FF Weekly

With one more Laguna flashback and after discussing the infrastructure of Esthar (no, seriously) we begin a series of "I've never seen anything like that before" moments in FFVIII. 

FFVIII continues as Squall gains a deeper understanding of his own emotions, we contemplate our own introverted tendencies, and we finally make it to the incredible city of Esthar. 

We finally get some answers about the succession of sorceress' the true role of Ellone and the incredibly bizarre machinations of someone named Ultimecia.

Squall has to learn to be a leader quickly as Garden clashes with Garden in one of the most amazing scenes in Final Fantasy history. Plus, more FFVIII weirdness!

We arrive at one of the more controversial plot twists in Final Fantasy history. #FinalFantasy #FinalFantasyVIII #FFVIII

What happens when pacifism is faced with encroaching fascism? Squall, our child-soldier hero, wrestles with the nature of violence and his own insistence on not relying on anyone else. 

We (finally!) continue with Final Fantasy VIII as we get a classic FF status quo shift and the story gets even weirder and more complicated. 

On the 100th episode of Final Fantasy Weekly (where did the time go?) we continue down the path of FFVIII at the beginning of Disc Two. We get to spend a lot of time with Laguna in this one and that's always good. 

We conclude the creepy and incredibly intense first disc of FFVIII. We ponder on Squall's moral relativism, Rinoa's rebellious nature, and Irvine's insecurities. Plus, some thoughts on how this iconic section could have been a bit smoother. 

We conclude the creepy and incredibly intense first disc of FFVIII. We ponder on Squall's moral relativism, Rinoa's rebellious nature, and Irvine's insecurities. Plus, some thoughts on how this iconic section could have been a bit smoother. 

We get more Laguna, Kiros, and Ward including a tonally fascinating scene of gallows humor... we think. We hear about Esthar, go to Galbadia Garden, and Squall contemplates being remembered after death. 

The plot gets a little messy and Squall fails to show any kind of empathy as Zell makes a big mistake and Rinoa seeks some small sense of comfort. We break down how Squall's character flaws mirror some of our own.

We wake from dreaming of Laguna and arrive in Timber to meet the Rinoa and the Owls. We dive into how the Galbadian Empire and our heroes use the media to fight their war and continue down the rabbit hole of Squall's inner thoughts. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

In one of the most remarkable storytelling moments of the franchise, we are introduced to Laguna, Kiros, Ward, and Julia. Plus, more pondering about romance, child soldiers, and trains! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Our heroes carry out the Attack on Dollet and secure the communications tower before an exhilarating chase from a giant robot spider. Then we return for the iconic introduction of Rinoa Heartily and a waltz beneath the moon. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Squall wakes up in the infirmary, meets up with Quistis, takes a stroll through Balamb Garden, gets a few (hundred) tutorials and sets off for one of the more memorable moments in Final Fantasy history.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

We begin our conversation on FFVIII. The first half-hour, we set up the big themes and legacy questions and in the second half-hour we dive DEEP into the intro cutscene.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

I've been thinking... what if nothing in Final Fantasy VII: Remake has changed? What if *SPOILER* is actually still *SPOILER* and there really isn't any time travel or alternate dimensions or sequel stuff going on? Allow me to explain. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Austin Lee Matthews is the voice of Roche in Final Fantasy VII Remake. He has been Po and Ultron, been in Halo, Fire Emblem, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and plenty more. Plus, he has created a fantastic superhero audio drama, Megaton Girl. We cover as much as we can! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

We are joined by two special guests, afficionados in the Wars of the Roses, to learn a bit of real-world history that helps us better understand Final Fantasy Tactics and also Game of Thrones! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Final Fantasy Tactics is an artistic triumph. It is better written than award-winning games, TV, and films, better developed than most video games, and more biting in its social commentary than most art dares to be. Our final thoughts. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Hitoshi Sakimoto creates incredibly moving themes for Final Fantasy Tactics that he reworks like a film score into everything from adventurous hero music, to calming character themes, to some of the best battle music in the series. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

We breakdown the art and gameplay of FFT as best we can, focusing on the detailed and grounded designs that could have featured more diversity and all-time great job and battle systems. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

