((Disclaimer: I don't like Final Fantasy. However...))

A PSA for Smash Bros. Specialists by Agent Whitney, DMS - Video Games Division on 2015-11-14 22:57:00 UTC Reply

Good evening to you all! ^_^

Seeing as a lot of you who work in the DMS, including a significant number outside of the Video Games division specifically, are followers and fans of Nintendo-related continua, I trust that you are aware of, among other recent Nintendo-related news, the recent announcement that Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy 7 has been added to the Super Smash Bros character roster. On top of this, a new Nintendo Direct centered around SSB will be shown next month, hopefully giving us the remaining few fighters that will be added (or added back) into the game. As expected, a lot of us, myself included, are more than a little excited for this development, and I certainly hope to see people put this archetypical ex-soldier to good use once he is released along with the latest DLC content!

Unfortunately, there is one repercussion stemming from this development that even my partner (or his canon counterpart, for that matter) couldn't see, and that is how polarizing this new development has become. A lot of Smash Bros. fans have been upset over Cloud's inclusion, citing plenty of reasons such as his being a supposed Ike clone, another swordsman, or belonging to a game that never received a Nintendo console port. A good number have also speculated that he was the winner of the Smash Ballot which ended several months ago, thus crippling the chances of Shovel Knight, Shantae, or King K. Rool being playable. (I personally voted for Sceptile and Bandanna Dee, but that's beside the point.)

I personally believe a lot of those arguments are baseless for several reasons. First, the Final Fantasy series originated with Nintendo console releases before moving to PlayStation, with the original even being released on the NES. Second, developer Yoshinori Kitase stated in a 2008 interview that FF7 was itself planned for release on the Super Nintendo console prior to its being moved to the N64 and finally the Playstation, so the Nintendo consoles do have relevance for this game to some degree. And third, Cloud's moveset, while derivative of some of the preexisting characters in the roster, I don't believe he will be a clone of anyone necessarily. It takes four months for a playable character to be completed including the moveset, so the fact that Cloud, like Mewtwo and Ryu, took that long to be developed suggests that he will play as his own character rather than a slightly altered copy of anyone else.

Therefore, while I understand why some of you may not be taking his reveal so well, it's important to realize that he and his home franchise have more history with Nintendo than you think. Besides, we still have the December Direct to look forward to, so hopefully we'll get to know the true winner of the Smash Ballot by then.

Naturally, a lot of you agents will be asking what this announcement means for Super Smash Bros. fanfic and badfic, and future missions therein. I believe that Cloud's addition, as controversial as it is, will likely result in a resurgence of fanfics featuring him now that his appearance in Smash is canon. Our treatment of him in a mission will likewise be different in light of the announcement, especially because information about him is still forthcoming. It's important to keep in mind that Cloud has appeared in plenty of SSB fanfic prior to his official reveal, so in the weeks and months to come, we would do best to check the date when the fic being missioned was published. If it was written prior to the announcement date (November 12, 2015), then it would be better to send him back to his home continuum. For fics published after that, however, I guess he's allowed to stay with the rest of the Smash fighters. That's my personal judgement on the matter, though - perhaps more information will be needed before we can cement his status in SSB missions.

As it is, however, this is truly a time to be alive, and Cloud's inclusion in SSB will certainly open more figurative doors for both this game and the Final Fantasy franchise, what with a remake of FF7 in the works. I know it may be a stretch to say that the entire Smash fandom will eventually embrace him, but I hope that he will come to be accepted as a fighter by the fans of SSB - and you agents as well - in the times ahead!

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to tend to my partner... He's too busy squeeing and flailing about on the floor to speak. Take care!

- Agent Whitney, who is cautiously shipping Cloud with Linkle from the upcoming Hyrule Warriors 3DS port.

Good evening/morning! by Agent Vania Tolluk, DF on 2015-11-15 15:04:00 UTC Reply

Eh. Fanbrats will be fanbrats, but in a game like Smash Bros., it's better to have a big roster. Ike clone? UnlIkely. (Hee.) Just look at how he moves. He is probably a heavy character, but his attacks come out waaaaay faster than Ike's.

I do wish his Final Smash wasn't identical to Ike's, and Robin's, and Greninja's, and the Mii Brawler's, though. I mean, Cloud does have access to magic spells; I know it's not what Cloud himself is famous for, but considering this is probably Final Fantasy's only representation in SSB, it would have been nice to see more represented. Cloud's Final Smash could have been casting Mini on everyone (Poison Mushroom effect), using Demi3 to reduce jumping ability of opponents (though maybe only when over the ground, so recovery doesn't become impossible), Confu to reverse directional controls, or Berserk to remove jumping, dodging, and shielding for a set time. Or, to be dull, just cast Comet or Ultima! He could also have used a summon—not the ones on the Midgar stage, obviously, but there are plenty of others in FF7. Shiva, Titan and Typhon all would have looked super-cool, and Choco/Mog would have been just fantastic! But the absolute best would have been Knights of Round. That would look amazing, if they all attacked the stage in different ways, one after another. (Also, watching that again, I'm disappointed Omnislash doesn't make a little "9999" damage count appear above the targets' heads! At least it has the original title box show up.)

