While going though all the plot scenes saved so far and going through my head it had come to my attention that with Fina Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission there was a follow up based three months after YRP defeated Shuyin and destroyed Vegnagun. Thinking along the same lines I was thinking: "would it be possible to have some kind of follow up after the perfect epilogue of Final Fantasy X-3". Intially I didn't want that because I wanted whichever epilogue the "supposedly" player gets to be the full on conclusion and end to the Final Fantasy X series story. Then I realised that the Last Mission story is an unlockable mode for those who complete the initial Final Fantasy X-2 game on Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission. I nodded my head and thought "okay". But then the question became "What would the follow up story be?"
At first I thought it could be a quest for Rikku and Paine to travel up Yadonoki Tower together searching for the feeling of being a good friends and as a team with Yuna being alongside. I would make it so that both Rikku and Paine feel this emptiness inside themselves with Yuna gone. They seek to conquer Yadonoki Tower and along the way sharing what they have been doing since they last met. They hope to find the strength they soughting for so they can fill the empty holes in their hearts and continue with their lives. But then I thought "Nah!" In theory it could work but then I didn't want to copy what is essentialy already been done. Plus I want the story behind the Final Fantasy X series to stay faithful to Yuna and Tidus. And anyway I wanted Yadonoki Tower to be a scene of a vital part of Final Fantasy X-3's plot.
Around about the same time, I wanted to find out what other gamers and fans would think about a Final Fantasy X-3 and if they had any ideas. This was setup as a topic on Facebook. I kept it brief and didn't want to give away any key parts otherwise that will spoil the story of my concept of Final Fantasy X-3. It took a while and beyond the responses from those who felt Final Fantasy X-2 was bad or had something not pleasent to share, I got mixed responses. Some wrote about being satisfied with Final Fantasy X-2 and felt there was no need to continue the story. The majority of the other resonses wrote about a prequel to Final Fantasy X. There were some that suggested that the next story should be not about Yuna or Tidus but about the other characters such as Rikku, Vidina, Braska, Jecht and Auron and so on. Now I didn't oppose to any of the ideas but I wanted Final Fantasy X-3 to be mostly about Yuna and Tidus. And of course I had my own ideas but a prequel would be a good idea. ...Just not based around Braska's pilgramige.
One of the things brought up was the storyline of Final Fantasy X-2. The central plot was really about Lenne and Shuyin, two who existed in Zanarkand at the time of the Machina War. Now at first I didn't mind it although it wasn't as central to Yuna and Tidus as I first imagined before completing the game and it didn't really feel like it was Yuna's story as she implied. But I went along with it because the story wasn't confusing and it was touching. And the same time it didn't feel like an outxast to the story in Final Fantasy X. Though it did prompt a couple of questions.
And then that's when it hit me. Rather then doing a follow up to Final Fantasy X-3 I would set about a prequel based 1000 years before Final Fantasy X explaining Lenne's and Shuyin's story. But like Last Mission on Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission this additional story would be set as an unlockable mode. And I thought I'd be clever with this. Instead of being a direct prequel where it is told in the past from Lenne's and Shuyin's perspective.having no reference to Yuna and Tidus, I thought it would be based as a follow up to the events of Final Fantasy X-3 providing the conditional criteria was fulfilled before hand.
Confused? Lenne and Shuyin will share their story with Yuna and Tidus set not too far off the better or perfect epilogue of Final Fantasy X-3. Lenne and Shuyin will explain their past as a playable story with the "supposedly" player playing as both. So although its a prequel mainly it is setup as a follow up to Final Fantasy X-3 told in the present. I wanted it to feel as a conclusive part of Lenne's and Shuyin's roles in Final Fantasy X-3. Lenne's and Shuyin's story is set to explain and show how Lenne and Shuyin came about and answer some questions to be answered. However this does require taking a risk. I want Lenne's and Shuyin's story to be based upon them but also to explain a couple of things that are noticeable in Final Fantasy X and X-2. Such as Zanarkand becoming ruins, Dream Zanarkand, Yu Yevon, the birth of Sin, the mystery of Yadonoki Tower, Lenne's and Shuyin's end, connections to Yuna and Tidus and so much more. To do this Lenne and Shuyin have to be instrumentally involved in many of these occurances which isn't mentioned in Final Fantasy X and X-2.
