We have had some incredible series spins offs in the past, Final Fantasy Tactics, FFVII Crisis core, Chocobo Racing And Tales, Dissidia (which is getting a new version soon on PS4) I even enjoyed Vincent Valentine's outing in FFVII Dirge of Cerberus ( to which I would like a HD Remaster please SE!!!!) So as you can see Square-enix isn't shy on a spin off.
Why this post then, well Team Ninja of Tecmo Koei who are well known for there Musou games Dynasty Warriors, (Musou being a genre whereby you take on thousands of opponents in battle in a similar style to hack n slash), they began cross overs with Gundam and One Piece big anime franchises but back in December 2013 to much surprise and delight they came up with a new game, it was a cross over with one of Nintendo biggest franchises The Legend Of Zelda and was called Hyrule Warriors.
The main premise of the Hyrule Warriors, set not in the main world of each of the games in the series but an alternate universe, where select heroes are summoned from some of the Legend of Zelda series to an ultimately simple premise of good vs evil (obviously theres a story behind it).
With the success of this type of cross over, Dragon Quest Heroes was born. Similarly to Hyrule Warriors it was set in an alternate universe bringing some of the most beloved characters from the series together to fight of evil and save the world. Being popular DQH spawned a sequel, it also lead to other Musou cross over games, Beserk and the Band of the Hawk, Arslan; The Warriors of Legend, Warriors All-Stars and my upcoming most anticipated Fire Emblem Warriors.
This all leads me to the point of this post, the next in line of Musou games:
FINAL FANTASY MUSOU
Just think of the possibilities!!!, I know there is Final Fantasy Dissisdia NT coming to PS4 next year but that is more towards the beat-em-up style of play. However the premise for this game could be that of the Dissidia games, good vs evil, Cosmos vs Chaos. Cosmos recruiting heroes and Chaos using the bosses of the main series, so simple but easy to set up. Imagine Cloud taking on thousands of Behemoths, or Squall taking on Tonberry after Tonberry (DOINK), or Tidus fighting a swarm of Cactuar!! Now I only use the most come of names to begin with as no doubt if this game was to happen SE would most likely use them (For Example Dissidia). I however want to explore other characters from each game, ones that I would personally prefer to see if the game came to fruition.
Going on the premise of taking 1 Hero from each of the main Final Fantasy Titles 1-15 not including sequels or spin offs, but including the MMO versions, to simplify it somewhat, it means 15 Hero Characters. See how much there is to choose from already, sooooooo many choices but you cant deny its exciting. So with out further adue my list:
Final Fantasy I
I think the obvious one from this game is Warrior of Light the staple character of the series, although used in Dissidia it would make sense to include him, he would be the main character for the game and leader of the Final Fantasy heroes/warriors.
Final Fantasy II
Now the obvious choice from FFII would be Firion as he was used in the Dissidia series, I personally would use Minwu, such an underrated character his abilities to heal would be really useful on the battled field.
Final Fantasy III
Now FFIII is the easiest to choose a character from, all the characters in the original FFFIII were Onion Knights. It wasnt until the 3DS remake of FFIII the Onion knights were given more of a unique personality. So I chose Luneth to do join Cosmos.
Final Fantasy IV
From now on things start to get interesting as FFIV onwards really ramps up characters with great individual personalities, while most would choose either KAIN or Cecil, I would personally choose Edge. Not only is he a prince but has a huge ego to boot, could make for some interesting dialogue with some of the female characters ive chosen further up the list and also being a ninja he be great for speed attacks within the game.
Final Fantasy V
The Pirate Faris would be my choice from FFV, how cool would it be for a special move to summon his sea-dragon companion Syldra to obliterate the enemies!!
Final Fantasy VI
The obvious choice from FFVI would of been Terra Branford, seen as she has been used in all Dissidia games I want to see some of the other characters involved. The first female character ive chosen is the genetically enhanced Magitek Knight, Celes Chere.
