Meaningless Battles...

[SannaR]

In part, yes, but I think, specifically for Golbez, it was unsatisfying because we had him beat down, victory music and all. He was kneeling/shrunk in size and should have been easily dealt with. Fraction of a second from victory.

This would have been a good chance to have the fight utilize new or interesting mechanics where Golbez himself is not necessarily the target/victory condition. It could have just been at...10% become a "Survive until your allies can evacuate you!", where Golbez leaves the battlefield and we deal with his mechanics but he's out of reach (think like Xande meteors).

And, at the end of the fight, no victory music, no kneeling Golbez. He's still good to go, albeit roughed up. And we're chasing him, but we're too late to stop Zeromus' awakening. Rest of the scene could play out fine.

Alternatively, just let us kill him- but it not be Golbez at all but one of his Voidsent just looking like Golbez. A bait and switch while Real Golbez is finalizing his summoning/awaking ritual.

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The hard to swallow part is just that: he was kneeling, he was whining "my power!", and he was for all intents and purposes beat. Until he wasn't. That's where it's unsatisfying.

I guess the reason why I wasn't as bothered is how he escapes in IV. Where he literally is shown as just a hand before he steals a crystal and vanishes. Garuda does a similar thing. She says "Noo. No my power." gets the wind crystal popped out of her chest. Then doesn't dissipate soon after like most primals and is about to have a showdown with both Titan and Ifrit only to have Giaus come in with the Ultima Weapon. Up to that point in the story she should be turning into aether dust particles as that's what we saw both Titan and Ifrit do soon after defeat. Yet there she is only looking slightly tired and royally pissed that she had been beaten in a fight. Showing some moxie until the Ultima Weapon sets its sights on her and she tries to flee before getting eaten. And she didn't even have excuse of no active lifestream that Golbez did.

[kaynide]

I guess the reason why I wasn't as bothered is how he escapes in IV. Where he literally is shown as just a hand before he steals a crystal and vanishes. Garuda does a similar thing. She says "Noo. No my power." gets the wind crystal popped out of her chest. Then doesn't dissipate soon after like most primals and is about to have a showdown with both Titan and Ifrit only to have Giaus come in with the Ultima Weapon. Up to that point in the story she should be turning into aether dust particles as that's what we saw both Titan and Ifrit do soon after defeat. Yet there she is only looking slightly tired and royally pissed that she had been beaten in a fight. Showing some moxie until the Ultima Weapon sets its sights on her and she tries to flee before getting eaten. And she didn't even have excuse of no active lifestream that Golbez did.

That is true; and to be fair it is all an expected trope in Japanese media. Like people don't even bat an eye at them/it's shocking if the heroes actually kill an enemy after they are weak/surrendered.