youngmastervivi
Black Mage from Valactia
Ya the leaders were all humes.
Moogle Empire!
Moogle Empire!
Five Humes and a Viera
- Thread starter Ultima36
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That really would have made sense. Wait, no it wouldn't.
The whole world/story revolved around humans, so it only made sense to make them the headline party characters/main NPC's/whatever.
To add a bangaa in just because it might have looked good wouldn't have fitted in with the theme.
The whole world/story revolved around humans, so it only made sense to make them the headline party characters/main NPC's/whatever.
To add a bangaa in just because it might have looked good wouldn't have fitted in with the theme.
You get Bangaa's and Seeq's as 'Support' characters in Hunts but thats it, I would have loved a shady Bangaa and a clumbsy Seeq to make up numbers because 6 just isn't enough. Also a No Mou, WHY IS EVERYONE FORGETTING THE NO MOU!!! They would be awesome mages 
Does it really have to follow the theme? The Bangaa could always have a weak reason for being with the party (not like it hasn't been done before) yet still have a use in the story.
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You have a point, but then you might just get an abundance of characters with piss poor reasons for actually having them with you, for instance, the cast of FFVI. But then again...they were'nt always compulsory.
But also...if you start adding more characters in, things just might start to drag.
But also...if you start adding more characters in, things just might start to drag.
Actually, I do think adding a different race to the main party can be beneficial to the atmosphere and thematics of FFXII. In previous Final Fantasies, while it might not have been explicit, the non-human characters definitely give each world its character - it seems like the creators of FFXII had already packed Ivalice so full of other race characters that the fantasy ambiance was intact without having to include them in the party. However, considering how flat the characters could be at times, adding a different race might have really enriched the story considering how a non-Hume, and the concept of race, can resonate with the themes.
The theme of duty and responsibility (in my opinion the most important theme of the game) really might be carried out to greater lengths had other races been included as a major plot element. The fact that Ivalice is dominated by Hume kingdoms reflects on the social status of Bangaa, Moogles, etc.; a new kind of tension emerges when the theme of duty is seen in the context of race and class.
The theme of family and relationships (this concept seems to emerge unplanned by the creators, which probably explains how undeveloped it is) also finds a new complex angle when thinking about race. This of course would likely deal with thinking about friendship, blood, love - and how essential, or perhaps less essential than we think, these aspects are in defining the boundaries of relationships.
The theme of duty and responsibility (in my opinion the most important theme of the game) really might be carried out to greater lengths had other races been included as a major plot element. The fact that Ivalice is dominated by Hume kingdoms reflects on the social status of Bangaa, Moogles, etc.; a new kind of tension emerges when the theme of duty is seen in the context of race and class.
The theme of family and relationships (this concept seems to emerge unplanned by the creators, which probably explains how undeveloped it is) also finds a new complex angle when thinking about race. This of course would likely deal with thinking about friendship, blood, love - and how essential, or perhaps less essential than we think, these aspects are in defining the boundaries of relationships.
I don't think it would drag, you could have the Bangaa/Seeq/No Mou's story as one that breaks away from the whole 'stop the Empire' thing to add a bit of variaty, may not even be interily mandatory. It could be done in a similar sense to Yuffie and Vincent from VII who had a diffrent reasons to stick with the group essentialy but got involved with it all anyway whilst keeping they'er heads down for much of the 'real plot' of the game. Or maybe just have them as controllable guest-like characters, only taking part in certain parts of the game. I don't mind piss poor reasons as long as they would be useful.
I'd just liked to have played more of the diffrent races and with only 6 perminant characters I feel like we at least should have done.
Adding side-quests does drag the story, though. Anything that detracts from the main story inevitably will cause the plot to slow down. And Yuffie and Vincent would probably have had more of an impact on the main story had the programmers and writers been able to work out glitches involving optional characters.
However, plot movement isn't necessarily everything. While I think that Yuffie and Vincent's sidestories - and sidequests in general - can completely halt the action of the plot, when a player finds them and includes them into the party, it enriches the story as a whole. Look at Shakespeare - he's got plenty of scenes that don't seem to advance the plot, but in the most incredible way delve into the greater implications (a really good example is the scene from Henry V that is completely in French). Narrowing the scope to the Square-Enix universe, examine the Yojimbo sidequest in FFX; while the immediate details of Yuna's journey get pushed the backburner, the insight into Lulu's backstory greatly resonate with that main plot, developing the story without advancing it.
Getting back to the original point of the thread, adding Bangaa/Moogle/Nu Mou/Seeq characters could potentially derail the main plot for a moment. However, this doesn't have to be a problem. If FFXII were a pure commercial action thriller, it would be; but as an adventure epic - and even more pertinently a game, i.e. a vastly interactive epic - the creators would want to include as many intricate story facets and possibilities of fun, without going overboard. Otherwise, the story would be straightforward, which isn't necessarily bad (see Pixar), but doesn't accomplish the highly constructed otherworld effect which Square-Enix seems to be attempting in FFXII.
Basically, thinking about FFXII teleologically shouldn't only have to do with plot movement, but also with how other elements which potentially disrupt the plot can potentially enrich the overall narrative. Therefore, it shouldn't matter if the inclusion of other races potentially derails the plot - as long as their sidestories still find resonance.
