Why I Think Yotsuyu Deserved Better.
Let’s face it, if you have read, watched or played anything in the last few years you have probably grown attached to characters. It’s in our nature to be drawn to the things we see a small part of ourselves in!
Whether this is a movie, book, series or a game. We have all pulled the short end of the stick. When we pick a character that we emotionally connect with that gets killed. Others will say it was needed to show the viewers how harsh and cold-hearted the other party involved could be. Others might say “it makes for a great story”. And unfortunately, the rest of us who are currently holding onto that short end of the stick disagree, ignoring all the facts that lead to that moment.
** THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR FFXIV **
I once had that experience in Final Fantasy XIV. The death of Yotsuyu, many would not consider her death as big as when Haurchefant died, because Yotsuyu was the villain and Haurcefant the classic hero giving his own life to save the hero of light, while Yotsuyu was part of the reason the hero of light had to fight to save the realm. As soon as you meet her Yotsuyu portrays the villain that stands for the empire. Before we had any back story to her and she was a character everyone disliked, due to the pain and suffering she brought upon others. She is a strong female character although she was on the wrong side of the battlefield. There was a reason she was sitting with the big bosses at the table as she was also a force to be reckoned with. Hated by many players and the people of the realm. When we finally got to see her backstory I started to understand why she became so dark and angry. Everything from her own parents selling her to the highest bidder, and her husband’s constant abuse, it was easy to see why she fell into the Garlean prince’s trap. She also feared him and had to ensure she does whatever it takes to stay on his good side. Because the prince did not accept any failures. So she ruled over Doma with an iron fist causing fear in her subjects as well as her own subordinates.
After storming Doma Castle and defeating the waves of enemies protecting her, Yotsuyu gives a glimpse of her tragic past and how she was forced to take on the role as the villain. We get to see her hatred for it all.
Even though she began to open up, she wasn’t able to shake her run of being evil and attempted to kill Gosestu who was trying to save you and your comrades. As he stood there holding the castle wall up to ensure the hero of light escaped along with the rest of the group he was shot a few times by Yotsuyu. Struggling, he kept his posture long enough to ensure everyone was out safely and with Yotsuyu crying in the background we see the castle crumble. At the time I met her death with mixed feelings as she might not have gotten her to wish of killing everyone with her when the castle came crumbling down but I felt her story was left unresolved. At that point I was both angry and sad, tears running down my face as she took our beloved gramps, Gosetsu, with her. Angry that another character had to meet a sad end so the hero made it out. Sad as to how he had to die.
However, this isn’t the last we see of them as later on, we see Yotsuyu and Gosetsu have survived the fall of Castle Doma and the roles have changed. We learn that Yotsuyu lost her memory and stayed with Gosetsu while he recovered and soon we see a father-daughter relationship unfold. We see a new childlike face filled with innocence and soon we completely forget what she had done before (or I did anyway) to be so hated by many. The fact that she can’t remember what she has done to everyone made it very easy to fall in love with her. I like to see the good in everyone and I strongly believe everyone deserves a second chance. We get to see the once hated character show affection and love to those around her, where she couldn’t before.
Even though her childish innocence made her more lovable and allowed her to bring about the chance to change she couldn’t escape her past. When her brother shows up out of nowhere looking for his sister and trying everything to bring back the hated ruler we once knew. She soon gets manipulated and turned into a primal that you have to slay. This time for good. I cried again as much to my disappointment nothing much was mentioned about her after that, which I find rather sad. We should have given her a proper farewell. She might have been the most hated person in Doma at the time. I felt it was unfair that Gosetsu had to mourn her death on his own.
Without any of the heartfelt drama I doubt, I would continue paying a monthly subscription. Its stuff like this that keeps me coming back, not knowing what they get to bring to the table next. Square Enix did a fantastic job by making its viewers cry and making them laugh. All through a well-designed story about heroes that will go through unthinkable trails to save the realm.
Despite how I wanted the story to go I know that Square does everything for a reason and even though we become emotionally attached to characters and their story. It is exciting to see how Square keeps its players coming back for more.
Some people read books to enjoy a story, as gamers we prefer to be a part of the story.
As always, I am still very excited to rush home login and enjoy the game with friends, relax after a long day’s work with new quests. Or just enjoy the view the game has to offer. With each new patch and update, I’m sure that I’ll fall more and more in love with new characters and I can’t wait to see how they grow and develop.
Lots of love
