Final Fantasy X Community Playthrough

[Jason Tandro]

Chapter 7: The End of Yuna's Journey
(aka "Do we have a deal? Do we have a deal? DO WE HAVE A DEAL?")
(aka "Your was truly a gallant race. They threw themselves at me. One after another.")

Time: Monday August 07 to Sunday August 13

Target: Upon defeating the beast at the threshold of Zanarkand.

Okay so this is all about the Calm Lands and Mt Gagazet but it is an enormous chapter, make no mistake. First off you can simply cross the open plains to Mt. Gagazet but that's doing it wrong. You gotta stop by the arena obviously and start hunting down monsters for goodies. If you are truly devoted you can back track as far as the north entrance of Guadosalam and get all the creatures in the Thunder Plains, Macalania and the Calm Lands right now (as well as Gagazet and the Calm Lands Cave later).

You can also begin messing about with a chocobo and gain access to the Remiem Temple where you can challenge Belgemine to some more Aeon battles and win prizes or take part in a frustrating and obnoxious chocobo race which can go die in a fire (it's actually not that bad unless you want to win).

Then after tackling a boss you can head to Gagazet or you can head to the valley between the Calm Lands and Gagazet and visit a cave to both tackle some of Lulu's unfinished business and get a potentially powerful (but perturbingly pricey) new Aeon.

Into the land of the Ronso, Mt. Gagazet we go and begin with a bit of Kimahri's unfinished business. In this fight you can learn an enormous amount of the Blue Magic that Kimahri can learn so if you've been slacking now is a great chance to catch up. When we finally reach the summit we have another big bad boss fight with the usual clown and then finally a massive cutscene followed by perhaps the biggest revelation in the game.

And then we still have a trial filed cave and another boss fight to go through before we complete this chapter! Hoo boy, this is a long'un.


Discussion:

• How much time did you spend fooling around in the Calm Lands? Did you visit the arena and remiem temple? How much time did you devote to these activities?
• Did you enter the Calm Lands Gorge Cave to obtain Yojimbo? What do you think of Yojimbo as an Aeon and his mechanics?
• How did Kimahri handle his 1V2 match? Did you stock up on Blue Magic or were you good to go already?
• Did you meet Wantz and avail yourself to his expensive but versatile gear? What do you think of the O'aka story arc going on in the background?
• If you're a first time player what did you think of the massive revelation at the summit? If you're a returner, how do you think it holds up as a story element, especially when compared with other massive twists in the series? (Spoiler Tags please)

 

[Joker]

if you don't like yojimbo, that's okay

because it's okay to be wrong

 

[Kionae]

Chapter 7

How much time did you spend fooling around in the Calm Lands? Did you visit the arena and remiem temple? How much time did you devote to these activities?

Far too much. Calm Lands is usually where I start grinding the ever living crap out of my party, so I actually did a lot while I was here. I learned to ride a Chocobo with the end goal of obtaining Tidus' celestial weapon. Then paid a visit to Remiem Temple and started the sidequest for obtaining the Magus Sisters, and also ran through that annoying chocobo race for the Cloudy Mirror. Then I paid a visit to the arena and picked up the weapons I need to start capturing fiends... and then captured all the Calm Land fiends, which took forever, because for some reason Chimera Brains never wanted to spawn.

THEN, I backtracked and caught all the fiends in Macalania and the Thunder Plains.

Next, having gained a metric ass-ton of levels and a lot of gil, it was off to the cavern of the stolen fayth to pick up Yojimbo (and more fiends for the arena... I got nailed by a tonberry a couple of times before I finally caught one).

Did you enter the Calm Lands Gorge Cave to obtain Yojimbo? What do you think of Yojimbo as an Aeon and his mechanics?

Yes. I like Yojimbo, personally. I know it's a cheap shot, but Zanmato is a lifesaver when you're frustrated with a battle and desperately want to move on.

How did Kimahri handle his 1V2 match? Did you stock up on Blue Magic or were you good to go already?

