Characters' mental issues

[Falcory]

In the search for character development, one option that's rarely taken is giving a character some sort of neurosis. This topic is meant to list some of the main characters of StarFox and see if we could pin some mental problems on them. This is purely an exploratory topic, so it's not like these are problems that the characters -actually- have, but ones they -could- have to make them more interesting. That said, here are some ideas I had:

He's had a really rough life, most of it having to do with people close to him being killed or hurt. He actually manifests an overprotective nature in Command. So I think it would make sense to give him a severe phobia of loss. Like, more than any normal person would. I'd like to see him driven nearly to the point of kamikaze suicide trying to protect someone close to him.

I think autism fits this guy pretty well. Given stereotypical autistic symptoms, he already kinda fits it: He has trouble reading people and their reactions, and he's somewhat of a prodigy. I'd just like to see it taken a step further and make it so that he barely understands people at all except through extreme effort on his own part. Nothing social comes naturally to him, and his growth and development could come from trying to learn it, like a foreign language.

The early onset of Alzheimer's. Duh. The reason he keeps telling people to barrel roll is because he forgot he just said it a minute ago. I'd also like to see him regale us with tales of his past, even if he does it a couple times.

Nymphomania. He's the Sex God after all. 'Nuff said. 

This one I think really ought to be implemented, but she should have some severe abandonment issues. If you think Fox's life sucks, hers is 100X worse unless she's made of emotional steel, which she has already been proven not to be. I'd like to see the "Fox kicks out Krystal" scene from Command played out in great detail where she begs and pleads, holding onto Fox's leg and saying things like, "You guys are the only family I have!" and the like. Honestly, it could make for a touching scene, and it could play into every facet of her own character development in various scenarios. Also, as a telepath, she could develop some severe schizophrenia, being unable to tell if the voices in her head are real people's thoughts or her brain's creations.

Narcissism. He's so confident in his own abilities, and he never seems to acknowledge his losses, so why not just make him a complete self-lover? If you want to go the "gay" route with him, as some have suggested, show him posing in front of a mirror in nothing but boxers and blowing a kiss to himself. If nothing else, it'd be hilarious.

He's already more or less like this, but I could see him as a sociopath. The only reason he's with Wolf isn't loyalty or anything like that; it's more like he's with Wolf waiting for a chance to best him and take over the group. If you stick a nasty creature like that in an organization, it changes the whole dynamic and makes for some very interesting scenarios.

I already used nymphomaniac and narcissist (both of them would fit well), so the next best thing would be a compulsive liar. He likes to boast, it seems, but what if everything he said was just a fabrication? "All who see my rose meet death" was an obvious lie, unless you add the word "eventually" on there, so why not just be a HUGE talker with nothing to back it up at all? He'd become more of a comedic relief, but that's not a bad thing.

Andross: Megalomania, of course. He's already got it. Wanting to rule an entire solar system is pretty grandiose.

So what are some thoughts you guys have? I can think of others, but I left 'em open so other people could respond as well and give some reasons.

For the most part I agree with what's mostly said here. But there are a few things that seem a little off. (Except the Slippy one. That seems WAY off. XD)

As said earlier Falco doesn't really seem autistic to me. True he's pretty anti-social but he's more arrogant than anything and leans more to the "tough guy" persona. That personality could be caused by a couple of things. Normally it could happen by being orphaned and having a rough life. A situation like that would cause you to fend for yourself, usually making you want to let people know you can take care of yourself and you don't need help from anybody. That's usually where the arrogance comes in, but since you've relied on no-one but your lonesome for such a long time it's sort of burned into your mindset.

And I do agree with some things said about Panther earlier, as his need for wanting female attention stemming from the lack of attention form his mother or female guardian figure. But...he could also just be a womanizer or classic narcissist. Some people are just born that way.

[Samantha Weltzin]

For the most part I agree with what's mostly said here. But there are a few things that seem a little off. (Except the Slippy one. That seems WAY off. XD)

As said earlier Falco doesn't really seem autistic to me. True he's pretty anti-social but he's more arrogant than anything and leans more to the "tough guy" persona. That personality could be caused by a couple of things. Normally it could happen by being orphaned and having a rough life. A situation like that would cause you to fend for yourself, usually making you want to let people know you can take care of yourself and you don't need help from anybody. That's usually where the arrogance comes in, but since you've relied on no-one but your lonesome for such a long time it's sort of burned into your mindset.

