gekigengar gargant III!!! (
aestivalis) wrote2022-06-25 08:44 pm
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
it's fashion, baybee!
(Approximately ten thousand years ago, I started writing a post talking about all the alternate costume options that exist in Dissidia Final Fantasy: Opera Omnia, and giving my opinions on which costume I preferred for each character. I can't remember exactly when this post first started taking form, but I think it was sometime in February. Regardless, it is an endeavour that has actually proven too great for me. I keep not updating here because every time I come to write a post, I see this draft and think "oh, well, I really have to finish that first", and then becoming overwhelmed and walking away instead.
SO, I'm making myself post it right now. Unfinished! Half done! An incomplete concept! And absolutely nothing terrible is going to happen as a result, and I will finally be free to talk about other things. So please enjoy my opinions on about half of the optional outfits in Opera Omnia, and apologies for the semi-abrupt halt!)
LET'S TALK ABOUT OPERA OMNIA, BAYBEE
You would assume I'm going to do another story post, but instead we're going for something much more silly and pointless. Here is a google doc featuring every Opera Omnia characters alternate costumes. I am going to tell you which costume I prefer for every character who has an alternate option available! And I encourage you to share you own thoughts as well!! Let's do this thing!
I'm just going to follow the order they appear under in the google doc. At first I thought it was random, but after a second look I think it might be dictated by when that character becomes available in story/to the player, which is kinda nice! But if you're looking for opinions on a specific character costume, probably gonna need a bit of CTRL+F action. Also, again, I'm only comparing for characters who have alternate costumes, rather than offering my opinion on every single character's fashion sense. So you won't get to hear me waxing lyrical about, idk, Steiner. sorry rusty.
Warrior of Light: Starting off with the OG of course. I don't really have strong feelings about the WoL, but I'm accustomed to thinking of him with his horned helm Dissidia look, so I guess it's default costume for him. I like that the red outfit is based on how the Warrior class looks in the original Final Fantasy though!
Vivi: Just to get controversy out of the way right from the start, I have nothing but respect for the artwork and character design of Amano, but I often find them kinda messy and overdesigned for my personal taste. In this case, I much prefer Vivi's default costume to the one modeled off his Amano design. It's just so so much.
Rem: I mean, these are both fine? One is basically a recolour of the other, right? I think I probably prefer the default here, but there isn't really much in it. Both are nice enough, but the Type-0 school aesthetic isn't really for me regardless.
Tifa: The first character on this list to have three costumes! Blue/purple dress can instantly go into the bin because I do not trust FFVII:Remake and it is entirely too FFVII:Remake for my taste. Even if I try to put such massive bias aside, it's just not a nice dress. So that leaves her default look, or her Advent Children design. And again, massive personal bias would have me lean toward FFVII OG as being the best forever. But honestly? Putting aside that all the dark-on-dark aesthetic of Advent Children was a bit tiresome, I do think Tifa's AC design is legitimately nice. Reluctantly chooses that one....
Cloud: Cloud, however, will not be degraded into wearing his Advent Children clothes. The bias is just too strong this time. Frankly his default outfit here would be much more purple if I could have my way, but you can't win 'em all.
Y'shtola: The problem here is that both of Y'shtola's outfits are legitimately wonderful. Like, I really like what both of them are selling to me. I think I might have to go with the default here just because it's so unusual to see a beautiful mysterious catgirl running around in actual trousers and a tunic? Like, that outfit is so... reasonable? But her second costume (Heavensward outfit??? idk, I don't know FFXIV) is really lovely as well, honestly. She has a great design.
Zidane: Another character with three options! Although, ehhh? I like how both of his optional costumes are references to moments from FFIX proper, but they're both pretty underwhelming. The Pluto Knights costume is just, like... exactly what you'd expect. And then his finale costume is kind of what you'd expect except they've added this weird Phantom of the Opera element that just doesn't do it for me at all. I like the scene it's representing, though! But default costume for the boy, I'm afraid.
Vaan: Vaan with his nips out, or Vaan without his nips out? This might be a decision too great for one such as I. (Personally I think the version with the shirt looks really nice, but I want to support Vaan's right to have his nips out at all times.)
Yuffie: Once again, her Advent Children outfit is actually pretty nice! It's cool! It's cohesive! But why was that film so allergic to colour and fun? This being Yuffie, I just can't see her without the weird arm guard thing and the little bit of extra colour, you know? So default costume it is, but honourable mention that the AC outfit is honestly pretty good.
