Beginning To End

[Miss Lockheart]

I was looking for a thread of this type. If there is one, I apologize I couldn't find it

So we all have our own Final Fantasy experiences, whichever games we've played and the order we've played them in. Moments that have excited, shocked, saddened and bored us. Beginnings we love, endings we loathe, and all the bits inbetween.

But I want to focus on those all-important beginnings and endings. One of the things we look forward to most when we first buy a new FF game is the intro sequence- a small glimpse of the story, snippets of the game ahead. And of course after all the endless battles and plot-twists, the result of all the hard work- the ending. To me, those two are the most poignant parts of the story in front of us, and the ones that often come to mind when we reminisce about games we've played and conquered. Possibly the most eagerly anticipated parts of a newly bought game too.

I've been thinking about this a lot actually, when I reminisce about my own experiences. I've been trying to search my soul and decide which game of all the FFs I've played has the most promising ending, and which has the most memorable ending. Tough when there have been so many magical stories to come from this series, with such a huge range of themes and plots to think about, from cyber punk conspiracy to swashbuckling high adventure to magical love scenes.

Which has compelled me to put the question to you guys- which is your favourite beginning, and which is your favourite ending? They don't have to be from the same game, though of course it's quite possible! Which were the most chilling, warmhearted, or even twisted, in your opinion?

I'm gonna see what you guys say before I reveal my own thoughts on this topic....

[Terminal Est]

Interesting thread.

My best beginning was in Final Fantasy VIII. The opening theme itself strongly established what one was in for, and no, that certainly is not merely the awesome fight between Squall and Seifer accompanied by a great song speaking.

I love how most FF plots have the ''Ripple Effect'', how it always starts with this small thing and eventually leads into this huge element which basically constructs the entire plot. Even better is when you learn why and such-like in Final Fantasy VI.

To me that is brilliant plot establishing and presentation, but FFVIII skipped all that and went right for the jugular so to speak-and it had damn well best, because some of the later plot revelations were rather boring. But it was different, and we were introduced to the main aspects right off the bat, whereas other FF titles drag on (In a fun way. ) before getting to the core.

Final Fantasy IV to me had the best ending, closely followed by Final Fantasy VI. Both were really long for one, which satisfies me with all the time I spent going through the games.

But also, the conclusions were great, especially in FFIV, and how we saw what all the characters did afterwards. (One must love Kain's personal and self inflicted retribution.) FFVI had the entire thing reduced to what everyone did, but upon exiting Kefka's tower mostly, but it was still very substantial and interesting-granted though, half of this ending is looking at the ass of the airship and reading credits, but yes...both are very ''full'' and satisfactory, when considering the plots which had driven them. A bit more conclusion would have been fun in FFVI though.

The worse beginning to me was FFV, and also the worse plot...not because it was bad, but rather badly presented. Everything went too fast and was riddled with clichés, especially for what it seemed to have been aiming for, that when considering the nature of X-Death and his back then unconventional villain demeanor.

The worse ending is FFVII, because it does not offer much. It seems that what goes on in the ending was more suited for in-game material rather then a conclusion. Albeit I enjoyed the ''plot twists'' there though. Still, a little too simple for everything this complex plot had the whole time, and the lack of conclusion pertaining to your characters was disappointing-after all, we get attached to them the most, right?

Sephiroth is just dead, so is Aerith, and we do not know what happens with the rest after. And not including Yuffie or Vincent in the ending? Ass. They had no disc space to include them from what I hear, but still.

Also, if Nanaki is the last of his race, what is he doing with children in the final FMV?

I guess I did not really answer the question, for I based mine a lot more on functionality pertaining to concept then I did personal opinion, but the two do tie in, believe me.

