Character Directions Post-DoC

[penandpaper]

I agree with your idea. As far as helping Cloud, he still remains unpredictable and untrustworthy, and for his own gain, will resort to methods without much regard to Cloud and Co. Like, the only way you can say that he's 'helping' Cloud is because they both have the same goals, but at any moment he can become an enemy if they have different means to achieve it.

Yes, this. I like this.


I really like your idea too, Chaotic Portal. That story has a lot of potential if written well.

 

[Edley]

It's hard for me to miss the fact that a fucking space rock landed on Midgar two years prior and nothing has come of it. Jenova of course made that trip and she's still being dealt with. Why not have another creature of her race emerge from the Midgar rubble. With Jenova being the fulcrum that the greater conflict of VII's universe pivots on adding a second alien to the mix opens up all sorts of possibilities. We know that Jenova shifted forms to trick the Cetra into initially believing she was helpful. This second alien could theoretically do the same to the humans.

Take the form Cloud, Genesis, or even Aerith. Imagine Cloud going off for a delivery and getting his ass stomped by this alien, who assumes his shape. Clone!Cloud in Machiavellian fashion, plays the different factions WRO, Avalanche, and Shinra against each other until total war ensues. Maybe it allies with and reanimates Jenova, Sephiroth to use their power and knowledge of the planet as well. I could see them wiping a chunk of humanity away before they start in-fighting giving the humans and possibly Genesis a window for a counter attack.

I just always assumed the whole reason for summoning meteor was not to destroy the planet whole, but to wipe humanity off so the alien race could repopulate it and spread across the galaxy. Meteor is simply its means of travel and the black materia is the beacon that calls it to come harvest the planet.

As far as character development, its important that the mains don't regress in their character. Cloud's crisis of confidence should be over. If internal struggle is necessary, it should come from facing an enemy he knows he cannot defeat. Maybe becoming captured by the thing is part of his strategy to find a way to weaken/destroy it.

Throw in Genesis as the would be defender of the planet and the confusion/hysteria of a planet turned on itself and there's potential there.

Just random thoughts.

 

[Captain Jack Harkness]

sorry Chev, but i have to remind you two things:
1) meteo didn't crush the planet, it's destroyed before by the Lifestream.
2)Sephiroth use meteo for hurt the planet, so the lifestream, trying to heal the wound, will be gathered in one place and he can became one with the lifestream and became a god. he doesn't care about other aliens or similar things. too egoist for this .

 

[Gym Leader Devil]

2)Sephiroth use meteo for hurt the planet, so the lifestream, trying to heal the wound, will be gathered in one place and he can became one with the lifestream and became a god. he doesn't care about other aliens or similar things. too egoist for this .

To be fair to Chev, it hurt the Planet when Jenova arrived on it's meteor too. That's where the Northern Crater came from after all. And no one said Sephiroth would care about other aliens and such, not sure where you picked that idea up from. Chev mentioned another monster like Jenova might care about him.

The idea actually reminds me of a FFVII fic I read years ago, where the Black Materia's proper name was The Celestial Summon Materia and was used by members of Jenova's race to do things like bring in meteors to travel on and open up wormholes to speed up the trip and such. Wasn't the best fic but I somewhat liked that idea.

As for the rest, I don't really like the idea of having more than one "Jenova" running around the galaxy where we can see them. We hardly learn anything about Jenova during the compilation, and the mystery of that seems like something worth preserving to me.

 

[Unlucky]

As for the rest, I don't really like the idea of having more than one "Jenova" running around the galaxy where we can see them. We hardly learn anything about Jenova during the compilation, and the mystery of that seems like something worth preserving to me.

This, and that somehow the plot will turn to something sort of an alien invasion thriller. At least for me.

 

[Edley]

Just a thought. Just seemed odd that the alien was the impetus for all these characters in the OG and is used again in AC, but we get no other explanation than Sephiroth's undying will manifesting through magic cells.