I think it would've been quite good to have some Bangaa, Nu Mou and Moogles in the party. Even thought they would not necessarily have been connected in any way with Vaan or Ashe, I don't see that that matters, they could just join the fight against the Empire. E.g. Red XIII in VII doesn't have much to do with Cloud and his story, he just joins the party after being saved from shinra, and again after going home to Cosmo Canyon. Although Red XIII wasn't one of my fav characters, I thought he was interesting and it was nice to have someone diffeent on the team. nother thing is, with FFXII, is that all the characters are pretty much the same, with only slight varies of stats. If more races were integraed, perhaps the stats of them could differ a lot more. I.E. Bangaa could have high strength and def. bu low agility, mag att, and mag res. Moogles could be fast, agile, lucky characters, and nu mou could be strong mages with high def or something.
Good example. Like I said in my previous post, the character's backstory need not advance the main plot, so long as it somehow enriches the story. Red XIII's backstory with his father doesn't change much about the plight to end ShinRa or stop Sephiroth, but the reversal in identity echoes Cloud's eventual identity reversal, and also reiterates the family theme.
I still think that the moogles wouldn't do as much damage as a Viera or Baanga would though. Moogles are meant to stand there and stay cute.
Well in Tactics Advance they had alot of jobs, they could be mages, thieves, gunners, the useless Jugglers and even the Mog Knight class. So they're much more versatile than they look.
As for bangaa, I was really disappointed that they didn't give you any bangaa in your party. They were an awesome race in Tactics Advance, definitely the best suited race for the dragoon class I have ever seen (sorry, but I don't think rats or lions made for good lancers), plus their other exclusive classes (especially Gladiator) were awesome and would have fit pretty well into XII.
Definitely not upset they didn't let you play as nu mou though, I didn't like those things in TA and I don't like them in XII....ugly little race. Now having a Baknamy in your party, even as a guest, would be a very interesting experience.
Totally forgot about the Baknamy. They annoyed the hell out of me in the Deadlands, but would make such an interesting party member, especially considering how little they are trusted; it would be like having a tinier uglier Yuffie in the party.
As for the general look of the game, though, I think if only one race were to join the party, for some reason I feel like it would've definitely been a moogle or a bangaa.
Nu Mou would be awesome! I can just imagine one fighting like Yoda in the newer Star Wars. "Kick your arse I will".
Baknamy would be cool, as would the Uratan.
Seeing as Baknamy and most Urutans hate humans and other races, because they are vicious and territorial, I don't see how you could put one in with the main group. Those races you can't really integrate into society because of their behaviour towards others. Maybe some Urutan, judging by that one who called for help while in the Sandsea, but not Baknamy.
Nu Mou are too fat for that.
Haha, I said it would be interesting for a reason xD
People tend to forget about some of the other races XII had, too. There's the Helgas (the Gran Kilitias's race). Their telepathic abilities could have made them very interesting to have in your party. Then there's the Rebe, the race the Marquis has as his assistants: http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/finalfantasy/images/thumb/1/16/Rebe2.jpg/369px-Rebe2.jpg No idea what they'd be able to do, they look like they'd make good berserkers though.
I think that's what would make such races so fascinating to have as part of the main party - there's a need to rely on them, but a definite mistrust. Lots of great dramatic tension.
The Baknamy who sells you stuff in the Nechrohol always seems like a nice chap
....You don't seem to have understood what I said. So what if there's one merchant? The general populus WOULDN'T work with humans. People are saying oh it would be interesting, but seeing as they hate pretty much everything including Humes, it doesn't seem logical. You mention there'd be issues of mistrust and all that, but they just wouldn't want to socialise like that, or even team with a race they hate. Unless somehow someone raised a few or lived with them if any would accept such a presence, then it wouldn't be possible - maybe there's more hope there. From what I remember about this single merchant, he didn't seem very communicative - though he seems calm or whatever, chances are he is only in it for money.
Any secret characters, temporary ones etc all had something relevant to the storyline - Even characters in FFVI (not all though). I fail to see how a Baknamy or Urutan would have a major/minor relevant part to the story of FFXII. Numou either - their roles are very minor in the game anyway. Moogles could work, Bangaa too - you see plenty of them, the moogles on Balthiers ship and the Bangaa - could be one of Ba Gamnans group. Possibly the Rebe as well. But from deep thinking, I think only a Moogle would suit as a permanent member - other character group member possiblities could only work as temp guest for the most part.
Any secret characters, temporary ones etc all had something relevant to the storyline - Even characters in FFVI (not all though). I fail to see how a Baknamy or Urutan would have a major/minor relevant part to the story of FFXII. Numou either - their roles are very minor in the game anyway. Moogles could work, Bangaa too - you see plenty of them, the moogles on Balthiers ship and the Bangaa - could be one of Ba Gamnans group. Possibly the Rebe as well. But from deep thinking, I think only a Moogle would suit as a permanent member - other character group member possiblities could only work as temp guest for the most part.
Yeah um, Final Fantasy XII is a game, thus by definition it doesn't have to follow real life logic. Chill out. And frankly, they could have perfectly worked the Baknamy or Urutan into the story with a bit of tweaking. Have the empire encroaching on their territories, could just be by having troops cross through the Deadlands or the Sandsea. Baknamys and Urutans would likely not be able to stand up to a massive brigade of Archadean troops, thus they would need Vaan and Co.'s help. They wouldn't have to be integral to the story, just a small bit of it or a sidequest. It would still be cool.
Don't tell me to chill out thank you. I know it's a game, thank you very much. I'm not going on about real life logic, I'm on about game logic - the characters were given specific characteristics, which I was basing my post on. Where you got real life logic from I don't know.
Hm, I did get a bit passionate, however, you should know I will be very..loud at times.
Hm, I did get a bit passionate, however, you should know I will be very..loud at times.