Final Fantasy series suitable for christians?

[Splintered_Dreams]

I am really considering getting into the final fantasy series and was wondering what the concensus on these games are.
I am looking at christian game reviews for FF10 and they seem to be mixed, nothing really conclusive.
I am 15 years old, and am therefore old enough to play it, but there seem to be allusions to other religions sprinkled throughout the games.
I and am very strong in my faith, and beleive I am able to differentiate from what is truth and what isn't.
anyway, what are everybodys oppinions?
Thanks ^^'

 

[ravendta]

I'm a Christian, and I LOVE Final Fantasy.

I think it's really up to the player. As long as you realize it's all a fantasy, and none of it is real or will ever be real (and don't start trying to conjure up magic spells) then I see no problem with it.

 

[JCMLR]

yeah, there's nothing wrong with playing FF games. exept if you considered magic unapropiated.
I'm also glad FFXI will be in the Xbox 360.

 

[WhirlwindMonk]

I agree with ravendta. As long as it doesn't affect your relationship with God, there's no problem. If you are really sure, go out and buy it. It's an awesome game. But if you aren't quite sure, rent it first, and see how it is, and then if you like it, go ahead and buy it.

Let us know what you think of it if you decided to get it.

[edit]
And btw, there is a little language, but not much, and nothing stronger than the d-word. Just thought I'd let you know.

 

[MusicalProgrammer]

The Final Fantasy series has been absolutely amazing from beginning to end and throughout. You might be absorbed in it to the point that you suddenly wake up and find yourself missing about 60 hours of your life, but other than that, it's fine.

As has been said, the only harm, like anything else, is if it becomes an idol (it's all you ever think about each and every day) or it otherwise negatively affects your walk with the Lord.

Star Wars has a lot more from non-Christian religions (for instance, the Force being based on a pantheistic belief) than Final Fantasy, IMHO.

 

[Lithium Hobo]

I never got into the series, but looks fine to me.

 

[Splintered_Dreams]

thank you for the replys
I beleive I will borrow it from my friend for a bit and play it prior to buying as suggested :-D
Thank you!

 

[Dean Anderson]

FFX got me hooked and I'm a strongly devote Christian.

 

[Rinpun]

I played FF7 and FFX and I think they're great games yet I'm Christian.

I agree with the notion that they're ok as long as you know that the vulgarity isn't acceptible no matter what the situation (they almost seem to imply that saying "d***" is appropriate when things aren't when you want it, but perhaps that is just a misnomer) and that the story is all fantasy.

 

[Mongoose]

Actually, I had some interesting thoughts earlier. This is kind of a silly interpretation of a few minuscule things in this game, but it's interesting anyway.

There are a few pieces of evidence that Final Fantasy has an anti-god (not particularly anti-christian, but anti-god in general) feel to it:

First, I will point out that the final bosses of FF6 and FF7 resemble stereotypical god-like figures or angels, and they are both fought in this atmosphere that resembling the stereotypical image of heaven, floating in the sky with clouds all around. The FF9 boss has a few god-like qualities to it as well and is also fought in a heaven-like atmosphere up in the sky.

And at the end of FFX, after you fight the main final boss battle, there is a small and easy battle with Yevon, who is a religious figure--a deity of sorts--to many of the people in the world that the game takes place. He doesn't resemble the imagery of a god though (I vaguely remember what he looked like, but I think it was something like a scarab, or The Tick's insignia, or something).

This one is a bit silly, but just for giggles I'll mention the FF4 boss. This boss looks just downright wierd and is fought in a very bizarre yet intense atmosphere. However, his most powerful attack is called "The Big Bang," which associates him with creating universes. Yeah, that one is kind of silly to mention, but oh well.

They seem to have some kind of fascination with defeating gods. I've never seen the FF2, FF3, FF5, and FF8 bosses, but all of them I have seen have at least a minuscule reference to gods or deities.

Lastly, which is more relevant to Christianity, there is Kimari's ultimate weapon in the game. In the American version, it is called the Spirit Lance. However, this isn't the original name of the weapon. In the Japanese version, it is called Longinus, which is the name of the Roman soldier who pierced Christ's side with his spear at the end of his crucifixion. My guess is that they changed it with the English translation so that it would sit better with an American audience, which is vastly Christian.

These aren't that big of a deal, but they are interesting speculations that I thought might be fun to point out.

 

[Ichigo Giroro]

The boss of Final Fantasy VIII (Ultimecia...she's got a...lame name....) looked weird...just weird. Her final form was a mix of a summon and herself and in my opinion, made her look like a giant centipede thingie.