I had to be careful of how I create Lenne's and Shuyin's story because it's got to make sense and comply with Final Fantasy X and X-2 without rewriting and changing the history of the Final Fantasy X series. And I have to make it sound like its been told in the present. This would pose a challange along with the rest of the Final Fantasy X-3 project but I wanted to put my thoughts onto a form of back up and get one step closer to my dream becoming a reality.
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Embark on the final chapters of their story… Sin has gone; Vegnagun destroyed, the Eternal Calm is here. They thought their peaceful days together would never end. But a sinister attack on their home throws Yuna, Tidus and their friends in a fight to save Spira once more. There they’ll discover the truth…
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Monday, 16 November 2009
The Final Fantasy X-3 project - After two or so years review
In the summer of 2007 I became occupied in thoughts about a potential Final Fantasy X-3. I imagined countless story plots and considered much such as "where does one follow up from Final Fantasy X-2 bearing in mind the game had multiple endings?" For years I have been thinking of fictional stories and putting them onto paper or into a Word document. The purpose was strictly fan fiction but it would be a dream if one was published. The ideas for Final Fantasy X-3 continued to develop and so I started a Word document containing my concept and vision of what Final Fantasy X-3 could (or rather should) consist of. Initially I thought this would be like any of my previous fan fiction work where I'd put it aside and forget about it all together. I never thought I would still be continuing to develop my ideas a year on or so.
As of the summer of 2008 I was hard at work developing my idea for Final Fantasy X-3 and I had completed a base for its plot. Essentially much of the plot focused on Yuna and Tidus and their ordeal as they journey once more to restore the Eternal Calm to Spira which had been spoilt by an arrogant summoner called Raphas and the main antagonist being the Fayth being the cause of the problems in Spira. One of the key focuses of Final Fantasy X-3 was that if it were to become a reality and a game I would want it to be the definitive epilogue to the Final Fantasy X series. That meant trying the whole story up in the end and making an ending that would deliver and won't prompt another sequel.
But then when I had the story as it was I felt it lacked a lot. If I wanted to be the definitive end then I have to explian what happens to the likes of Rikku, Paine, Wakka and so on. I couldn't just simply ignore them or kill them off. So I went back to the characters in Final Fantasy X and X-2 and from there the project would begin however slowly to evolve. I wanted to stick with the primary plot and the ending idea but I began to develop the remaining key characters and came up with their own stories that would be sought for and written along the course of the main story.
For example I initially didn't have much regard for Wakka's and Lulu's child Vidina. I thought that Vidina would be snatched away prompting Wakka and Lulu to journey with their friends only to find that Raphas had succeeded in turning him into a Fayth. That has since changed and more has been put into Wakka's and Lulu's story. I focused on a typical family with the parents, their child and a family companion in the form of a pet dog. I wanted Lulu and Wakka to be serious and caring when the family picture has been ruined because Vidina had been snatched away. And yet although they do show depth and emotion, there was at times contrasts between Wakka's attitude and Lulu's attitude. Not so that they start hating each other or get into a fight but that there is consistantcy in their characters and differences like Wakka being more laid back and Lulu being more serious but hardly enforcing.
As the project developed I came up with plot twists and moments that change the outlook from a character's perspective. I focused on how Paine, Nooj, Baralai and Gippal could develop further given what happens in Final Fantasy X-2. There are many fans who are curious about the relationship between Rikku and Gippal but with the three remaining surviving members of the Crimson Squad it was hard to come up with anything. Essentially for Baralai I had him to play the manipulated victim once again this time in the control of Raphas. And then Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission gave me the solution. Now I could explain and develop the situation between the remaining Crimson Squad members, Paine and Gippal's entanglement with Rikku.
Nearing the fall of 2008 I started to put together the base for the story. I decided the story will happen nine months after Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission or roghly a year after the destruction of Vegnagun and the return of Tidus. I decided Final Fantasy X-3 could develop from the perfect ending of Final Fantasy X-2 and that Yuna and Tidus are back together. I also decided that like Final Fantasy X-2 there would be several possible endings in X-3. I had even begun to develop the features involved in X-3 such as the CSD and the development for the characters.
But still something was missing...
