Happy Anniversary FFX!

It's a day late, but happy anniversary to Final Fantasy X! 

I love this game. The world, the characters and the story are amazing! 

I drew a lot of inspiration from this game for my upcoming novel Starlight. The conflict was interesting, and Yuna is my favorite character. Her pilgrimage, and the lessons she learns along the way are powerful elements in the story. Tidus, the narrator also grows from an easy going athlete to a quick thinking hero. These two characters were my favorite, but I also looked up to Auron, the wise and strong warrior. Rikku's optimism, Wakka's determination, Lulu's guidance and Kimihari's dedication added to the team. 

This story from ignorance to enlightenment: doom to hope still impresses me, no matter how many times I play it. 

The world is beautiful, from the mythos to the geography. 

My favorite places were the Moonflow . . . 

and Macalania Woods.

This game has so much imagination and philosophy. It asks the big questions in a beautiful setting with magic and adventure. 

And who could forget the laughing scene ^_^ 

FFX has been a major influence on my life, from the moment my friend Becca first introduced it to me ^_^

I have dressed up as Yuna a few times.

I gave Lightning her outfit in Lightning Returns

I saw the FFX display at Artina Cafe.

And the soundtrack is part of my writing playlist: 

Final Fantasy X is one of my favorite Epics. 

Lightning Farron Polyvore set

Due to my excitement over the near release of Lightning Returns, I decided to do a Polyvore set for Light, and I'll probably make a Hope Estheim set next. 

I added the lightning bolt earrings for obvious reasons, but the set is actually based off her new look in Lightning Returns, with the exception of the red cape from the first game. The leather arm band is one of her trademarks, and I wanted to include a picture of her from the first game, to reflect the human she once was. 

View the entire set here: 

http://www.polyvore.com/lighting_farron/set?id=106089791

Lightning Returns demo review (Japanese Demo)

So, I will fully admit that I know very little of what is going on in the demo. I can pick up a few phrases from my College Japanese class. But the game looks incredible so far. Lighting is collecting souls, and with Hope's help she is trying to discover the reason behind the chaos that has enveloped the world, changing everything with no notice. 

Snow is now treated like a god, with a palace where he allows people to have fun on their final days. From the very beginning, you learn that Light is gathering souls to save them, and transfer them to the new world before the end of this world. 

The opening sequence begins by introducing Luxerion, the first province you go through. Light is in the middle of a mission: to bring Snow to his senses. Before she can talk with snow, chaos intervenes and a mysterious girl named Lumina appears. It seems that Lumina is causing the chaos, and she summons the mysterious beasts that Lightning has to battle. Some look like Anubis, while others are creepy floating plants. 

Throughout the whole demo Hope talks to you through an intercom, giving you clues and helpful tips on what to do next. I enjoyed listening to Hope and Light banter back and forth while she's trying to track Snow down. It keeps the game fun, and less serious, considering Light's role to be sort of the grim reaper. 

Game play itself is similar to Final Fantasy XIII, but the battle system is very different. You fight alone, and can change abilities in order to do a steady amount of damage. It was a little difficult to get used to at first, but after a few battles, it's easier to strategize and knock out your enemies. Just like the first two games, you have a certain amount of attack points, and once they are out, you have to change abilities to do any more damage. You can also use a preemptive strike to lower enemies' HP. 

As for the rest of the game's elements, the graphics were amazing, as usual, and the story is very intriguing. I feel sorry for Snow because he's become very jaded since Serah's death, but I am glad Hope has a major role in the game because he's my favorite character besides Lightning. 

All in all, this was a fun demo, and I look forward to the actual US release of the game in February.

Things I forgot about until I played Kingdom Hearts again

Sora is random.

Tidus looks so cute as a kid ^_^

Goofy goes through potions like water.

Dodge Roll is your best friend.

Sora can't jump very high in the beginning.

All the different trinity marks!

The post cards in Traverse Town.

One of my favorite places in Kingdom Hearts is the Lady and the Tramp fountain ^_^

The good mushroom heartless ^_^

The Gummi Launch site was featured in Disney Town in Birth by Sleep

The weird faucet in the bizarre room in Wonderland

The barrel trials at Olympus Colosseum >_<

Cerberus is the first really difficult boss fight -_-

You don't get warp drive until way later in the game :(

From the Gummi Ship Space kind of looks like the inside of Monstro o_0

The fairy godmother from Cinderella is in this game!

