The Villain (don't read if you dont want it spoiled)

[Che]

What did you think of the villain of the game (Bart)? I found him to be quite different than Sephiroth or Kefka and villains like that. At first I didn't really think much of how "cool" he was, but after thinking about it I liked him. He basically just lied to the heroes to spark them into action to get what he wanted to get done. It just goes to show you how powerful lying (or trolling ) really can be.

Especially during parts where he makes the group think he just shattered Dahj and Serah's crystals.

[Andromeda]

Yeah, he is the king of manipulation. I mean when it was coming down to the end and the party on was Pulse. He backed them into a corner telling them at Cavalry had been told about Eden and Orphan. And that Cavalry would basically unknowingly destroy Cocoon because Cid had been revived as a puppet to look like a traitor. Not to mention all of the lying he did to the citizens of Cocoon just to stir the pot of hate and fear.

That was one of the really nice things about the story and him. As an over the top villain or whatever he was not really that, but he was pretty cunning continually manipulation the heroes into the situations that he wanted. Backing them into a corner where they had no choice, but to do what he wanted was pretty nice. And if you look at it he did succeed in his plan. We did destroy Orphan, but we saved Cocoon. So his end goal was not accomplished, but his immediate one of destroy Orphan to kill everyone and bring back the maker actually succeeded. Which is not something many villains can say that they actually achieved their goal. The outcome just ended up being different then his plan.

[Ralz]

(OOC: Exitting Sephiroth mode for a minute.)

I thought he was an interesting villain, to say the least. Certainly not the best villain ever, but unique for sure.

The main attractions for me are that not only was he in a position of absolute power, but he was also the one thing the people hated, WHILE being in a position of absolute power. That is awesome.

As far as his development goes, it would have been more effective if he was like Kefka, constantly harassing us. Menrva should've also been seen more, because its supposed to be Barth's eyes and ears. Not to mention Chapter 11 onward, he seems to come off like a modern-day Seymour from FFX. Its just the feeling I had, because we're basically talking about the same thing.

Some guy who's a high-in-power official who randomly has the power to rape all who passes him by. His second battle really reminded me of that, because he appears in a new form, and its much more difficult. UNLIKE Seymour, however, all of his battles can be won on the first try if you're not a complete noob and forget about the stupid nodes. And by the third battle, I'm all "So... this gonna be like the last fight of Seymour, with the elemental reels?" It wasn't, but you get the idea.

I still wish there would've been ONE battle against his human form, to show his awesomeness, but oh well. I suppose the Orphan fusion thing was kinda cool, but after that, he's gone for good. And as I expected, Orphan randomly takes up the role as the true mastermind of the game's plot. Go figure.

Barthandelus's type is a rare one. Guys who come with a specific goal in mind, and will use whatever necessary to see it completed. To him, people are just tools: tools to be used and then discarded. He's kinda cruel that way, but that's what villains need to do more of these days. So, actually, he's not that different from Emperor Mateus.

Not the best villain, but I gave him a shot, and he worked, to an extent. Certainly better than Jihl. (I'm still supporting her even in death. The villain would should've been. )

[Nhan-Fiction]

I felt a little more could have been done with him. All I knew was that I didn't like him at all the first time I saw him in the game.

[Kaiden]

I loved him in the scene's he was in. He had the heroes singing to his tune the whole game up until fang and vanille save the day. He wanted the Heroes to kill him, to release Orphan. So he made sure they hated him with a passion kill, using their emotions against them. I would put him in a second tier group of villians behind the big 3.

[Zargabaath]

Since you, Che, are asking about our thoughts on the Villian I'm assuming you are talking about an actual character, this case being Barthandelus? The only reason why I ask is because the primary antagonist in this game is "fate".

This game is very story-driven and there are three different types of story: plot-driven, character-driven, or a balance between both. Final Fantasy XIII is very character-driven, so much that the plot is light or weak. The story focuses more on the character's conflicting over their focus than them fighting against the Fal'cie/Sanctum.

