I am a
person who likes RPGs of many sorts. As a result, I see many
different implementations of the same ideas by multiple companies.
One such concept many RPGs utilize is a faction system, where
multiple groups of opposing ideals go against one another, usually
having fairly drastic effects on either the main plot or the world at
large. I tell you this because I am about to make a bold,
controversial assertion: Final Fantasy X-2 uses the concept of
opposing factions significantly more effectively than The Elder
Scrolls V: Skyrim. I know that will come across as absurd to many
of you, because Skyrim is very well loved and Final Fantasy X-2
is... not. However, I do have my reasons for thinking this.
My first
reason for saying this is that the factions in Final Fantasy X-2
are a lot more relatable. In Skyrim, the game does a very good job at
explaining the negative sides of each faction. However, the positive
aspects of each faction are a lot more hidden from view. At the
beginning of the game, a captain of a group of soldiers belonging to
the Imperial Legion attempts to execute the player for the crime of
being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This tells the player
that the bureaucracy of the Legion can often lead to corruption and
overlooking simple mistakes, without much of a need for exposition.
The
Stormcloak introduction does not fair much better. When arriving at
Windhelm, the Stormcloak capital city, players find that Stormcloak
soldiers are mocking and oppressing the Dark Elf and Argonian
populations of the city. Through this interaction, the game informs
the player that the Stormcloak faction discriminates against other,
non-Nord races. When it comes to the good sides of these factions, we
do not have similar scenes. All of it is gleamed through exposition
told to the player by characters who are in those factions. The
player is not shown these strengths, they are told. This makes in
that much more difficult to envision these strengths. So, when it
comes to time to select a faction, players choose between the lesser
of two evils rather than which one harbors beliefs more in line with
either their philosophy (or that of their character's).
This is
not the case with Final Fantasy X-2. In that game, both of its
major factions are presented in more positive spotlights. When
players first make contact with each faction, characters from that
faction come up to talk about their group and what they believe in.
There are friends, both new and from Final Fantasy X, who are
on each side. This gives players, especially ones who played Final
Fantasy X, legitimate reason to invest their time with each
faction and getting to know them. Reaching the Youth League
headquarters in rewarded with a discussion on channeling youthful
energy towards progress and building a better future. On the other
hand, the New Yevon members talk about how apprehensive they are
towards the accelerated pace of change, and their wish to take things
more slowly. In this way, players are left to ponder which faction
they support based on what beliefs each group holds rather than which
one is the lesser evil. Although both factions have scenes where they
are shown in more “villainous” lights, those are few and far
in-between when compared to Skyrim's factions.
Which
brings me to my second point: The faction-based choices players make
in Final Fantasy X-2 have significantly greater impact than
similar choices made in Skyrim. When participating in Skyrim's Civil
War questline, players are forced to choose between one of the two
major factions and side with them in the war. However, regardless of
the decision, most players will end up performing the exact same
tasks for each faction. Forts will need to be taken over, cities will
need to be captured, crowns will need to be obtained, and enemy
faction leaders will need to be eliminated no matter which side is
selected. Further, there are no real changes on the world when
players finish the questline for either side. A few guards might
comment on it when running around in the city, but the world at large
does not seem care about the outcome. Players might see more/less
Imperial/Stormcloak troops in certain areas, but they will look and
act the same as any city guard would. Nothing happens and nothing
changes in Skyrim's static world.
But in
Final Fantasy X-2, players actually see the consequences and
effects of choosing to throw their support behind one of the two
factions. After getting about 1/5 through the game, the game forces
the party to decide which group is worth their time. This choice is
actually a very crucial one. Side-quests open and close depending on
which group the player sides with. For example, the Youth League has
a quest where players can assist them in fighting off fiends if they
decide to align with that group. Characters in the story will comment
on the choice the party makes. Certain aspects of the game's main
story will even change to reflect this one decision. In the finale of
Chapter 2, the group is required to infiltrate the New Yevon
headquarters. If they sided with New Yevon, then they just stroll
passed the guards. Otherwise, they will need to fight their way
through. It feels like that one choice has a big impact. Compared to
how Skyrim mostly ignores the choice of faction, this is a huge step
up.
While
many people would scoff at the idea of Final Fantasy X-2 being
superior to Skyrim, even if only in a single aspect. However, a close
look at the details behind these games reveals that my assertion at
the beginning of this article holds merit. Though many people are
right to enjoy the intricacies of Skyrim, the game has its flaws and
this is one of them. Not to say that Final Fantasy X-2 is a
perfect game either. No one in their right mind would say that. This
is just one thing that the game gets right. Factions are a great way
to quickly establish conflicts, plot, and gameplay elements. Done
well, they can add to a world and player interactions with it. Done
poorly, they cannot accomplish much of anything. Those of you
interested in game design would do well to keep that in mind.
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