Rumination Analysis on Final Fantasy V
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ก.ย. 2024
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Every time I replay a Final Fantasy game (or play a remake/remaster for the first time) I watch your Rumination series. They are great for highlighting the strengths, themes and characters in each game. Never take them down!
I love how you say that the main party are nobodies even though 4 of them are royalty.
Yeah, and Galuf was literally a warrior of legend.
Ironically, Final Fantasy 5 was my first exposure to the Final Fantasy series. I didn't get the chance to get very far at the time, however, so I hadn't played it for many years... until now. Having recently finished the game, I understand why it's one of your favourite Final Fantasies. While I prefer the threat of FF2, FFV's setting is nothing to shake a stick at, the theme of inheritance is much more clearly shown throughout the whole game than it was in FF2, there are more attempts at character growth, the plot is much smoother, and the characterization is, for the most part, really well done. I do feel like there was a lot more to the characters than we got to see in the game which is a shame, but maybe that's just a testament to how well done the characters were. I wish we got to see how Galuf functioned as a king, or got to see more of Krile's role as a princess, or Bartz's situation before the game, or how Faris continues her life after the credits roll. Like FF2, this is a game that, while may not need a sequel in terms of plot threads like FF4 does, I would be genuinely interested in finding out what happens next simply because of my attachment to the characters.
One thing that I noticed immediately was the different tone presented by the humorous dialogue. In future games the FFs attempts at humor almost always fall flat but for some reason in this game the humorous tone worked. I think it's because the comedy in the dialogue was very human. It wasn't over-the-top and in your face like, say, Tidus or Vaan. Instead it felt like normal people trying to improve their outlooks on an incredibly grim situation so that they didn't lose their minds. Let's not forget that the world in FFV is facing an apocalypse. It makes sense that they would try to focus on the positives in life.
FFV is also the first of the FFs to have a soundtrack that caught my attention. The first two FFs each had two songs that I enjoyed and that includes the main theme and I barely remember the soundtracks for 3 and 4. FFV by contrast had town and dungeon music that I really enjoyed, and since these songs are some of the most frequent in the game, that adds a large plus to it overall.
As far as gameplay is concerned, I'll admit I didn't play around with the job system as much as I should have. What can I say? I enjoyed throwing money at my enemies to kill them too much. The concept amuses me, although during my next playthrough I will definitely be doing more with it as it is very well done tool that seems like it would be fun to use, putting the gameplay as a whole of this game over the gameplay of FF4 as it used the same system with that one addition.
The final boss involves a difficulty curve that I have rarely seen in the previous FFs.(Only 2 and 4 actually) That is that if I were leveling normally, it would have been a tough fight. Not impossible, but tough. Being max level I was able to curb stomp him, as I should. Too often in the previous games being max level was treated as a requirement as opposed to putting in extra effort and being rewarded for it by having that extra edge against the enemies. This does not include the "optionals", which can curb stomp you even at max level. However, because they are "optional", it makes sense that they would be that difficult. However, I put optional in quotations because while they are technically not required, they are hidden in such a way that it is very easy to stumble onto them by accident without being prepared or having saved recently. The best example I can think of here is Omega. Omega is a super optional boss in the middle of the path the player needs to take to progress. Yes you can technically get around him if you maneuver carefully but a boss like that should be something you seek out, not something that practically jumps you when you are nowhere near a place available to save. Similarly there are other optional bosses that are guarding random chests in the same area. After two resets I had to go through the whole zone without going after any chests because I couldn't afford to get into a fight with one of those monsters. Thankfully the boss itself did not require a reset, which was good.
At the end of the day, Final Fantasy 5 isn't just the most competent of the FFs up until this point, but also the most fun. I can't wait until a situation arises in which I can play it again.
What a fantastic analysis of FFV. This is my first time seeing one of your videos, and I am really impressed. That hour flew by, because you really said a lot of insightful things. A lot of it I was thinking, and some others I haven't thought of. Thanks for giving this game a fair and positive review. It is really one of my favorite FF games to play, and replay. Perhaps not best overall, but it has the best replay value IMO.
That was a great speech about Galuf. Well done.
I just want to give a shout out with respect to how much I LOVE your ruminations. I listen to your eloquent and thought-provoking reviews when in the office, and it's amazing to hear someone appreciate (quality) games for what they are: another narrative medium of art. Admittedly, I am one of the "PS2 entry" crowd and was, at first, only interested in the newer games. However, your reviews were so profound that I have gone back and played several of the earlier games and was absolutely enthralled by FFIV & FFVI (and to some extent FFIX). Again, your reviews are awesome and I can't wait to listen to more. Keep it up!