The slide of Hollow Bastion.

The first key blade you can get is Jungle King from Deep Jungle

Clayton's creepy expressions.

The pretty underground cave in Traverse Town.

All the Ansem Reports!

The moving rocks in front of Merlin's cottage.

The spooky bell in Traverse Town.

When fighting heartless in high places, it is very easy to fall off the tree, building or random platform.

I am not looking forward to winning the Hades cup again.

Thinking of you, wherever you are

Final Fantasy X/X2 trailer!

Cannot wait for this!

FF 30 day challenge day 30: Has Final Fantasy made an impact on your life?

Prompt: Has Final Fantasy made an impact on your life? If so, how? If not, what do you like about the whole series itself?

Yes.
Final Fantasy has a powerful formula for story telling. I would say that the game series, particularity Final Fantasy X has inspired me to create world and tell a story by coming up with my own mythology and honoring the hero's quest. The game series has impacted me by challenging my knowledge of  mythology and learning the steps of a hero's journey.
The stories of the games are philosophical and connect with the human condition in a way that involves the creation of different worlds. The characters have human elements, and even the deities and villains show powerful symbolism that relates to epic folklore.  The pattern of a Final Fantasy story is varied, but asks the same questions: What is true purpose? What makes someone a hero?
These questions are powerful keys in storytelling.
The other characteristic of a Final Fantasy game is world building. How was this world created? How does magic work in this world? What kind of civilization thrives here? Do they have a close or distant relationship with their deity? Is there more than one world? Does time play an important factor in this environment?
And of course: character building is a crucial part of a Final Fantasy story.
How strong is this character? How do they view themselves? How do they view others? How do they act/react? Do they have a goal? What motivates them? Who matters in their life? What choices do they have to make?
Final Fantasy impacted my life by helping me understand a complex and advanced story. By exploring new worlds and following many different characters, I have learned what stories I can tell. I know what worlds I want to create, and what makes my characters heroes or villains. Final Fantasy has taught me that stories can have many layers, and characters can change depending on their history and the changes they must cope with throughout their journey.
Final Fantasy has inspired me to tell great stories.

FF 30 day challenge day 28: Favorite mini game

I love Macalania Forest, and this game was my favorite requirement in the to do list for the legendary weapons. It was so calming compared to the Chocobo racing and the Lightning dodge. The only downside was catching the wrong butterfly and having to fight fiends, but it wasn't as annoying to go through the whole path again compared to riding a Chocobo in the Calm Lands against a fast racer who always managed to reach the finish line before you could.

FF 30 day challenge day 27: Favorite scene in any game

This is a tough one. But the scene that immediately comes to mind is the laughing scene in Luca from FFX. When you first see this scene, you laugh, because at the time, you think it's ridiculous and funny. There's more to this scene than that. It's a moment of comfort for both Tidus and Yuna. Tidus has just found out that his father is alive, and Spira's greatest threat. He's also found Auron again, reverting back into the kid he once was around him. Yuna has discovered that Tidus might leave, so she is worried that she will literally never see him again. In her own way, she tries to cheer Tidus up, because even though they will continue their journey together, something seems off about Tidus. He's not cheerful or carefree. So she shares something really important with him, a coping mechanism. She has a way to deal with sadness, and she knows that life is more precious than people understand. Her life is slowly coming to an end in her mind, and she is ready to say hello and goodbye to each place they go to. But at that moment, when she's worried that she'll never see Tidus again, she finds out that he's not leaving her and, just for a little while, she is genuinely happy. But her concern for Tidus is obvious when she tries to make him laugh.
No one else really understands what's going on in this scene, except maybe Auron, who knows why Tidus is upset, but even so, this is a moment that Tidus and Yuna get a little closer to each other. Tidus shows a different side, expressing how he really feels about being in a strange new world. Yuna shows a different side too. She lives in the moment, for the first time since Tidus has met her. It's a strange role reversal because Tidus is always happy, and if you notice, Yuna is always sad. In this scene, Tidus is the sad one, and Yuna cheers him up the way he cheers her up.
I think that's what makes this scene memorable and iconic for Final Fantasy X.