We conclude the plot of Final Fantasy Tactics which packs a whopper right at the very end. We dive into more ethical gray areas struggle to find clear answers in this remarkably clever tale. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

The War of the Lions concludes but not our story. And Delita's actions have us beginning to dive deep into whether they are justified in the end. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Somehow the plots thicken. Dycedarg is interrogated on the death of his father. And the Marquis Elmdor reveals the power of his legendary stone. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

We near the endgame of FFT as we wrap up the side quests and get to a key scene where Delita sets us up for the final breathtaking act of this masterpiece.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

We begin Chapter 4 of FFT as the endgame starts to come into focus. Then we set out on some side adventures featuring legendary heroes of other lands.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Grand Duke Barrington reveals himself to be among the most despicable people of all time and the Knights Templar fear a book that holds the truth of their religion.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

We continue with FFT as our characters struggle with revelations about the church and the grotesque abuses of powerful men. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

We dive deeper into the corruption of the church and crown and the role of misogyny in an episode that feels sadly and eerily relevant to today's world. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Ramza Beolve is branded a heretic! The War of The Lions takes its toll on Dukes Larg and Goltanna while our heroes investigate the Church and the Zodiac Brave Stones. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Chapter Two comes to a close as the curtain rises on the War of the Lions. We learn a shocking truth (or lie) about Princess Ovelia and the story changes genres. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

We meet Mustadio and his father and take the Mockingbird (Ovelia) into the arms of the Cardinal as the religious and spiritual themes of Final Fantasy Tactics begin to come into focus. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

The story of Final Fantasy: Tactics expands immensely as we learn about the myriad of political machinations of the War of the Lions. Who are the Dukes Goltanna and Larg, what do they want, and what does princess Ovelia have to do with all this? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Ramza and Delita pursue the kidnappers of Delita's sister Tietra as the political machinations of Ivalice deepen and personal tragedy strikes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Ramza, Delita, and Argath set out on a quest to save the Marquis Elmdor from the Corpse Brigade only to discover that the rebels are quite a bit more than they seemed. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Final Fantasy Tactics dives right into the class struggle between the nobility and "The Meager." Ramza and Delita set out on their first adventure as the Order of the Northern Sky clash with the Corpse Brigade.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Welcome to Ivalice! We begin our deep dive on Final Fantasy Tactics, a hidden gem in the FF Multiverse and one of the best games of all time. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

We break down as many Final Fantasy games as we can from the perspective of Plato's Allegory of the Cave with a specific focus on the recurring theme of Twin Worlds. Spoilers ahead as we dive deep into the philosophical pool of most of the series. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

Drew ranks and Ira reacts to the Top 10 Final Fantasy Intros of All Time. This was VERY hard to do but also a ton of fun. What makes a great intro? Which one is your favorite? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

We give our final thoughts on Final Fantasy VII (for now) trying to review and encapsulate why this game & these characters mean so much to so many. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drew-creasman/support

FFVII introduces us to the Materia system, limit breaks, and a host of mini games. Plus, Tetsuya Nomura makes his mark on the franchise, designing some of the most famous characters in video game history.

We count down Drew's picks for the Top 20 pieces of music on Nobuo Uematsu's masterpiece soundtrack for Final Fantasy VII.

We go about the impossible task of ranking individual pieces of music on the Final Fantasy VII soundtrack mostly as a frame work to celebrate more genius from Nobuo Uematsu.

We conclude the incredible journey that is Final Fantasy VII. The story gives us much to ponder and debate as its credits roll... and long thereafter.

Cloud grows into being a leader. Barrett grows into being a helper. Tifa grows into being our guiding light. Cid grows... just a bit. And we learn the full truth of Aerith's sacrifice.

Final Fantasy VII reaches another emotional climax as Tifa helps Cloud piece together their shared history in our third telling of the Nibelheim incident.

Sephiroth takes Cloud and Tifa back to Nibelheim via their memories. We take a look at the history of "memory" as a theme in Final Fantasy and break down the real-world parallels to Cloud's mental break.

After Aerith's death, Cloud struggles with his identity while Sephiroth, Jenova, and Hojo begin to reveal their sinister intentions.

We discuss the most famous spoiler and arguably one of the most important moments in the history of video games. How and why was it so impactful, what other moments in other media compare, and must it be this way in the Remake project?