Out of the three I've played practically all the way through, ff5-7, ff5 had some of my favorite music. Big Bridge, world 2-3 theme, ExDeaths theme and battle music. It's all amazing, very memorable. I also love the job system.
Amazing review. Really, I grew up playing FF's as you said. I joined abit after 10 came out I was still pretty young but I had gone back and purchased every port on the gba. I can say now iv played all 1-13 myself and enjoyed each and every game on my own. Thanks for bringing this review out to us.
Your point about gamers who got in on the PS2 is a great point. We love the stories but the ATB system isn't as tight, the combat is more simplistic, and it just doesn't *feel* like X or X-2 or even the PS1 entries but your point regarding us is absolutely fair.
You don't like blinded by light?! :,(
Funny thing: Final Fantasy 5 was the first final fantasy game I played, and it's all thanks to the RPGe patch. It was one of the first games I tried when experimenting with emulation, and I had no idea until later it was even a patch. This was basically when the patch was brand new too I think, it was really early in the life of emulation, and I don't think I could even run a emulator that used more then 256 colors so the transparency didn't work right. But if I had never played around with emulation I may never have played any Final Fantasy games at all. I was a pure PC gamer then (and pretty much am again now actually, I lost interest in consoles again after the wii... but I still use handhelds sometimes). Emulation was probably the only thing that got me interested enough in consoles to bother with a buying a playstation and later a ps2.
I would say that V is my favourite - best combat system by far with a very well paced difficulty curve, and it's small main cast size allowed me to get to know the characters as people that I could identify with rather than having too many to keep track of and care about ala VI
good lord you are really churning these out. There's no need to rush through these review just as long you are able say everything you feel you need to say for each of these games.
Keep up the amazing work.
(The GBA version of) V was the first game in the series I ever played, and I loved it. Unfortunately, I couldn't beat the last boss for about a year until after going through VI, so I feel a certain amount of satisfaction and appreciation that should have been there wasn't for me. I still find Bartz a unique RPG hero in that he's already moved on from the tragedy in his past and is just loving life as it comes when the game starts.
Hi Lore. Just listening to your Final Fantasy and Assassin's Creed ruminations as a podcast of sorts at work.
Your point about people not being able to go back and play the older games is spot on.
Like many, I had the same issue with Undertale initially. And then I tried it and it blew my mind.
I find I can go back and try the earlier FF games, and even Dragon Quest, but I can't with Fire Emblem, or strategy games. They bore me to tears.
I think a great example of all of this is Super Mario 64 and its dated camera controls. I can play it no drama, but it's really interesting watching others significantly younger than myself really struggle.
The Nou is what invades Arch's Kingdom Hearts game and forces him to click on a whole list of things in his inventory until the power of the Nou has successfully been banished.
I think the reason Bartz parted company from Lenna was because he hadn't really cognates that this area was dangerous. If she was obviously in danger, he wouldn't hesitate to help any more than Cecil would, but he's a little less actively thoughtful of others, so it doesn't occur to him to go outside his perspective. The goblins probably avoid attacking someone like Bartz who looks like he can take care of himself. He projects strength. Lenna projects vulnerability. (And to complete the set, Galuf projects confidence, and Faris projects power,both of which are distinct from strength. Strength is the ability to act and the potential to succeed. Power is the inclination to act; Confidence is the assumption that you will succeed.)
FFV was never one of my favorites, nor did I dislike it (for context if it matters, I started the series at 6, then played 5 later). However, I particularly liked the job system and enjoyed the party (partially for the reasons you described). I thought they were a great team of people, and grew invested in them all.
Then Galuf made that heartcrushing sacrifice, and I was emotionally very struck by it. What followed was that I ABHORED Krile, thought her suddenly trying to fill Galuf's shoes was an insult, and especially hated the attention she got afterwards (plus I've never been a fan of the "token little girl character" in any Final Fantasy).
Over time the negative feelings have subsided, but I still fondly hold to a few positives. A decent game, and Galuf's sacrifice stands as one of the most meaningfully emotional moments in ANY Final Fantasy before or since.
I’m proud to be one of the kids that didn’t actually start playing Final Fantasy till FFX on PS2, that actually prefers the old the PSOne games over all the others but can go back and play the SNES era games and enjoy them.
FFV is my favorite FF game of all time. #1 for me.
If it wasn't for FFT, FFV would be my favorite too! :D
I would very much like to hear that review, too. Morte was a cut up, and the whole cast of joinable NPCs were awesome!
