FFIX's final cinematic could have been much better. (HEAVY SPOILERS!)

[Ten Year Old Squeaker]

I'm probabally going to receive a lot of flak for posting this, but I want to get a nearly sixteen year old beef off my chest. Here it goes. WARNING: HEAVY SPOILERS!!!!!

So Zidane goes through a lot in his romantic relationship with Dagger. He goes from crushing on her beauty in the beginning scenes, developing a friendhsip with her that gets put to the test by him confusing her with a waitress, being lied to and drugged by her, tracking her down and saving her from the Queen, helping her through her silenced shock over Alexandria's destruction, accepting the "new Dagger" that came after the Princess cut her hair, getting married to her in the Dwarven kingdom, finding out he is a clone meant to bring war and destruction, and leaves her to take on Kuja and save the world.

And just what is Zidane's reward for these trials and tribulations? A tearful Dagger running to him at the end, hitting a wall of emotion, and punching his shoulder several times before crying on it.

Come on! Tidus (who appears remarkably like a 90's version of Meg Ryan) and Yuna don't even go through half of the emotional rollercoaster Zidane and Dagger go through before she kisses him in the middle of a pool surrounded by the stars.

Was a small kiss on Zidane's cheek for his efforts too much to ask from the developers? A kiss is far more symbolic of a romantic relationship than tears and a hug. And as the romance played a huge role in FFIX's storyline, this cinematic leaves me feeling cheated in a way. Just saying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBjWyjy6HCI

[DarkAlenia]

I've played IX before, and know this happens, but a lot of buyers here on Steam probably haven't and won't appreciate the blatant spoilers. And yes, I know the game is over 15 years old, but that won't matter to first time players.

[(Shadow)]

Originally posted by Nerd House:

I've played IX before, and know this happens, but a lot of buyers here on Steam probably haven't and won't appreciate the blatant spoilers. And yes, I know the game is over 15 years old, but that won't matter to first time players.

this

[Ten Year Old Squeaker]

Originally posted by Nerd House:

I've played IX before, and know this happens, but a lot of buyers here on Steam probably haven't and won't appreciate the blatant spoilers. And yes, I know the game is over 15 years old, but that won't matter to first time players.

The purpose of the post wasn't to give spoilers or complain about the game's age. It is my favorite game of all time, and I have very little about it to complain about. But I remember spending countless hours of playthrough in my first go around with is back in 2000 only to receive that lackluster ending cinematic.Granted the rest of the cinematic is very decent - its just that one ommision that would have made the game extra special had it have been there.

I'll edit my post to warn of heavy spoilers for the newer players. I meant to do so, but that must have slipped my mind. For that and that alone I humbly apologize.

[Coleco_84]

I have to agree, the final cutscene is a bit short, especially after FFVIII. But still amazing despite the length

[Shyao]

THIS POST IS FULL OF SPOILERS FOR FINAL FANTASY X, X-2, IX, AND VIII. IF YOU DO NOT WANT THESE GAMES SPOILED, DO NOT READ THIS POST. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.






























I'd like to point out that Final Fantasy X-2 destroys that very scene you're so passionate about. In Final Fantasy X-2, it is revealed in the final battle by the voice speaking that Shuyen is the true son of Jecht and that Tidus was an imperfect memory of Shuyen. And also keep in mind that no one actually refers to Tidus by name in the cutscenes of Final Fantasy X. Some people believe this was because they couldn't voice act whatever name you put in for him, but they also don't call him by name in Final Fantasy X-2, when his name is Tidus and he cannot be renamed.

This leads me to the conclusion that Yuna kissed and maybe slept with a guy whose name she doesn't even know. Even way on in Final Fantasy X-2, she doesn't actually know or say his name at any given point, voiced or not.

But at least she's better than Rinoa, who slept with Seifer thinking it would get him to help the Forest Owls. By the way, whatever did happen to that? Oh right, Seifer winds up working for the Forest Owls' greatest enemy. Kinda backfired there, didn't it?

