Germane to this addition is a word on the oft-commented upon contemporary decline in cultural creation. Much of it has gone into video games. This retrospective evinces how the material in FFIV is deserved of serious attention as a cultural object, with complex character relationships, and a larger moral imperative of those with varying grievances to unite in fighting totalitarianism.
In role-playing games the message tends to be one focused upon fighting totalitarian evil in the name of freedom--not so much of the individual, but what Jim Pinkerton calls the Shire. The genre is pretty Tolkienesque, illustrated further in the cross-fertilization in music, card games, television shows, and movies, but with significant Japenese, and how the Japanese-view-the-West, cultural influences.
In role-playing games the message tends to be one focused upon fighting totalitarian evil in the name of freedom--not so much of the individual, but what Jim Pinkerton calls the Shire. The genre is pretty Tolkienesque, illustrated further in the cross-fertilization in music, card games, television shows, and movies, but with significant Japenese, and how the Japanese-view-the-West, cultural influences.
5 comments:
With all this Magic Card stuff,
Do you watch a lot of Japanese Anime as well?
Its generally on a whole other level compared to the standard TV fare (if you're selective anyway)
...and oh yes...very neotenous :)
Ah, the one I've been waiting for. Now, have you played FF VI? (aka III)
Mensa,
Never have. Probably because I fear I'd get hooked!
Alex,
Of course :) That is quite a cast. Strago, Relm, Shadow, Setzer, Locke, and Terra could be unique. Umaro and Gogo, too.
Kefka and Gestahl too.
Ah, the villains too, eh?
Gestahl was such a pushover though!
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