I apparently never thought to explicitly say this before, at least not here. So, let me officially put it on the record... FFV is my favorite Final Fantasy game, and a very good candidate for my favorite game period, or at least my favorite JCRPG. And in particular, it's the RPGE translation that I like. I wonder if I'll ever get to enjoy it again.
FFV will always be my favorite
You are a machine, arch. I hope you're not burning yourself out doing all of these so fast. Good stuff.
I love FFV! The best FF, next to FFT, IMHO!
Well, I was hoping for a full-on XIII or XIII-2 review, but I get that you've never been a "ranter" who prioritizes the bad, which is why I like your reviews, mate.
The way you talk about this series and the narrative primarily reminds me of how I discuss the Shin Megami Tensei games, especially SMT:Nocturne, which is to me what FF6 is to you.
Thanks for these reviews, dude! They help in a lot of ways, especially with keeping me focused in planning with my lit work.
Dude, iOS. iPhone 3GS or later, iPod Touch 3rd gen or later, all iPads.
Redone graphics and achievements were added in this release, and you also get the features added in the GBA release (new jobs, more content, much better translation, better load times- though you still have the good-quailty, same as the original SNES, music the GBA version sorely lacked).
FF5 is in my top 3 favorite games in the franchise. The gameplay is SO GOOD!
i came into the series at X. i decided that i wanted to play the older games. i skipped right over the PS1 games went straight to VI and i had no problem adjusting. but that may be because of my appreciation for SNES games in general. either way its a great game.
FF adventure to Secret of Mana to Kingdom hearts. Wow, what a piece of trivia that was!
Except for the GBA version which it seems that Enuo is the real villain and that exdeath was the frontman
1 is still my top FF game. I haven't tried 2 or 3. 4 Was the second best FF game. 5 seemed like an awsome game. i liked the dual class aspect like ninja/caller or white mage/warrior class. 6 was good I just hated the fact that the alter world felt to short to travel through. 7 was ok. 8 I liked. 9 was to kiddy. 10 was ok but 10 2 stunk really really bad. I havent tried a FF afterward. Good video.
Archengeia you were saying in this vid that Exdeath was probably the most powerful villain. What about The Emperor and Kefka? Are they even near him in means of power or are far away? Oh and which antagonist of the series is your favourite one when you take into account not only power but also personality and other factors (maybe you said it in other FF reviews but I can't recall it)?
Very much enjoying these Archengeia, eagerly awaiting what you have to say about the Playstation era FF's :)
6:36, i am one of that kind of person. My First FF was 7, and then i watched a friend playing FFX on his PS2. Many years later i found myself playing the nes games on my cellphone, and later the snes games, actually i am playing 5, and i am going to play all of them =D
If you really think about it, FFXIII is the Metal Gear Solid 4 of Final Fantasy.
So I didn’t really get into them until FFX which was actually the first one I played that wasn’t on demo disc. Didn’t get every far if I remember correctly, got stuck on the Sinspawn battle where the Al Bhed and Crusaders got fucking spank so hard that THEY got sent to Dream Zanarkand. Know what I’m say 😎. I knew about FF before that but only tangentially. (Although I did go back to VII, VIII, IX and played those and more recently played FFVI and I really enjoyed. Didn’t beat because don’t have a pay to play it now.)
Then.....
Kingdom Hearts came out and introduced me to Squall(Leon), Yuffie, Aerith, Cloud, and yes......
Sephiroth!
I then vowed that I too would saturate myself in Mako, become so traumatized by what I had experienced to the point that my psyche cracked and my ego died... and I became one with Zach.......🤫
We would no longer be separate people, not even in the mind.... all that separated us was only physical. My ego was so dead that the only way to survive was merge with with Zach. I would become he and he would no longer be.
......Help me, I’m floating away.G
Is the "one" character you found interesting and cared about in FF13 happen to be Sazh? Because he was pretty much the only character who ever kept my interest.
I was actually a pretty big Sazh fan, myself. I also liked XIII a lot, but more due to how the combat system was really right for me.
thanks for your time and effort as always.
:)
@9:50 Just want to add to your statement about writing scenes and being cohesive to the narrative. Don’t try and force or shoehorn something into the narrative just for the sake of having it in the game so you can point to it and “Look at this thing created. Look, made sure this was in there and this was, and then someone say this thing and does this thing. Oh and then this person just exists... even though it makes absolutely no sense within the world I’ve created.”
Trust me; those of us that are movie buffs as well as very analytical from an objective Outsider perspective that we know when it’s forced and being preachy or shoved down our throats. We know what that looks like and sounds like.