Dang, that thing had lots of health, if I remember right...even using the strongest move (Lion Heart...did 9999 around 20 times...) three times didn't kill it.

 

[dumpsterdiver]

I think as long as you don't let it hurt you're relationship with God in any way, then it isn't bad.

 

[Breetai]

Lastly, which is more relevant to Christianity, there is Kimari's ultimate weapon in the game. In the American version, it is called the Spirit Lance. However, this isn't the original name of the weapon. In the Japanese version, it is called Longinus, which is the name of the Roman soldier who pierced Christ's side with his spear at the end of his crucifixion. My guess is that they changed it with the English translation so that it would sit better with an American audience, which is vastly Christian.

That's actually kind a cool name.

 

[MusicalProgrammer]

Actually, I had some interesting thoughts earlier. This is kind of a silly interpretation of a few minuscule things in this game, but it's interesting anyway.

There are a few pieces of evidence that Final Fantasy has an anti-god (not particularly anti-christian, but anti-god in general) feel to it:

First, I will point out that the final bosses of FF6 and FF7 resemble stereotypical god-like figures or angels, and they are both fought in this atmosphere that resembling the stereotypical image of heaven, floating in the sky with clouds all around. The FF9 boss has a few god-like qualities to it as well and is also fought in a heaven-like atmosphere up in the sky.

And at the end of FFX, after you fight the main final boss battle, there is a small and easy battle with Yevon, who is a religious figure--a deity of sorts--to many of the people in the world that the game takes place. He doesn't resemble the imagery of a god though (I vaguely remember what he looked like, but I think it was something like a scarab, or The Tick's insignia, or something).

This one is a bit silly, but just for giggles I'll mention the FF4 boss. This boss looks just downright wierd and is fought in a very bizarre yet intense atmosphere. However, his most powerful attack is called "The Big Bang," which associates him with creating universes. Yeah, that one is kind of silly to mention, but oh well.

They seem to have some kind of fascination with defeating gods. I've never seen the FF2, FF3, FF5, and FF8 bosses, but all of them I have seen have at least a minuscule reference to gods or deities.

Lastly, which is more relevant to Christianity, there is Kimari's ultimate weapon in the game. In the American version, it is called the Spirit Lance. However, this isn't the original name of the weapon. In the Japanese version, it is called Longinus, which is the name of the Roman soldier who pierced Christ's side with his spear at the end of his crucifixion. My guess is that they changed it with the English translation so that it would sit better with an American audience, which is vastly Christian.

These aren't that big of a deal, but they are interesting speculations that I thought might be fun to point out.

Both bosses in FF2 and FF5 were decidedly human (yet powerful); ExDeath in FF5 was supposedly immortal, but defeatable all the same.

 

[Witness Of His Love]

Having played all of the FF games cept the last PC one and the online game, and having been a Christian the whole while, I never felt my walk with Christ was being diminished. I have this attitude about all games...

~It's just a game. Play it. Have fun. Get over it and move on to the next one.~

 

[Witness Of His Love]

Actually, I had some interesting thoughts earlier. This is kind of a silly interpretation of a few minuscule things in this game, but it's interesting anyway.

There are a few pieces of evidence that Final Fantasy has an anti-god (not particularly anti-christian, but anti-god in general) feel to it:

First, I will point out that the final bosses of FF6 and FF7 resemble stereotypical god-like figures or angels, and they are both fought in this atmosphere that resembling the stereotypical image of heaven, floating in the sky with clouds all around. The FF9 boss has a few god-like qualities to it as well and is also fought in a heaven-like atmosphere up in the sky.

And at the end of FFX, after you fight the main final boss battle, there is a small and easy battle with Yevon, who is a religious figure--a deity of sorts--to many of the people in the world that the game takes place. He doesn't resemble the imagery of a god though (I vaguely remember what he looked like, but I think it was something like a scarab, or The Tick's insignia, or something).

This one is a bit silly, but just for giggles I'll mention the FF4 boss. This boss looks just downright wierd and is fought in a very bizarre yet intense atmosphere. However, his most powerful attack is called "The Big Bang," which associates him with creating universes. Yeah, that one is kind of silly to mention, but oh well.

They seem to have some kind of fascination with defeating gods. I've never seen the FF2, FF3, FF5, and FF8 bosses, but all of them I have seen have at least a minuscule reference to gods or deities.

Lastly, which is more relevant to Christianity, there is Kimari's ultimate weapon in the game. In the American version, it is called the Spirit Lance. However, this isn't the original name of the weapon. In the Japanese version, it is called Longinus, which is the name of the Roman soldier who pierced Christ's side with his spear at the end of his crucifixion. My guess is that they changed it with the English translation so that it would sit better with an American audience, which is vastly Christian.

