Final Fantasy

The Series | Squaresoft/Square-Enix is my God; their Final Fantasy games (but I am branching out into their other ones!) have constantly and are continually sucking away years of my adolescence. Just think: if they had never desperately launched their last attempt at the gaming world, millions of fans today would be different.

The Eighth Installment | If you can't tell, Final Fantasy VIII is my favorite out of the whole entire series. Both of my favorite video game characters, Seifer Almasy and Quistis Trepe, come from this game, and I don't think it's a coincidence. In here, you'll find my rambles as well as other miscellaneous information.

Introduction | In order to get more of an understanding of Quistis' traits and character, you will need to completely understand the world in which she lives in. In a place of magic, SeeDs, and evil sorceresses, where exactly does she stand?

Quistis Trepe

Profile | The banal (SAT word, so points to me! My English teacher would be so proud), the boring, and the bland. Square-Enix's profile and a typical five-second preview of Quistis in which you don't really learn much, but where I try to over-analyze.

Biography | Quistis' life story from before the game up until saving the world from peril. Certain things during her life have certainly affected who she is during the game, from her adoptive parents to her experiences within Garden.

Personality | Quistis is a complex character not only because of her overwhelming need to be recognized, but also because of her tendency to switch back and forth between different and completely opposite aspects of herself.

Appearance | ...Because superficiality is fun. Honestly, if Quistis lost her glasses, replaced them with contacts, loosened up a little bit more, she'd probably be and look as carefree as Rinoa or Selphie, but as the game would have it, it certainly wouldn't fit her personality.

Relationships | They say that you can tell a lot about a person by the company he keeps and how he treats them. This statement is obviously true, as her love for Squall, jealousy for Rinoa, as well as many other aspects, reveal much.
      Squall Leonhart - the taciturn and reluctant hero
      Rinoa Heartilly - a beautiful and spirited young woman
      Seifer Almasy - Squall's rival who causes havoc within Garden
      Zell Dincht - a SeeD cadet with unsurpassed martial arts skills
      Selphie Tilmitt - a spunky young woman with a carefree spirit
      Irvine Kinneas - an expert gunman and consummate lady's man
      Cid and Edea Kramer - surrogate father, mother, and family
      Others - relationships with minor characters

Misunderstood Love | Squall, his presence, and Quistis' love for him is a pivotal part of her character. As the game progresses, Rinoa's relationship with Squall begins to be more definite, and Quistis states that her feelings for Squall were a "misunderstood love". Even as she says this with clarity, do I really think she's telling the truth?

Love Square | The web which entangles Quistis, Squall, Rinoa, and Seifer is an intriguing thing in the game. I admit, Quistis' role isn't that huge compared to the other three, but she does have her significance.

Love | Quistis' experiences with love haven't been all that great; with Squall's rejection and no real interaction with anyone else, she's left standing alone. And so as a tribute to her, I wrote this section analyzing any and all possible relationships that are possible, even if they don't make sense.
      Seiftis - I am a firm supporter of a relationship between Seifer and Quistis, even if they aren't canon and completely made up by its fanbase. In here, I defend and support their relationship with my opinions and theories.

Trepies | By achieving SeeD rank at 15, becoming an Instructor at 17, and having beautiful looks to boot, it's no wonder that Quistis has found herself at the heart of her own fanclub. Though they may sometimes take things to the extreme, Quistis has earned all of her students' respect and admiration.

In-depth

Body Language | Many things about a person is revealed by their unconscious antics; sometimes, actions can speak louder than words.

Liberi Fatali | As a prominent motif and theme in the game, Liberi Fatali is translated into fated children. Quistis, as one of the main characters, is destined to save the world from an evil sorceress with her peers. The other six have their roles, but what exactly is Quistis'?

Training Center | Quistis' experience with Squall during the beginning of the game is what I most definitely believe one of the most memorable and defining moments in Quistis' characterization and life. During this period in time, we learn that not only does the person who acts as Squall's Instructor have doubts, but also is able to pull herself together again.

Blood | The Japanese and Square-Enix have an interesting quality in that they seem to completely and fully give traits to every character to the max - which is all the better for me, really, since I like to analyze.

Color | Colors that people are associated with often give us a presentation of their traits. And of course with the Japanese being Japanese, green and blue tell much.

Name | Not only do I feature the Kabalarians philosophy, I also look into others. Don't you love generators?

Libra | Explaining Quistis through her astrology sign; her traits, quirks, and characteristics are all exemplified in her star sign.

Rooster | And of course, there's another sign to go by - the Chinese also have an astrological system of their own. Am I the type to pass up another analysis? Of course not.

Character Growth | The character growth within every character in Final Fantasy VIII is an interesting thing to study, but Quistis' growth is, of course, one of my favorites. She is able to mature from a lost and confused teenager to a mature and well-rounded young adult.

In her defense

Defending Quistis | In addition to the number of Quistis fans, there seem to be an awful lot of people who aren't so fond of her. Sure, she's unstable, sometimes lost, and trying to find love in the world, but really - what normal person isn't?

Fan Opinions | What fanlisting would be complete without fan opinions? Essays and/or comments on why we love the character that is Quistis so much.

In-game

Garden and SeeD | Quistis is at the front of the Garden establishment and SeeD, instructing future heroes and becoming one herself. Of course, you'll also find SeeD test answers in here.

Stats | Final Fantasy VIII's battle system features a new junction system. In order to use Quistis to the best of her ability, you will need to know which aspects of her to fortify.

Weapons and Upgrades | I don't really understand why Quistis gets a lot of bad rep for her choice in weapon. I suppose the whip isn't a conventional weapon, but then again, are the nunchakus?

Limit Break | One of my favorite aspects of Quistis' in-game qualities is her wide range of Blue Magic. When used to their full potential, they have the ability to completely annihilate enemies and immensely help your team.

Triple Triad | Not only is Quistis a Triple Triad champion and King (want to beat the CC group too?), she also has her very own Triple Triad card. As all character cards are hard yet worthwhile to gain, a Quistis card would be a great addition to your stack.

Dialogue | Her complete and chronicled lines throughout Final Fantasy VIII.
      ( Disc 1 • Disc 2 • Disc 3 • Disc 4 )