Operation Rainfall Origins: Final Fantasy VI


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One of the most talked about moments of Final Fantasy VI is the famous Opera Scene.  If you’ve read anything about the game, then chances are you’ve heard about it a hundred times by now.  In fact, Electronic Gaming Monthly named it as one of the ’20 Greatest Moments in Console Gaming’ (http://finalfantasy NULL.wikia NULL.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy_VI).  Looking back now, the scene is technically limited by the aged SNES hardware, but there is something else that shines brightly deep within the experience and it transcends the ancient technology.

Take a look at this video, and experience the music in full, orchestrated glory.  Perhaps this is what Nobuo Uematsu heard in his head while composing?  Do watch in full 1080p if possible.  The video has been put together by Elder-Geek.com.

 

What this video does not show is the intriguing story that brought our characters to this Opera in the first place.  Setzer is known as a wild man, and he is in love with Maria, a singer at the Opera House.  It was discovered by the Impresario that he would come and steal Maria away, so Celes was asked to take her place.
During this time, Locke finds out that Ultros has come to foil their plans by dropping a heavy weight upon Celes from above.  While the Opera moves in full swing, you have to keep Ultros from wreaking havoc.

It’s not just this scene and the fact that you take part in the epic opera itself, but that the game will not hesitate to throw in comedic moments just for a laugh. In this case, Ultros, the clown-like, Octopus-comedian steals the show whenever he can.

Ultros is absolutely one of my favorite video game antagonists.  I never take him seriously, and in fact, I don’t think he was ever intended to be serious.  His boss fights are fairly easy, but it is always hilarious when he pops his purple octopus-head in to ruin your party’s plans.

*Ahem* There’s SAND on my boots!

What would a discussion about Final Fantasy VI be without talking about the maniacal villain himself?  At the first half of the game, Kefka Palazzo acts as Court Mage to Emperor Gestahl, but certainly doesn’t owe his allegiance to him.  Behind the Emperor’s back, Kefka manipulates the Espers to his own advantage and destroys whole cities and Kingdoms without authority (R.I.P. Elayne and Owain (http://finalfantasy NULL.wikia NULL.com/wiki/Elayne_and_Owain_Garamonde)).  Eventually, the Jokeresque madman rises to power and claims Godhood over the world.

Of course, there have been many villains in video game history that have had the same world-dominating scheme since then, so those who play the game now might not understand what makes Kefka such a good villain.  However, it could be said that Kefka is certainly one of the first video game villains to have such a strong personality, and his minimal lines in the game are enough to cement his vile personality in gamers’ minds.  The fact that this was possible with the limited technology of the SNES is quite an incredible feat.  I’ll never forget that shriek of a laugh, or the horrendous moment when he decided to commit genocide on the entire race of Espers single-handed.  I’ll always love to hate you, Kefka.


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About Clinton Nix

Former Volunteer- Clinton started following the movement back when it was still being hosted on the IGN message boards and with the Amazon push of Monado. He’s also an audio engineer, studying in Seattle and waiting for his big break into the world of audio (but not to the detriment of video game writing, of course).
  • http://www.facebook.com/steve.baltimore2 Steve Baltimore

    Lots of people Say VII was the best Final Fantasy ever I dunno if I would ever pick a favorite but VI is one of the best games that Square has ever done with a great story and one of the best scores ever this game is just full of win.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Best/100003863840372 James Best

    I guess you could say the American version was half the Japanese version. Eh heh heh…

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=740051018 Clinton Nix

      Just got the joke….*chuckles*

  • http://www.facebook.com/CommanderNicole Nicole Lewis

    I think this should be the next remake for the Final Fantasy series. Being honest here, think about it. So much more epic than Final Fantasy VII.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=740051018 Clinton Nix

      I agree, this would make for a nice upgrade. Square Enix would have to carefully choose how they would remake it though- I’m guessing go for a similar upgrade like what they already did with Final Fantasy III and IV.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Hector-Cortes/100000351183370 Hector Cortes

      Yea i’d love to see them continue the remakes they started on DS with 3 & 4 and remake 5 & 6 on the 3DS that’d be awesome to see.

  • http://2.jefefinal.com/?kid=BF2V Carlos Oporto

    This is and will be my favorite game of all time!

