As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of Final Fantasy under my belt, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think about the Blue Mage. This unique job class, with its ability to learn enemy abilities through direct exposure, has always been a fan-favorite for me. It was a breath of fresh air amidst the standard RPG combat, and it’s a shame that it hasn’t received as much love in recent titles.
From its beginning, the video game series Final Fantasy has consistently redefined the role-playing game (RPG) genre, particularly with its distinctive job system. In each new release, innovative roles were presented, focusing on captivating gameplay elements and narrative development. However, one job that has gradually moved into obscurity among fans is the Blue Mage. The Blue Mages have always been remarkable characters within the Final Fantasy universe, learning potent monster abilities by being attacked directly. This intriguing mechanic made Blue Mages stand out from other job classes.
In contrast to contemporary titles, which have primarily focused on streamlined or action-based combat at the expense of the Blue Mage, Final Fantasy 14 stands alone as the only recent exception. Here, the Blue Mage functions independently from the typical party structure and encounters limitations in endgame content. This has left a niche unfilled for fans yearning for the Blue Mage’s erratic skills and versatile playstyle. With Final Fantasy 17 on the horizon, Square Enix has a chance to revive this vintage job and modernize it to suit contemporary gameplay.
Why Final Fantasy 17 Should Honor the Blue Mage
Blue Mage’s Unique Mechanics Encourage Strategy
A unique characteristic of a Blue Mage is its way of acquiring abilities. Unlike other classes that obtain spells by leveling up or using items, the Blue Mage learns skills by battling enemies and gaining experience from them. This feature added an additional dimension to strategic thinking as players hunted specific foes to expand their skillset in the original appearance of the Blue Mage in Final Fantasy 5. The job became particularly noteworthy for enabling players to exploit their adversaries’ abilities against them.
Introducing the Resurgence of Blue Mage in Final Fantasy 17 could bring back this tactical aspect, offering a refreshing change from traditional RPG battles. Gamers would be tasked with tracking and defeating particular creatures, experiencing the excitement of exploration. To make gameplay even more intriguing, a storyline centered around this mechanic could be developed.
Blue Mages Enhance Final Fantasy’s Lore and Character Diversity
Over the years, Blue Mages have been more than just spellcasters—they’ve embodied unique narratives and personalities. Characters like Kimahri from Final Fantasy 10 and Quina from Final Fantasy 9 have taken on the Blue Mage role while adding depth to their stories as outsiders or seekers of self-discovery. It’s arguably one of the reasons why some players within the community will passionately defend the “outcast” of their respective video game.
Incorporating the Blue Mage role into Final Fantasy 17 offers Square Enix an opportunity to expand on storyline and backstory. A protagonist or crucial character who is a Blue Mage could embody the process of growth as they learn from their encounters, mirroring a personal journey that’s deeply intertwined with their profession. By having a hero who learns from the creatures in their environment, the game can delve into intricate themes such as appreciating diversity, overcoming obstacles, or accepting power variations.
A Modern Blue Mage Adaptation in a New Final Fantasy Story
Final Fantasy 16 brought players one of the darkest stories in series history, while focusing heavily on real-time action combat. It also continued the recent tradition of photorealism in the game’s aesthetic. For Final Fantasy 17, Square Enix could consider an aesthetic shift similar to what Final Fantasy 9 did after the modern nature of FF 7 and FF 8. A Blue Mage character could serve as a fitting protagonist or support role with its traditional masked, pseudo-super hero look, perhaps even wielding a cane.
To put it more casually and clearly in contemporary gaming terms, let’s imagine we could make improvements to Blue Mage’s learning system to encourage experimentation. Instead of merely duplicating enemy skills, how about allowing players to personalize or boost these skills based on how often they are used or the number of enemies they defeat?
Why Final Fantasy 17 Needs the Blue Mage
In the annals of Final Fantasy‘s rich history, the Blue Mage stands out as a nearly forgotten yet instantly recognizable element. This job encapsulates aspects of unpredictability, tactical depth, and agility, crafting a distinctive gameplay experience that many enthusiasts yearn for. By reintroducing this role in Final Fantasy 17, Square Enix could cater to loyal fans while igniting the interest of novice players.
The Blue Mage would provide a unique gameplay style compared to the conventional classes in modern games, fostering richer character progression and team interactions. By reintroducing this job in future installments of Final Fantasy, there’s an opportunity to pay tribute to the series’ origins and the allure of a hero whose growth is influenced by encounters and battles, mirroring the essence that initially captivated players.
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2024-11-09 16:04