Yuna: Three costumes! Yuna's default is the clear winner here. It's just too good of a design for anything else to ever be a true contender. Yuna's Gunner outfit isn't bad, but it's a terrible fit for Opera Omnia in the sense that it's just the design thrown over Summoner Yuna's mannerisms. Gunner Yuna without guns. What is the point. Wedding Dress Yuna is beautiful, and it's amazing how a dress that should be so tacky somehow manages to be so appealing, BUT. Nothing can touch the OG in this case.
Edge: oh my god who cares (second costume just about, and both designs have really nice elements, but it's too much The Character Edge so I don't care.)
Bartz: Of the various sprite-inspired costumes we're going to come up against, I think Bartz might have my favourite one? It's a very simple and iconic "ye fantasy" kind of look, but then--he's a very simple and iconic "ye fantasy" kind of character! I've gotten used to his Amano-inspired Dissidia look at this point, but I found it really busy and off-putting for such a long time. I think I have to give it to the sprite-based costume in this case.
Penelo: Ahh, Penelo. I love her so much that I just kind of forget the fact that, when you really look at it, her design is. such a strange, strange mess. I actually kind of like her original design?! But it's also kind of dreadful? Her Revenant Wings-era outfit has... well, really cute trousers if you ignore the part right around her navel. And the whole groin area in general. And the hips. Honestly, what is wrong with Penelo and just that whole region of her body. She doesn'ts deserve this. I'm going to go with OG Penelo because her stubby braids are cuter.
Terra: Three times the Terra! I'll keep this one short and sweet. Green-haired Terra will always feel like the correct answer to me. I've gotten accustomed to the Dissidia design, but green-haired Terra forever takes precedent. And it so happens that this costume actually retains all the right elements from her traditional Dissidia look so she's not stuck in a FFVI battle leotard! The winner here is clear.
Onion Knight: A character I had absolutely no feeling toward whatsoever before I started playing Opera Omnia. I've grown quite fond of him now! And he's gotta stay in his traditional red. The alternative costume is... fine? But if we're going for a busy design, then you better believe I'm going for the one with capes and poofy shorts and–most importantly–the floofy head piece that seems to draw design elements from a knight's helm! If he's the Onion Knight then he better well be an Onion Knight.
Firion: A little bit like Bartz, Firion's Amano design has never really worked for me. I like the bandanna, it's a unique visual for him, but mostly it's just... fine? Nothing really wrong with it but inspires nothing from me? Tragically, his alt costume has almost an identical response. I like the bandanna choice for a bit of unique interest, but the rest is just a whole bunch of "okay". I think, at a pinch, I'd probably say I prefer the alternative outfit? But I like his hair more in the original design. Sorry Firion. I'm just not feeling it, bud.
Laguna: President Laguna is adorable. If I put aside game knowledge and judge them simply as costumes, his default costume is the winner. And it's a nice little design, simple and clear cut and conveys plenty! But President Laguna gets a significant honourary mention on account of being a very good boy.
Squall: Funnily enough, Squall is next! Squall's SeeD uniform is actually very handsome indeed, and I'm extremely fond of it. But I think we have to go with the default costume here just because it portrays a bit more of who he is, and how he identifies? ... Think this is heading toward bias territory, though. Still, though, it's hard to say no to that classic Squall jacket. That being said, I do miss the more simplified and streamlined version of his outfit from FFVIII proper. The Dissidia version is kind of busy, as usual.
Shantotto: If I could put the glasses from the alternate costume onto her default costume, that would be perfect. Alas, not being able to do that, I think I like her default costume more. I am a big fan of brown! It is actually my favourite colour! But nothing really offsets it here, so it just becomes a bit muddied and I feel like the details are lost. We'll stick with the stripes.
Balthier: I have never cared about anything less in my life. Default so I can see less of him I guess.
Eiko: WATCH OUT, FOLKS, I'M ABOUT TO MAKE IT WEIRD. Eiko's default costume has the notoriously awkward design choice of making the skintight onesie element of her outfit almost identical in colour to her skin tone. I do not need to explain why this is unfortunate. Her alternate costume has a lovely design on her bow, and the print on the sleeves is so pretty. HOWEVER, it also gives her... like, kissable lips? Defined lips? A little doll-like pout? Whatever it is, it gives me the heebie-jeebies. And again with using the same colour palette so extensively that it starts to lose something, at least for me. Default Eiko wins.
Tidus: This is one of those costumes where you look at them and go "sorry, these are different?", but I practice I do like the alternate costume more. It's the one that matches against his actual FFX model, and once again it's just less busy than the Dissidia design. All those dangling parts and torn up elements don't add anything for me. It's not visual interest, it's just itchy. My eye does not like catching on those things. Also alternate costume has yellow shoes. Good stuff.
Layle: I have no idea what this James Bond looking shit is doing here. Layle's design is weird to me in general—he looks like an SSX Tricky character!—but I suppose I've become accustomed to it over time. And I really don't want that 007 guff anywhere near me.