[MidgarFanatic]

Very good question Miss Lockheart,

Well there were many good openings. Like the opening shot of the city in FFVII, that got me hooked. I also thought the cinematic intros to FFIX and XII were astounding. I loved the attention-grabber flashbacks of Dagger’s dreams in the boat; and little Vivi’s first gaze at an airship. Looked great. And there were some great endings, like the character farewell in FFVI, that really stretched the limits. But I would have to say that my all-time favorite opening and ending are in FFVIII…

The opening was a CGI opera. The music was awesome and the visuals were basically a trailer for the game you were about to play. So it all looked perfect.

There was a lot to wrap-up at the end of this game, and so the ending was very long… but it was never boring. I think some of the highlights were Squall’s limbo scene, and Laguna’s conclusion. And the credits had that great “hand-held” camera piece of the entire cast which in itself had some great moments. It was all very cheeky, but it was grand. And the ending featured the best part of the game, which was when you finally see Squall smile for the first time.

But these were just my favorite FF openings and endings, FFVIII is not my favorite game.

Originally Posted by Terminal Est

FFVI had the entire thing reduced to what everyone did, but upon exiting Kefka's tower mostly, but it was still very substantial and interesting-granted though, half of this ending is looking at the ass of the airship and reading credits...

Haha, omg I had totally forgotten about the airship's ass. that is so true. And you are right about the FFVII ending, too many questions unfulfilled.

[Kaoru Hitachiin]

I'd have to say FFX for both. The beginning just kicked ass with that rock track. And it (unfortunately)set Tidus up for greatness he would NEVER achieve in the course of the storyline just because the beginning cinematic made him look kick-ass... Which never happened again in the whole of the game...

Then came the end of FFX. The beginning made me psyched to see Tidus in action; after the rest of the game, when I got to the end, the ending sequence made me glad he was finally freaking gone... So the reason why it was my favorite ending was, 'YAY! Tidus and his confused personality disorder and retardation are gone!'

I hate Tidus SO much...

[JET73L]

Favourite introduction, FFIII, favourite beginning, FFX, favourite end, KH1. But this is just off the top of my head. I'm sure if I could go back through and re-watch all the scenes, it would probably be different.

Edit: FFX ending was good too, but it always takes me hours to beat the final bosses, so I never see it in context without being tired and slightly grouchy.

[Miss Lockheart]

Hehehehe it's about time I revealed my choices then....

My favourite beginning is FFVII. I was absolutely bewildered when I saw it- when it starts one feels like they are floating in space. then you get your first introduction to Aeris, as the camera shifts up and pans over this huge industrial city, with the green flare of the mako reactors. The music is awesome, and really gives it that element of grandeur. Then all a sudden...what's this? You're thrown into the middle of a mission, left to try and figure out what's going on whilst taking your first battles- already!!! I knocked me for six did the whole thing, and I knew I was in for a good game. Notable also are the beginnings of VIII, IX and X, which also really excited me when I saw them. My worst beginning would probably be XII- it was just too damn long for me to sit without even getting to move around with the joypad. Very LOTR, and since I have a short attention span I kinda got bored and wanted to get into the action.

Then there's my favourite ending, and I think people already know what that's gonna be, it's my favourite FF moment altogether so far- the ending of FFX. Never have I been so involved with a piece of cinematic, never has the emotion of it afflicted me so much. It actually shocked me because I knew from the main storyline that there was a possibility that it would happen, but I was kinda expecting a twist of some sort to stop it, so Tidus and Yuna could be happy together as they deserved after all they went through. But there was no twist, and I couldn't believe it when he startet to disappear. That and the music in the background, To Zanarkand being played in that sad Ebm key, it was too much for me and I just burst into tears. Dammit. I really liked Tidus as a character, even though many people don't rate him, and I was sad to see him go.

Notable other endings- IX had an awesome ending, really sweet and cliche, and XII had a good ending too, yay for Balthier!! My worst ending is FFVII, I felt really let down after everything I'd been through with this amazing story, the ending was a huge anticlimax.

Anyways those are my views. I still want to hear about your favourite moments guys, I'm such a nostalgia person