And I do agree with some things said about Panther earlier, as his need for wanting female attention stemming from the lack of attention form his mother or female guardian figure. But...he could also just be a womanizer or classic narcissist. Some people are just born that way.

This topic isn't really about which mental issues characters actually have. Rather, it's about what would seem to fit them. What you said about Falco is very reasonable, and probably closer to his actual nature, but if he were to have some sort of mental issue, I could see autism being a candidate. That's the reason I put it down. That, and I put in some extreme ones to give people ideas about what could feasibly be said about various characters.

Also, Slippy's a sex god. That's all there is to it. End of discussion, unless you want me to post -that- picture again on this forum. :D

[Falcory]

This topic isn't really about which mental issues characters actually have. Rather, it's about what would seem to fit them. What you said about Falco is very reasonable, and probably closer to his actual nature, but if he were to have some sort of mental issue, I could see autism being a candidate. That's the reason I put it down. That, and I put in some extreme ones to give people ideas about what could feasibly be said about various characters.

Also, Slippy's a sex god. That's all there is to it. End of discussion, unless you want me to post -that- picture again on this forum.

Actually after I didn't see your post previous to mine so I apologize. XD

But yeah I just had wanted to put my two cents in. lol

[Vixie Darkmatter]

I think this has been said, but I'm surprised that Krystal hasn't developed seperation anxiety. I know this has been said but Falco and autism, Wolf, Panther, Pigma, Andrew, and Leon are all narcissitic.

[Samantha Weltzin]

Actually after I didn't see your post previous to mine so I apologize. XD

But yeah I just had wanted to put my two cents in. lol

No need to apologize, silly! I just wanted to clarify.

And everyone's "two cents" is exactly what I'm looking for, so mission accomplished.

I think this has been said, but I'm surprised that Krystal hasn't developed seperation anxiety. I know this has been said but Falco and autism, Wolf, Panther, Pigma, Andrew, and Leon are all narcissitic.

Perhaps Krystal has developed it, and it just manifests as a warped sort of "vengeance." But of course, that would require Command to be canon, and much of it is not.

[Beau Skunk]

Y'know, considering what's happened to Fox, surprised he isn't in a padded cell, wearing a straight jacket, humming, "We'll meet again, don't know wheeeeeeere, don't know wheeeeeeen!" to himself endlessly.

Wouldn't you go nuts after a giant floating disembodied brain with electrical eyeballs, and some kinda bio-mechanical spider queen thingie that can imitate your dead old man, and a pig-cube thingie all of wich who tried to kill you? I would!

[Vixie Darkmatter]

Just kinda throwing this out there, but anyone who spends enough time with Slippy is bound to go insane at some point in time. That would probably be most of the Star Fox team.

[Samantha Weltzin]

Just kinda throwing this out there, but anyone who spends enough time with Slippy is bound to go insane at some point in time. That would probably be most of the Star Fox team.

Insane from all the sexiness and feelings of inadequacy in comparison, no doubt.

[JLCL00]

[Possible off-topic post]

For Samantha Weltzin and Co.'s view on each character's mental issues , it would be greatly implimented in the series, as I've said before. Maybe more in the field of fanmade content since for Nintendo to impliment such mental issues is like Kojima allowing Snake to capture the monkies from Ape Escape Kirby having a eating disorder. Then again, they proved us wrong with Zelda: Ocarina of Time and (ESPECIALLY) Majora's Mask.

One example would be when the group confrounts the Aparoid Queen in Assault. The Queen uses a psychological tactic by pretending to be the desceased (e.g. Pigma, Pepper, James, Peppy(Yes, I know; but the team has no informaiton about that yet)). What if instead of them just going "OH NOEZ, IT'S [insert dead chara--ohwai its just a trick lol okayletzattack lolol!", they actually have a hard time trying to fight it off. Maybe the Queen uses  some ability to throw them in a state of unconsciousness/false reality or something like that (think of the Space-Time Labyrinth from Gurren Lagann)? So during this portion of the story, the viewer will dwell in each character's mind (or some; it depends), revealing some background info that might have caused their mental issue.