Compared to all that, the more subtle romance of Final Fantasy IX feels more poignant to me, more real. Real romance doesn't require people to kiss shortly after meeting or the like, just that they draw together at their own pace. And while Zidane would likely go fast, the more reserved and tragic Garnet/Dagger/Sara would likely want to just take her time. It wasn't simple puppy love, I felt there was real build-up and a true blossoming of that romance. Besides, much as they might love each other, there were bigger things to take care of first. The two had priorities that were bigger and more immediate than getting together. It was only after everything was taken care of and Zidane returned that it's heavily implied that they finally get together.

Aren't these some of the same reasons we love these characters over the others too? FF9's cast was fantastic and every single one of them was deep, with their own interesting backgrounds, strengths, and weaknesses, and not just in a battle. These people had flaws, making them feel more real than the casts of previous FF games.

[Coleco_84]

Originally posted by Shyao:

I'd like to point out that Final Fantasy X-2 destroys that very scene you're so passionate about. In Final Fantasy X-2, it is revealed in the final battle by the voice speaking that Shuyen is the true son of Jecht and that Tidus was an imperfect memory of Shuyen. And also keep in mind that no one actually refers to Tidus by name in the cutscenes of Final Fantasy X. Some people believe this was because they couldn't voice act whatever name you put in for him, but they also don't call him by name in Final Fantasy X-2, when his name is Tidus and he cannot be renamed.

This leads me to the conclusion that Yuna kissed and maybe slept with a guy whose name she doesn't even know. Even way on in Final Fantasy X-2, she doesn't actually know or say his name at any given point, voiced or not.

But at least she's better than Rinoa, who slept with Seifer thinking it would get him to help the Forest Owls. By the way, whatever did happen to that? Oh right, Seifer winds up working for the Forest Owls' greatest enemy. Kinda backfired there, didn't it?

Compared to all that, the more subtle romance of Final Fantasy IX feels more poignant to me, more real. Real romance doesn't require people to kiss shortly after meeting or the like, just that they draw together at their own pace. And while Zidane would likely go fast, the more reserved and tragic Garnet/Dagger/Sara would likely want to just take her time. It wasn't simple puppy love, I felt there was real build-up and a true blossoming of that romance. Besides, much as they might love each other, there were bigger things to take care of first. The two had priorities that were bigger and more immediate than getting together. It was only after everything was taken care of and Zidane returned that it's heavily implied that they finally get together.

Aren't these some of the same reasons we love these characters over the others too? FF9's cast was fantastic and every single one of them was deep, with their own interesting backgrounds, strengths, and weaknesses, and not just in a battle. These people had flaws, making them feel more real than the casts of previous FF games.

FF X-2 aint canon for me. Let alone X-3.

[Shyao]

Originally posted by Coleco_84:

Originally posted by Shyao:

I'd like to point out that Final Fantasy X-2 destroys that very scene you're so passionate about. In Final Fantasy X-2, it is revealed in the final battle by the voice speaking that Shuyen is the true son of Jecht and that Tidus was an imperfect memory of Shuyen. And also keep in mind that no one actually refers to Tidus by name in the cutscenes of Final Fantasy X. Some people believe this was because they couldn't voice act whatever name you put in for him, but they also don't call him by name in Final Fantasy X-2, when his name is Tidus and he cannot be renamed.

This leads me to the conclusion that Yuna kissed and maybe slept with a guy whose name she doesn't even know. Even way on in Final Fantasy X-2, she doesn't actually know or say his name at any given point, voiced or not.

But at least she's better than Rinoa, who slept with Seifer thinking it would get him to help the Forest Owls. By the way, whatever did happen to that? Oh right, Seifer winds up working for the Forest Owls' greatest enemy. Kinda backfired there, didn't it?

