FFXII: Like a waltz (recs)

FFXII is, in nearly every way, exactly the game I've always wanted. The battle system is as complicated as I want to make it, and ridiculously fun; the characters are complex and layered and most importantly, likeable; the villains are villainous and well motivated. The scenery and the character designs are gorgeous. The score is epic. And the game is filled with references to Tactics and Vagrant Story, because Matsuno has taken all that Square Enix will give him for his little universe and run with it.

The only place where XII falls short of its predecessors is in its ending; yes, there is the triumphant victory, followed by selfless sacrifice left purposely ambiguous, because that's what Matsuno does- but then all of that delicious, dark ambiguity was cleared away by a neat and tidy finish that gave happy, shallow endings to all the characters.

...well, as happy as anyone ever is in a Matsuno game. Of course, it could have been worse- everyone could have died, or everyone could have been cursed with the life of an immortal exile. Instead, everyone is reasonably content, but there is no closure, no proper emotional release. FFX's ending was so effective because of the catharsis- it ended in absolute tragedy, but it was tragedy with a purpose, and the remaining characters moved on in new directions. The world at the end of FFX was a new one; you don't entirely get that sense at the end of XII. The world advances, but the characters don't; they all end up in exactly the same place they began in (if not physically, then mentally and emotionally).

Unsatisfying. Of course, the game was much heavier on plot than character development, but that's no excuse, really. Six people manage to change the world; one ought to think the world would have an equally tremendous impact on them. Instead, the crowning achievment is that everything is back the way it used to be.

(One can argue that Tactics and VS end in similar ways, but in Tactics, Delita and Ovelia end up changing each other, and in VS, Ashley comes to terms with himself and his past, if not his future.)

Anyway. Enough of my griping; on with the recs!

Erlkönig by Mithrigil, and part of her now sprawling fanon universe (Very epic feeling, poetic writing; Ashe/Basch, unrequited Vossler/Ashe, Basch and Noah backstory). Larsa, at the end of his life.

We Cover Distance, but Not Together by Hebiserpens, who has also written a few other Gabranth backstory pieces, which can be found on her website.

Some Watcher of the Skies by Colored Ink, and archived on Livejournal along with several other excellent and largely Balthier-centric pieces at Wreaths and Bells. The origin of Balthier's name, and his choice of weapon. If you read nothing else, however, read Four and Twenty Blackbirds, for its take on Balthier and Fran's fate at the end.

Five Things That Never Happened to Larsa Ferrinas Solidor (and one that did) by Geekerypokery, who has one or two other ficthings on her LJ; a fix-it for all the tragic deaths in the game.

Al-Cid Is Here To Have Sex With Your Family by Moonsheen, which is Al-Cid meeting Larsa for the first time. There are a number of other awesome fics on Moonsheen's LJ.

Ficbits: Balthier and Fran, Al-Cid and Ashe by Mullenkamp, who is also the person with the most amazing FFXII and Vagrant Story icons evar. The ficbits are good, too- on the funny side, which is something this fandom needs more of. Also, the Yasumi Matsuno Drinking Game, which is so appropriate it hurts.

My Choice by Silverlocke980; it's a series of one shots about the characters and their weapons or espers. The quality varies, but some of them are quite insightful.

Of Bars and Bets by The Shoeless One; pure silliness, involving Basch, Balthier, Fran, too much alcohol, and cheating at cards.

Morpho Aurora Aureola by Beeblebabe. Cid, his wife and son. (This is the sort of fic that makes you want to cut yourself, just a little.)

Larsa and Penelo and Vaan silliness and The One Where Larsa Says They Can Keep Vaan as a Pet by Lazulisong. ...okay, so I'm not actually interested in reading Larsa/Penelo, but...SO. FRICKIN. CUTE.

The Marriage Blade by Luc Court, who has written other Drace and Gabranth pieces, and a Fran and Balthier piece (as well as a number of incredible Naruto fics).

Circular Thinking by Imadra Blue. Nice Fran introspective-y piece.