These aren't that big of a deal, but they are interesting speculations that I thought might be fun to point out.

I'm thinking that it was Japanese culture that produced the effect you saw--not particularly anti-christian, but anti-god. In Japanese lore and legends heros often times fight and defeat gods. It's certainly a running theme in their operas and dramas.

I can't recall the number of "main bosses" I've fought that were obviously modeled after demons. Actually kinda cool to hasten the demise of one. hehe

 

[Mongoose]

I'm thinking that it was Japanese culture that produced the effect you saw--not particularly anti-christian, but anti-god. In Japanese lore and legends heros often times fight and defeat gods. It's certainly a running theme in their operas and dramas.

I can't recall the number of "main bosses" I've fought that were obviously modeled after demons. Actually kinda cool to hasten the demise of one. hehe

Indeed. Do you know if any of this stuff shows up in Shinto?

 

[MetalBlade]

I love the FF series, and I don't see why they would be considred anti-christian.

 

[Witness Of His Love]

Indeed. Do you know if any of this stuff shows up in Shinto?

Only fighting I can recall in Shinto is among the gods themselves, called "kami". Kami are either greater or lesser gods, or when a human dies he becomes a kami and is revered by his descendants as a sacred ancestor but...

Because Shinto is charged with preserving the ancient arts of No theater, (dramatic plays), gagaku, (ancient dance music) and calligraphy it is possible the stories told in these art forms are considered by the Japanese more bordering on fact than fiction and because this connects them intimately to the Shinto religion, I would say yes. Only MHO though.

 

[kaze_no_ryu]

I hope this isn't too old, I just wanted to get in a slight response to this one post. I don't think FF has so much of an anti-god feeling to it as it has a message of liberation. If you recall, the final bosses in the games were rather oppressive or extremely destructive.

First, I will point out that the final bosses of FF6 and FF7 resemble stereotypical god-like figures or angels, and they are both fought in this atmosphere that resembling the stereotypical image of heaven, floating in the sky with clouds all around. The FF9 boss has a few god-like qualities to it as well and is also fought in a heaven-like atmosphere up in the sky.

I don't really remember Kefka anymore it's been at least two years since I played that one. Sephiroth was supposed to be the one winged angel (as his song title suggests) but never really had just one wing until Kingdom Hearts (in the game he has seven I believe). He wasn't really a god type being. Just an evil angel. With IX, do you mean Kuja or Necron-the-tacked-on? Kuja was in my opinion, a Sephy wannabe, just "prettier". And Necron was trying to destroy everything. Anyone in their right mind would have wanted to destroy that thing.

And at the end of FFX, after you fight the main final boss battle, there is a small and easy battle with Yevon, who is a religious figure--a deity of sorts--to many of the people in the world that the game takes place. He doesn't resemble the imagery of a god though (I vaguely remember what he looked like, but I think it was something like a scarab, or The Tick's insignia, or something).

It was actually Yu-Yevon. An entity most of Yevon's leaders and followers alike were ignorant of (save maybe Seymour, Maechen, and Auron). It had the ability to take over the Aeons and "pervert" them and build up what everyone knew as Sin around the Aeon. It was because of this tick (you were right it's a giant tick which was also previously seen in FFV but I digress) that people lived in fear and suffering every generation. The destruction of it would mean the people wouldn't have to live in oppressive fear any longer. Once again I welcome the destruction of this "god".

This one is a bit silly, but just for giggles I'll mention the FF4 boss. This boss looks just downright wierd and is fought in a very bizarre yet intense atmosphere. However, his most powerful attack is called "The Big Bang," which associates him with creating universes. Yeah, that one is kind of silly to mention, but oh well.

You've already summed up why I like the death of this one. ()

Lastly, which is more relevant to Christianity, there is Kimari's ultimate weapon in the game. In the American version, it is called the Spirit Lance. However, this isn't the original name of the weapon. In the Japanese version, it is called Longinus, which is the name of the Roman soldier who pierced Christ's side with his spear at the end of his crucifixion. My guess is that they changed it with the English translation so that it would sit better with an American audience, which is vastly Christian.

I think that was likely changed because it's a relatively obscure fact that not many people may know. Most people would see the name and wonder what it was supposed to mean. I saw a documentary on what was at least believed to be the spear that pierced Christ and it was a truly legendary and powerful weapon. When an army rode into battle with the spear they invariably won. Imagine taking something with that stigma (I hope I used the right word there) to face the ultimate destroyer.