As of the summer of 2008 I was hard at work developing my idea for Final Fantasy X-3 and I had completed a base for its plot. Essentially much of the plot focused on Yuna and Tidus and their ordeal as they journey once more to restore the Eternal Calm to Spira which had been spoilt by an arrogant summoner called Raphas and the main antagonist being the Fayth being the cause of the problems in Spira. One of the key focuses of Final Fantasy X-3 was that if it were to become a reality and a game I would want it to be the definitive epilogue to the Final Fantasy X series. That meant trying the whole story up in the end and making an ending that would deliver and won't prompt another sequel.
But then when I had the story as it was I felt it lacked a lot. If I wanted to be the definitive end then I have to explian what happens to the likes of Rikku, Paine, Wakka and so on. I couldn't just simply ignore them or kill them off. So I went back to the characters in Final Fantasy X and X-2 and from there the project would begin however slowly to evolve. I wanted to stick with the primary plot and the ending idea but I began to develop the remaining key characters and came up with their own stories that would be sought for and written along the course of the main story.
For example I initially didn't have much regard for Wakka's and Lulu's child Vidina. I thought that Vidina would be snatched away prompting Wakka and Lulu to journey with their friends only to find that Raphas had succeeded in turning him into a Fayth. That has since changed and more has been put into Wakka's and Lulu's story. I focused on a typical family with the parents, their child and a family companion in the form of a pet dog. I wanted Lulu and Wakka to be serious and caring when the family picture has been ruined because Vidina had been snatched away. And yet although they do show depth and emotion, there was at times contrasts between Wakka's attitude and Lulu's attitude. Not so that they start hating each other or get into a fight but that there is consistantcy in their characters and differences like Wakka being more laid back and Lulu being more serious but hardly enforcing.
As the project developed I came up with plot twists and moments that change the outlook from a character's perspective. I focused on how Paine, Nooj, Baralai and Gippal could develop further given what happens in Final Fantasy X-2. There are many fans who are curious about the relationship between Rikku and Gippal but with the three remaining surviving members of the Crimson Squad it was hard to come up with anything. Essentially for Baralai I had him to play the manipulated victim once again this time in the control of Raphas. And then Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission gave me the solution. Now I could explain and develop the situation between the remaining Crimson Squad members, Paine and Gippal's entanglement with Rikku.
Nearing the fall of 2008 I started to put together the base for the story. I decided the story will happen nine months after Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission or roghly a year after the destruction of Vegnagun and the return of Tidus. I decided Final Fantasy X-3 could develop from the perfect ending of Final Fantasy X-2 and that Yuna and Tidus are back together. I also decided that like Final Fantasy X-2 there would be several possible endings in X-3. I had even begun to develop the features involved in X-3 such as the CSD and the development for the characters.
But still something was missing...
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Changes in characters
Since I'm the author of this (so far) fan fiction of Final Fantasy X-3 I should explain some of the differences in the characters that occur. Not so much appearance wise but more so their attitudes which might be complete contrast to their attitude in Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2. If you've played or know about the the preceding titles (Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2) then you would know that changes in character's attitudes is apparent. Lets take Tidus for example, at first he appears a little cocky, arrogant and the rest but later on Tidus matures and one finds there is a lot of depth in his character. In Final Fantasy X-2 Yuna is quite different both in terms of appearances and attitude in contast to Final Fantasy X. These character developments help explain the character, add sense and depth and makes the characters relate with the player. So with that in mind I thought I'd go though the character's change in character from the preceding titles to Final Fantasy X-3.
Tidus
Perhaps the main consistant attributes to Tidus' character are that he is more mature, more acknowledgable, devoted and more aware of the after effects of his actions. Tidus is far more devoted to Yuna then before and goes with Yuna all across Spira with a promise that they keep to stick together no matter what. Tidus' character has somewhat been toned down a little as Tidus is more aware of what might happen if this or that action was taken and spends less time messing around. But it doesn't necessarily mean Tidus has lost his playful side.
Yuna
With her beloved back, Yuna feels more complete and no longer does she feel that something is missing. While as upbeat as before and unknowingly commanding, Yuna will still find it hard to say "no" to helping others in need. Yuna has had far from the "lazy blur" lifestyle Rikku had said and predictably has been all of Spira, doing wha Yuna has been doing for the better part of her life, answering the call for help. But Yuna has not been on her own, having Tidus by her side and helping together wherever they go is more then enough. And when Yuna and Tidus have time to themselves they use it to do and see everything. Yuna has become more devoted to Tidus, perhaps dependant.