Vincent: Ironically Vincent is next, and I have zero issues with his suited look. I wonder what it is that makes them vibe so differently? Also the handgun in Vincent's alt costume is weirdly gigantic compared to his default. Hope they've got some good recoil protection on that thing, else no wonder he's got a weird gauntlet arm now. (note: wrong hand, the joke has failed, don't call me out.) Anyway, for me personally, I think I actually prefer the alternate costume. But the default is a classic for a reason, and I have nothing but respect for the OG vampire aesthetic and those who crave it.
Prishe: This is a character I feel like I still know nothing about. Is she delightful? I have no idea! But that being as it may, I much prefer her alternative costume. The default has this sort of stylised school uniform vibe that doesn't really tell me much of anything about the character. The second costume seems to convey so much more, and those crystal gauntlet things are pretty legit. I would say it's pretty rare for me to err toward undressing a character, but in this case I really do think it's the superior look!
Faris: Finally, another one of these sprite-based designs. Faris's isn't too bad, and I do have fondness for the purple hair. But have you see her Amano design? For once I am wholeheartedly on board with everything Amano is selling. Give me layers, give me trim, give me scarves and belts and nonsense. Also, the Amano costume pulls off the androgynous vibe slightly better. ... Only slightly, if we're being honest.
Ramza: Sadly, this is one of those games I've just never played. So I have no strong feelings about Ramza, no real bias to try and place aside when looking at this two costumes. So with that being said, I guess I like the first costume more? But there isn't much here that really excites me. Is he wearing a hairband? Is that why his hair is flicked up like that? Is it just strange shading? Usually I can parse silly anime designs, but this deceptively simplistic-looking young man has left me confused. (It looks like he's wearing a tunic, leggings, and thigh-high boots. I respect it.)
Ace: Back to the Type-0 school aesthetic again, although I think the differences stand out slightly more on this male uniform rather than the female one. I think the default design is probably the better outfit, but I suspect if I were actually playing Type-0 I'd put the kids into their lighter-coloured summer uniforms. Mostly, though? Shrug.
Krile: Continuing the early FF sprite costumes, but Krile here actually goes a bit against the grain. It's her Amano art that has her in a discomfort-inducing leotard, while her sprite-inspired costume features a very plain but cute dress and cardigan combo. Kinda dig the larger curlier blonder hair as well. It's definitely alternate costume for me in this case.
Lightning: Ahh, Lightning. Lightning Lightning Lightning. Because there are three costumes, but also because I am confused and exasperated. There is stuff I like about each and every one of Lightning's costumes. There's also at least one thing I dislike about each of them. I am, frankly, quite impressed by what they've managed to do with her battle bikini, aka costume three—it feels like it should be offensively awful, but somehow it manages to err just about on the right side of... well, not quite tasteful, but at least charming I suppose. Costume two has a lot of cool elements, and manages to avoid being boobplate armour which is nice. But in the end, I think I like the default outfit the most. The colour palette is just so nice to my eye! And it creates the illusion of being practical. I can actually believe it at a glance. Closer inspection reveals so much nonsense, but a good design is one that tricks you into needing that second look, I suppose!
Snow: hour long fart noise (default i GUESS)
Ashe: Tricky one. A little bit like I was saying about Lightning, Ashe's default costume has an illusion of practicality. Unlike Lightning, however, I feel that Ashe's just doesn't hold up even beyond the initial glance. I actually love that top (again with the colour scheme!), but also it... what? How many pieces is it? What is going on? And we're not even talking about the hot pink miniskirt here, this is just the top. I'm so conflicted when it comes to Ashe. It's just so so close to being wonderful, and instead it's. whatever that mess is. AND YET, I think I still like it more than the alternate costume, even though the alternate is quite nice! There's just something so good about what Ashe's costume almost is that I guess I just mentally fill in the blanks and come out satisfied somehow. FFXII designs, however, do have much to answer for.
Aeris: Stubborn Aeris insister until the day I die, ANYWAY, default for me. The red dress is cute, but FF7:Remake bias is too strong and I won't be having it. The blue and white dress is pretty cute and I would wear it myself in a heartbeat, but! If we're talking bias, then Crisis Core is just... I can't. I just can't. Get out of here Crisis Core. Leave now, and never come back. Default Aeris has got this.
Serah: Ehhh? I'm not wild about either of Serah's costumes. Her default here is all kinds of weird, and doesn't really get away with it the way Lightning's questionable outfits somehow do. Which I suppose means I prefer the alternate, which is her original FFXIII costume. But I'll be frank, chaps—she looks like a tiny schoolgirl in FFXIII, and Snow being about nine foot tall doesn't help clarify things. I was severely perturbed that this school child was engaged. I'm going with the XIII-2 outfit.
