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Alright, I had a good first trial. But I still have a long way to go before this case can be even called closed. I already tackled the first 3 games of the Final Fantasy series and defended them to the best of my abilities. Now I come into the courtroom and find out that there is a new prosecutor... my hunch is this'll be a reoccurring theme; but it's best to shut my trap about that and prepare my case for the next trial.
Once again, the Final Fantasy series in on trial again and as we all know that it's a 4 part trial for the main series. The first three games have already been brought up in the courtroom. Now, the Super Nintendo games Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI are being brought to trial on the charges of being "boring."
Boring? Really? I don't know what the prosecution is getting at, but the defense really and honestly can't see these particular games as "boring" this is ludicrous.
Imperialistic dog, let me remind you that it's now what YOU think, ultimately its up for the jury to decide. I shall not allow anymore attacks on the prosecution or myself.Huh,apparently the writer's conscious has decided to make the prosecutor this time a Russian woman... he really need to stop ripping off Phoenix Wright. C'mon a Franziska von Karma rip? He knows he can do better but he's just doing this to add this whole pointless exposition... you know what, forget this took place.
Well, get on with your case you poor excuse of a man and a defense attorney.
I shall, just sit tight and I shall make my case that Final Fantasy IV, V and VI are not boring.
Although, I can't do what I did in the last case and tackle the games individually. No, this trial requires me to do the opposite.
Okay, I am ready to present my case with this evidence
Evidence #1: The Battle System
Final Fantasy is well known for it's ever changing battle system. But particularity in Final Fantasy IV the biggest change to the franchise happened.Get to the point, we do not need a history lesson about a video game series.
I am trying to make my case, and you need to know this in order to understand it. You see, Final Fantasy IV was the first game in the series to use Hiroyuki Itou's innovative active time battle system. Where, if the player wants, he can change it so that whenever you encounter an enemy that enemy can attack whenever it wants.
You've lost me, explain it in a way that I can understand.
As in the enemy doesn't have to wait for you to use an item or cast a spell or finish your turn; the enemy can attack whenever it wants as opposed to the classic system where your enemy waits until you've finished making a move.
Why would a player do that? Wouldn't it make the game as a whole relatively easier if they just leave the game on the classic setting?
True. But the system was designed to give players a more fast-paced battles to improve personal enjoyment. Besides, whether it makes the game easier or not, that's not what this trial is about.
Hmph. To think I was being kind, now you've blown that Defense Dog. While it is true that the case is not about the games being hard I still fail to see how it makes the games entertaining. This Active Time Battle System might make it more challenging and thereby more entertaining for some players, not everyone will find this system all too fun. Plus, aside from this being the first Final Fantasy game to use the active time battle system, what else makes this battle system special?
Good point. But that leads into the next game, Final Fantasy V.
In Final Fantasy V, players return to the job system that was introduced in Final Fantasy III. However Final Fantasy V featured some new combat mechanics.Continue, so I can whimsically use this information against you.
Firstly, the game's job system is radically different from Final Fantasy III. In Final Fantasy V, jobs level up by ability points. Each time you assign a character a job and beat an enemy your characters will be awarded experience, gil and sometimes weapons or armour. Also, they will be awarded ability points to level up individual jobs. However, these points do more than contribute to leveling up jobs.
Explain, what else do these points do?
These points contribute to characters learning abilities. And after you learn these abilities and switch jobs; the abilities you've already learned can be equipped to your current job.
What purpose does that have? If their is more than one job, why would they make a system like that?
Simple. So your party can be extremely customizable, making the game more fun for the play. See not boring at all.
Preposterous!
To further expand on this wide arrange of customization the next game featured even more wide customization, this time with Magic.
Final Fantasy VI took the initial ability points system from the previous game and applied it to the magic you gain from magicite.Magicite? this series seems to be getting more ridiculous.
Ridiculous or not this system made for extreme customization, letting players pick the arty that feels best for them. With huge amounts of customization, I fail to see this game as boring.
Grrr, I have had it with this battle system nonsense and I tire of this game jargon. I wanna see some more in depth evidence with these games. Show me.
Evidence #2: The Characters
You wanted "depth" you've got it. Nothing could have more depth then the characters of the very games in question.Alright, spill it, what exactly do you mean by this and what bearing does it have with the case at hand?