  • http://www.facebook.com/nathan.stiles.58 Nathan Stiles

    If/When they remake this game again, I hope they do it in a similar style to FFI, FFII and FFIV on the psp… it would keep the charm in place, we wouldn’t have to worry about ‘bad voice acting’ ruining the characters we love… and we could FINALLY have an official version of the game with a real orchestra and vocals for the Opera Scene.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Keichi-Morisato/100000966444006 Keichi Morisato

      ive yet to play a FF game with “bad” voice acting and yes this does include FFXIII, what the problem is, is not bad VA its bad writing, and bad directors who manage VA’s. the VA is not at fault at all. if anything id rather have a game with the worst VA in history of video games than a game without it, because then people who want VA can still get it and you can simply go into the menues and turn it off.

  • http://operationrainfall.com/ Steven Boaz

    Seriously one of the greatest video games ever made. The story is well crafted and the beautiful sprite work still holds up today (while the PS1 FF games look dated, VI still holds it’s own). Also, I miss Star Wars references in my JRPGs…

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Keichi-Morisato/100000966444006 Keichi Morisato

      not really… the sprites look like garbage to me, ive seen some beautiful sprite work done. though i do admit the STORY may or may not hold up well as ive yet to beat the game

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=740051018 Clinton Nix

      Well, the character sprites are superdeformed, but if you look at the enemy sprites, they are still supremely crafted, and held their own at the time this game was relevant, and they still look good today.  Mainly because, I think, the artistic vision was translated to the actual sprite instead of acting only as a ‘concept.’  

      Take a look again.  Tell me that those enemy sprites still look good to this day.

  • http://www.facebook.com/kyle.emch Kyle Emch

    I got this on the PSN several months ago. I’ve yet to finish this one as well (Why do I keep doing this to myself, argh!!), but I’m absolutely loving it. While I most likely won’t buy it, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing this game getting a remake in the vein of Final Fantasy IV on the DS.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=740051018 Clinton Nix

    Offering + Genji Glove ftw?

  • http://twitter.com/Hailinel Justin Graham

    Easily one of my favorite games of all time and my favorite Final Fantasy. There’s hardly a thing about Final Fantasy VI that I don’t adore. Playing Theatrhythm recently has rekindled a lot of those old memories, and it only makes me sad that they didn’t include more music from the game. (Seriously, Square Enix, where’s my floating continent theme?)

    And I would love to see this game get the same sort of treatment that Final Fantasy III and IV were given on the DS. That style of update did wonders for both, and to see FFVI be given the same love would be awesome.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Steve-Thompson/100000355411389 Steve Thompson

    My personal favorite too, Only FF I played that I hit the level cap. Love that growth egg. I mopped the floor with Kefka with ultima. Fighting through the dragons den, searching for megadeath. Ah the wonderful memories.

  • http://www.facebook.com/radicaldefect Jonathan Higgins

    I absolutely adore this game, and I absolutely adore this article. Such great writing is coming out of the Operation Rainfall Origins series!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Keichi-Morisato/100000966444006 Keichi Morisato

    ive yet to get into this game, i do have a strong imagination and i guess i could imagine more realistic character models, but for me the emotional impact the game is supposed to give is simply lost to me. 2D sprites cant show emotion like 3D character models can, so ive yet to finish more than 5 minutes of the game and no matter how hard i try i cant seem to play any final fantasy game older than 7. and i have tried, please give me a compelling reason to keep playing a game that looks like a jumbled mess of pixels, i guess it would be awesome for a 3D remake (i know everyone here would never agree to that) or do a remake that involves better 2D backgrounds and better sprites most likely of the hand drawn variety.

    • http://2.jefefinal.com/?kid=BF2V Carlos Oporto

      I disagree, in Final Fantasy VI there were many animations to express emotions, and I think imagination helps also in that part.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=740051018 Clinton Nix

      if you don’t spend more than 5 minutes, then you really aren’t giving ANY game justice.  When was the last time you knew how an RPG would play only in the first 5 minutes?  

      Honestly, this is your thing.  If you don’t like the old style, then no one can convince you.  However, if you eventually do give it a chance, you will see that the old visual style lends more to imagination, as well as the fact that this game in particular doesn’t hesitate to make fun of itself.  

  • sniper712

    best 2D FF, Mog and Shadow’s sprites are some of the best, plus art screams Chrono Trigger. 9 was one of the best 3D FFs ever. I like a FF that gives Playable Moogle as an option…