Garnet: First of all, it is tragic that we don't have bob cut Garnet on any of her costumes. Disgusting, 0/10, let her have her short hair it's the best look. That being said, Garnet doesn't have a bad option here. The finale outfit is obviously beautiful, and her default look is classic in all its bizarre orange onesie glory. But for me I think the version with the white mage cloak just about triumphs. It's cute, is all! Sometimes you just need a little extra cute!
Celes: Here's a big one! Celes is my one of my top favourite characters from FFVI, and I remember there being a time where I wasn't quite sold on her Amano-style design as used in Opera Omnia. However... I find it very very difficult to remember what it was that I failed to enjoy, because these days I love it. I can appreciate the nostalgia factor of wanting to choose the costume that bears a closer resemblance to the sprite art, but I just can't imagine sticking General Celes back in that green leotard when you have this gorgeous alternative right there. The cape and pauldrons do give some charming Inomata vibes though! But man. I love her. I love Celes and I love this outfit on her.
Kain: Now, see, I don't like Kain. It's just an archetype and a story beat that never much appeal to me. But he actually has three very cool and very unique costumes going on, so unfortunately I have to talk about him. I could honestly believe these are three different characters, which could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your perspective I suppose! I actually like his default the least, although it's far from bad. His third costume, in pale blue and white, is... a little bit bonkers? I have no idea what the context for it is. But I don't dislike it?! In fact the more I look, the more it continues to grow on me. That being said, though, desert nomad aesthetic is 10/10, so it's going to be the second costume for me. But if I linger here much longer I'll change my mind, so big props to costume three for being neat, and props to all costumes for making me spend this long on Kain Highwind of all folks.
Kuja: This one is pretty easy. Kuja's optional outfit is... fine?? But who cares—it's just feels fundamentally Not Kuja in a way that even some of the other more outlandish costumes don't inspire from me. Default costume is the only option here. Not a shred of hesitation.
Quistis: Quistis is, at my most generous, a character I don't jive with. At worst, I really quite dislike her. She can have her second costume, the SeeD uniform, because she absolutely does wear it well. But also, I don't wanna talk about Quistis.
Sephiroth: SO, UH. This is basically, should Sephiroth show his nips or not. Having already advocated for Vaan's right to keep his nips out, I suppose Sephiroth deserves the same treatment. Plus, bias being what it is, shirtless Sephiroth is a direct reference to VII OG and I am a brat about that whole business. SO IT'S TITTIES OUT FOR THE BOYS, I GUESS.
Lenna: Lenna... ehhh? I'm a little surprised I don't feel stronger here, but honestly both of her costumes are just fine. I guess I like the default costume more than her sprite one, but there really isn't too strong of a difference here in terms of how I react to them. The default is a bit too busy, but the sprite one is a bit too plain. Kinda has an Interstellar 5555 vibe, right? Whatever though, either is fine.
Kefka: Default Kefka. His outfit is busy, but in all the right ways. He's a jester, of course it's vibrant and overflowing. The alternative costume is... a bit strange? I sort of want to like it, but I just can't. It's somehow too busy and yet too muddy at the same time. Just too much of the same colour layered upon itself, nothing feels very distinct or eye-catching. Alas, I'm just not feeling it.
Zack: LET'S NOT GET INTO MY COMPLEX AND ANNOYING FEELINGS ABOUT ZACK. Costume two because purple all the way, baybee, and that's all I have to say. This time, the nips are staying covered.
Lilisette: This is another one of those characters who I really don't know very much about, so I don't have any sort of context for the way her costume is designed or what the two colour palettes might indicate. These two costumes are quite similar to each other! And they're honestly both pretty nice as well. I really do like a lot of what the black and white outfit has going on. But I think I'll stick to her default option here. There's potential for red hair and red outfit to become kind of overkill, but in this case it all comes together nicely. And I like that her shoes have heart bows, how cute;;
Jecht: EHHHH, so. It's kinda cool that Jecht gets to have a Final Aeon costume I guess, but also there's something just. inherently goofy about the whole thing. Maybe its the scale being so reduced? Maybe it's the legs? Regardless, I much prefer Jecht's default here. And it feels like kind of a missed opportunity to have this costume on Jecht, because it means they'll never be able to incorporate any transformation elements into his kit. Whatever, we're gonna stick with default Handsome Bad Dad.
... aaaand, that's it! Noctis was next, but I am so exhausted you guys. This was so much more time-consuming than I could have imagined, hgjkfd. If for some reason you're REALLY INTERESTED in a character I didn't cover, comment and I will let you know! And share you own opinions as well, please!!