I managed to pick of everything I was missing by that point except White Wind. For some reason I couldn't grab that one.

Did you meet Wantz and avail yourself to his expensive but versatile gear? What do you think of the O'aka story arc going on in the background?

I ran into Wantz, but didn't buy much off him (mostly because I spent all my damn cash recruiting Yojimbo). I did refill my healing items, though. Poor O'aka.

If you're a first time player what did you think of the massive revelation at the summit? If you're a returner, how do you think it holds up as a story element, especially when compared with other massive twists in the series? (Spoiler Tags please)

One thing I never quite understood about FFX mythology is

Spoiler

how did all those people on Mt. Gagazet become fayth in the first place? It seems to be a process. Seymour's mother was MADE into a fayth. Zaon was MADE into a fayth. All of the fayth for the subsequent Final Aeons had to be created by Yunalesca. So who exactly created so many fayth in the aftermath of a war that wiped out the general population of Zanarkand?

 

[Channy]

Phew... I got some catching up to do here..

Spoiler: Chapter 3

Discussion:

• Given the major revelation we get about Tidus's relationship with Sin, what are your thoughts? How do you think it works as a story element?
• Dear god we're bringing it up again: What did you think about the laughing scene? You a hater or defender?
• Question from ChipNoir that I wanted to add: What do you think about the lack of a water-based Aeon in a game surrounded by water? Why no Leviathan, Bismarck etc?
• Were you able to beat the Chocobo Eater or did you have to walk the Old Road of Shame?
• Knowing what we know about Yevon, do you think Operation Mi'ihen was worth doing still or was is it a mistake? Not in terms of confirmation bias, do you think the plan itself was foolish or still admirable?
• What do you think about the use of Ixion instead of the traditional Ramuh for our lightning themed summon this time around?

- See, it's because of Tidus' relationship with Sin that I find him a totally relatable and realistic character. Sure, he's a farcry from the previous FF heroes... but the dude's dad, who was a raging abusive alcoholic that hated him, turns out to be this giant inter-dimensional whale thing that snatches him from the "life" he knew into this other world, and then he finds out he has to kill him.... I mean, that's a lot to take in and I find that if you WEREN'T at least a little whiny or insecure about the whole ordeal, then you're just dead inside.

- YAY Laughing scene. I love it. I love it to bits. I've expressed my love and how it's actually AUTHENTIC to have the bad acting for it several times so I'll spare you for now

- I did notice that too even since the first time I played it. It feels... odd.. and almost cheated in a way considering you have 3 other non-elemental Aeons so it's like.. they're stealing the spot?

- I got my guidebook so I beat it this time around. Previous versions/run throughs I've always failed but I needed those lv 3 spheres damn it.

- Operation Mi'ihem seemed a bit foolish but maybe because it felt like they didn't have enough man power? Maybe I've been watching too much GoT but they looked/it felt severely underwhelming in terms of man vs Sin. If they had more giant weapons and more people, maybe it would have been worth fighting.

- Ixion was also an interesting choice. I don't love it or hate it. I guess, I don't have much to say?

Spoiler: Chapter 4

Discussion:

• On the Moonflow we can benefit from O'aka's charity if we've been donating to him. So... have you been funding our friend O'aka?
• Now that Rikku is in the party, do you have any plans for special Customizations you've been looking forward to?
• The Farplane is a bit iffy in the lore - the Al Bhed state that the pyreflies just create the vision of the dead, whereas the Yevonites believe it's truly the souls. It'd be easy to dismiss this if it weren't for other events later in the game and in FFX-2. What do you think?
• Do the Thunder Plains annoy the ever-loving shit out of you or do you not mind them so much?
• Did you go against my advice and face the butterflies? Do you enjoy that sidequest?
• Given the last cutscene we see this chapter it's time to open up the Jecht can of worms. Do you think his feelings being expressed later make up for how he treated Tidus as a kid? Do you think there is more for him to repent for?