Then again, could not fate be considered the villian, it does not have a form nor can the characters interact with fate but I could be considered as a villian.

I won't go into much depth here as that is for the "FFXIII Review" thread. Barthandelus as a villian is pretty good. His manipulation was good though not greatly done.

The main attractions for me are that not only was he in a position of absolute power, but he was also the one thing the people hated, WHILE being in a position of absolute power. That is awesome.

If by "people" you are talking about the party (i.e., Lightning and Company) then yes they don't like him and his nature (Fal'Cie). If however you are referreing to the populace of Cocoon, then what you said is incorrect. Barthandelus is a Cocoon Fal'Cie, the people of Cocoon like or love Cocoon Fal'Cie. They are not afraid of Cocoon Fal'Cie, they are afraid of Pulse Fal'Cie. Now if the people found out Barthandelus' plan for Cocoon they wouldn't like him that much, but they don't know that. The people of Cocoon depend on Cocoon Fal'Cie to protect them, to provide the necessities of life, to power the advanced technology of Cocoon that make life easier, and to guide the Sanctum/people in times of great need.

[nickness89]

I thought Barthandelus was an amazing boss. I hate a boss that basically goes by the "find the most destructive power and use it to destroy EVERYTHING" rule, i prefer a bit of mystery and manipulation, it makes the game similar in feeling to a "who dunnit" film. Manipulation is an admirable skill, no matter how evil it is, and a villain who is the master of manipulation gets my vote :')

[L'cie]

What did you think of the villain of the game (Bart)? I found him to be quite different than Sephiroth or Kefka and villains like that. At first I didn't really think much of how "cool" he was, but after thinking about it I liked him. He basically just lied to the heroes to spark them into action to get what he wanted to get done. It just goes to show you how powerful lying (or trolling ) really can be.

Especially during parts where he makes the group think he just shattered Dahj and Serah's crystals.

Woah! I haven't gotten there yet but I couldn't resist looking. I probably shouldn't have because now I might accidently spoil it for my sister but WOW!

[ZenMonkey59]

I thought Barthandelus was an amazing boss. I hate a boss that basically goes by the "find the most destructive power and use it to destroy EVERYTHING" rule, i prefer a bit of mystery and manipulation, it makes the game similar in feeling to a "who dunnit" film. Manipulation is an admirable skill, no matter how evil it is, and a villain who is the master of manipulation gets my vote :')

I agree...Barthandelus was awesome. When he merged with Orphan at the end....man that was cool.

I'm a sucker for two voices speaking together.

[nickness89]

I'm a sucker for two voices speaking together.

IKR?! Especially the high pitched voice alongside Barthandelus' ... was epic :')

[ZenMonkey59]

IKR?! Especially the high pitched voice alongside Barthandelus' ... was epic :')

Seriously...any time that shit happens, I'm sold.

[Alex]

He is for sure, a unique character, but it feels like if he could've been more 'involved' in the game. He could've been in more cutscenes, or battles.
I dunno, I just wanted to see him more, get to know him.
______________
FF's finished: FFXII, FFXIII
FF's playing: FFV

[nickness89]

I think the fact that he wasn't in much of the game fitted his character pretty well. He was a manipulator, and governed from behind the scenes, turning the cogs from backstage to allow the scenes to unfold the way they did. It wouldn't make sense having him as a backseat plotter, and having him in loads of cutscenes.

[Judge Magistrate]

I thought he was cool, and I like the music it played when you battled him. I thought it was a new twist to a FF villain actually.

[Coolmcdum]

I felt he was a great villain still but not the best.... they could have had done more with him and it would have been more exciting yet i still did really like the villain

[Coolmcdum]

I do also agree with Nickness89, i was like a fangirl with the two voices its just so epic in my opinion. And it the reason why i like most of the bosses from MSG4 because of their dual voices