Scetches from the one fantasy RPG I'd kill for.

[korpi]

PARTY: *has spent the whole night gathering vital information from a local tavern* Good morning. Now: -5 strength! -5 speed! -5 spirit! for the next, say, twenty minutes.
PLAYERS: What the--
GAME DESIGNERS: Guys, those are serious hangovers there. :/

The mysterious past.

MAIN PLAYING CHARACTER: I can't remember anything! Gods, I think I have amnesia!
GAME DESIGNERS: God, when they find out s/he's just a nobody with a perfectly normal concussion, we're so dead.

That impeccable fashion sense.

GORGEOUS SUMMON: *wears a leather bikini*
PLAYERS: ... :D
GORGEOUS SUMMON: I must inform you that I'm most dreadfully ailed: a vicious god has cursed me so that all the protective wear I'm allowed is this - rags of animal skin barely enough to cover me decently.
PLAYERS: Your stats say you hit like a small truck.
GORGEOUS SUMMON: Well. Yes.
PLAYERS: Man, hot and useful? Oh baby, I'll never let you rest.

A FIGHT occurs.

GORGEOUS SUMMON: *delivers in the attacking department!* *alas, goes down in one hit*
PLAYERS: ... D:
GAME DESIGNERS: Fortunately, we've taken this into account! Behold: a sidequest to pacify/trick/kill the divine culprit, so as to allow the lady to wear some other defensive armour than the armour of FAIL.
GORGEOUS SUMMON: *now covered from top to bottom* + 10 vitality, just for you! It's symbolic to my newfound sense of self-worth that was hidden somewhere in the centuries of objectification.
PLAYERS: --Wait I think we've been cheated somewhere...
SUMMON, STILL GORGEOUS: *smirks*

Always remember to mind your surroundings. (The hairdryer in a bathtub effect.)

PARTY: *in a rather wet underwater cave*
PARTY MEMBER A: A local rumour says these monsters are susceptible to... thunder.
PLAYERS: O-hohohohhoo! Now, let me demonstrate my newest lightning spell!

*GAME OVER*

PARTY: *in a rather wet underwater cave*
PARTY MEMBER A: A local rumour says these monsters are susc--
PLAYERS: Like hell I'm falling for that twice. >/

Alternatively:

PARTY MEMBER C: Make it an earthquake!
PLAYERS: Sweet!
PLAYERS:
PLAYERS: Say, does that look like an avalanche to you...?

The final boss battle.

PARTY: We have come to overthrow your inhumane rule over the poor kingdom you came to forcefully govern--

(THE SUBJECTS: The social position of most of the minor races is nearing that of the humans', the literacy rate also is growing rapidly, what with the new schooling program that's almost rooted into the system, and we've never had this much food on our tables, but what do we know--
EVIL OVERLORD OR -LADY: My dear ones, no videogame hero ever understands a pioneer.)

PARTY: --and to stop you from destroying not only this country, but the whole of this world with your cunning plan of summoning the Great Pagan God *insert name here* that had been prophesied in the obscure folklore of a now extinct race!
EVIL OVERLORD OR -LADY: ...buh?
PARTY:
PARTY:
PARTY: "Buh?"
EVIL OVERLORD OR -LADY: *totally perplexed*
PARTY: You know not of the prophesy?
A GREAT PAGAN GOD: *appears!* Thank you, mortal, for unknowingly taking action in exactly the ways that were needed for me summoning ceremony!
EVIL OVERLORD OR -LADY: What in the nine hells is this infernal monster?!

GAME DESIGNERS: So now you're going to fight it. Together.

On a more serious note, I want to see some repercussions for killing human or human-like enemies. Like, a possibility to either kill less important human/humanoid enemies or just render them unconscious; sure, if you stop before bashing their heads in, they'll rise and come after you again. But if you kill every single one, at some point half of your PC's are going to have mental breakdowns and become completely useless. Something like that!

Animators acknowledging things like, oh, it's snowing outside and the characters are all wearing desert clothing would be nice, too.

---

A bunch of Final Fantasy fan-remix recommendations:

Cursed Pirates of the Sea [V: Pirates Ahoy! & Cursed Earth] // The first half is a nifty render of the pirate theme, and the only bearable-sounding version I've been able to find anywhere. The second half is so-so.

Rachel's Gift [VI: Forever Rachel & Celes' theme] // Ah, electronic music, my greatest adversary. That aside, melody-wise this remix nearly makes me cry. ;_;

Death on the Snowfield [VI: Tina's theme] // The original song is arguably the most beautiful and fragile of all the songs in the game. This version leaves the majestic, ascending refrain out, which... works to its advantage, yes, but I'm still allowed to pine after my favourite part.

A Nightmare Before Kefka [VI: Kefka's theme] // Kefka's theme, sure, but before that, it's Danny Elfman. The resemblance is uncanny. Clicked on this one on a whim, didn't even notice the title, and the remixer mentions he loves Elfman's music. Man, does it show. Squee.

Cantata for Dancing: I. Mors ego sum mortis [VI: Dancing mad] // Like the original, only with a full orchestra and a choir. The reviewer on the site says "epic", and I must agree.

Final Fantasy 7 Philharmonic Suite: Finale [VII: Weapon raid] // The same remixer as in the previous one, meaning this is an orchestrated version. 8D

Ascension to Cosmo Canyon [VII: Cosmo Canyon] // ...What can I even say about this one. a) Brings much-needed variation to the original piece, which is my favourite song in the game btw, b) The most gorgeous game remix I've ever heard, c) No explanation needed actually, exactly what it sounds like.

How Much Longer [VII: On that day, five years ago & X: Suteki da ne?] // A hybrid of the two melodies, played on two acoustic guitars. Very pretty, and I say this as someone who doesn't much care for guitars, acoustic or electronic.