 

[Unlucky]

Actually I also had similar thoughts about Jenova's race (that there could be more, and that they might come to Gaia sometime like Jenova did), but like GLD said (lol, because that's how most people call him), Jenova's mystery is something worth preserving. Furthermore, there's not much info about Jenova anyway and my general opinion for the whole compilation is to explore the pivotal characters or involve them more in the storyline instead of introducing new ones.

And I think you have a good point there. The compilation needs to focus less on Sephiroth and more into this 'alien' plot (wasn't there a hoax about a new FFVII game called Jenova's Rebirth )

 

[Shademp]

Cid Highwind
Motivation: "I want to land a man on the moon!"

I see Cid as a dreamer and visionary. With his dream to go into outer space fulfilled, he will look for a new dream. I think the most natural step is then for him to start dreaming about a mission to the moon. Especially after seeing how the last rocket actually worked he will be interested in exploring the full potential of space travel.

As a side step from the main story, the playable characters can help Cid receive the funding and the material he needs for such a huge project. Rewards are received for helping him.
"We experimented with a new engine, but it kind of failed. Maybe you can use it as a weapon instead?"
'Received Jet Gun'

The point will not be to see the project completed of course. Cid himself will admit that it will probably take decades and that he may not be alive to see his dream fulfilled but he will still try his #=!#((8¤% hardest to see it happen.

During the game's ending sequences we then see Cid overlooking the skeleton of the new rocket being built. Standing with a prideful look on his face and a cig in his mouth, the game then transitions to the next scene.


Yay? Nay? Meh?

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

I would be interested in any story line that brings Shinra back in as a main antagonist who nevertheless possibly does not have evil intentions - the uncertainty about their intentions and the questionable morality of their methods should be an element in any game. So I like this idea of Cid wanting to go the moon, and I also like the idea of Shinra providing him with the funding (maybe in order to promote some other hidden agenda of their own, possibly involving world domination), and his acceptance of the funding driving a wedge between the members of Avalanche. There has to be conflict between them so that they can later join up together again. So I think what you propose, Shadey, is a story arc with a lot of promise.
(Especially since we read in the news that IRL companies are talking about mining asteroids)

 

[Unlucky]

I would be interested in any story line that brings Shinra back in as a main antagonist who nevertheless possibly does not have evil intentions - the uncertainty about their intentions and the questionable morality of their methods should be an element in any game.

This. I don't like Shinra being on the good side anyway. That's mostly to win back whatever they can win back imo. And I'd really love to see how Rufus' mind works.

Question: Are the other Shinra executives dead?

 

[Roger]

This. I don't like Shinra being on the good side anyway. That's mostly to win back whatever they can win back imo. And I'd really love to see how Rufus' mind works.

Question: Are the other Shinra executives dead?

Rufus, Reeve, Palmer are alive, as is Veldt if you count him.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

You know, if Corneo is alive, anybody can be alive. Except Aeris.

edit: and Rufus' old dad, though that would be hilarious if he came back. Maybe the spirit of Hojo that haunts the Internet could use the Wayback machine to resurrect him?

 

[Shademp]

Cid starting his own "Space Program" would certainly catch the attention of Palmer. Maybe Palmer would be there to try and sabotage Cid's plans (out of jealousy) or take Cid's resources for his own. I hardly think that Cid would strike a deal with this "Good for nothing, fat &$#$^@!" old guy.

In whatever form, this side story would be a natural way of letting us know just what happened to Palmer after OG.

 

[Captain Jack Harkness]

edit: and Rufus' old dad, though that would be hilarious if he came back. Maybe the spirit of Hojo that haunts the Internet could use the Wayback machine to resurrect him?

mmmm.. first he would resurrect Sephy.
and you have reminded me why someone shouldn't use internet on gaia XD

 

[Edley]

Don't forget about the WRO. We're led to believe that Rufus is bankrolling this thing, so it would be easy for him to wrest control/put people sympathetic to his wishes in places of power. Not saying that it would need to be a shadow government cliche, but I'm sure they could do some things that Cloud and Co. wouldn't necessarily agree with.