Final Fantasy VII
Now for me this was the hardest choice as FFVII is my personal favourite, again the obvious choice would be to choose Cloud Strife, but like others mentioned he is in Dissidia. For me it came down to Vincent Valentine, Cid Highwind, Yuffie Kasaragi and RED XIII (said it was tough). I already had chosen a ninja with Edge so Yuffie was out, I felt maybe Vincent wouldn't fit with his guns (my personal favourite character of FFVII). So it left Cid and Red XIII. In the end I chose Red XIII, this was simply for diversity in the characters being selected also Cid is close to a character choice later on!!!!
Final Fantasy VIII
Another tough choice to make for FFVIII as it has a good cast of characters with Squall Leonhart being in (Dissidia) I wanted someone differebt. I really liked Irvine Kinneas but again he had guns like Vincent so didnt feel it would suit, I also liked Selfie Tilmett and Quitis Trepe, in the end I settled with Zell Dincht because he gave something different to what ive chose already, he gives close combat fighting, not to mention hes cool.
Final Fantasy IX
There was only going to be one choice for me from FFIX, no not Zidane Tribal hes in Dissidia, but the awesome Vivi Ornitier, however Beatrix came close (Sequal FF game). Magic damage dealer from afar!! Not to mention cute as hell!
Final Fantasy X
Although FFX is one of my favourite Final Fantasy games I didn't feel it had as strong a cast of characters compared to others (dont hate), but that doesn't mean the character ive chosen in Auron is any less befitting of joining the roster, the other choice I was going to use was Kimarhi Ronso, Auron just pipped it!!
Final Fantasy XI
This was another quick choice, being an MMO and the Final Fantasy game ive spent the least time on, you have to pick from NPC's due to main character creation so I simply went with the most common character from the Dissidia games, Shantotto, not to say shes not worthy of a position. A companion for Vivi maybe...
Final Fantasy XII
FFXII being one of my top 3 Final Fantasy game, i would even go as far to say it very closely rivals FFVII for my favourite, Vaan being in Dissidia taked him out of contention, but really there was only ever going to be one character I would choose and that was going to be FRAN<3, with a ranged weapon more befitting of the style of game rather than guns, she in my mind would be a perfect fit, I maybe biased (may have a little crush on her)
Final Fantasy XIII
Not the most loved Final Fantasy game in the franchise (but I enjoyed it). In my opinion not a great cast of characters either sorry its true! take Lightning out of the equation as she is in Dissidia, your not left with much, in the end picked Snow Villiers. Strong powerful character that would complement Zell, maybe a combo attack.
Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn
With being the second MMO in the Final Fantasy series (not count original FFXIV it was poor), it was down to the NPC's within this wonderful game, there was only one on my mind that could be chosen and it was the beautiful Minfilia, while not known for her fighting skills per say, she is a leader and does have a knife that was given to her by Thancred. Having the power of sensing Echo, she could be whats classed as a support character with buffs etc.
Final Fantasy XV
Last but by no means least FFXV, while the game itself disappointed me hugely (see previous blog post), the game had some really interesting characters, no more so than Aranea Highwind. It was an easy choice to make on this one, shes stunning, strong and very powerful.
So there you have it 15 characters id personally love to see in a Final Fantasy Musou game. As you can see there are so many characters to choose from, whether that be from main playable characters, guest characters or NPC's, and thats even before you delve into the Final Fantasy spin off's. To me it seems like a no brainer!!!
Zack Fair (FFVII CC) (Actually named my son after him)
Luso Clemens (FFTA2)
Agrias Oaks (FFT)
Chocolina (FFXIII Series)
Benjamin (Mystic Quest)
Biggs & Wedge (FF Series)
Who would you pick if this game was a reality, let me know if the comments!!
Hey, Wafae here
ReplyDeleteI personally think your Musou concept is too close to Dissidia! Especially to consider it a reality from SE point of view.
However I did like your idea and this post, and I agree with all your choices!
Why did you say guns were not appropriate weapons? They are so cool (Vincent, Balthier, Squall...)
Thanks Kupo :3