Compared to all that, the more subtle romance of Final Fantasy IX feels more poignant to me, more real. Real romance doesn't require people to kiss shortly after meeting or the like, just that they draw together at their own pace. And while Zidane would likely go fast, the more reserved and tragic Garnet/Dagger/Sara would likely want to just take her time. It wasn't simple puppy love, I felt there was real build-up and a true blossoming of that romance. Besides, much as they might love each other, there were bigger things to take care of first. The two had priorities that were bigger and more immediate than getting together. It was only after everything was taken care of and Zidane returned that it's heavily implied that they finally get together.

Aren't these some of the same reasons we love these characters over the others too? FF9's cast was fantastic and every single one of them was deep, with their own interesting backgrounds, strengths, and weaknesses, and not just in a battle. These people had flaws, making them feel more real than the casts of previous FF games.

FF X-2 aint canon for me. Let alone X-3.

There is no X-3. The hell are you talking about?

[Coleco_84]

Originally posted by Shyao:

Originally posted by Coleco_84:

FF X-2 aint canon for me. Let alone X-3.

There is no X-3. The hell are you talking about?

There was an audio drama released with the HD version of X-2...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK3EfCDbOF4

[Taka]

Originally posted by Tom "Terrific" Brady:

I'm probabally going to receive a lot of flak for posting this, but I want to get a nearly sixteen year old beef off my chest. Here it goes. WARNING: HEAVY SPOILERS!!!!!

So Zidane goes through a lot in his romantic relationship with Dagger. He goes from crushing on her beauty in the beginning scenes, developing a friendhsip with her that gets put to the test by him confusing her with a waitress, being lied to and drugged by her, tracking her down and saving her from the Queen, helping her through her silenced shock over Alexandria's destruction, accepting the "new Dagger" that came after the Princess cut her hair, getting married to her in the Dwarven kingdom, finding out he is a clone meant to bring war and destruction, and leaves her to take on Kuja and save the world.

And just what is Zidane's reward for these trials and tribulations? A tearful Dagger running to him at the end, hitting a wall of emotion, and punching his shoulder several times before crying on it.

Come on! Tidus (who appears remarkably like a 90's version of Meg Ryan) and Yuna don't even go through half of the emotional rollercoaster Zidane and Dagger go through before she kisses him in the middle of a pool surrounded by the stars.

Was a small kiss on Zidane's cheek for his efforts too much to ask from the developers? A kiss is far more symbolic of a romantic relationship than tears and a hug. And as the romance played a huge role in FFIX's storyline, this cinematic leaves me feeling cheated in a way. Just saying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBjWyjy6HCI

You know that they most likely just got married.

[Shyao]

Originally posted by Escaped:

Originally posted by Tom "Terrific" Brady:

I'm probabally going to receive a lot of flak for posting this, but I want to get a nearly sixteen year old beef off my chest. Here it goes. WARNING: HEAVY SPOILERS!!!!!

So Zidane goes through a lot in his romantic relationship with Dagger. He goes from crushing on her beauty in the beginning scenes, developing a friendhsip with her that gets put to the test by him confusing her with a waitress, being lied to and drugged by her, tracking her down and saving her from the Queen, helping her through her silenced shock over Alexandria's destruction, accepting the "new Dagger" that came after the Princess cut her hair, getting married to her in the Dwarven kingdom, finding out he is a clone meant to bring war and destruction, and leaves her to take on Kuja and save the world.

And just what is Zidane's reward for these trials and tribulations? A tearful Dagger running to him at the end, hitting a wall of emotion, and punching his shoulder several times before crying on it.

Come on! Tidus (who appears remarkably like a 90's version of Meg Ryan) and Yuna don't even go through half of the emotional rollercoaster Zidane and Dagger go through before she kisses him in the middle of a pool surrounded by the stars.

Was a small kiss on Zidane's cheek for his efforts too much to ask from the developers? A kiss is far more symbolic of a romantic relationship than tears and a hug. And as the romance played a huge role in FFIX's storyline, this cinematic leaves me feeling cheated in a way. Just saying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBjWyjy6HCI

You know that they most likely just got married.

They were already married.

[Taka]

Originally posted by Shyao:

Originally posted by Escaped:

You know that they most likely just got married.

