins opening (Origins Maria).
I'll be honest, I've always been a fan of Maria (and Leon). I think she has a lot of potential, and she's gorgeous. She also has the honor of being the first official female party member in the FF series, which has gotta count for something. (Don't even bring up White Mage from FF1. He/she has no official gender). She also fits easily on Cosmos' side, able to team up with Firion and we could see some interesting (possibly romantic?) development between the two. If Leon made it in as well, there would be plenty to work off with them as well.
Leon also has obvious reasons. He is a major antagonist for a majority of the game, as well as a protagonist in both the beginning and the end. Honestly, if you think about it, Leon is Kain-Lite. Troubled relationship with the main characters? Sure. Works for the evil side? Yup. Awesome armor? Uh-Huh. Joins at the end of the game? Yeppers. (Of course there are also differences between them.) Leon also has a strong connection with Firion and Emperor. He serves as Firion's best friend and an enemy, and he worked(and later tried to usurp the throne from) the Emperor.
A playstyle based on being a Dark Knight would work. Some people claim that he would be redundant as Cecil already appears as a DK. I actually think there's plenty that could be done to differentiate the two. Leon could hold a large sword or even an axe (he starts with a Poison Axe and there are no other axe users in Dissidia as of yet) to differentiate him. Give him a few strong HP attacks, make him slow, and make him almost exclusively close range. Booyaka. His EXMode could involve him donning his Dark Knight armor which could do anything such as increase his damage, make him more unable to flinch when attacking (ala Garland's EXMode), or increase his stagger/guard break potential. You'd have to make a EXBurst up for him, but I think that's the least of anyone's worries.
He could do the same, outfit wise, as Maria. A main (Amano Leon) and an alternate based on the Origins CG opening (Origins Leon)
Like Maria, I think Leon has lots of potential. The original game didn't really do much with him, which is a real shame. Dissidia could look deeper into his character, and maybe even supply us with reasons for why he defected to the Emperor (And why he stayed as a Dark Knight even when he discovered that his friends were still alive). I also think his relationship with Firion and the Emperor would be extremely interesting to see. He would fit in well on Chaos' side, perhaps being an anti-hero like Kain and Golbez.
As you can see, I've put a bit of thought into this. I have a soft spot for the characters of FF2 in my heart, so I would love to see at least one of these two appear. The only other characters I could see being debated over are Guy and Minwu, whom I will summarily cut down:
Guy: While a part of the main trio, I think Guy's chances for appearing are slim. He has a viable fighting style (with an axe, no less!) but he has the personality of a brick, and it's hard seeing the developers pass up the chance of a female(the first female at that!) and the anti-hero of the game.
Minwu: While I love Minwu, I don't see him making it in over the siblings. (Though if one character made it in and it wasn't them, I believe it would be Minwu.) Minwu doesn't have a lot of attacking options, being a white mage and all, and though he is important to the FF2 story, I think Maria and Leon's connections with the current Dissidia FF2 cast is greater.
What if they only take on FF2 character? You ask. Well, I honestly see it going either way. Maria has the bonus of being female, while Leon has the bonus of being a neutral party (he's served as both good guy and bad guy, like our beloved Kain) as well as already having connections established with both Firion and the Emperor. I would put my money on Leon over Maria, but really it could be anyone's game. I truly hope both can manage to be in though, as that would be just killer. :D
Basically I want this to happen
And there you have it. Thoughts?
Next time? Probably FF3...but I might skip that one and come back to it later.
Today up? Final Fantasy II. (FF2 spoilers ahoy!)
I think there are only two viable options for the choice of a new character from FF2. I see Maria and Leon being the most likely choices. If the game adds both, then Maria would be on Cosmos side with Firion, like Leon would be on Chaos' with the Emperor.
