Final Fantasy VI, The Japanese Star Wars?
Haha, I have always found the similarities between FF6 and Star Wars very very interesting. I think maybe the creators wanted something as epic as Star Wars was in America, for their own country. Only they choose the video game route. Even if they did not deliberately copy Star Wars, both stories are comprised of basic architype themes that explore human love, hate, courage and evil. First I will express to you the most obvious of similarities, and then proceed to examine the more subtle. Lets explore.
Moogles vs Ewoks
First and foremost, we have the amazingly adorable "teddy bear" like creatures who come to your aide. Both live in communities, and enjoy a good dance now and then.
Umaro vs Chewbacca
Here we have the large, strong, seemingly less intelligent, furry, sasquatch-esque creature. He comes in very handy with strength, and is loyal to his friends. Basically almost a scalled up version of a moogle, or an ewok.
The Empire
In both stories we encounter an evil, corrupted emporer who is trying to take control of the entire world / universe. They both do so by tapping into a mystical power for their benefit. In FF6 it is the magic from Espers, in Star Wars, it is the dark side of the Force. Each emporer, in the end, falls victim to their second in command, Kefka and Darth Vader.
mad oBuqRtJeXcJ:https://168.229.236.6/~cc/cc/public_html/picts/EMPEROR.JPG" />Kefka vs Darth Vader
The evil generals who will stop at nothing to fullfil their commands. They will kill without shame, and have both fallen into a madness for power. Each seeks a very important other main character throughout the storys, but this leads us into a few dualities that shall be explained later. Kefka hunts Terra, and at times Celes, while Darth Vader hunts his son, and at the very end, learns of his daughter.
The Falcon vs The Mellinium Falcon
Here we have two of the fastest hunks of junk ever made. The Falcon belongs to Setzer, another character who shares a duality with Locke, in the form of Han Solo. And Han Solo owns the Mellinium Falcon. Each ship was given, or won, from a close friend. And come on, share the same name.
Magitek Armor vs AT-AT's
Simple enough, tank like weapons used by the empire to destroy rebel bases, or anything else they really need to. The main similarities here are basically each vehicle walks on its own legs, and is controlled from the inside, destroying its targets with lasers, or blasts of magic.
The Returners vs The Rebels
The underground force that opposes the empire, and tries to thwart it at every turn. All the main protagonists from each story are involved in these rebel factions.
Biggs & Wedge
Probably the most outright copy of FF6 from StarWars. In the game, Biggs and Wedge are part of the empire, both Magitek Soldiers, escorting Terra to Narshe to find out more about a powerful esper slumbering there. In the movie, they are rebel allies and pilots. This is not the last Square game to have Biggs and Wedge in it, either. Even Chrono Trigger had a version, Vicks and Wedge.
Heres where it gets a little complicated, and less cut and dry. We have characters from FF6 who share different archetypes with each other, to fit into one persona from Star Wars. Forgetting all family ties, and just looking solely at the character purpose and brief history, we can devise the main trinity of characters from each.
Terra Branford vs Luke Skywalker
We can assume that Terra can fill the shoes of Luke. She escaped the empires control, just as Luke was kept hidden and then discovered, and both are now being hunted by their counter parts. Kefka wants to enslave Terras mind for her powerful magic in aide to conquering the rest of the world, just as Darth Vader wants to turn his son to the dark side. Both are, in essence, searching for love, maybe in the form of family. Terra wants to discover its meaning and purpose, and does so through the love of orphaned children. Whereas Luke has lost his aunt and uncle, just as he meets his long lost twin sister. And really just wants a hug from his daddy.
Locke Cole & Setzer Gabbiani vs Han Solo
Locke is deffinately the more prominent of the two characters from FF6, but both fullfill different aspects of the character of Han Solo. Setzer is a gambler, and the owner of the Falcon, which he loves dearly. Locke is a treasure hunter, and his shady dealings, and suave attitude match the personality and habits of Han. Both have an affection for Celes, representing Princess Leia, although it is more apparent and developed in Lockes character. And both come to the aide of the Returners, just as Han Solo inadvertanly ends up helping the Rebels.
surprised Q05nagKf64J:https://www.dlregaa.de/user/robert/webrobert/ff6/setzer.jpg" />Celes Chere vs Princess Leia
The beautiful and cunning heroine. They are both strong, with heavy ties to the empire. Leias father is Darth Vader, just as Celes was created by the emporer himself. Celes was once a great general in the empire, turned traitor, rescued by Locke, and now aids the returners. Leia was captured by the empire, rescued by Han and Luke, and has always been a strong force in the Rebel Aliance.
Cid & General Leo vs Yoda
For no other reasons just to provide the characters with wisdom, inspiration, and information. This is a very vague connection, I admit.
In conclusion, there are many many similarities that can be drawn from the two story lines. As far as Star Wars and SquareSoft are concerned, it wasnt the last time any direct similarities were obviously found in their games. Necron, the final boss from FF9 plainly states a famous line from Yoda.. "Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering..." Withought bothering to read through the end credits, no one would know that that was because Lucas Arts had a hand in the creation process of the game.
Anyway! Ive just always speculated on this matter! And I find it interesting! What are your thoughts?
