I love Final Fantasy. I grew up on it and always thought the paradox that there were so many final fantasies to be awesome. I have great, great memories involving defeating Sephiroth while Barrett was turned into a frog and stuff like that (I didn’t call this Renerdify for nothing). And this feature from IGN is one of my favorite articles I have ever read on gaming, telling the legend behind the legends.
As such, there is no doubt that I will purchase, delve into (hopefully topping 50 hours), and probably defeat and enjoy the upcoming Final Fantasy XIII. Having said that, as a fellow, I am becoming a bit concerned about what seems to almost be a chick-flick type of game, based on the trailers.
I mean, listen to the song.
Now, I’m certainly in touch with my feminine side. For instance, I consider myself a Lady Gaga fan and for a long time considered Love Actually a guilty pleasure (it is now just a regular pleasure), but when I think Final Fantasy I don’t really think of anything quite as effeminate as this (except for FF10-2, which I don’t count). Am I exhibiting some sort of inherent sexism based upon the game starring a female lead character? Or am I right to say that this is looking a little…girly?
Still looking forward to it all the same. Just over a month now!
For me, gender in Final Fantasy has always been a complicated standard. Heroes (men) have always been effeminate: google image search Tidus or Wakka, think about how they incorporated final fantasy in Kingdom Hearts, the haircuts of Cloud or Leon’s outfit, and most obviously think about every single girl model of every Final Fantasy game ever created. In terms of sexuality, I think the amazing thing about Final Fantasy that it is consistently misogynistic and extremely effeminate, at the same time. When Rikku joins your party in FFX there is a ridiculous cutscene of her wet body stripping down, but at the same time Tidus’s face totally lacks any masculine traits. The women are super eroticized, and the heros (men) are made effeminate.
Thoughts?
I think that past Final Fantasy games have delved into what could be seen as a more “girly” approach, or at least not pure testosterone-induced man rage. The protagonists are often ridiculed as being “emo” and “feminine”, so I’m actually glad they made a female protagonist.
I really think that a lot of the feel you’re experiencing is because with the new technology they are able to express more emotion/expression. In the earlier games you kind of had to use your imagination a bit, while now they have to go all out in terms of emotion or else it’ll seem boring. I’m okay with the way it’s heading, but I can see where you’re coming from.