SO, I'm making myself post it right now. Unfinished! Half done! An incomplete concept! And absolutely nothing terrible is going to happen as a result, and I will finally be free to talk about other things. So please enjoy my opinions on about half of the optional outfits in Opera Omnia, and apologies for the semi-abrupt halt!)
LET'S TALK ABOUT OPERA OMNIA, BAYBEE
You would assume I'm going to do another story post, but instead we're going for something much more silly and pointless. Here is a google doc featuring every Opera Omnia characters alternate costumes. I am going to tell you which costume I prefer for every character who has an alternate option available! And I encourage you to share you own thoughts as well!! Let's do this thing!
I'm just going to follow the order they appear under in the google doc. At first I thought it was random, but after a second look I think it might be dictated by when that character becomes available in story/to the player, which is kinda nice! But if you're looking for opinions on a specific character costume, probably gonna need a bit of CTRL+F action. Also, again, I'm only comparing for characters who have alternate costumes, rather than offering my opinion on every single character's fashion sense. So you won't get to hear me waxing lyrical about, idk, Steiner. sorry rusty.
Warrior of Light: Starting off with the OG of course. I don't really have strong feelings about the WoL, but I'm accustomed to thinking of him with his horned helm Dissidia look, so I guess it's default costume for him. I like that the red outfit is based on how the Warrior class looks in the original Final Fantasy though!
Vivi: Just to get controversy out of the way right from the start, I have nothing but respect for the artwork and character design of Amano, but I often find them kinda messy and overdesigned for my personal taste. In this case, I much prefer Vivi's default costume to the one modeled off his Amano design. It's just so so much.
Rem: I mean, these are both fine? One is basically a recolour of the other, right? I think I probably prefer the default here, but there isn't really much in it. Both are nice enough, but the Type-0 school aesthetic isn't really for me regardless.
Tifa: The first character on this list to have three costumes! Blue/purple dress can instantly go into the bin because I do not trust FFVII:Remake and it is entirely too FFVII:Remake for my taste. Even if I try to put such massive bias aside, it's just not a nice dress. So that leaves her default look, or her Advent Children design. And again, massive personal bias would have me lean toward FFVII OG as being the best forever. But honestly? Putting aside that all the dark-on-dark aesthetic of Advent Children was a bit tiresome, I do think Tifa's AC design is legitimately nice. Reluctantly chooses that one....
Cloud: Cloud, however, will not be degraded into wearing his Advent Children clothes. The bias is just too strong this time. Frankly his default outfit here would be much more purple if I could have my way, but you can't win 'em all.
Y'shtola: The problem here is that both of Y'shtola's outfits are legitimately wonderful. Like, I really like what both of them are selling to me. I think I might have to go with the default here just because it's so unusual to see a beautiful mysterious catgirl running around in actual trousers and a tunic? Like, that outfit is so... reasonable? But her second costume (Heavensward outfit??? idk, I don't know FFXIV) is really lovely as well, honestly. She has a great design.
Zidane: Another character with three options! Although, ehhh? I like how both of his optional costumes are references to moments from FFIX proper, but they're both pretty underwhelming. The Pluto Knights costume is just, like... exactly what you'd expect. And then his finale costume is kind of what you'd expect except they've added this weird Phantom of the Opera element that just doesn't do it for me at all. I like the scene it's representing, though! But default costume for the boy, I'm afraid.
Vaan: Vaan with his nips out, or Vaan without his nips out? This might be a decision too great for one such as I. (Personally I think the version with the shirt looks really nice, but I want to support Vaan's right to have his nips out at all times.)
Yuffie: Once again, her Advent Children outfit is actually pretty nice! It's cool! It's cohesive! But why was that film so allergic to colour and fun? This being Yuffie, I just can't see her without the weird arm guard thing and the little bit of extra colour, you know? So default costume it is, but honourable mention that the AC outfit is honestly pretty good.
Yuna: Three costumes! Yuna's default is the clear winner here. It's just too good of a design for anything else to ever be a true contender. Yuna's Gunner outfit isn't bad, but it's a terrible fit for Opera Omnia in the sense that it's just the design thrown over Summoner Yuna's mannerisms. Gunner Yuna without guns. What is the point. Wedding Dress Yuna is beautiful, and it's amazing how a dress that should be so tacky somehow manages to be so appealing, BUT. Nothing can touch the OG in this case.
Edge: oh my god who cares (second costume just about, and both designs have really nice elements, but it's too much The Character Edge so I don't care.)
Bartz: Of the various sprite-inspired costumes we're going to come up against, I think Bartz might have my favourite one? It's a very simple and iconic "ye fantasy" kind of look, but then--he's a very simple and iconic "ye fantasy" kind of character! I've gotten used to his Amano-inspired Dissidia look at this point, but I found it really busy and off-putting for such a long time. I think I have to give it to the sprite-based costume in this case.