 

[Captain Jack Harkness]

yeah, but the official leader of WRO is Reeve, and i don't think that he will let trasform WRO in a corrupted organization, like old Shinra. so the options should be:
1)dismiss Reeve (or let him resign)
2)kill Reeve
3)corrupt Reeve
and Rufus has the Turks

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

Reeve is someone who means well, but who has already shown himself both willing to compromise and reluctant to take a firm stand on moral issues (possibly he's uncertain about where the moral high ground lies). His reluctance to take difficult decisions that might cost lives means he is a prevaricator. He would be easy to corrupt.

 

[Unlucky]

Now that you mentioned it, someone who doesn't have a firm stand might have issues with decision-making and such, so the question is: Does Reeve have what it takes to be the WRO leader? Aside from being prone to corruption, he does come off to me as someone who can be manipulated.

 

[Morello]

Just discovered this thread. So many great ideas here!

Personally I like the idea of the main antagonist being Jenova - not as Sephiroth reborn or biker remnants - but as her badass self on the premise that if you want a job doing properly...

I loved the idea, based on the Case of the Lifestream and The Maiden Who Travels the Planet, that certain lost (or especially strong-willed) souls undissolved in the Lifestream were causing blockages (until they got drawn away to Sephiroth). I really liked the idea of President Shinra still there, clinging to lost power, and Jessie and co. as wandering spirits. It was a kind of purgatory - really scary.

So - what if all those dispersed Jenova cells were somehow able to feed off all the unhappy souls in the Lifestream post compliation (perhaps there are just too many souls for the Lifestream to cope with - not sure about the mechanics), and begin to reform as Jenova, but inside the Lifestream rather than out in the world, with only Aerith aware of what was happening? That could even join in with the cult of Aerith idea - that she's trying to communicate the threat to people - and with the idea of all the agencies - Shinra, WRO, former Avalanche, Genesis and roaming ex-SOLDIERS - having to unite to face this last threat. The game could somehow take place inside the Lifestream, or Jenova could eventually gain enough strength to materialise. I liked the idea (sorry, I can't remember whose it was) of the need to find out exactly how the Ancients defeated and contained Jenova the first time.

At any rate, she's the original and best - so she should be stronger than Sephiroth in this last incarnation! And I agree with everyone who said that by the end all traces of Jenova and her cells have to be gone for good.

(Having said all that I also love the idea of a much more realistic Shinra v. WRO struggle about how the post-Meteor world will develop, with new emergent powers, a strong Wutai, etc. But that sounds more like a complex open-ended strategy game to me. FFVII Diplomacy anyone?)

Edit: Sorry - Unlucky Pug posted while I was waffling on. Poor Reeve - I don't think he stands a chance long term against the likes of Rufus. I think things have to come to a show down between the WRO and Shinra eventually, and I know who my money's on

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

I love those ideas, Morello. Cloud and Tifa have already been in the Lifestream, so there's a precedent for entering it and fighting in it. Psychological battles, and the interior world of the mind, were strong elements of the OG -if I remember rightly, the final battle with Sephiroth is supposed to take place inside Cloud's subconscious - so I'd love to see the cast venturing in there again. If he can meet Aerith anywhere, it's there.

 

[penandpaper]

Reeve is someone who means well, but who has already shown himself both willing to compromise and reluctant to take a firm stand on moral issues (possibly he's uncertain about where the moral high ground lies). His reluctance to take difficult decisions that might cost lives means he is a prevaricator. He would be easy to corrupt.

I agree with this. Also, I'd imagine that Reeve would be relatively sympathetic if Rufus insisted that he was "reformed". After all, Reeve himself is a reformed Shinra employee and although Rufus certainly was on a different level as far as his actions went, Reeve is hardly innocent and Case of Denzel seems to indicate that he know this. So, if Rufus seemed to be playing outwardly nice, would Reeve really question him? Even if Rufus started to drift towards things that made Reeve more uncomfortable, I'm not sure that he'd press the issue until it really started to get out of control.

This could be interesting though because it could offer some conflict within the main party. While I think all the characters, on some level, would be sympathetic towards the idea of reforming oneself, I still imagine that some of them would be in doubt about whether Rufus really meant it while others might be more willing to believe him, leading to conflicting opinions on how much to trust him.

