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RMRK General => Video Games and Entertainment => Topic started by: Alerith on December 14, 2006, 06:44:34 PM

Title: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: Alerith on December 14, 2006, 06:44:34 PM
Ok, so your fighting a tough enemy and he kills one of your guys. No problem, you probably have a stash of Phoenix Downs or your white mage has Raise/Life. You bring em back, and continue on as usual.

Why is it then, when someone dies in the storyline, does everyone suddenly become retarded and not use said items or spells?

FFVII for example.

I think it was a great plot twist that aeris died. The only thing nagging me was the fact that nobody used an item or revival spell.

Now I know what your thinking:

"Alerith you silly boy, in battle, you only get knocked out. You don't actually die."

Ok, Ill go with that for a few seconds.
..
..
..

Ok, im done. If that was the case, then why would you end in a game over? Are you so knocked out that you don't realize something is eating your face?

And why else would the spell be called "Death"? Sure "Knock Out" doesnt sound as cool, but at least it works!

And what about in FFX? If your main party dies, you get the ol Game Over. Your secondary party characters just walk away and go "Shit.....oh well. The world is doomed now."

A character dies in battle, someone revives them.
A character dies otherwise, everyone plans a funeral.

Wth?
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: Moss. on December 14, 2006, 06:55:18 PM
Here's my theory.



"Death" in a battle isn't really death. You're really just getting beaten to within an inch of your life, and you've been knocked unconscious. The Phoenix Down revives you from your KO'd state and restored some of your health.
Like, in a battle, you can react, and dodge attacks. Maybe not completely dodge them, but make it so they avoid hitting vital organs, and thus you just pass out from loss of blood.

If everyone gets knocked out, then there's nobody left to stop the monsters from having their way with you, and eating your faces off and shit. THAT'S why it's game over if everyone passes out.

As for the Death spell and FFX's game over, I've got nothing. =\


Aeris was stabbed through the stomach. It's a little more serious, I guess. ???
Or was it more through the heart than the stomach? Either way, what I'm getting at is that Sephy hit a vital organ, there. That's serious shit.


Eh, that's what I think.
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: &&&&&&&&&&&&& on December 14, 2006, 07:37:27 PM
Quote from: Alerith on December 14, 2006, 06:44:34 PM
And what about in FFX? If your main party dies, you get the ol Game Over. Your secondary party characters just walk away and go "Shit.....oh well. The world is doomed now."


;D I noticed that too... they fixed that in FF12.
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: Roph on December 14, 2006, 08:02:26 PM
How about; it's that way to make the game work =/
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: haloOfTheSun on December 14, 2006, 08:06:42 PM
Some FF's even call it "K.O." or "Swoon" (Ha, that was my favorite.) status, rather than Death. Anyway it doesn't matter.

Because if it worked on actual dead people... nobody'd be dead! You'd have people living forever, and there'd be some really gross old wrinkly people walking around.
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: Blizzard on December 14, 2006, 08:07:57 PM
Lol, I know about that thing, too. This here describes it really good:

Quote from: console RPG clichés No. 153"Mommy, why didn't they just use a Phoenix Down on Aeris?"
Don't expect battle mechanics to carry over into the "real world."

That's why I like to use the term "Defeated". If your party members all are defeated the bad guys kill them. Bang! Game Over!
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: GilgameshRO on December 14, 2006, 10:12:34 PM
So hey, Phantasy Star 4? Play it.
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: Moss. on December 14, 2006, 10:14:15 PM
Quote from: GilgameshRO on December 14, 2006, 10:12:34 PM
So hey, Phantasy Star 4? Play it.
:(
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: SexualBubblegumX on December 15, 2006, 04:19:20 AM
The whole death/pheonix down thing has bothered me since I was like 11. And when Genreal Leo died in FF6. I was like, 'hey this guy is awesome, pheonix down the guy already!' So i've also wondered why if you die in battle a pheonix down is okay, but in a cut scene you're permanently gone.

I've always wondered why that worked.
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: Arrow on December 15, 2006, 05:05:45 AM
Behold, a prime example of a plot hole.
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: Lord Dante on December 15, 2006, 05:23:20 AM
No no no. When a cutscene starts, you're teleported to an alternate dimension where the physics are different.

Silly humans.

Actually, that bugs me to, but how else, as Roph mentioned, could you make game mechanics work?
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: Moss. on December 15, 2006, 06:19:44 AM
Did anyone read my post yet?
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: Yossy on December 15, 2006, 01:39:13 PM
What post?  I don't see any post.
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: Moss. on December 15, 2006, 02:50:43 PM
 :-[
Title: Re: The use of revival items/spells in RPGs.
Post by: Lominisio on December 16, 2006, 11:19:50 PM
It's just how a game works. I suppose we could always complain to the maker. :P