Pre-Order Zidane & Garnet Now!

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Final Fantasy is more than just a video game series, it’s a whole universe to explore and it has redefined the world of interactive storytelling. Since its NES debut in 1987, this franchise has pushed the boundaries on what is possible in a game. Creating rich, immersive settings, epic narratives and unforgettable characters, Final Fantasy has managed to thrive over the past 38 years and 16 game titles. Final Fantasy continues to inspire generations of gamers, inviting both longtime fans and newcomers to experience its magic.

Final Fantasy IX was my first encounter with the series and was an unforgettable gaming experience. At its core, FFIX delivers a story that is both epic and intimate. It weaves themes of identity, purpose and the passage of time into a narrative that feels relatable. The characters were incredibly endearing, each crafted with distinct personalities and complex backstories. The medieval fantasy setting was familiar and yet there was something magical about the vivid world of Gaia that felt alive. The masterful use of music and sound elevated FFIX to another level, enhancing the emotional impact of the game’s key moments and got you pumped with its orchestration during battles.

These elements created a game that not only stood out as a high point in the Final Fantasy series but also showed what gaming could be. In July it will be 25 years since its original debut back in 2000 and even after all this time, it is still a truly great game. To celebrate its legacy, Square Enix has announced several upcoming collaborations and merchandise like a vinyl record and a Vivi picture book.

They have also opened pre-orders for two new figures of Zidane and Garnet. There aren't a lot of FF9 figures available so this is a nice way to add to your collection. Zidane is the main protagonist and a stark contrast to previous FF protagonists. Cloud and Squall were sullen emo boys, perfect for those edgy 90s kids who probably weren't all that popular in school. Zidane was laid-back, casual, outgoing and generally friendly to those around him.

The story begins with Zidane and his band of thieves attempting to kidnap the princess of Alexandria. With Zidane being the fun, flirtatious guy that he is, he ends up falling for the princess who is none other than Garnet.

Choosing the duo for the 25th anniversary figures was basically a no-brainer but Square did at least a little thinking to make sure these were great representations of the characters and franchise.

The Mage Masher is a staple to the FF franchise. While it visually looks different game to game, it is almost always present, filling the same role. It has also become the signature weapon of Zidane and the color gradient looks pretty good in figure form.

Garnet on the other hand is shown with her healing rod. The timing of acquiring this weapon in game is largely what makes it so special. There is a period where Garnet is going through some emotional struggles resulting in her not being so useful in combat. The healing rod keeps her viable and turns her into a powerful support unit.

Square Enix has never been known for making figures with great faces. They either try to make them too realistic or too cartoony. Here they tried to replicate the faces shown in the game CG videos and it kind of sits between those two extremes. Zidane’s face looks decent while Garnet’s could be a bit improved.

The best part of these figures is how detailed both Zidane and Garnet’s outfits are. In the promotional photos, Square has managed to recreate different textures very well. I am hopeful this level of detail will be present in the shipped product. Zidane’s pants and cuffs have a denim look to them and each part of his outfit feels like it has a different texture mimicking the materials that would be used.

This is also shown in Garnet’s outfit. Her gloves have a greatly different feel to them compared to her blouse or orange jumpsuit. Even her necklace has a realistic metal look to it, something that isn't always present in low cost figures.

As we get closer and closer to the 25th anniversary, Square will have plenty more announcements to share. There is a special 25th anniversary commemorative kuji planned but the prizes have not yet been revealed. I have my fingers crossed that we get figures in some form of Vivi, Freya and Eiko.

Thank you for reading!