Is The Writing of This Game Good or What?

[comma]

It's been too long since I've played it to go into detail, but I'd say that the first disc of Final Fantasy IX is the best exposition in any FF game ever. It's pointed, dramatic, has great character development, the best-written dialogue in an FF game up to that point, and it's just brimming with creativity in a world that fully embraces fantasy.

Of course, like most FF games, it turns into a jumbled, rambling mess with a weak central goal after that, but it never gets any worse than the other games in the series.

And yeah, since character identity is obviously a discussion about the writing, I'll weigh in on Quina. I think it's understandable that such a bizarre, "otherly" character being a representative for an entire set of people can be construed as a little demeaning and offensive. She/he is comic relief: a strange clown for us to laugh at. I would be upset if that were the character I'd most identify with because of my gender, too.

On the other hand, fiction, and comedy in particular, helps bring to light certain societal issues that people otherwise don't think about or have very narrow understanding of. Comedy is important here because it help breaks the ice and is the least offensive way to confront sensitive issues. Think about the gay character in the movie Some Like It Hot. Yes, he's awkward and a little off-putting, but the mere fact that he has a place in that movie's world and isn't presented as a child molester or a criminal is a big deal. That's why I think comedy is the greatest tool for broaching topics of social change, even if in the act of doing so, the ridiculousness of the taboo is exposed for laughs.

I think this is done with great success with Quina, and I encourage you to give the game another chance with this in mind.