The Debut of 'Final Fantasy IX' Embraces the Fantasy Genre with Ardor
Celebrating its 25th anniversary today, Final Fantasy IX stands out among its contemporaries with an opening act that offers a fresh take on the classic fantasy genre. The game's rapid pacing, storytelling efficiency, and genre-blending make it a unique gem in the series and the larger RPG landscape of its time.
The opening scene quickly establishes the game's setting, conflict, characters, and aesthetic. We are introduced to the world of Gaia, Queen Brahne, and her political intrigues, as well as the main characters Zidane, Vivi, Garnet, and Steiner. The narrative unfolds as a theatrical kidnapping of Princess Garnet during a play, leading to immediate pursuit and danger.
Final Fantasy IX masterfully switches control and perspective between multiple protagonists within the first half hour, allowing players to quickly understand their motivations and personalities in a natural way. This dynamic character introduction is more dynamic than many RPGs of the era, which often took longer to set the stage.
The opening act balances a whimsical, almost cartoonish fantasy atmosphere with darker themes like political intrigue, war, and personal mortality. This genre exploration—mixing fantasy adventure with elements of drama and comedy—was distinctive compared to the often more straightforward storytelling of contemporary RPGs.
The use of a theater troupe as a plot device and setting for the opening act introduces an uncommon narrative device in the genre, making the storytelling feel meta and theatrical rather than typical fantasy quest exposition.
Vivi, a young boy new to the city, finds his ticket to the play is a fake, leading him on an unexpected adventure. Meanwhile, Captain of the Guard Steiner is tasked with ensuring the evening goes off without a hitch. Princess Garnet, however, wants to be kidnapped to escape the control of her mother, Queen Brahne, and see the world beyond Alexandria's walls.
Zidane and the crew of the Tantalus masquerade as the theater troupe putting on the performance but are secretly tasked with kidnapping Princess Garnet. Much of the early battles in the game are presented with a layer of artifice, mimicking the play's duels and fight scenes.
Final Fantasy IX's opening also engages with a love letter to the romantic archetypes of the genre, playing with the wanderlust of its characters and the player's desire to return to Final Fantasy's traditional aesthetics. "I Want to Be Your Canary," a riff on Shakespearean classics, features a Romeo and Juliet-esque tale of star-crossed lovers, Cornelia and Marcus.
Garnet, the princess, wants to be free of the expectations placed upon her as a princess, not just out of worry for Queen Brahne's decline. Zidane, although he may not initially realize it, finds himself immediately enchanted by the princess he's been tasked with rescuing and the prospect of a life beyond his thievery.
Vivi desires community and friendship as he takes in the world, even if it means he gets hoodwinked a few times. The overworld theme of Final Fantasy IX asks the player to consider what's over the hill and what's beyond the next horizon.
The Tantalus troupe's mission has stakes where failure could lead to war between Alexandria and the neighboring city-state of Lindblum. With its efficient launch of a complex story, well-paced multi-character perspective approach, and blend of fantasy adventure with emotional depth and theatrical storytelling elements, Final Fantasy IX's opening stands apart in terms of storytelling and genre exploration at the time of its release.
- In the realm of gaming journalism, both io9 and Gizmodo praised Final Fantasy IX's opening act for its innovative approach to the fantasy genre, likening it to a dynamically engaging piece of entertainment akin to movies-and-tv.
- As technology advances and reshapes the landscape of entertainment, it's worth reflecting on how games like Final Fantasy IX paved the way for future narrative exploration, by seamlessly integrating elements of drama, comedy, and genre-bending storytelling.
- Whether we're talking about the gaming world, movies, or technology, Final Fantasy IX's opening showcases a unique gem that constantly redefines the boundaries of the future, allowing players to experience a rich and immersive entertainment experience.