Maria's reasons are fairly obvious. She is a permanent member of the main trio, as well as a female which would add a little more much-needed gender diversity to the cast. I would love to see her personality developed as well, as I actually liked what Dissidia did with Firion and Emperor. (Of course, everyone knows my opinion is that FF2 has tons of unused potential and I think it could make an amazing story)
Maria has a very close connection with Firion, and a playstyle wouldn't be too hard to make up for her. Give her some bow attacks, and mix it up with some magic to make her mostly a ranged fighter ala Ultimecia (maybe give her a staff or dagger attack for up close). I'm sure an EXMode would be easy to come up with (Perhaps a rehash of "Obtained Blood Equipment!"?)as would the EXburst.
A second outfit would be easy too. Make her default based on her original Amano art (Amano Maria) and her alt can be based off her origins opening (Origins Maria).
I'll be honest, I've always been a fan of Maria (and Leon). I think she has a lot of potential, and she's gorgeous. She also has the honor of being the first official female party member in the FF series, which has gotta count for something. (Don't even bring up White Mage from FF1. He/she has no official gender). She also fits easily on Cosmos' side, able to team up with Firion and we could see some interesting (possibly romantic?) development between the two. If Leon made it in as well, there would be plenty to work off with them as well.
Leon also has obvious reasons. He is a major antagonist for a majority of the game, as well as a protagonist in both the beginning and the end. Honestly, if you think about it, Leon is Kain-Lite. Troubled relationship with the main characters? Sure. Works for the evil side? Yup. Awesome armor? Uh-Huh. Joins at the end of the game? Yeppers. (Of course there are also differences between them.) Leon also has a strong connection with Firion and Emperor. He serves as Firion's best friend and an enemy, and he worked(and later tried to usurp the throne from) the Emperor.
A playstyle based on being a Dark Knight would work. Some people claim that he would be redundant as Cecil already appears as a DK. I actually think there's plenty that could be done to differentiate the two. Leon could hold a large sword or even an axe (he starts with a Poison Axe and there are no other axe users in Dissidia as of yet) to differentiate him. Give him a few strong HP attacks, make him slow, and make him almost exclusively close range. Booyaka. His EXMode could involve him donning his Dark Knight armor which could do anything such as increase his damage, make him more unable to flinch when attacking (ala Garland's EXMode), or increase his stagger/guard break potential. You'd have to make a EXBurst up for him, but I think that's the least of anyone's worries.
He could do the same, outfit wise, as Maria. A main (Amano Leon) and an alternate based on the Origins CG opening (Origins Leon)
Like Maria, I think Leon has lots of potential. The original game didn't really do much with him, which is a real shame. Dissidia could look deeper into his character, and maybe even supply us with reasons for why he defected to the Emperor (And why he stayed as a Dark Knight even when he discovered that his friends were still alive). I also think his relationship with Firion and the Emperor would be extremely interesting to see. He would fit in well on Chaos' side, perhaps being an anti-hero like Kain and Golbez.
As you can see, I've put a bit of thought into this. I have a soft spot for the characters of FF2 in my heart, so I would love to see at least one of these two appear. The only other characters I could see being debated over are Guy and Minwu, whom I will summarily cut down:
Guy: While a part of the main trio, I think Guy's chances for appearing are slim. He has a viable fighting style (with an axe, no less!) but he has the personality of a brick, and it's hard seeing the developers pass up the chance of a female(the first female at that!) and the anti-hero of the game.
Minwu: While I love Minwu, I don't see him making it in over the siblings. (Though if one character made it in and it wasn't them, I believe it would be Minwu.) Minwu doesn't have a lot of attacking options, being a white mage and all, and though he is important to the FF2 story, I think Maria and Leon's connections with the current Dissidia FF2 cast is greater.
What if they only take on FF2 character? You ask. Well, I honestly see it going either way. Maria has the bonus of being female, while Leon has the bonus of being a neutral party (he's served as both good guy and bad guy, like our beloved Kain) as well as already having connections established with both Firion and the Emperor. I would put my money on Leon over Maria, but really it could be anyone's game. I truly hope both can manage to be in though, as that would be just killer. :D
Basically I want this to happen
And there you have it. Thoughts?
Next time? Probably FF3...but I might skip that one and come back to it later.