Ultimately, though, I'm happy to see yet another canon represented in SSB. The more variety, the better! And now I can Smash Run to a couple of FF songs! I have the 3DS version, so I'll only be getting two. :( Probably that remix of "Opening - Bombing Mission" from the trailer, and either the original "Let the Battles Begin!" or "Fight On!", both also in the trailer. I'd be happy with either of those, so long as I don't get "One-Winged Angel." That song is so over-hyped, though I'm sure it will be on the Wii U in some fashion. I do hope music from FFs other than VII are there, too; I know Cloud + Midgar pretty much hints at all FF7 representation, but like I said, this may be the only time we get Final Fantasy in SSB, and it would be nice to see some music from other titles appear. The actual "Final Fantasy" theme deserves a gorgeous remix, since it's shown up in most of the series' games, and they could easily have something from Dissidia Final Fantasy as well, since Cloud appeared in that.

Speaking of Dissidia, the two costumes shown in Cloud's trailer (standard and Advent Children outfits) were also in DFF, so I'm hoping his third costume from that game, the Kingdom Hearts gear, is in SSB too. I'd also like Cloud to get a pink color change of Lightning's outfit from Final Fantasy XIII, since Lightning was modeled after Cloud. And because pink Cloud. :3

And also speaking (two paragraphs ago) of over-hyped, yes, Cloud is way too popular, and shows up everywhere, and I definitely would have preferred a lesser known character getting the spotlight, like the Onion Knight from FF3, who I love using in Dissida, or Garland, the villain from the first Final Fantasy. But again, I'm just glad the series is getting representation in Smash at all, and I suspect Cloud is the winner of the write-in ballot, even though they didn't say so, and that's just kind of how popularity contests work.

Anyway, the rumor is there's still room for two more characters, and two more stages (and therefore more music!). Who/where/what songs are you hoping to get?

((—doctorlit turns out to a massive, rampaging fanboy. He isn't sorry.))
Oh, Mew, another pretty-boy swordwielder? by Agent Chris, DF on 2015-11-15 03:47:00 UTC Reply

(Yes, I know I count as a "pretty boy" too, that's not the point.) I don't know diddly about Final Fantasy other than that it exists, but I can tell this is going to suck. Guess I'd better bust out my 3DS and/or get a Wii U...and mentally prepare myself for loads of slash fic...

Shovel Knight sounds hilarious, though. I should go check out that game. XD

Ahem. by Agent Chakkik, DMS on 2015-11-16 20:13:00 UTC Reply

While I measure my current shape by my own standards, other agents have stated me to be highly visually appealing.

I am also a swordsman.

In any case, I am intrigued at the inclusion of Strife. I am, after all, native to another universe by that compan

Final Fantasy 5 is better! It's got Bartz, and Exdeath, and Galuf, and

My apologies. My former partner commandeered the console. She has been removed from the Response Center.

(I meant in the game context, not in a PPC context.) (nm) by Agent Chris, DF on 2015-11-17 22:07:00 UTC Reply
((Disclaimer: I don't like Final Fantasy. However...)) by Voyd on 2015-11-16 20:14:00 UTC Reply

((I have no problem with Cloud's inclusion. It's FF's gameplay that bored me, not its world and cast.))

Hey! We have feelings too, you know! by Agent Backslash, DMS - Video Games Division on 2015-11-15 22:53:00 UTC Reply

Mine are just the "really feeling it" kind, that's all. (Sigh...)

And for the record, Cloud isn't just any RPG protagonist - he's practically the face of the Final Fantasy franchise as a whole, and his game may well be the entire bloody reason that RPGs have become as popular as they are now. Heck, my home continuum might not have even existed if it weren't for him! You can imagine why I'm so excited for his inclusion, incoming badfic explosions aside of course.

And like Whitney said, we still have that December announcement and like, five more characters to watch out for. Call me hypocritical, but I'd be happy to see some more variety in fighting styles myself - which is why I'm personally hoping the Inklings from Splatoon make it in someday! But eh, no pressure.

Also, funny how you mentioned "slash" fic, what with that giant sword of his. Though knowing how the Smash fandom is, I wouldn't be surprised at all.

Sorry I hurt your feelings, dude. by Agent Chris, DF on 2015-11-16 17:22:00 UTC Reply

I'm sure Final Fantasy is a terrific franchise (haven't played it yet, they're all on Playstation). I just have this bad image of its fandom for some reason. Let's hope the game stays balanced when he arrives.

(Also, now I'm imagining Kirby with an Inkling's hairdo, and it's beautiful. LOL)