Edit: I will also admit that I kind of suspect that with Reeve it would be more a matter of manipulation, as was suggested, then actual corruption. Rufus plays at being reformed as he takes more and more control, extending his influence, while still playing at being out for "the good of the world," leaving the other characters in conflict about how to deal with this situation and whether Rufus really means what he says as well as forcing Reeve to reevaluate his own thoughts and feelings on the matter.

 

[Shademp]

Edit: I will also admit that I kind of suspect that with Reeve it would be more a matter of manipulation, as was suggested, then actual corruption. Rufus plays at being reformed as he takes more and more control, extending his influence, while still playing at being out for "the good of the world," leaving the other characters in conflict about how to deal with this situation and whether Rufus really means what he says as well as forcing Reeve to reevaluate his own thoughts and feelings on the matter.

I like the idea that Reeve gets played by Rufus. A "shadow government" and "take-over of WRO" plot would work well as a major obstacle for our heroes.
I think it should go so far to the point that Rufus takes the leader position of the WRO, after having nestled in his own people in the organization and paying off a great deal of WRO personnel.

When he stands in his new office and everyone has left, I imagine him saying to himself "The Shinra Company...is reborn."
With some dramatic music to accompany this, a new chapter of the game begins. This story shift makes airships inaccessible to our heroes (who has previously been backed by the WRO), so now for a time you are forced to wander the overworld and find a new means of travel. Basically, many resources will be taken from you and this will affect the gameplay, adding a sense of desperation because the protagonists are already in the middle of preventing a disaster that will be brought upon by Genesis.

About airships, I actually think the game should start out with the heroes having a flying vehicle available. This would add a non-linear element and the option to visit some familiar locations that aren't important to the story mission at hand. Not all towns and continents should be accessible from the start though and some caves/dungeons may be labelled with a "Level Recommendation", so you don't enter when you are too low level. We need these elements to constrict non-linear exploration to some degree, just so the player doesn't spend the first 10 hours visiting every town in the game.



Details that need to be figured is just what Rufus' philosophies and goals as the new head of WRO would be. I think the other people on this board can figure it out better than me.

Something that I'd like to do is for the game to show a "crack in his shell". Say for example if one of the Turks died, would this make him more desperate and obsessed with gaining power? If FFVII:EC takes place 10 years after the original game, Rufus must have grown more fond of his suited comrades than even he anticipated. We will never "see him bleed or cry", but say for example that as leader of the WRO he pursuits Genesis, the killer of one of the Turks. Rufus loses focus and becomes reckless, making even the surviving Turks question their leader.
Somehow this should be the seed for why Rufus loses (or gives up?) his position as WRO President. But after this is done, how do we end his story arc? Should he help the heroes (like in Advent Children) to help prevent the impending disaster? Should he sacrifice himself for a good cause? Should he die because he is too stubborn?

When Rufus' dream to attain political and financial power gets crushed, what does he have left?

EDIT: Lol, Rufus going after Genesis would be a neat parallel to the original game where he went after Sephiroth. While unoriginal, I like the symmetry of this.

 

[Unlucky]

Finally, a new post! I always look forward to reading new ideas in this thread.

Something that I'd like to do is for the game to show a "crack in his shell". Say for example if one of the Turks died, would this make him more desperate and obsessed with gaining power? If FFVII:EC takes place 10 years after the original game, Rufus must have grown more fond of his suited comrades than even he anticipated.We will never "see him bleed or cry", but say for example that as leader of the WRO he pursuits Genesis, the killer of one of the Turks. Rufus loses focus and becomes reckless, making even the surviving Turks question their leader.
Somehow this should be the seed for why Rufus loses (or gives up?) his position as WRO President. But after this is done, how do we end his story arc? Should he help the heroes (like in Advent Children) to help prevent the impending disaster? Should he sacrifice himself for a good cause? Should he die because he is too stubborn?

I already imagine Rufus being somewhat attached to the Turks since they're the only ones who stood by him after everything. However I don't see any of their deaths as a reason for him to become reckless. Though I do find the idea of exploring Rufus' human side interesting, I still think he's very private and wouldn't let his emotions dictate his actions.