- Fuck O'aka. That is all.
- I've got the old guide book which came with a big poster of all the customization skills but I never utilized it before.. I might try this round. Nothing planned thus far I like to just roll the dice.
- Really? that's odd I never knew the difference in lores.. I always thought it was just a vision of the dead, because they don't talk, right? At least in that scene they don't.. but you're right, then X-2 happens and it throws you for some continuity loop.
- Ugh fuck the Thunder Plains. I can never get the dodging right so even crossing normally is a chore. And the music is odd for the area, it's all very weird.
- I tried the butterfly thing twice.. didn't do too bad but once you get sucked into it you feel you need to keep going until you get it.
- No. fuck Jecht. It took a lot (later in the game) to happen for him to be redeemable to me.. even here I wasn't won over.

Spoiler: Chapter 5

I always thought it said "I'm an annoying cunt"

Discussion:

• Did you have any trouble with the first machina boss? He can be a bit challenging if you're unprepared.
• Who did you end up riding on the snowmobile with? Apparently Lulu, Rikku, Auron and Kimahri are possible.
• What are your thoughts on Seymour and his motivation, as well as the motivation of the Guado people who follow him?
• Did the infamous bout against
  Spoiler

  Anima
  ruin your day?
• Based on what we find out in the Al Bhed Home do you think the kidnappings were justified or were they still a violation of rights, albeit a well-intentioned one?

- Yeah the Machina boss took me for a bit of a surprise... way back the first time I played the game and now again. Ahh well, some things you just forget I guess.
- Lulu! ... again. Was hoping for Rikku to spice things up as I've gotten Lulu before, but she's a fun ride-buddy anyway.
- Ehhh Seymour. He's a slimeball and right from the beginning (back in Luca) you knew he was a slimeball.. and then him making a move on Yuna just solidifies the slimeballiness.
- fecking Anima.. even after watching someone's videos on how to do the boss fight quick, it still took me 3 rounds.
- I always feel torn about this. Because their intentions are good at heart, though somewhat misguided with the kidnappings, but Summoners are so headstrong with their intent on completing the pilgrimage that I guess.. kidnapping was the only way they could accomplish saving their lives. But if no one tries to defeat Sin and Sin stays instead of dying during a Calm.. then wouldn't Sin just kill everyone/thing sooner and nothing would be left anyway? ..whoa, has that ever been addressed? If no one completes a pilgrimage and Sin doesn't die.. does it just continue to wage war on everything until there's nothing left?

Wowzers.. that was a lot to catch up on/review... that'll teach me not to come online for more than 3 days

 

[Ite]

Stuck on Chapter 6 because no Blitzball makes Homer something something

 

[Joker]

One thing I never quite understood about FFX mythology is

Spoiler

how did all those people on Mt. Gagazet become fayth in the first place? It seems to be a process. Seymour's mother was MADE into a fayth. Zaon was MADE into a fayth. All of the fayth for the subsequent Final Aeons had to be created by Yunalesca. So who exactly created so many fayth in the aftermath of a war that wiped out the general population of Zanarkand?

Spoiler

Well, Yunalesca was never required to turn people into fayth - only the fayth of the Final Summoning. Given that the fayth of Gagazet are what's being used to summon Sin (and dream!Zanarkand), it was most likely Yu Yevon himself.

 

[Kionae]

One thing I never quite understood about FFX mythology is

Spoiler

how did all those people on Mt. Gagazet become fayth in the first place? It seems to be a process. Seymour's mother was MADE into a fayth. Zaon was MADE into a fayth. All of the fayth for the subsequent Final Aeons had to be created by Yunalesca. So who exactly created so many fayth in the aftermath of a war that wiped out the general population of Zanarkand?

Spoiler

Well, Yunalesca was never required to turn people into fayth - only the fayth of the Final Summoning. Given that the fayth of Gagazet are what's being used to summon Sin (and dream!Zanarkand), it was most likely Yu Yevon himself.

But...