In other words either become a better writer or just don’t write because there’s only so many times that you can rely on a gimmick or shtick. You’ll plummet so far down from your high-horse that you’ll be a hack in no time flat 👍
Eventually we start to notice. Once that happens... well... those whom watch the watchmen will also then be watched.
Yup....
Ponder in that one 😎✌️💯🇺🇸
Keep the great reviews coming!
On a side note: Gonna take a bit to get used to the hair-cut. :P
Started with FFX playing FFVI right now.
wow Archylte Steppe music is really nice
They should have named this one, Final Fantasy 5: Tactics EX or some sh!t like that. Ironically the fair level of strategy during fights is what made it a classic, and what keeps me playing it even today. The job sistem in this particular FF, was pretty good. They keep this grindy sistem for their most adictive games like FF11 or 14.
I played 13 for about 2 hours and it disgusted me so much that I have not played it again to this day.
great video
As to the ATB system... I prefer FFIV. No bar, just a sense for it. Adds a lot of suspense. Nevertheless, FFV is one of my favorite games ever, and I encourage anyone who watches this video, to participate in the Four Job Fiesta.
Great review
I have to say FFV & FFVI are my favorite in the series. And this makes me really mad that SE is sitting on there ass and not making a 3D on 3ds, or 2d hd version on ps vita for both of these games and not a crappy translation of the ps1 version.
You can buy the HD versions on mobile.
I actually hate doing that kind of thing on mobile devices.
Me too. I don't even have that kind of device. I wish they would release it for 3DS.
I wouldn't say that FF13 is a competently executed story, now. For that matter, the graphics may look polished but they're not very alive.
Y-Burn
I believe XIII-2 deserves at least a brief review like the one you just did for XIII... Could you consider it?
Arch, I have only one complaint about this game...I noticed you didn't bring up the underlying part of Lenna and Faris/Sarsia being sisters in the review and I think the reason for that is because while its mentioned in the game, its not really a plot point. Concedentially, is there any way we can trigger the scene when Sarsia falls off the wind drake while riding with the king and thus became Faris? If so, I've never figured out how!
Also I have been a FF follower since FF1 was on the regular Nintendo.
He already did a "What to pay" for FF6, and some extra videos to complement it. That's basically a review but maybe he'll redo the thing as a whole.
Hey Archengeia, what are your thoughts on the iOS remake?
I think it's really nice but hope it doesn't take the place of the proper 3DS remake that was promised.
there is some new iphone/pad version out. dont know much about it. unless you know japanese and own a japanese tv, super famicom, and FFV, the GBA version is the best
woah u changed your hair color..not bad you honestly look different i had to look twice to make sure it was you
Kitase said he would remake ffv his first project next
Never really had much problems with the ps1 version of 5, just a little bit odd with the dialogue is what I noticed.
agree completely with your 3 eras of final fantasy fans...I myself joined with 7, born 1990, so started at age 7. Obviously i hold it dear in my heart, nostalgia...BUT i have more recently gone back and started the others. Ive beaten 1,2,3 and have 4,5,6, 10-2, and 12 to beat...and i've started 4 several times over...and i JUST beat 3, I bought a psvita 4 months ago and have all but 5 on it...10 and 10-2 release later! Sry i'm getting distracted...BUT, i think i'm going to enjoy 4 the most and possibly 6. And you're right, 5 is not available for me on the ps vita...who knows why...so if i want to play it i either need the ps1 port for ps3...the ios download on my iphone, or else somehow get SE to release on vita (PLEASE PLEASe pleASE)...now while i love 7, despise 8, and think 9 is highly underrated going back to the "classics" I GENUINELY enjoyed 1, 2, and 3...2 took a while. It's more fun enjoying to see how the gameplay evolves. But i love every single game, and now i'm going to start 4, i've played it several times but every time stop after Rydia or saving Maria i believe her name...ugh sorry i sound like a disgrace to FF fans, but while i hold the ps era deep in my heart, i think the Snes era is where it's at, but also at my core. I'm a fan of the entire genre gameplay aside, i'm a fanboy at heart. If there was a final fantasy 4 book, i'd read that shit. If there was a book for any of the games, i'd read that. Bottom line..I LOVE FINAL FANTASY SOOO MUCH, and I am grateful that i got into one of the best genres from one of the best gaming companies at the prime age of 7 years old. Thank you Square Enix...
Also my gameplay for XI was 329 days of gameplay, i spent a year of my life online on XI, and now i'm starting up XIV ARR...now while I love MMOs, i hope that SE will go back to the classic age of their games and if you must make MMOs don't make them part of the main series of numbers...I'm so anal and ocd about that...
Archengeia went super sayan and now we got 3 reviews in under 24 hours! HIS POWER IS OVER 9000!