But his human side can nonetheless be shown in his decision-making. After Shinra's fall I imagine him to be a lot more wiser, perhaps even softer although still stoic, and someone who wouldn't think that everything is expendable, and would therefore see his comrades and resources as precious.

 

[Shademp]

The Fate of Priscilla​

The game will need a handful reminders of both Geostigma and Deepground. This will help show how traumatized the world is and how even after over half a decade people are still recovering. Thusly, we have my idea for Priscilla...

Spoiler

Priscilla is dead. She died from the Geostigma. When the party visits Junon and enter one of the houses in its lower area, you see a frail old man in a chair. (He needs a name but I can't think of one right now)
Talk to him at different points during the game to trigger these lines:
- "Priscilla...she would have been 16 now..."
- "Sigh...my poor granddaughter. The Geostigma took her life."
- "She said, 'Don't worry grandpa. I won't die. I will marry Cloud when I grow up!' "
- "I have nothing left. My children, my granddaughter... All I can do is wait for death."

If you return to the house during the game's final chapter, you will see that all the lights are out and the man is no longer in his chair.
Walk outside and speak to an old woman.
- "[Insert Name Here] passed away. He never stopped grieving for his granddaughter. Well, now he can finally rest..."

It is not necessary to involve any sidequest here or a reward from visiting the old man regularly. The purpose is solely to express the atmosphere of hopelessness, grief and trauma that haunts people around the world. In the case with Priscilla's grandfather, there is no comfort. No tease with a "Priscilla Ghost" NPC or anything that the player might do to help the old man.


Many familiar characters should return in this game obviously, but if all familiar faces from the original game were still alive it would feel like the disasters after Meteorfall never happened! For this reason, I will stand by the "Priscilla is dead" idea.

We might also want to involve Mr. Dolphin somehow, but I don't have any ideas for this High-Jumping-Flipper. Dolphins (in general) can live up to 40-50 years, so Mr. Dolphin could certainly return in this FFVII title.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

Finally, a new post! I always look forward to reading new ideas in this thread.

Me too! After General Turks worship, it's my favourite thread.

Rufus is problematic. I could probably write an extended essay on him by this point. Plenty of fans see him as an unredeemable villain. Personally I think they're wrong and that when you look more closely at his character and his actions, he's a lot more interesting than that. He does want power, but unlike his father he doesn't want it at the expense of the world, because what would be the point of that? What I think he is, is really arrogant. I like me a Rufus who honestly believes that only he and Shinra have the foresight and the power to save humanity from itself and the planet from self-destruction. He may even see Cloud as nothing more than a sticking-plaster solution. Cloud drives Sephiroth away for a while, but the evil always returns. Cloud is reactive, not proactive. Also, I think the fact that Rufus's geostigma was cured by Aerith's healing rain is something he would seek to find meaning in (despite the fact that it was probably indiscriminate, falling alike on the just and the unjust, as the saying is).

Rufus is young and he has been through some eye-opening experiences. Characters have to be allowed to grow and change or they become uninteresting - and Rufus has huge potential to be very interesting. He and his Turks have to be an obstruction to the party, but for at least some of the time there should be doubt in the players' mind as to who is actually in the right, Shinra or Avalanche.

Also I can't bear the thought of any of the Turks dying, or any of Avalanche, either.

I love your idea about the airships, Shadey. I like the idea of Avalanche starting off empowered and united, and then coming apart at the seams, maybe even beginning to doubt themseves, and torn in different directions by their conflciting beliefs and commitments, while Rufus and Shinra gain the upper hand. What I want out of this game which will never be made is lots of dramatic tension.

I never liked Priscilla so it wouldn't move me much if she was dead, but I think the idea itself is spot-on; there should be constant reminders of everything this planet and its people have suffered, and our protagonists should be in some doubt as to whether their actions are actually making things better, or worse. I would also welcome the promotion of one of the other party members to main protagonist, since Cloud has already suffered enough self-doubt and identity crises to last a lifetime.