Oh why not: Final Fantasy meme

[moonwise]

It'll be a miracle if I get all 30 done, but hey.

Final Fantasy meme, stolen from maeveth.



Wow, this is a tough one.

At the risk of having things thrown at me, I'm going to have to go for the easy answer for me and say Final Fantasy VIII. Not because the gameplay was particularly spectacular or because the main storyline was anything special, but because it got me into FF in the first place. As I played other games in the series, it became more apparent why seasoned veterans disliked the game, but FFVIII is like that first love. Even though many years later you realize all the flaws, the memory brings a smile to your face.

I didn't get into the other FF games I played as deeply as I got into FFVIII. I toted my PSX along on vacation. I bought doujinshi. I wrote fanfiction (and my first porny fanfiction.) I had a Laguna statue on my desk in grad school (who has since gone on to a new home. Sorry, buddy.) Even though I spent more hours on other games, and I came to appreciate the better battle systems, FFVIII definitely had the most emotional impact.

Not because of Squall and Rinoa. No. They were so pastede on yey that watching them was like eating a giant bag of marshmallows. The first couple are good, but by the last marshmallow, you just want to throw up. And all that bullshit about Laguna and Julia's love being fulfilled in their children - no pun intended, but whatever. Laguna chose to stay with Raine - that doesn't mean "settled for second best," that means "got a better offer."

And Laguna. And Raine. Oh my did I get into them as a couple. Still am, though I want to beat Laguna senseless for leaving his wife alone (and pregnant.) Back In The Day, Storm Front was a fairly popular fanfic, and I loved writing it because happy married couples are not usually the subject of fanfiction. Their story was so much more compelling than Squall and Rinoa's. I mean, here you have this goofy, happy-go-lucky soldier with a massive crush on his idol, and then he gets massively hurt and ends up with someone who's the exact opposite. Maybe it's my devotion talking, but IMO, "Eyes on Me" starts out as Julia's song for Laguna, and ends up as Laguna's song for Raine. (Okay. Maybe it's just me.)

As far as gameplay mechanics are concerned, I STILL miss Junctioning. Being able to absorb all elemental attacks with Ultima junctioned to the right defense was fabulous. Yes, the Draw system was dumb compared to other games, but with the right spells coupled to the right stats, you could be damn near invincible. I never bothered much with Triple Triad, so I didn't beat Ultima Weapon, but the final battle was cake with no matter who I sent at Ultimecia. Also, Irvine's Limit Break with his best ammo? Opened a can of whoopass on whatever was unlucky enough to be on the other side.

Sadly, FFVIII ruined me for FFVII. So many of my friends adored FFVII and went on at length about the great story etc etc etc., but I was initiated into FF when realistic-looking characters were introduced, and it was very hard to take the blocky FFVII characters seriously. So, yes, I spend more time on FFT, and FFX has a special place in my heart for making me cry at the end, and FFXII had a thin story but Balthier talked a lot so it was okay, but FFVIII will always be my first FF love.

Day 02 - Your least favourite Final Fantasy game.
Day 03 – Your favourite Final Fantasy theme/song.
Day 04 - Your favourite Final Fantasy party from your favourite game.
Day 05 - Your favourite Final Fantasy City/Town.
Day 06 – Favourite part of your favourite Final Fantasy game.
Day 07 - Least favourite part of your favourite Final Fantasy game.
Day 08 – Favourite Chocobo Version.
Day 09 - Favourite Moogle Version.
Day 10 – Best Final Fantasy scene ever.
Day 11 – Final Fantasy game that disappointed you.
Day 12 - Final Fantasy game you’ve played more than 5 times.
Day 13 – Your favourite version of Cid.
Day 14 - Favourite Final Fantasy male character.
Day 15 - Favourite Final Fantasy female character.
Day 16 - Your favourite Final Fantasy limit break.
Day 17 - Favourite Final Fantasy mini game.
Day 18 - Favourite Final Fantasy opening sequence.
Day 19 - Best Final Fantasy outfit.
Day 20 – Best Final Fantasy hair.
Day 21 - Favourite Final Fantasy pairing/ship.
Day 22 - Favourite Final Fantasy summon.
Day 23 - Least Favourite Final Fantasy mini game.
Day 24 - Best Final Fantasy quote.
Day 25 - Final Fantasy game you plan on playing (old or new).
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Final Fantasy moment.
Day 27 – Best Final Fantasy storyline.
Day 28 - First Final Fantasy game obsession.
Day 29 - Current Final Fantasy game obsession.
Day 30 - Saddest Final Fantasy character death.