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Four Final Fantasy Creatures That Need to Make a Comeback
The Final Fantasy series is filled with creatures who appeared in just one or two games before promptly disappearing, never to be seen again. This isn't particularly surprising, seeing as Final Fantasy is a series that likes to reinvent and regenerate itself for each entry, and sometimes when a world gets axed, so, too, does its wildlife. And while understandable, there are a few of these critters who just really should never have been forgotten. Here's four of them:
Beavers:
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Beavers first appeared in the original NES release of Final Fantasy II. They only speak in growls and other beavery noises, but don't worry! Guy speak beaver. To use his term.
Square Enix later retconned beavers into remakes of Final Fantasy I, but since then, we haven't heard a squeak out of these fuzzy critters. Why not? Well, probably because moogles took over their role as a helpful, vaguely rodent-like guide. But as far as I'm concerned, that's no excuse. Give me more beavers! I'm sure Canada can spare a few.
Shoopufs:
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Ah, the noble shoopuf, a mysterious creature that is never seen eating. Proudly they stand at the Moonflow, just waiting for someone to come along and ride them. After all, wouldn't you want to riiiiiiiiiide ze shoopuf?
Shoopufs are native to Spira, so of course it makes sense that they haven't appeared in any non-Spira games. The easy solution to this dilemma is to make more games set in Spira. Yup. So come on, Square Enix. We're waiting. All aboooooooards!
Moombas:
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Fuzzy, adorable, and ferocious if they really want to be, moombas are a mutation of "some unknown animal" and possibly a part of the evolving lifecycle of the Shumi people. They are also awesome. As one sculptor famously said, "Did you not see their noble features? Their gem-like eyes revealing innocence? Their bright red hair symbolizing passion? Their spectacular hair signifying power! Their soothing, adorable cries! Their mighty hands with incredible strength! Their proud postures demanding respect!"
Moombas really only appeared in Final Fantasy VIII (and Chocobo World, if you want to count that), although they made a couple of cameos in FFX and X-2 and a couple of other smaller games. Why have they not appeared again in all their fuzzy glory? Who knows. Come on Squeenix, get with the program!
Hummingways
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The Hummingway is an adorable bunny-creature that, for the most part, communicate by humming. I can already hear you guys out there pointing out that we already have a bunny-creature in the form of moogles. But do you know what I think? I think we can always use MORE bunny-creatures!
The Hummingway is featured in Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy IV -Interlude-, and Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, and although Namingway makes a couple of cameos in other games, Hummingways have yet to appear outside the FFIV universe. Personally I think we need a lot moire of these little guys. Bring on the bunnies!
So there you have it: four creatures that really should have appeared more often. But don't worry, critters! You may be gone (for now) but you have not been forgotten. From the smallest beaver to the biggest shoopuf, you guys are important to the history of Final Fantasy. Here's hoping for a glorious comeback for all of you!
