And we hit the ground RUNNING!! (ff4 impressions)

Next up on this summer's Final Fantasy marathon is IV (I, II, VII, & VIII are all successfully behind me), and I have to admit, it wastes absolutely no time getting things started. Did anyone else feel this game is incredibly fast-paced? I just finished the part where

Spoiler:

Cecil defeats his dark self to earn the title of paladin

a mere 4 hours in, and so much has already happened. I can't help but wonder if this game is going to burn out soon.

It seems as though (so far) there's been a very minimal amount of actual travelling on the world map, and when there is, it's broken up by battles that occur about every two or three seconds. It's insane. Overall I thoroughly enjoy the characters, but I'm hardly given enough time to become attached to them before the next shattering plot point hits. Though I suppose given the amount of time that I have each character in my party and the frequency in which they're introduced, the game's done a fine job of assembling a distinguished cast. I'd like more time to absorb the story. I certainly was not expecting

Spoiler:

Kain's treachery

and I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out.

I don't mean to imply that I'm not enjoying this game. I am. But it feels oddly linear so far for a Final Fantasy (walk here: plotpoint. Walk here: plotpoint). Are my trepidations groundless? Or did other people here have the same reactions at first as I am?

This is the GBA version for those who would give value to that fact.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Gechmir

Still, I like the De-Jap translation for the SNES version.

Spoiler:

Like Kain referring to Rosa as Cecil's "little whore". Badass ;D

Aww; I'm sure the Advance version got rid of that.
When you say 'restructuring,' what do you mean? There are changes from the original story? Significant changes? (no spoilers please)

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Spatula

BTW, Cellius , you said that you have FF VIII included as your completed list, but did you really beat the game, or did you just stop at the Adel boss fight?

I knew someone would bring that up. That thread was sort of borne out of spontaneous frustration before I sat down and thought about a strategy. But yes I did beat VIII fair and square, and I'm glad I did too, because it was one of the greatest endings I could have hoped for.

After hearing many many positive things about IV, I'm excited to see the rest of it, and also pleased that it won't consume days and days of my time.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Rasputin

I can't believe you skipped ff3(nes). That game is probobly the most fun I've had in years with an RPG. The only issue with it is that it starts off slow.

I'm not necessarily going in order. But I don't own a DS and it's too bad there isn't a GBA version for that. If there are any reliable ROMs for it I'll check it out, certainly. I don't mind things starting off slow; it gives you a chance to take things in. However, I would prefer to own a physical copy of the game (I am something of an obsessive completionist).

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Borg1982

... and come back here as you get farther.

I find it maddening that the only kind of character deaths the story allows for are sacrifices. There's more than one way to die, guys.

big spoilers:

Anna: I must take this arrow for you so that you may continue to live and thrive, Edward. Dead
Porom & Palom: Oh no the walls are closing in! Allow us to turn ourselves to stone so that your quest may succeed, Cecil. Dead.
Sage Tellah: I must summon Meteor to destroy you, Golbez, even though it will kill me. Avenge my daughter, Cecil! Dead.
Yang: There's no way to stop the cannons. Go on, get out of here; I'll blow the place up. Tell my wife I'll always be with her! Dead.
Cid: Take care of Rosa, Cecil. I must stay behind and seal up the underworld with this bomb by jumping out of the airship. Dead.

That's as far as I'm at. Must everyone have a noble end? If I recall rightly, FFII suffered from this syndrome as well. If there are any more upcoming deaths, please don't spoil them.

Spoiler:

And I thought Rydia's return was awesome.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Borg1982

Come again when you have new reactions to my favorite video game storyline ever and favorite game ever.

OH I SEE SO

Spoiler:

THEY'RE ALL OKAY AFTER ALL. How did the twins get resurrected? I thought they sacrificed themselves willingly so no spell would work (Esuna)... unless the Msydians have some super secret magic that contradicts that assertion. The Golbez/Cecil twist was pretty cool, but I sort of saw it coming. I knew something was up when I met the old guy (FuSoYa or something) on the moon who explained who Zemus was.

I actually haven't beaten it yet. I'm back at the

Spoiler:

moon

for the second time for what I presume is the final battle right around the corner. I'm really anxious to see what the final boss looks like to see if he resembles

Spoiler:

Culex, the Dark Knight of Vanda, from Super Mario RPG, since his music was an obvious insertion from FF4.

Most amazing jew boots

Originally Posted by Gechmir

How's the Edge-Rydia relationship look?

Huh? This is news to me; I've seen zero indication of any such thing.

FELIPE NO

Well, Edge definitely had an attitude, and I do recall one instance of him making a remark towards Rydia. All he said when the two women left the craft was something like, "Get out; this isn't a task for kids." To which Rydia replies, "who are you calling a kid?!" Then she storms out, and that's that. Oh well.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?