Penelo: Ahh, Penelo. I love her so much that I just kind of forget the fact that, when you really look at it, her design is. such a strange, strange mess. I actually kind of like her original design?! But it's also kind of dreadful? Her Revenant Wings-era outfit has... well, really cute trousers if you ignore the part right around her navel. And the whole groin area in general. And the hips. Honestly, what is wrong with Penelo and just that whole region of her body. She doesn'ts deserve this. I'm going to go with OG Penelo because her stubby braids are cuter.
Terra: Three times the Terra! I'll keep this one short and sweet. Green-haired Terra will always feel like the correct answer to me. I've gotten accustomed to the Dissidia design, but green-haired Terra forever takes precedent. And it so happens that this costume actually retains all the right elements from her traditional Dissidia look so she's not stuck in a FFVI battle leotard! The winner here is clear.
Onion Knight: A character I had absolutely no feeling toward whatsoever before I started playing Opera Omnia. I've grown quite fond of him now! And he's gotta stay in his traditional red. The alternative costume is... fine? But if we're going for a busy design, then you better believe I'm going for the one with capes and poofy shorts and–most importantly–the floofy head piece that seems to draw design elements from a knight's helm! If he's the Onion Knight then he better well be an Onion Knight.
Firion: A little bit like Bartz, Firion's Amano design has never really worked for me. I like the bandanna, it's a unique visual for him, but mostly it's just... fine? Nothing really wrong with it but inspires nothing from me? Tragically, his alt costume has almost an identical response. I like the bandanna choice for a bit of unique interest, but the rest is just a whole bunch of "okay". I think, at a pinch, I'd probably say I prefer the alternative outfit? But I like his hair more in the original design. Sorry Firion. I'm just not feeling it, bud.
Laguna: President Laguna is adorable. If I put aside game knowledge and judge them simply as costumes, his default costume is the winner. And it's a nice little design, simple and clear cut and conveys plenty! But President Laguna gets a significant honourary mention on account of being a very good boy.
Squall: Funnily enough, Squall is next! Squall's SeeD uniform is actually very handsome indeed, and I'm extremely fond of it. But I think we have to go with the default costume here just because it portrays a bit more of who he is, and how he identifies? ... Think this is heading toward bias territory, though. Still, though, it's hard to say no to that classic Squall jacket. That being said, I do miss the more simplified and streamlined version of his outfit from FFVIII proper. The Dissidia version is kind of busy, as usual.
Shantotto: If I could put the glasses from the alternate costume onto her default costume, that would be perfect. Alas, not being able to do that, I think I like her default costume more. I am a big fan of brown! It is actually my favourite colour! But nothing really offsets it here, so it just becomes a bit muddied and I feel like the details are lost. We'll stick with the stripes.
Balthier: I have never cared about anything less in my life. Default so I can see less of him I guess.
Eiko: WATCH OUT, FOLKS, I'M ABOUT TO MAKE IT WEIRD. Eiko's default costume has the notoriously awkward design choice of making the skintight onesie element of her outfit almost identical in colour to her skin tone. I do not need to explain why this is unfortunate. Her alternate costume has a lovely design on her bow, and the print on the sleeves is so pretty. HOWEVER, it also gives her... like, kissable lips? Defined lips? A little doll-like pout? Whatever it is, it gives me the heebie-jeebies. And again with using the same colour palette so extensively that it starts to lose something, at least for me. Default Eiko wins.
Tidus: This is one of those costumes where you look at them and go "sorry, these are different?", but I practice I do like the alternate costume more. It's the one that matches against his actual FFX model, and once again it's just less busy than the Dissidia design. All those dangling parts and torn up elements don't add anything for me. It's not visual interest, it's just itchy. My eye does not like catching on those things. Also alternate costume has yellow shoes. Good stuff.
Layle: I have no idea what this James Bond looking shit is doing here. Layle's design is weird to me in general—he looks like an SSX Tricky character!—but I suppose I've become accustomed to it over time. And I really don't want that 007 guff anywhere near me.
Vincent: Ironically Vincent is next, and I have zero issues with his suited look. I wonder what it is that makes them vibe so differently? Also the handgun in Vincent's alt costume is weirdly gigantic compared to his default. Hope they've got some good recoil protection on that thing, else no wonder he's got a weird gauntlet arm now. (note: wrong hand, the joke has failed, don't call me out.) Anyway, for me personally, I think I actually prefer the alternate costume. But the default is a classic for a reason, and I have nothing but respect for the OG vampire aesthetic and those who crave it.