Spoiler

don't the Gagazet fayth only summon dream Zanarkand?
I thought that Sin (in its current incarnation, at any rate) wasn't actually summoned. Yu Yevon created/summoned the first Sin himself, and subsequent Sins were built around the final aeons of the summoners that defeated it.

 

[Cthulhu]

Stuck on Chapter 6 because no Blitzball makes Homer something something

...go crazy?

 

[Jason Tandro]

Stuck on Chapter 6 because no Blitzball makes Homer something something

...go crazy?

DON'T MIND IF I DO!

 

[Jason Tandro]

Chapter 8: Through Zanarkand up to the airship
Chapter 9: Sidequests and Omega Ruins
Chapter 10: Visiting the Fayth and Sin

 

[Cthulhu]

Stuck on Chapter 6 because no Blitzball makes Homer something something

...go crazy?

DON'T MIND IF I DO!

 

[Joker]

One thing I never quite understood about FFX mythology is

Spoiler

how did all those people on Mt. Gagazet become fayth in the first place? It seems to be a process. Seymour's mother was MADE into a fayth. Zaon was MADE into a fayth. All of the fayth for the subsequent Final Aeons had to be created by Yunalesca. So who exactly created so many fayth in the aftermath of a war that wiped out the general population of Zanarkand?

Spoiler

Well, Yunalesca was never required to turn people into fayth - only the fayth of the Final Summoning. Given that the fayth of Gagazet are what's being used to summon Sin (and dream!Zanarkand), it was most likely Yu Yevon himself.

But...

Spoiler

don't the Gagazet fayth only summon dream Zanarkand?
I thought that Sin (in its current incarnation, at any rate) wasn't actually summoned. Yu Yevon created/summoned the first Sin himself, and subsequent Sins were built around the final aeons of the summoners that defeated it.

From the wiki:

Spoiler

A thousand years ago the cities Zanarkand and Bevelle were at war, which came to be known as the Machina War. Unable to stop Bevelle's armies, the leader of Zanarkand, Yu Yevon, sacrificed his people by turning them into fayth to preserve the metropolis in a dream state at the height of its power, and to summon a creature of unspeakable power to defend it: Sin.

 

[Kionae]

Okay...

Spoiler

so if Yu Yevon created and then used the Gagazet fayth to summon the first Sin, which was subsequently destroyed, are they still summoning it? Or is Sin, being recreated from the Final Aeon of the last summoner to defeat it, now autonomous and separate from the fayth?

 

[Flintlock]

As the Community Manager before Jason, I will make sure this event reaches its conclusion, if I have to. If anyone would like to volunteer to take it on, however, the job is yours. JT posted his ideas for the final three chapters above so you'll just need to come up with some discussion topics. Let me know by Sunday.

 

[Kionae]

I'll do it, unless someone else is just dying to.

 

[Joker]

If need be, I can also do this thing.

 

[Flare]

I had Keepa block two shots from an opposing team today. His CAT is 9 and the other guy still had 13 left both times. And Keepa blocked them BOTH.
Keepa where did this amazing talent come from. o____o

 

[Joker]

Stats are mostly subjective; actual stats range from about 75-125% of their actual value. In this case, it sounds like his CA was treated as higher and the shooter's SH was treated as lower. Iirc there's a random number factor involved?

 

[Jason Tandro]

^ RNG is fairly unfair in Blitzball. Ive mentioned how Balgerda always seems favored in her attacks.

 

[Flare]

Stats are mostly subjective; actual stats range from about 75-125% of their actual value. In this case, it sounds like his CA was treated as higher and the shooter's SH was treated as lower. Iirc there's a random number factor involved?

There is a random element to it, yeah, which can either piss me off or work in my favor But it only goes so high, when there's a 4 number difference it's a really slim chance (thankfully) that the higher number will lose.

 

[Jason Tandro]

Chapter 8: Live And Fight Your Sorrow
(aka "There's not a lot of funny dialogue in this chapter")

Time: Monday August 14 to Sunday August 20

Target: Upon attaining the airship and having this conversation with Maester Mika in Bevelle.

