I just can't believe it....[Spoilers about the Opening Movie]

[lordxrasler]

I mean like just...wow. The most charming and good looking guy died right in the start, what exactly was the producer thinking? Such a happy beginning when i saw the wedding between Ashe and Lord Rasler and then ffs he died right after that(got shotted by an arrow) and theres no mention of him anymore in the later part of the game. I was even thinking Rasler was the main character at first. They should've put Rasler later in the part of the game even if he was dead. Maybe his ghost or something, rather than just finish his role in the game after his death in the beginning.And then u get Vaan who didn't appear in the opening movie to be the main character. Even though the game could be fun...but what a horrible start i get after such a goddamn sad intro....Some ppl might like his death, since it brings flavours into the story. But meh, someone with looks like that dying in the beginning? I don't think thats something i've seen before in past FFs.Now i'm wonder how the story would end off. Normally endings of FF are the male leading char gets united with the female leading char. But apparently it won't be like this in FFXII =( Ashe would definately not be in love with Vaan, otherwise it'll totally spoil the game storyline imo.Anyone felt this way too?PS, i haven't played the game, pretty much watch the opening movie trailer only and got quite a bad impression in the start...

[Vyk]

Just 'cause you liked a character you knew nothing about and he got killed? You only seem to have liked him because he looked good. Its a fascinating, entertaining, dramatic, and gripping opening. Lots of action and emotion. It says a lot about someone's story-telling prowess, the producers and directors, to draw you in by getting you attached to a character in mere minutes and then having an emotional effect on you only minutes later by taking that character away. That opening is the biggest reason I plan on getting the game. Its got the story qualities of LotR (in which I think you're meant to get to know most if not all these characters in a more deep and personal manner than some previous entries [VII/VIII/IX] where some of your comrades are mostly filler) with the weird sci-fi political war-fare feel of Star Wars. Lots of things happening and I want in on it. FFVIII and IX were a chore to me. And X was a let-down. So I never touched X-2 or XI. I'm glad FFXII is taking things seriously for once. I'm not a big fan of Vaan either, but I'm told though he's your main character, and a central focus of the story, he's also in a lot of ways not really a big part of it. I've read in places where after you form a party, using him throughout the rest of the game is completely optional. And as you saw (and seem to complain about) the beginning and probably a lot of the story isn't about him. He's just placed into it. You experience it through him. But it isn't him you're experiencing. He's not going to be forced down your throat like previous leads (Tidus/Yuna?). At least that's the impression I've been given. Also, doesn't the story take place 2 years after that battle? A lot has happened since then, so you can't pick up right away using some soldier in that battle, it's over. Been over. So we'll see how it goes

[Aria28]

lordxRasler: about Rasler's role (big spoiler, you've been warned) (SPOILER)Rasler does play a huge role during the game. From the moment she reappears as part of the Rebel, er, Liberation Army, you can tell his death has had a huge impact on her, which adds a lot of depth to her character. He also does appear as a ghost to Ashe at crucial times, which plays a important role in her decisions. It's really a pivotal aspect of the story, both by his appearances, and through symbols, like her wedding ring. Oh, and there are flashbacks of him and Ashe as well.

I don't want to spoil even more of it, unless you really want me to, LOL

And I completely agree with you, Vyx, that first event is really major to set the tone and themes of the game, and it's probably the most "serious" story Square has proposed since FF VI, IMO. Vaan is the character that kind of is your eyes and ears, and is at the beginning about just as clueless as you about what's been going on behind the curtains, so to speak. He does remind me of Tidus some in the sense that he's the young, blond, cheerful team member, but there is more to him than that. Since you can choose your team leader as you explore the game, and that (SPOILER)he doesn't play the main role in most events in the story, it makes him a lot more bearable

[lordxrasler]

] I'm just glad his death wasn't just being forgotten. I thought his role just ended there and there would be no mentioning of him later on. So i see the characters all have a role and theres no 'main' character. Thanks Aria but is that really (SPOILER)Rasler's ghost himself or was Ashe just imagining?

[Aria28]

] I'm just glad his death wasn't just being forgotten. I thought his role just ended there and there would be no mentioning of him later on. So i see the characters all have a role and theres no 'main' character. Thanks Aria but is that really (SPOILER)Rasler's ghost himself or was Ashe just imagining?

You're welcome! Well, actually (SPOILER)Ashe isn't imagining it, it is Rasler's ghost but there's a twist - you'll note as you'll play the game that there are twists aplenty at a lot of levels, LOL

Since the explanation to that requires that I reveal a major plot twist, I didn't want to post it with that first spoiler - read what follows at your own risks

(SPOILER)In fact, Rasler's ghost is used by "creatures" akin to gods, the Oquelians (sp?) (although, based on what I understand of Japanese, it is never made clear what their exact nature is, but I may stand corrected here). They make Rasler appear to Ashe as a ghost to emotionally manipulate her and lead her to seek revenge against the Empire instead of focusing on the future, ultimately serving the Oquelians' purpose as well. However, the Oquelians aren't what you would qualify as bad guys, it's more that they want to perpetuate a state of things between them and men (or humes, as they are named in the game).

So I guess, in a way, it's not really Rasler's ghost you see. However, it is touching to see the devotion of Ashe to her dead husband, even though many people said their marriage was solely a marriage of convenience, serving a political purpose

[Dynast-Kid]

From what i've gathered,Vaan has little to do with the plot and Ashe is the true main character.

[Aria28]

You've gathered it right

But although Vaan is my least favorite character of the main party, I would still miss him were he not in too long a stretch of the story. They really do work as a team, and all have their part to play, although some have a bigger part than others, LOL

[Vyk]

Such an interesting angle. I'm glad they tried something different with the whole story main character / your main character

[lordxrasler]

aww, so (SPOILER) after all it wasn't really Rasler's ghost but someone trying to manipulate Ashe with that? =( But i guess i'm glad flashbacks with Rasler helped Ashe in making decisions.

Thanks ^^

[Dell]

I know Rasler but I've never seen him! (SPOILER)Is he the man that appear when Ashe try to break a ball? with the Sword of Conqueror King in Stillshrine of Miriam?

[Senel Coolidge]

well ...If ask me ?
no one is better then Vaan...not that relars or what ever his name is..
Am I wrong? :rolleyes2