There’s something revelatory about this incarnation— and not just that she gets most of her best lines incognito. This Zelda had secrets, and she had power, and she did not spend the whole game waiting simply to be rescued. And that was a revelation, because it meant that all those other times, those other princesses, those other castles, they might have had secrets, too.
Sterling
Chris is a complicated figure, loved by her own country who knows not what she does, despised by the enemies that know her handiwork too well. Like I said, I don’t go in for chivalry unless it’s willing to twist the knife. And Chris’s fundamental ethos is one of service, of selflessness. So it was interesting to see her struggle to find herself.
Black and White
My love for Nash Latkje is kind of shameful. Really, he’s a combination of all my favorite RPG archetypes and then an honest-to-god international man of mystery on top of that. His last name sounds like a cross between a veneral disease and a Channukah treat, and he comes with lots of vampire fanfic. Obviously, this leaves me groping around in the dark for something legitimate to base my fandom on. As if that natural S in awesome weren’t enough.
Lightbringer
That’s how I see Cecil, as the sort of ur-angst of Final Fantasy, the source of brooding manpain and its eventual redemption via the milk of human kindness. Cecil’s manpain has more of an edge to it, though, probably because black armor is styling.
Amends
Every now and then, there comes a time when we must become more than what we are. When one man will rise up and claim the title of hero. Swords will shatter, prophecies will be fulfilled. When such a time comes, Kain Highwind stands at the ready. He dons his armor. He polishes his spear. And then he proceeds to stab his best friend in the face.
Libertine
Though the major theme of this domain is idiotic heroism, I have a soft spot in my heart for smart villainy. And, well, the Turks at least look smart. They also manage to be entertaining and non-emo despite hailing from Final Fantasy VII. So a long time ago, before the coming of Advent Children, I created a little… Continue reading Libertine
Veracity
The first time I played through Final Fantasy VIII, all I could think of was “When are we going to get to another Laguna flashback?” Laguna was more than the Man With the Machine Gun, he was the Man Who Redeemed FF8. I’ve come to appreciate the game a bit more in recent years, but my… Continue reading Veracity
Renaissance
Let’s be honest: Locke is the reason this domain exists. Everyone is allowed one creepy obsession, and the 16-bit treasure hunter is mine to embarrassing degrees. I sort of fell into rabid fangirling at the age of nine, and I have yet to fall out of it. But it’s a testament to Locke that he’s just as appealing to me now as he was then. At first I loved him for the all ways that he is a hero, now I love him for the reasons he isn’t.