I really enjoy your videos and tend to agree whole heartedly. FFVI is my favorite game and play it almost yearly, FFIV being my first taste in the genre holds a place in my heart. Now I haven't played V but own it on PS, is it worth playing or completely botched? Cannot afford to get the GBA, and dont want to emulate.
The... FFV Playstation port is, without question, the worst of the bad ports Square did. It's... I mean it's functional, but the translation is incredibly bad and there's load time issues and a few other nitpicks. So up to you I suppose.
Archengeia thank you for such a quick reply and again thank you for your videos, i never thought i could listen to someone talk about a video game for 3 hours, without even screenshots, a testament to you. I will give it a shot, grin and bear it like a spoony bard?
that amuses me, I did the same thing. unfortunately the real world didn't let me finish it.
That would be Snow, believe it or not.
The game itself calls out Faris's gender in a very aggressive way - Lenna is clearly exactly as feminist as her pink hair implies, although she has a lot of more endearing traits as well, making her more sympathetic than, say, Chanti Binx. But she was very gung-ho to chide Galuf and Bartz for having been a little sexist toward Faris; as with the intro scene of Samantha Carter in Stargate SG-1, this is a case where a character who is otherwise my definite favorite member of the group (tied with Teal'c in that case), does a really cringey and over-the-top speech about how she assumes everyone is going to be sexist at her, and is very aggressive about rejecting that presumable sexism before it can happen.
These review's should download able because the words that come out of this mans mouth is money.
Do you work a night shift? Cause you don't get much work and no ones around
Why dont you like 13-2 did it not fix 13s flaws
U didn't like blinded by light?
I will admit I was a gamer that started playing FF during the SNES era and finally played FFV with the Anthology release for PS1 (half to play FFV and half to get another version of my favorite FFVI) and I agree that version of FFV is terrible. Unfortunately that is my only experience with this game and I generally dislike it but would like to give it another chance. Besides handhelds any other good releases of it I could get?
spoiled it for me haha. I have always wanted to play anything before 7 eventually, which one should I start with? My first FF was 8 btw, in case anyone was wondering the generation I started at
starfire 4, 6, or 1
I find it kinda surprising that Final Fantasy V gets a lot of overhype in Japan.
You totally look like Bruce Willis in.. can't remember.. Fifth Element? Haha x)
Dammit, Archengeia, do some Pen and Paper reviews ò___o
DAT HAIR
Yeah.. FFXIII-2 was extremely unnecessary.. Just like FFIV The After Years. XIII ended perfectly, more or less with one exception. When they released the news that they were making a sequel for XIII I was excited, just do to the sole thought that it was going to tie up the loose ends with Fang and Vanille, my OTP. Instead they bring Serah and a random OC character in as the only main characters... Then have a drama/angst/tragedy plot with a "To be continued" ending. AKA a BUYDLCBUYDLC ending...
Nice analysis (or review?).
I'll never stop calling the first character Butz. It will never not be funny to me.
5 is the second best final fantasy. anyone that doesn't think so is wrong. the other ones are way too easy
final fantasy x, for me, was the final final fantasy
Ha! Nice hair dude! Almost don't recognize you!
metal gear solid review??
You say Exdeath is entertaining, but I always found him kind of wooden. *bum-dum-tis*
I started out with FFVII when I was 12 and really didn't like it. I can't remember why. I think the mechanics irritated me for some reason. Then I tried out FFX and enjoyed it for a time until I discovered how annoying the characters were. Thankfully I went back to the older games starting with the rerelease of FFI & II and have enjoyed them so far. On my way to finishing IV . Hopefully they'll rerelease V and VI for the DS or 3DS !
You have to dye your beard to match you hair. :)
Final Fantasy 13 had a big Man vs Fate theme, but I suppose too much of the story is based on the characters not knowing how to deal with their fate.
Recently beat FF13 and I must say this.
Hope wasn't that bad. I understood him, his motives, his role in the story. If there was someone I would smack it'll be Lightning. Dear god do I hate her.
ff13 was a good game im sorry ur cool but ur wrong about ff 13
The music is... Fine, the plot is... Ok, the main antagonist is... a stereotypical bad guy (no personality, just there), and people die too much. ffv: 6.3/10
The gameplay is fine, though. Galuf and Gilgamesh are likable characters. Too many ponrs, but it's an ok game. At least it isn't ffi NES, for which that gets a 4.4/10
I don't understand anyone who likes VII onwards. It's all generic bad anime with a fetish for zippers.
So yes, fans of the later era would not be able to enjoy FFVI.
I hope you feel shame for your older self with a comment like this