FF 30 day challenge day 26: Favorite weapon

Mog

Searh Farron's weapon is actually Mog, but Mog turns into a sword and bow and arrows. I like most of the weapons in the Final Fantasy XIII world because they transform in a steampunk style and change with a flick of the wrist.

FF 30 day challenge day 24: Favorite Quote

"This is my story."

No matter how many times this quote is mentioned, it is still my favorite of the Final Fantasy quotes. Both Tidus and Yuna say this when they have to make a tough decision or when they think back on what has happened. It's a powerful statement that encourages them to do what they believe is right. Whenever they feel lost or confused, Tidus and Yuna say, "This is my story" to help them move forward, no matter what the consequences are.

FF 30 day challenge day 23: Favorite Black Magic Spell

Another odd question, but I have always liked Waterga.
It's literally a giant wall of water that surrounds your enemy and pretty much destroys them.

FF 30 day challenge day 22: Favorite Theme

It's a tie between Tidus and Yuna's themes.

Memories and Lightwaves is my favorite Final Fantasy theme and I always listen to it when it shows up on my playlist. But Tidus's theme has been growing on me lately. It's perfect to write to and it fits Tidus's personality.

FF 30 day challenge day 21: Favorite Boss Fight

Hmm, I can think of a lot of boss fights that are on my least favorite list. Every one of them involves Seymour except one, the first Seymour fight at Macalania temple. This is where Yuna obtains my favorite aeon Shiva, and this fight is where she stands up for herself and finally listens to her heart. I like the fight probably because of where it ties in with the story. Yuna's guardians rush in to help her and once Yuna realizes that she isn't alone in dealing with Seymour, she takes a stand and the fight begins. This was probably a difficult decision that she thought about over and over again, until her guardians came and stood by her side. From that moment on, Yuna decides to listen to herself and continues to resist Seymour, even when he kidnaps her. It's a sign of self confidence that Yuna did not show before, and it was that moment that Tidus stepped in and decided to get involved.I guess this boss fight is memorable, because it represents a moment of strength for Yuna and an important decision for Tidus. At this point, they both decide to take charge of their lives and call the shots instead of do what everyone expects of them.

FF 30 day challenge day 19: Favorite Battle System

I got used to the faster battle system of Final Fantasy X2 and now I think that the faster battle system is my favorite. I really understood Final Fantasy XIII's battle system from the beginning and still enjoy the paradigms.

This is my other favorite battle system, just because it is my favorite game.

FF 30 day challenge day 13: Favorite Job

Sphere Hunter/ Gullwing

I loved this job. Fighting fiends and collecting spheres (while searching for Tidus). It was fun performing shows at the Moonflow, going against machina and following clues to discover where spheres were hidden.

FF 30 day challenge day 12: Favorite Summon

Shiva has always been my favorite summon. After encasing her enemies in ice, all she has to do is snap her fingers, and the battle is over. I also like her side story, and she has an important role in the main plot as Yuna's ally against Seymour. When you have to destroy your aeons at the end of the game, I always saved her for last :(

Final Fantasy 30 day challenge day 10: What is your favorite race?

The Ronso.

You don't learn a lot about their culture until FFX2, but I always thought Kimahri was a cool character in FFX. The Ronso reminded me of panthers, but now that I've seen Avatar . . .

There is quite a resemblance! It's no wonder I love the Navi!

FF 30 day challenge day 9: Favorite cheerful girl

Yuffie

I've only seen her in Kingdom Hearts and the Final Fantasy Advent Children movie, but she wasn't as annoying as Rikku or Vanille. While she works with Leon in Kingdom Hearts, I enjoyed the contrast between her personality and his. She was bubbly and friendly while Leon was stand offish and awkward. She also had a few fun lines in the Advent Children movie that lightened the moment. Compared to Rikku and Vanille, Yuffie knew when to stop being annoying and she would actually be serious for a while.

FF 30 day challenge day 8: Who do you think shouldn't be on the Dissidia Roster?

Vaan

He was never a warrior to begin with. He always wanted to be a sky pirate, and he was pretty obnoxious and immature. Balthier or Basch would have been a better knight for Cosmos's Army. Even though Balthier was a pirate, he still became a hero. Basch served in Princess Ashe's army, so he was always a warrior. While playing Duodecim, I found that Vann's storyline was very odd. Other than teasing Light every now and then, he didn't do much except fight Galbranth. He also seemed like a secondary character in Terra's storyline.