This chapter is short but packed with story. It all takes place in Zanarkand. I wanted to give you all some time to breathe as we approach the end of the game (he says while he is still on Chapter 4...) so this will be fairly light and easy.

That said, making your way through Zanarkand is no easy task with some high level monsters and machina. The soldiers are undead so the usual tricks will work. It's a small area but with what feels like the highest encounter rate in the game.

You'll also get the fun of tackling the Zanarkand temple which is basically a series of "step on these shapes and do it 6 times" which is... ehhhh. But the following boss fight has some of the most interesting mechanics in the game and is really where the CTB begins to shine.

Then we have the mother of all boss fights. She has three forms and her third form has an ability called MegaDeath which can kill your entire party. Let me save you some hassle - save your Aeon Overdrives for this form to finish her quickly and make sure at least 3 of your party members have Zombie to protect your from MegaDeath. Once this calamity is behind you, you finally get the airship and can begin doing sidequests, though we'll have an entire Chapter 9 devoted to just sidequests. To finish this chapter off, swing by Bevelle and have a quick convo with Maester Mika.

Discussion:

• What do you think of the revelations we get from the shadows in Zanarkand, particularly the explanation of Seymour?
• Were you annoyed by the temple puzzle, or did you enjoy it? Or did you not really care?
• How did you fare against the mother of all bosses? Did her third form give you any trouble?
• New players, did the revelation after the boss fight shock you? Did you have suspicions? Returning players, what are your thoughts on this particular story moment?

 

[Flare]

Phew, finally got through chapter 4. I want to play more but my PS2 needs a break I think.

Spoiler: Discussion stuffs:

On the Moonflow we can benefit from O'aka's charity if we've been donating to him. So... have you been funding our friend O'aka?

I have been donating but I hardly buy anything from him. XD

Now that Rikku is in the party, do you have any plans for special Customizations you've been looking forward to?

No major plans yet, I usually don't do big customizations until closer to the endgame. Hoping to find a few more blank slate weapons and such, and nab some items for good customizing.

The Farplane is a bit iffy in the lore - the Al Bhed state that the pyreflies just create the vision of the dead, whereas the Yevonites believe it's truly the souls. It'd be easy to dismiss this if it weren't for other events later in the game and in FFX-2. What do you think?

I forget what X-2 states about all this so I can chat about it without that interfering.

The one fact that can't be ignored is that the pyreflies in the Farplane only show images of those that have died. Whether they can only react to one's memories of a deceased person and show them a vision of said person, or they really are bits of someone's soul... I mean, then you have the whole Jyscal fiasco, which seems to prove to me that Pyreflies do retain something of the person they once belonged too. Maybe not enough to be their full soul, but like, bits and pieces of it. They can recreate their former appearance and, if strong enough, they can become like Jyscal and even breach the Farplane to step into the realm of the living because of an unclean death, basically.

So, I'd say that pyreflies are bits of one's soul. As everyone knows, when fiends and people die, a lot of pyreflies appear. I assume they separate and such after death and in the Farplane but each one contains a memory of whom they were before, so that's how they can project that image again in the Farplane, but only in the Farplane (because of the unique realm it is).
I think the Al Bhed say it's just creating images based on one's memory because they feel that the soul thing is a religious element and relates to Yevonites, which Al Bhed typically are not religious at all. Thus they feel such a thing can't be true, because it's what the religion feels is true, and they don't agree with much of the religion on a general basis.

But I think there's enough evidence to support that pyreflies, someway, somehow, retain something of the one they used to belong to. Whether they're actual pieces of one's soul, or just fragments of a dead man's memories, or something in-between/even different, I'm not entirely sure.

Do the Thunder Plains annoy the ever-loving shit out of you or do you not mind them so much?

