LogFAQs > #926394125

I'm going to diverge here for a second to talk about Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger. Critical consensus from fans and critics alike speak to these jrpg's being monumental games. If you dislike these games, then I completely understand why you don't like Octopath and you can quit reading now (if you ever started to begin with). However, many of the people who have criticized Octopath love FFVI and CT, even though they are similar. Now, I'm not saying that Octopath is better or even as good as these games, but again... they work the same way.

Here are some of my favorite parts about FFVI narrative:

- Sabin's one-sided crush on Celes
- The "old gang" (Sabin, Shadow, and Gau) going to rescue Cyan from his dream
- Cyan breaking down in the Underground Castle
- Relm going to confront Ultros at the coliseum
- Strago using Life 3 to figure out how to beat the Magic Master at the top of the Cult Tower

Attentive readers will notice that none of this stuff "actually" happened. But in my mind they absolutely did. And in many ways, these "head canon" scenes are much better left in my imagination than if they were actually put in the game's coding itself. The world of ruin gives players the freedom to basically craft the game's second half. You can head straight to Kefka's Tower after getting the airship. Or, if you're like me, you can imagine how you would adapt this game into an episodic tv show, thinking up side stories. FFVI''s story is able to become a different narrative in the minds of each individual player.

This same principle applies in CT. Ask yourself why you choose the characters you do. For example, why do I always choose Frog and Marle to come with me to Magus's castle, even though that's not an optimal party? Because they're the characters with the most emotional investment. Why do I take Ayla with me to Zeal? Because it makes sense that she would be there if we end up there directly after being in the prehistoric.

(to be concluded)