Basically, throughout the games you get to know a whole case of interesting and exciting characters and every last one of them has someway of making the games more interesting. Each one of the playable characters has their own story, their own philosophy and their own place within their games. Every character is this way, from Cecil to Bartz to Terra and beyond. They keep the player motivated, their own personal struggles are relatable and they are extremely well developed so that makes the players more engaged with the game and the overall story.
Is that all you have to say? I thought you were more persistent.
Oh, I have plenty to say. These characters are only the main characters, there is still the villains I have to talk about.
If there are any characters that completely overshadow the heroes in such a way, Final Fantasy IV, V and VI do it perfectly. Really, they have such sympathetic villains, awe inspiring villains or such beautifully twisted villains that almost steal the entire show.You almost make it sound like these villains are more important then the main characters or any other villain in written history.
Well, not quite but they are very cool villains. You've got Golbez in Final Fantasy IV, Gilgamesh and Exdeath in Final Fantasy V and Ultros and Kefka in Final Fantasy VI. Golbez is a extremely powerful and grandiose villain with a murky background, Ultros and Gilgamesh are both extraordinary comic foil villains, Exdeath is an evil incarnate, sentient tree and Kefka is a mad, mad, mad clown. Absolutely vicious character that completely steals the show. Nothing more to say about that. The central cast you meet in these games and the villains that you fight are all noteworthy and deserving of praise.
Hmph, I must say that you've presented your case quite well. But this still isn't over. I want irrefutable evidence that these games aren't boring.
Quite headstrong you are, well fine if you want me to end it I'll just say that-
If you're going to say that the story of these games make them completely unboring I would be careful doing that.
Hmmm?
As you know, and you will say that the story of the games are quite good. However, one would argue that the story would still be boring. Not everyone has the same appreciation for the story as you might like to believe and I stress that these games would be found boring to players who just can't get into the story.
WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT????
Heh, not so headstrong now am I, you persistent dog.
Ughhhhhh, no you're correct. I can't present evidence knowing that not everyone will appreciate it, especially considering I don't have supreme confidence in it aswell. However, I will not give up just yet... I just need to think of what evidence I could present that could win this case for me.
Well, have you found your ace-in-the-hole as they say.
I believe I have. I am ready to present it.
Evidence #3: The Music
Do I even have to say it? The music of the Final Fantasy games are some of the greatest examples of what music is video games can be. The Super NES games especially are note worthy of praise as they completely set that bar for music in video games. Now, everyone has their favourite game and their favourite songs from the games that essentially define their childhoods. But, Nobuo Uematsu really left his mark in the themes and songs he composed for the entire series. The defense argues that his score on Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI are among his greatest works to date.
Are you assurting that the the composer is the one who made the games what they are? That's a mighty big claim.
Well, no and yes. I cannot deny, nor I doubt this very court or you can deny that the music adds a subtle atmosphere and the general mood of the entire franchise. Let's face it, every form of media wheter it's television, anime, movies or video games; needs a musical score to set up the drama and the atmosphere of what's going on. You certianly can't picture Star Wars with out John Williams score and the same could be said about Final Fantasy and Uematsu.
That a grand comparison.
I guess you could say that, but the point is that a extensive musical score is very important for the mood and the atmosphere of the game. The music is what puts the player into the realm of fantasy and makes the games more involved and adds tension to the story. Whether it's the subtle Theme of Love from Final Fantasy IV, the fast-paced, firing up and energetic Clash on The Big Bridge from Final Fantasy V, or the operatic tones of well, the entire soundtrack of Final Fantasy VI, most notably Aria di Mezzo Carrette and the 17 minute masterpiece Dancing Mad they all add to the story, and to the tones of the game making it so much more entertaining to play the games.
Well, I am speechless.
Finally, I think I have made my point in this trial quite well. As the defense has determined Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI are anything but boring. With innovative battle systems, a well-developed and unique cast of characters and awe inspiring villians, and an extensive musical score in each of the games that adds such amazing atmosphere, there is no doubt in my mind that the Super NES games aren't boring whatsoever. Any objections Madame?
No objections defense dog. I must say I am bested, and I am impressed. However, you still aren't finished with this case are you? You have two more trials before this is all finished if I am not mistaken. Unfortunately, I with not be able to seek vengence as another prosector will step in for the third trial.
Well then, I better prepare for the next trial. However, for now; case closed.
Continued in In Defense of - Video Games Edition: Final Fantasy, Trial 3
Final Fantasy, it's images and music are owned by Square Enix and Nobuo Uematsu respectively, Phoenix Wright, it's images and music are owned by Capcom.
In Defense of created by Jordan Jennings and is used with permission.
