How Ironic: A Response to Jack Kroll's Editorial

by Brendan McGrath

How ironic that Mr. Kroll uses the CG still of Aeris facing the Highwind in an editorial that states that video games cannot transmit emotion. Aeris Gainsborough's death is one of the most touching moments in video game history, a death which caused people to petition Square to change the game's story, inspired numerous shrines to Aeris on the internet, and moved fan artists, fan musicians, and fan fiction writers to create countless beautiful works remembering her.

The cited picture alone is full of emotion and meaning. In Final Fantasy, airships (and, in a more general analysis, technology) have always been a symbol of humanity's achievements and hopes for a brighter future. For example, in the opening of Final Fantasy IV, we are told, "Airships had been a dream of many people..." In Final Fantasy VI, Daryl's airship presents a new hope for our heroes.

In Final Fantasy VII, Aeris never gave up her hope in a brighter future for the Planet, Humanity, and Life itself. In the CG still, she looks to the airship, a symbol of hopes and dreams.

Of course, like many aspects of Final Fantasy VII, this picture can be viewed in many ways. In addition to symbolizing Aeris's hopes and dreams, it also represents the love between her and Cloud. Remember? On the cargo ship, she told him she wanted to fly on it some day.

Interpretations don't have to end there. Another theme, tied into technology one, is that of a dichotomy between technology and magic/spirituality/nature. The first time in the series that this theme really jumps out at us is in FFVI, but in that game, the dichotomy is only technology vs. magic. Through the concept of Spirit Energy, however, FFVII links magic, spirituality, and nature together into a single force in opposition to technology. Or are they in opposition? This introduces yet ANOTHER dichotomy: opposition vs. harmony. Some, like Hojo, might reject the spiritual/natural/magical altogether, while characters like Bugenhagen and Aeris hold them together within their hearts in harmony. This picture represents that theme as well: Aeris's belief that technology/humanity can live in harmony with nature/magic/spirituality.

And Jack Kroll says that video games are not art.

I wouldn't worry too much, though. Quite often, art is criticized by the people of its day. In time, however, it becomes recognized as a masterpiece.

Long live Final Fantasy. Long live RPGs.