Quote Originally Posted by MikkoAkure View Post
Gabranth is one of my favorite villains in the series and he had his own redemption as well and he was completely lifted from FFXII and placed in Bozja but I don’t have a problem with it. Some people I’ve been talking to are fans of FFIV and were ecstatic to see Golbez.

Everyone is going to have their own opinion, but considering Yoshi-P has been up front about crossovers for the past 10 years, I wouldn’t take it as a surprise when they appear and are slightly different from their source. This is just the type of game this is and always has been.
...and if those 'slight differences' somehow lead to things being straight up black and white morality, I'll be bored. I care about nuance. I've been pushing for more stuff like FFXII over the years not only because that and Gabranth was my favourite aspect of the overall franchise. Unfortunately things didn't play out as intended and Matsuno wasn't able to finish the Bozja storyline in the manner that he desired, though at least we got a compromise through the field notes so it wasn't left without any resolution whatsoever.

I also think there's mixed messaging. His excuse for no Ultimecia back during Eden's final was something along the lines of it being 'FFXIV and not FFVIII'. It seems very pick and choose as to when fan service is embraced and even then it's usually directed at whoever is the loudest.