But Yuna's devotion is put through the test on several occassions. A new development is for Yuna to lose her cool when things don't go the party's way or things become too much and Yuna just has to yell. But when something happens which splits Yuna and Tidus apart, Yuna is a different person and their devotion is seen as an obession friving Yuna to extremes. With this new found angriness comes a side of Yuna that scares her friends where she will lose control and do things driven by her emotions.
Wakka
Even though he is now a father, Wakka is at ease as one might expect. Creating a family has been achieved and with the addition of the family dog it seems as the story is complete. Although that said, very little has changed and although retired from BlitzBall Wakka can't help get involved. When things take a bad turn Wakka doesn't like the idea of journeying again especially since he's made his task to be a responsible father with a little presence. Wakka isn't as fit as he used to be but he takes all criticism and deals with it his way. That said when is family is in jeopardy, Wakka stops being Wakka and becomes more serious.
Lulu
Over the years Lulu has opened her self to acceptance and as eased the thorns. Lulu remains as calm as ever only perhaps a little more patient. With a family to look after, Lulu will put family first and although Yuna and Tidus aren't strictly family Lulu sees them as family members. Anything to break up the family though and Lulu will be either sad or mad. Lulu has been seen as a person who is knowledgeable but nowadays that's no longer the case with her focuses based on family. Now and again she'll question with puzzlement particularly when things go wrong without reason.
Rikku
Seen as the light and soul of the party, Rikku is a bubbly character and very talkative. Its easy for Rikku to make friends. But lately there has been signs of frustration of which her best friends Yuna and Paine recall well when they conquered Yadonoki Tower. Although Rikku is more understanding and tends to hide her other side, her frustration does get the better of her when things don't make sense or things don't go her way. Rikku is looking to be more mature and take life more calmly like Yuna and Lulu but she feels she's incapable of getting anywhere. As ever though Rikku is extremely loyal to Yuna and considers Tidus as a brother despite she actually has one called Brother. Usually Rikku is amongst the first to get a laugh in but over the years whilst knowing Gippal, her friends have seen that there's something between them which she denies but goes red whenever Gippal adresses her.
Lenne
Appearing as very knowledgeable, understanding and impartial, Lenne's character has barely changed all these years. That said, Lenne wasn't always like the character seen as strong and forgiving in Final Fantasy X-2. Though more of this is apparent in "The Final Chapters" there is a different side to Lenne, one that she started off with is mostly apparent in "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story".
Despite Lenne's ability to spread joy and confidence through songs and performances, the person behind it is rather contrasting. Not depressive or griefing or mad but her attitude to life is based on the importance of her duty and nothing else. Even when her duty is fulfilled for one day, Lenne can't ease and instead is thinking of how she can help. Lenne believes what she does when being a songstress and being a summoner is for the greater good and wanrts to ensure she gives it her all. Should that duty though turn to fighting for Zanarkand in the frontlines, Lenne won't hide from it. Though she questions the morale and if its really the right thing to do, Lenne will follow her order. With Shuyin with her, Lenne does question more and more about herself, discovering she is rather shallow and begins thinking outside of her duty. But even so despite knowing her foolessness and shallowness, Lenne will think about her duty and try to accomplice that.
Shuyin
The reunion that had waited for a 1000 years has almost silenced Shuyin's despair and has put a stop to his desire to destroy Spira. What one immeadiately notices now is that just how much Tidus and Shuyin have in common. The only differences besides some appearances is that Shuyin is more knowledgeable and is a shadow. Other then that it astounds Shuyin and even more so does the realisation that his and Lenne's lives runs almost parallel to Yuna's and Tidus. Its hard to imagine, after what he tried to do and that is to command Vegnagun and destroy Spira, that Shuyin is rather a friendly and down to earth person. But if anything were to happen to put Lenne in danger then one becomes reaquainted with the anger that has driven him for over a 1000 years.
More to come as the project develops!
Tidus
Perhaps the main consistant attributes to Tidus' character are that he is more mature, more acknowledgable, devoted and more aware of the after effects of his actions. Tidus is far more devoted to Yuna then before and goes with Yuna all across Spira with a promise that they keep to stick together no matter what. Tidus' character has somewhat been toned down a little as Tidus is more aware of what might happen if this or that action was taken and spends less time messing around. But it doesn't necessarily mean Tidus has lost his playful side.