They were already married.

Didnt think they actually considered that "official"

[Ten Year Old Squeaker]

Originally posted by Escaped:

Originally posted by Shyao:

They were already married.

Didnt think they actually considered that "official"

Zidane sure thought of it as official.

[An Irate Walrus]

Originally posted by Tom "Terrific" Brady:

I'm probabally going to receive a lot of flak for posting this, but I want to get a nearly sixteen year old beef off my chest. Here it goes. WARNING: HEAVY SPOILERS!!!!!

So Zidane goes through a lot in his romantic relationship with Dagger. He goes from crushing on her beauty in the beginning scenes, developing a friendhsip with her that gets put to the test by him confusing her with a waitress, being lied to and drugged by her, tracking her down and saving her from the Queen, helping her through her silenced shock over Alexandria's destruction, accepting the "new Dagger" that came after the Princess cut her hair, getting married to her in the Dwarven kingdom, finding out he is a clone meant to bring war and destruction, and leaves her to take on Kuja and save the world.

And just what is Zidane's reward for these trials and tribulations? A tearful Dagger running to him at the end, hitting a wall of emotion, and punching his shoulder several times before crying on it.

Come on! Tidus (who appears remarkably like a 90's version of Meg Ryan) and Yuna don't even go through half of the emotional rollercoaster Zidane and Dagger go through before she kisses him in the middle of a pool surrounded by the stars.

Was a small kiss on Zidane's cheek for his efforts too much to ask from the developers? A kiss is far more symbolic of a romantic relationship than tears and a hug. And as the romance played a huge role in FFIX's storyline, this cinematic leaves me feeling cheated in a way. Just saying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBjWyjy6HCI

So, a couple of things here:

1.) Zidane and Dagger never cement their relationship in any meaningful way during the course of the game (up until the closing cinematic). For that reason alone, the hug--coupled with the fist-slam against Zidane's chest (because it's pretty clear some significant time has passed between the final battle and the new play in Alexandria; Dagger's probably been mourning Zidane up until that moment, and is understandably hacked off that he waited so long to say, "Hey, I'm alive")--evinces a great deal of emotion without needing to resort to anything so cliche as the "closing-credits kiss."

2.) I am not going to speculate upon your relationship history, but I will say this: I am a very happily married man, and outside of situations I will not speak about on a public forum, the strongest memories I have from my relationships (up until my wife; she obviously trumps any individual that came before) do not involve kissing.

Sometimes, a hug can say more than any amount of mouth-to-mouth contact ever can. Sometimes a simple touch speaks volumes with restraint, where a kiss screams them to the heavens.

In short, I think you're looking for a "happy" film ending, rather than the kind of nuanced approach to new love that reflects real human experience. Sure, a kiss would tell the audience, "And they totally got married, and everyone lived happily ever after," but the hug is much more in line with, "This is the beginning of a serious connection between two people that will, over time, experience high points and low points--will be tested--and will hopefully endure."

It's mature storytelling, rather than low-rung schlock.

[Coleco_84]

Btw, the biggest "fail" aboud this ending is how the hell Zidane survived. The "I had to live to see you again" is a great romantic line, but it doesnt make any sense. I think the ending would have be more powerfull if Zidane died trying to help Kuja, but I dont complain, I'm a sucker for happy endings, and Vivi's death already had me in tears.

[An Irate Walrus]

Originally posted by Coleco_84:

Btw, the biggest "fail" aboud this ending is how the hell Zidane survived. The "I had to live to see you again" is a great romantic line, but it doesnt make any sense. I think the ending would have be more powerfull if Zidane died trying to help Kuja, but I dont complain, I'm a sucker for happy endings, and Vivi's death already had me in tears.

Yeah, the "I'm Vivi's son!" bit felt alternately gutting, and incredibly fitting.

I was a freshman in undergrad when FF IX first released--and I bawled like a small child at that moment in the game's ending sequence.

Needless to say, my dorm mates gave me some dreck about it.