I think the thunder can be annoying (and I'm not the best at dodging it!), but very atmospheric at the same time, and I wouldn't honestly change a thing about the location and the 'mechanics' of the area. Except change the requirements for getting a certain ultimate weapon because fuck that challenge.
But yeah, I don't mind the thunder plains, and I actually think the music suits it perfectly somehow. I love the clock ticking sound in the song, almost like you're counting the seconds between thunder and lightning. It's a very interesting tune, atmospheric I think; not overbearing and definitely it's own. I love it! A very unique location in the game.

Did you go against my advice and face the butterflies? Do you enjoy that sidequest?

I just ignored them this time. I usually give the butterfly hunt a try or three when I first run through, but I don't think there's any dire need to do it now, so I'll just come back to it. Maybe when I'm catching some beasties.

Given the last cutscene we see this chapter it's time to open up the Jecht can of worms. Do you think his feelings being expressed later make up for how he treated Tidus as a kid? Do you think there is more for him to repent for?

That's a tough question. I don't think it's a matter of 'should he repent more for how he treated Tidus', I mean the guy is fucking Sin now and killing people all then time and you know Jecht doesn't want to do it. Neither do I think his later actions can erase the way he treated Tidus before.

Look, Jecht was just a shitty father. He didn't know how to treat Tidus. He didn't know how to show his love for his child. I do think Jecht always loved Tidus, even though he was an asshole father when Tidus was growing up. I've seen similar father/son relationships irl.
And sadly, Jecht had to come to Spira and have those experiences before he started to change and slowly, eventually, realize how to love his son and show it. If Jecht had raised Tidus during that journey, their relationship would've been different.
Jecht learned a lot. He changed a lot. You get little hints from Auron, and then big hints from the spheres you find and seeing Jecht chat about it all.

And also this scene shows more of Tidus's feelings too. Tidus doesn't just have hate for Jecht. When Auron tells him 'Jecht loved you, he just didn't know how to express it', and walks away, Tidus murmurs 'thanks'. Tidus wanted Jecht to show him love. I think Tidus sees this more and more as his journey goes on, that Jecht did love him. And it helps ease something in Tidus. It's fascinating because, their relationship changes and grows and becomes something stronger and it's all happening through events where the two of them aren't actually around each other in real time.

If you couldn't tell, I absolutely love the relationship these two have. It's got a lot of realism to it, a lot of heart, and it changes as the game goes on. So much depth to it.

Side note, I missed two Al Bhed dictionaries, nooooo ;-; Must've been in Guadosalam!

 

[Joker]

Side note, I missed two Al Bhed dictionaries, nooooo ;-; Must've been in Guadosalam!

Thankfully, there are only a few missable primers, and they're all in Home. You'll be able to go back for them if they're in Guadosalam.

 

[Kionae]

Chapter 8

What do you think of the revelations we get from the shadows in Zanarkand, particularly the explanation of Seymour?

I was never quite sure how to interpret that. His mother says "I don't have much time left." Was she referring to the fact that she would soon be a fayth and couldn't go back at that point? Or was she already dying, and choosing to become a fayth was an effort to remain with Seymour in some form or another. If the former, I can understand her wanting her son to be accepted by becoming the hero of Spira, but I think she would have done him more good had she stayed with him. If the latter... that's just plain heartbreaking.

Were you annoyed by the temple puzzle, or did you enjoy it? Or did you not really care?

I liked the temple puzzle. I even liked the battle with the Spectral Keeper afterwards, because the dynamics were different from previous battles. It was a nice change of pace.

How did you fare against the mother of all bosses? Did her third form give you any trouble?

I made it through that battle on the first try by the skin of my teeth.

New players, did the revelation after the boss fight shock you? Did you have suspicions? Returning players, what are your thoughts on this particular story moment?

I've played before, so I knew it was coming. What surprised me a little was how blatantly obvious it was (since I already knew) before they actually came out and said it... There were plenty of hints. Though I can't remember if it was so obvious on my first playthrough.

 

[Kionae]

So... I guess we're minus a community manager again. Still willing to take over on finishing out this playthrough.