Prishe: This is a character I feel like I still know nothing about. Is she delightful? I have no idea! But that being as it may, I much prefer her alternative costume. The default has this sort of stylised school uniform vibe that doesn't really tell me much of anything about the character. The second costume seems to convey so much more, and those crystal gauntlet things are pretty legit. I would say it's pretty rare for me to err toward undressing a character, but in this case I really do think it's the superior look!
Faris: Finally, another one of these sprite-based designs. Faris's isn't too bad, and I do have fondness for the purple hair. But have you see her Amano design? For once I am wholeheartedly on board with everything Amano is selling. Give me layers, give me trim, give me scarves and belts and nonsense. Also, the Amano costume pulls off the androgynous vibe slightly better. ... Only slightly, if we're being honest.
Ramza: Sadly, this is one of those games I've just never played. So I have no strong feelings about Ramza, no real bias to try and place aside when looking at this two costumes. So with that being said, I guess I like the first costume more? But there isn't much here that really excites me. Is he wearing a hairband? Is that why his hair is flicked up like that? Is it just strange shading? Usually I can parse silly anime designs, but this deceptively simplistic-looking young man has left me confused. (It looks like he's wearing a tunic, leggings, and thigh-high boots. I respect it.)
Ace: Back to the Type-0 school aesthetic again, although I think the differences stand out slightly more on this male uniform rather than the female one. I think the default design is probably the better outfit, but I suspect if I were actually playing Type-0 I'd put the kids into their lighter-coloured summer uniforms. Mostly, though? Shrug.
Krile: Continuing the early FF sprite costumes, but Krile here actually goes a bit against the grain. It's her Amano art that has her in a discomfort-inducing leotard, while her sprite-inspired costume features a very plain but cute dress and cardigan combo. Kinda dig the larger curlier blonder hair as well. It's definitely alternate costume for me in this case.
Lightning: Ahh, Lightning. Lightning Lightning Lightning. Because there are three costumes, but also because I am confused and exasperated. There is stuff I like about each and every one of Lightning's costumes. There's also at least one thing I dislike about each of them. I am, frankly, quite impressed by what they've managed to do with her battle bikini, aka costume three—it feels like it should be offensively awful, but somehow it manages to err just about on the right side of... well, not quite tasteful, but at least charming I suppose. Costume two has a lot of cool elements, and manages to avoid being boobplate armour which is nice. But in the end, I think I like the default outfit the most. The colour palette is just so nice to my eye! And it creates the illusion of being practical. I can actually believe it at a glance. Closer inspection reveals so much nonsense, but a good design is one that tricks you into needing that second look, I suppose!
Snow: hour long fart noise (default i GUESS)
Ashe: Tricky one. A little bit like I was saying about Lightning, Ashe's default costume has an illusion of practicality. Unlike Lightning, however, I feel that Ashe's just doesn't hold up even beyond the initial glance. I actually love that top (again with the colour scheme!), but also it... what? How many pieces is it? What is going on? And we're not even talking about the hot pink miniskirt here, this is just the top. I'm so conflicted when it comes to Ashe. It's just so so close to being wonderful, and instead it's. whatever that mess is. AND YET, I think I still like it more than the alternate costume, even though the alternate is quite nice! There's just something so good about what Ashe's costume almost is that I guess I just mentally fill in the blanks and come out satisfied somehow. FFXII designs, however, do have much to answer for.
Aeris: Stubborn Aeris insister until the day I die, ANYWAY, default for me. The red dress is cute, but FF7:Remake bias is too strong and I won't be having it. The blue and white dress is pretty cute and I would wear it myself in a heartbeat, but! If we're talking bias, then Crisis Core is just... I can't. I just can't. Get out of here Crisis Core. Leave now, and never come back. Default Aeris has got this.
Serah: Ehhh? I'm not wild about either of Serah's costumes. Her default here is all kinds of weird, and doesn't really get away with it the way Lightning's questionable outfits somehow do. Which I suppose means I prefer the alternate, which is her original FFXIII costume. But I'll be frank, chaps—she looks like a tiny schoolgirl in FFXIII, and Snow being about nine foot tall doesn't help clarify things. I was severely perturbed that this school child was engaged. I'm going with the XIII-2 outfit.
Garnet: First of all, it is tragic that we don't have bob cut Garnet on any of her costumes. Disgusting, 0/10, let her have her short hair it's the best look. That being said, Garnet doesn't have a bad option here. The finale outfit is obviously beautiful, and her default look is classic in all its bizarre orange onesie glory. But for me I think the version with the white mage cloak just about triumphs. It's cute, is all! Sometimes you just need a little extra cute!
