Bahamut's design evolution | #finalfantasy

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[nightazday]

Since X's summons are the reflection of the faiths, it's telling that the most extravagant Bahamut was the reflection of a kid

[cosmicbrownie]

FFXIV's bahamut in the context of what came out of the Dalamaud moon is actually a primal manifested by his followers and primarily his lover Tiamat. Given Primals are supposed to be forms manifested of what their believers perceive them as, we can infer that Tiamat manifested Bahamut with a dumptruck ass and huge chest.

[alicegotlost]

"Absolute dump truck ass" is definitely one of the skyen quotes of all time, love the delivery in these shorts!

[MaelraJade]

People mathed out the size of FFXIV Bahamut as seen in the End of an Era trailer. He had a wingspan of almost 14 kilometers

[Never_heart]

Yes it's nostalgia. But it is also hands down the most magestic and otherworldly divine take. FF10s art style is so unique and evocative

[sentientmustache]

The things FF16 Bahamut has on his wings are more like fleshy laser cannons than swords.

[Nazo-kage]

Another thing to remember with Bahamut, is in the first game usually a big dragon is something the heroes fight.
But you don’t fight this dragon and it’s pretty evident real quick that you wouldn’t last against this dragon. Instead you perform a quest for the dragon.
And your reward is the franchise first class change. The Dragon giving the party some of its power.

So essentially in that game showing off what your party can do after the change shows how powerful it is even if you never fight.

[bendonatier]

I'm surprised you didn't touch on the fact that there are so many variations even in the games, Neo, Lunar, Golden, Solar, and more still yet to come I'm sure. I suppose they might be worth their own separate shorts, since Bahamut himself could fill a 10 minute video essay.

[ravingraven]

FFX Bahamut was my first experience with the summons and it still holds up to this day. It feels like an appropriate "King of Dragons" design, a dude who is ornate and powerful and not even going to go all out on you because you aren't worth the time.

[Signedcentaur]

We've got Bahumut, Bahumut Arisen, Neo-Bahumut, Bahumut Sin, Primal Bahumut, Bahumut Dirge of Cerberus, Bahumut Crisis Core

*One Bahumillion Bahumuts later*

And finally, after years of anticipation... Bahumut Hearts 3 Remind.

[franbh]

FFX's summons designs are so elaborate and evocative. I'd have loved to see the rest of the cast in their image.

[datpolakmike]

Ok no, your favorite nostalgic one is objectively the correct one. I have absolutely no nostalgia for any final fantasy game because i haven't played any of them. But X's version is so fucking CLEAN bro. The colors, the shapes, the presence. It has an air of ancient divinity as well as contained danger. Immaculate. No notes.

[chimeraarts]

I know it's not a mainline game as such, but I have a great fondness for Bahamut's design from Stranger of Paradise. It leans fully into an armor-like look, with floating blades forming into his wings and really nails that knightly 'god king' aesthetic they were going for, I think. It's both a little bit more alien and at the same time more approachable take on XV's 'heroic' theme.

[Vikapediathat]

I hadn’t seen 10’s design until just now, but looking at it made me immediately say “Oh yeah, that’s the mighty Bahamut all right.”

[jamesbiggs]

X Bahamut absolutely gives of "Big Boy of Summons" with his character design, the colorful wings & perpetual crossed arm stance. If you can see how bug he compared to most other summons, it helps.

I honestly don't know why so many Dragons in XIV have the massive dumpy, it helps give them a unique identity though.

[Jedda]

FFX also made Bahamut a child with a certain kindness to him which also contrasts with his Faith form where Bahamut is a strong and imposing protector who comes in at the summoner's time of need. The crossed arms and humanoid posture help make it more imposing and intimidating as this is technically the last summon Yuna can get that isn't part of a side quest before confronting Sin and he radiates strongest faith energy. From the bulky frame the large and colorful wings to his energy disk which both looks like a sun and might as well channel its power because that gyat damn laser he fires can be FELT.

It's a shame summons in X don't provide much more utility outside of just looking cool but hey Bahamut, Ifrit and Shiva come out looking the coolest by a large margin.

[ClericalError]

X has some of the best summon designs, the game oozes a unique style.

[Kwevin]

I love 10 so much, honestly, especially making the big boss dragon just a child. Finally taking down the intimidating being as the clock stops counting down, it barely reacting to your attacks the whole time, but there's the underlying feeling that something's wrong. And then we're told about the fayth and their dreams. They're tired, they'd been dreaming for so long, and then Bahamut (and Valefor) suddenly has a sad feeling alongside its majesty. A child fighting how they can, and putting up a strong face. That fierce stance is tired, but they stand strong, and keep on fighting. Over and over for hundreds of years, just a child, but aged so much because they had to.

[gametheus]

Honestly when I see any enemy with a protruding belly like that FFXIV design, I instantly think “oh, this dude’s gonna spit or breathe something at me”. Idk much about Bahamut but that definitely feels right for a dragon

[MbareGianluke]

ffX has some of the best summon design in all the franchise ngl