Basically, list which individual designs from any of the games you think are the best for that particular recurring summon or monster.

Example:

FFX Behemoth is pure awesome.
YouTube - Final Fantasy X - Monster Arena: Catoblepas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAt1kaQr_RE)

In regards to summons, I think FFX had my favorite design for Bahamut. He had such a domineering and regal appearance and posture.

I admit, I'm rather partial to Shiva's various forms myself - although I think her FFXI form is interesting:

it's her appearance in FFX that is my particular favourite, even though I disliked most of that game:

So definitely Shiva for me. :D

EDIT: forgot to include FFXIII's version - despite the fact the Shiva sisters are quite sexually suggestive (in their 'gestalt form' they lock their legs together to form a motorcycle, with Snow straddling them! And when he finally dismisses them they blow him a kiss!) :p

I admit, I'm rather partial to Shiva's various forms myself - although I think her FFXI form is interesting:

it's her appearance in FFX that is my particular favourite, even though I disliked most of that game:

So definitely Shiva for me. :D

Shiva is male. He takes a female appearance to hide/limit his abilities.

Anywho:

My favourite monster: Kayla - Cryst FF IX

Favorite Summon(s): Maddeen/Deathmog FfIX/ Chupon FFVII / Mist FFIV

I've always been partial to Ifrit. His design in VIII is my personal favorite.

Shiva is male. He takes a female appearance to hide/limit his abilities.

Actually, there is evidence to suggest that in the FF series Shiva's name is actually a mistranslation that has stuck - that her name is actually supposed to be Siva, a Russian ice goddess, which is definitely more appropriate than the name of one of the avatars of Vishnu.

Besides, a summon monster taking it's name from a figure in mythology doesn't necessarily mean that is has to reflect it's namesake physically (e.g. Bahamut is meant to be a giant fish from ancient Arabian belief that supports the world, and not a giant dragon).

But I digress.

Actually, there is evidence to suggest that in the FF series Shiva's name is actually a mistranslation that has stuck - that her name is actually supposed to be Siva, a Russian ice goddess, which is definitely more appropriate than the name of one of the avatars of Vishnu.

Besides, a summon monster taking it's name from a figure in mythology doesn't necessarily mean that is has to reflect it's namesake physically (e.g. Bahamut is meant to be a giant fish from ancient Arabian belief that supports the world, and not a giant dragon).

But I digress.

On that I concede, and apollogise

Apologize? What for? You didn't do anything wrong. :)

I just wanted to point out the Shiva/Siva thing though, as it's a little known reference that most FF players aren't aware of. I'm sorry if it came out nasty though (my posts tend to come out somewhat blunt sadly).

Just seen the posters for the summoned creatures in 14. I need to tear my eyes out and run them through a blender. They're terrible.

XIII summons, hands down. As a transformers fan, they're just glorious :D

Still wonder if more than just Odin and Stiria&Nix'll be made into toys. I'd love to see what they can do with Hecatoncheir and Brynhildr.

XIII summons, hands down. As a transformers fan, they're just glorious :D

Still wonder if more than just Odin and Stiria&Nix'll be made into toys. I'd love to see what they can do with Hecatoncheir and Brynhildr.

That would be fantastic. Though is it me or does Byrnhilda look like a series 1 Hotrod (transformer) in drag?

Not really, imo. Lol at thinking I wouldn't know Hot Rod :D

FFXII:RW Shiva is my favorite of that particular summon.

as for the rest, I don't remember, I guess I like the designs in FFIV-VI best.
I need to google the FFX Bahamut =]

Edit: nah, I like the FFVII, FFVIII and FFIX designs better.

Not really, imo. Lol at thinking I wouldn't know Hot Rod :D

Its just me then.. I never said you didn't know, I just said thats what byrnhilda reminds me of, minus the dragster/of-roader part (dependent on series and area, i know)

I wasn't trying to be a dick. Just that Hot Rod/Rodimus is my favorite TF. You should join us in the TF thread :)

I try to avoid it. Though the new movie looks better than the first 2 washouts (Bumblebee was the only TF to retain its original look, much like Alexander in gestalt mode, to keep this thread on topic)

They already have screenshots of 3? News to me.

Odin usually has a horse. "Bahamut" seems like a bat creature, which is half of why I insist on calling Fang's eidolon Diablos. Because IT IS :mad:

If they make the toy, they have to do a black and red repaint. HAVE TO.

Hecatoncheir in III is just a dude, making XIII's (I'm pretty sure) the first accurate representation.

I actually thought Hecatonchier in FFXIII in it's normal form is meant to be a death claw, as it has multiple taloned limbs surrounding a rather nasty looking face. (http://www.ffcompendium.com/h/espmon/deathclaw.shtml)

I could speculate on the reasons why Square Enix turned a rather obscure reoccurring monster into a summon in FFXIII though, but I won't. ;)

I'm just glad they branched further into Greek mythology instead of always relying on Norse.

I've always felt special to know what Hecatoncheires are, so I was really excited when I found out one was Vanille's eidolon and that it was accurate :)

I actually thought Hecatonchier in FFXIII in it's normal form is meant to be a death claw, as it has multiple taloned limbs surrounding a rather nasty looking face. (http://www.ffcompendium.com/h/espmon/deathclaw.shtml)

I could speculate on the reasons why Square Enix turned a rather obscure reoccurring monster into a summon in FFXIII though, but I won't. ;)
Why not? Gopherit

Hacatonchier reminds me somewhat of the Magitech Program from ff6

I actually enjoyed the design for FFIX summons. I liked Ifrit's VIII design in that game. Transformation is always a plus with me so XIII and Ark from IX are good times. :)

Wasn't the Ark summon a reference to the bible story of noah?

In name maybe, but Ark's actual summon form was apparently a reference to a very obscure Japanese Square game from the mid 80's called SG Blassty (I don't know much about that game, other than it being a kind of SHMUP featuring mechs).

There was a mention about it on FF Compendium, but the reference seems to have disappeared.

It would have been nice to have a Gradius/Gladius parody summon in 13. The graphics of the game would have worked wonders.

I love FF8 monsters...they�re colourful, odd looking, good in detail especially on boss battles�.oh I love Ruby Dragon it looks really cool..

I agree, FFVIII had a lot of good designs. I also liked most of those from FFX. I didn't care much for the designs from FFVII, except for the weird shit in the Sunken Gelnika. The regular monsters from FFXII were terrible and extremely repetitive imo, but the bosses (especially the huge ones) were frequently jaw-dropping.

The Undying (FFXII) was an amazing to look at boss. I nearly creamed when I saw Gigaflare Blade for the first time.