How do you introduce a villain? Some people choose to do so by having them perform a heinous act; like in Suikoden 2, where Luca Blight is introduced laughing about slaughtering a platoon of child soldiers from his country. Sometimes, a bit of deception helps set the mood, like in Final Fantasy 10, where Seymour is introduced saving Luca Stadium from a fiend attack. But sometimes, an understated entrance is the most effective. This is what Final Fantasy 7 went for in introducing one of its villains, President Shinra, and our ninth entry on this list.
After destroying Mako Reactor #1, AVALANCHE sets its sight on the Sector 5 Mako reactor. Their mission: blow it up. Why? Because Midgar's reactors are sucking the life out of the Planet. Our main hero, Cloud, takes on the job for a mere 2000 gil. After some minor setbacks, Cloud, Barret, and Tifa manage to make their way to the reactor.
Having planted the bomb, the trio make their escape, only to get intercepted by Shinra's special forces. And out from the reactor comes the head of the Shinra Electric Power Company himself, President Shinra. President Shinra does a little gloating, but keeps his cool. He explains to AVALANCHE that, as much as he'd like to see them all die personally, he has other plans, and thus leaves his robot to do all the dirty work. Then, Shinra leaves via helicopter, minutes before the Sector 5 reactor explodes.
This moment lasts a few minutes, but good God are those minutes well spent. It's an entirely understated moment; no giant fanfare, no boombastic voice over, nothing. Just a man walking out of the power plant that's about to blow up, calm and collected, taking a few potshots here or there.
He deliberately acts like he can't remember AVALANCHE's name, and that gets under Barret's skin. He then turns to Cloud, asking his name. He claims he doesn't remember him, in spite of the fact that Cloud was in SOLDIER, Shinra's elite force. Then Shinra, without missing a beat, says that he can't be expected to remember everyone who works for him, unless they become another Sephiroth. And Tifa? He wastes no words on her. No, literally, Shinra doesn't even say anything to Tifa. Oh, and his reaction to Sector 5's reactor blowing up? In his word: "A waste of good fireworks to be rid of vermin." Holy shit, what a creature!
What have we learned about Shinra from this short introduction? That he's an asshole, first off. He's not above some petty jabs here or there, and he acts like he's better than everyone. He's got class; he never raises his voice, he keeps his calm, and he doesn't even laugh at his enemies. There's also some James Bond villainy influence there; he sets a trap, but doesn't stay to make sure it works.
But it's what's not said out loud that really informs the player of who Shinra REALLY is. See, Shinra makes his entrance from the Sector 5 reactor; the same one our trio just exited, because they JUST set up a bomb that's bound to blow up. Shinra knew which reactor they'd be going for, and when. Did he stop AVALANCHE? Nope. He let them plant the bomb. At ANY moment, Shinra could have stopped AVALANCE, and he didn't.
The Mako reactor's explosion would cause a lot of property damage, public panic, and even some deaths. Shinra could have stopped it, and he didn't. Shinra didn't care about that, because all he cares about is money and power.
The impression Shinra gave in his introduction is one that stuck around in the player's mind for the rest of the Migar arc, all the way to his death. His introduction showed that he was a conniving son of a bitch, one most deserving of an ass kicking. He showed great promise as a villain, and two or so hours later, he DELIVERED. But THAT is a topic for another blog...
An unforgettable introduction to a despicable villain. That was the ninth best moment in Final Fantasy 7. And personally, I can't wait to see this moment remastered in full HD 3D, fully voiced and with motion capture work.
After destroying Mako Reactor #1, AVALANCHE sets its sight on the Sector 5 Mako reactor. Their mission: blow it up. Why? Because Midgar's reactors are sucking the life out of the Planet. Our main hero, Cloud, takes on the job for a mere 2000 gil. After some minor setbacks, Cloud, Barret, and Tifa manage to make their way to the reactor.
Having planted the bomb, the trio make their escape, only to get intercepted by Shinra's special forces. And out from the reactor comes the head of the Shinra Electric Power Company himself, President Shinra. President Shinra does a little gloating, but keeps his cool. He explains to AVALANCHE that, as much as he'd like to see them all die personally, he has other plans, and thus leaves his robot to do all the dirty work. Then, Shinra leaves via helicopter, minutes before the Sector 5 reactor explodes.
This moment lasts a few minutes, but good God are those minutes well spent. It's an entirely understated moment; no giant fanfare, no boombastic voice over, nothing. Just a man walking out of the power plant that's about to blow up, calm and collected, taking a few potshots here or there.
He deliberately acts like he can't remember AVALANCHE's name, and that gets under Barret's skin. He then turns to Cloud, asking his name. He claims he doesn't remember him, in spite of the fact that Cloud was in SOLDIER, Shinra's elite force. Then Shinra, without missing a beat, says that he can't be expected to remember everyone who works for him, unless they become another Sephiroth. And Tifa? He wastes no words on her. No, literally, Shinra doesn't even say anything to Tifa. Oh, and his reaction to Sector 5's reactor blowing up? In his word: "A waste of good fireworks to be rid of vermin." Holy shit, what a creature!
What have we learned about Shinra from this short introduction? That he's an asshole, first off. He's not above some petty jabs here or there, and he acts like he's better than everyone. He's got class; he never raises his voice, he keeps his calm, and he doesn't even laugh at his enemies. There's also some James Bond villainy influence there; he sets a trap, but doesn't stay to make sure it works.
But it's what's not said out loud that really informs the player of who Shinra REALLY is. See, Shinra makes his entrance from the Sector 5 reactor; the same one our trio just exited, because they JUST set up a bomb that's bound to blow up. Shinra knew which reactor they'd be going for, and when. Did he stop AVALANCHE? Nope. He let them plant the bomb. At ANY moment, Shinra could have stopped AVALANCE, and he didn't.
The Mako reactor's explosion would cause a lot of property damage, public panic, and even some deaths. Shinra could have stopped it, and he didn't. Shinra didn't care about that, because all he cares about is money and power.
The impression Shinra gave in his introduction is one that stuck around in the player's mind for the rest of the Migar arc, all the way to his death. His introduction showed that he was a conniving son of a bitch, one most deserving of an ass kicking. He showed great promise as a villain, and two or so hours later, he DELIVERED. But THAT is a topic for another blog...
An unforgettable introduction to a despicable villain. That was the ninth best moment in Final Fantasy 7. And personally, I can't wait to see this moment remastered in full HD 3D, fully voiced and with motion capture work.
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