The Storm is Here (or, Boasting)

There is a large population of (incredibly vocal) gamers that didn't particularly care for Final Fantasy XIII. This comes as no great shock to the gaming world; people have been decrying JRPGs, particularly Final Fantasy, for well over a decade.

Somewhere, however, exists a large group of fans that adored Final Fantasy XIII as a brilliant video game. I consider myself part of that group.

One thing in particular that I enjoyed from the game was the battle system. Not just for the flashy, cinematic action, but for the hot-blooded one-liners that characters would spout in the middle of a fight.

The main character, Lightning, offers up one such gem just before launching one of her Super Moves, "The storm is here!"

Aside from being a very fitting line for someone known as Lightning, it is also quite cool, and part of a larger collection of badass one-liners that Lightning will deliver throughout the game.

These vocalized moments of coolness are not exclusive to Lightning, or even to Final Fantasy XIII. There are many, many characters that will boast, mid-battle, to their opponents. Boasting enhances the game in a couple different ways.

The first way is to deepen characterization by revealing the character's playfulness. Or their arrogance. Or confidence. Or bravery. Or sometimes just their ability to think of witty one-liners. Whatever it does, it will help the Player to better understand who they are playing with.

The second way is, this behavior will often supply some of the most memorable quotes or actions of a character:

Snow, like his teammate Lightning, will shout "The heroes always win!" before pummeling any non-heroes into dust.

Bayonetta telling her angelic foes that, "[She's] got a fever, and the only cure is more dead angels."

Joe and Silvia transforming in style with a "Henshin-a-go-go, baby!" when a simple "Henshin" would do.

Dante, master of such lines, will ask foes to "Come on", bored with how little they seem to trouble him. At one point he engages in a mock Shakespearean dialogue with his foe before a fight to the death.

Nero will stop whatever he's doing to jam on an air guitar, apparently oblivious to the demons attempting to kill him at that very moment.


And there are nearly limitless other examples of characters boasting. The point is, it's a great part of any game, and a small detail of characterization that often goes overlooked.