Yuna
With her beloved back, Yuna feels more complete and no longer does she feel that something is missing. While as upbeat as before and unknowingly commanding, Yuna will still find it hard to say "no" to helping others in need. Yuna has had far from the "lazy blur" lifestyle Rikku had said and predictably has been all of Spira, doing wha Yuna has been doing for the better part of her life, answering the call for help. But Yuna has not been on her own, having Tidus by her side and helping together wherever they go is more then enough. And when Yuna and Tidus have time to themselves they use it to do and see everything. Yuna has become more devoted to Tidus, perhaps dependant.
But Yuna's devotion is put through the test on several occassions. A new development is for Yuna to lose her cool when things don't go the party's way or things become too much and Yuna just has to yell. But when something happens which splits Yuna and Tidus apart, Yuna is a different person and their devotion is seen as an obession friving Yuna to extremes. With this new found angriness comes a side of Yuna that scares her friends where she will lose control and do things driven by her emotions.
Wakka
Even though he is now a father, Wakka is at ease as one might expect. Creating a family has been achieved and with the addition of the family dog it seems as the story is complete. Although that said, very little has changed and although retired from BlitzBall Wakka can't help get involved. When things take a bad turn Wakka doesn't like the idea of journeying again especially since he's made his task to be a responsible father with a little presence. Wakka isn't as fit as he used to be but he takes all criticism and deals with it his way. That said when is family is in jeopardy, Wakka stops being Wakka and becomes more serious.
Lulu
Over the years Lulu has opened her self to acceptance and as eased the thorns. Lulu remains as calm as ever only perhaps a little more patient. With a family to look after, Lulu will put family first and although Yuna and Tidus aren't strictly family Lulu sees them as family members. Anything to break up the family though and Lulu will be either sad or mad. Lulu has been seen as a person who is knowledgeable but nowadays that's no longer the case with her focuses based on family. Now and again she'll question with puzzlement particularly when things go wrong without reason.
Rikku
Seen as the light and soul of the party, Rikku is a bubbly character and very talkative. Its easy for Rikku to make friends. But lately there has been signs of frustration of which her best friends Yuna and Paine recall well when they conquered Yadonoki Tower. Although Rikku is more understanding and tends to hide her other side, her frustration does get the better of her when things don't make sense or things don't go her way. Rikku is looking to be more mature and take life more calmly like Yuna and Lulu but she feels she's incapable of getting anywhere. As ever though Rikku is extremely loyal to Yuna and considers Tidus as a brother despite she actually has one called Brother. Usually Rikku is amongst the first to get a laugh in but over the years whilst knowing Gippal, her friends have seen that there's something between them which she denies but goes red whenever Gippal adresses her.
Lenne
Appearing as very knowledgeable, understanding and impartial, Lenne's character has barely changed all these years. That said, Lenne wasn't always like the character seen as strong and forgiving in Final Fantasy X-2. Though more of this is apparent in "The Final Chapters" there is a different side to Lenne, one that she started off with is mostly apparent in "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story".
Despite Lenne's ability to spread joy and confidence through songs and performances, the person behind it is rather contrasting. Not depressive or griefing or mad but her attitude to life is based on the importance of her duty and nothing else. Even when her duty is fulfilled for one day, Lenne can't ease and instead is thinking of how she can help. Lenne believes what she does when being a songstress and being a summoner is for the greater good and wanrts to ensure she gives it her all. Should that duty though turn to fighting for Zanarkand in the frontlines, Lenne won't hide from it. Though she questions the morale and if its really the right thing to do, Lenne will follow her order. With Shuyin with her, Lenne does question more and more about herself, discovering she is rather shallow and begins thinking outside of her duty. But even so despite knowing her foolessness and shallowness, Lenne will think about her duty and try to accomplice that.
Shuyin
The reunion that had waited for a 1000 years has almost silenced Shuyin's despair and has put a stop to his desire to destroy Spira. What one immeadiately notices now is that just how much Tidus and Shuyin have in common. The only differences besides some appearances is that Shuyin is more knowledgeable and is a shadow. Other then that it astounds Shuyin and even more so does the realisation that his and Lenne's lives runs almost parallel to Yuna's and Tidus. Its hard to imagine, after what he tried to do and that is to command Vegnagun and destroy Spira, that Shuyin is rather a friendly and down to earth person. But if anything were to happen to put Lenne in danger then one becomes reaquainted with the anger that has driven him for over a 1000 years.
More to come as the project develops!
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