Celes: Here's a big one! Celes is my one of my top favourite characters from FFVI, and I remember there being a time where I wasn't quite sold on her Amano-style design as used in Opera Omnia. However... I find it very very difficult to remember what it was that I failed to enjoy, because these days I love it. I can appreciate the nostalgia factor of wanting to choose the costume that bears a closer resemblance to the sprite art, but I just can't imagine sticking General Celes back in that green leotard when you have this gorgeous alternative right there. The cape and pauldrons do give some charming Inomata vibes though! But man. I love her. I love Celes and I love this outfit on her.
Kain: Now, see, I don't like Kain. It's just an archetype and a story beat that never much appeal to me. But he actually has three very cool and very unique costumes going on, so unfortunately I have to talk about him. I could honestly believe these are three different characters, which could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your perspective I suppose! I actually like his default the least, although it's far from bad. His third costume, in pale blue and white, is... a little bit bonkers? I have no idea what the context for it is. But I don't dislike it?! In fact the more I look, the more it continues to grow on me. That being said, though, desert nomad aesthetic is 10/10, so it's going to be the second costume for me. But if I linger here much longer I'll change my mind, so big props to costume three for being neat, and props to all costumes for making me spend this long on Kain Highwind of all folks.
Kuja: This one is pretty easy. Kuja's optional outfit is... fine?? But who cares—it's just feels fundamentally Not Kuja in a way that even some of the other more outlandish costumes don't inspire from me. Default costume is the only option here. Not a shred of hesitation.
Quistis: Quistis is, at my most generous, a character I don't jive with. At worst, I really quite dislike her. She can have her second costume, the SeeD uniform, because she absolutely does wear it well. But also, I don't wanna talk about Quistis.
Sephiroth: SO, UH. This is basically, should Sephiroth show his nips or not. Having already advocated for Vaan's right to keep his nips out, I suppose Sephiroth deserves the same treatment. Plus, bias being what it is, shirtless Sephiroth is a direct reference to VII OG and I am a brat about that whole business. SO IT'S TITTIES OUT FOR THE BOYS, I GUESS.
Lenna: Lenna... ehhh? I'm a little surprised I don't feel stronger here, but honestly both of her costumes are just fine. I guess I like the default costume more than her sprite one, but there really isn't too strong of a difference here in terms of how I react to them. The default is a bit too busy, but the sprite one is a bit too plain. Kinda has an Interstellar 5555 vibe, right? Whatever though, either is fine.
Kefka: Default Kefka. His outfit is busy, but in all the right ways. He's a jester, of course it's vibrant and overflowing. The alternative costume is... a bit strange? I sort of want to like it, but I just can't. It's somehow too busy and yet too muddy at the same time. Just too much of the same colour layered upon itself, nothing feels very distinct or eye-catching. Alas, I'm just not feeling it.
Zack: LET'S NOT GET INTO MY COMPLEX AND ANNOYING FEELINGS ABOUT ZACK. Costume two because purple all the way, baybee, and that's all I have to say. This time, the nips are staying covered.
Lilisette: This is another one of those characters who I really don't know very much about, so I don't have any sort of context for the way her costume is designed or what the two colour palettes might indicate. These two costumes are quite similar to each other! And they're honestly both pretty nice as well. I really do like a lot of what the black and white outfit has going on. But I think I'll stick to her default option here. There's potential for red hair and red outfit to become kind of overkill, but in this case it all comes together nicely. And I like that her shoes have heart bows, how cute;;
Jecht: EHHHH, so. It's kinda cool that Jecht gets to have a Final Aeon costume I guess, but also there's something just. inherently goofy about the whole thing. Maybe its the scale being so reduced? Maybe it's the legs? Regardless, I much prefer Jecht's default here. And it feels like kind of a missed opportunity to have this costume on Jecht, because it means they'll never be able to incorporate any transformation elements into his kit. Whatever, we're gonna stick with default Handsome Bad Dad.
... aaaand, that's it! Noctis was next, but I am so exhausted you guys. This was so much more time-consuming than I could have imagined, hgjkfd. If for some reason you're REALLY INTERESTED in a character I didn't cover, comment and I will let you know! And share you own opinions as well, please!!
no subject
(why is Squall's original outfit not an option, absolutely outrageous)
no subject
(I do not know! I appreciate that his Dissidia costume is kind of the same as his original game outfit, but also it's really not the same at all! Squall does not need a low-cut shirt and a half-skort-thing on his hip! I... was about to say he doesn't need thigh belts either, but upon closer inspection those were part of the original design as well. why do you need thigh belts, squall leonhart. what is going on with you.)
no subject
funnily enough, that about explains my overall feelings towards Balthier!!!! i am a VaanElo* stan till i die
* not the pairing, but just a cute shorthand for them 😭
no subject