Most likely what I had just typed makes no sense but if anyone wishes to have any examples of what I'm talking about, I'll be glad to show you some.

[Samantha Weltzin]

[Possible off-topic post]

For Samantha Weltzin and Co.'s view on each character's mental issues , it would be greatly implimented in the series, as I've said before. Maybe more in the field of fanmade content since for Nintendo to impliment such mental issues is like Kojima allowing Snake to capture the monkies from Ape Escape Kirby having a eating disorder. Then again, they proved us wrong with Zelda: Ocarina of Time and (ESPECIALLY) Majora's Mask.

One example would be when the group confrounts the Aparoid Queen in Assault. The Queen uses a psychological tactic by pretending to be the desceased (e.g. Pigma, Pepper, James, Peppy(Yes, I know; but the team has no informaiton about that yet)). What if instead of them just going "OH NOEZ, IT'S [insert dead chara--ohwai its just a trick lol okayletzattack lolol!", they actually have a hard time trying to fight it off. Maybe the Queen uses  some ability to throw them in a state of unconsciousness/false reality or something like that (think of the Space-Time Labyrinth from Gurren Lagann)? So during this portion of the story, the viewer will dwell in each character's mind (or some; it depends), revealing some background info that might have caused their mental issue.

Most likely what I had just typed makes no sense but if anyone wishes to have any examples of what I'm talking about, I'll be glad to show you some.

Oh, I know exactly what you're talking about, and yes, that would have been a great addition. Instead of the lame two-minute cutscene, the Queen could invade their minds and find their deepest desires and fears, and Krystal could be the first to break free because of her familiarity with mind tricks, actually making her useful and save the team for once. I wouldn't call this off-topic at all, since the point of it was "How could we add some depth to these characters and explore them more than Nintendo appears to be willing to do?"

Great suggestion. If only it'd happen. :D

[JLCL00]

Oh, I know exactly what you're talking about, and yes, that would have been a great addition. Instead of the lame two-minute cutscene, the Queen could invade their minds and find their deepest desires and fears, and Krystal could be the first to break free because of her familiarity with mind tricks, actually making her useful and save the team for once. I wouldn't call this off-topic at all, since the point of it was "How could we add some depth to these characters and explore them more than Nintendo appears to be willing to do?"

Great suggestion. If only it'd happen.

You don't mind if I just post acouple of examples, right? For some who don't know what I'm talking about since .

The only problem I think would arise from a scene like this (or just scenes overall) is with the length. Unless fans are willing to sit through a twenty, or even ten, minute cutscene, an OVA (original video animation) seems to be the only option. I mean this is an on-rail shooter, correct? What on-rail shooter has cutscenes that can compete with either Xenosaga or Metal Gear Solid? But then again, there's no rule that say an on-rail shooter HAS to have short, one minute cutscenes.

Well it's just that on another topic, I was talking about a subject that was somewhat related and then someone mentioned it was getting "off-topic" (even though the main subject was vague). So I just wanted to avoid the same conclusion by putting up that note.

[Samantha Weltzin]

Go ahead and post your examples. Topics evolve; that's the nature of forums. Some people just don't recognize that, and some like to use it as an excuse to censor opinions they don't like. :P

[JLCL00]

O'kay!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS8pSxyrKBE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CetZb2CH8g

-[2nd row; 1st video] Example starts at 1:31. The actual epsiode actually dosn't really have spoilers/meaning since it's pretty much a filler episode

-[2nd row; 2nd video] Don't be fooled, this actually takes place in a false-reality of sorts.

-[last video] Example starts at around 5:55. SPOILER ALERT!

Foir anyone interest, the examples I used include (in order):

    -No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle 

    -Neon Genesis Evangelion   

    -Super Dimension Foutress Macross (better

    -Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water

[Andross]

Cabin fever has ravaged all aboard

This once proud vessel has become a floating psycho ward

We were sailing, sailing headed who knows where

And now though we're all here

We're not all there

Cabin fever!

Long live Muppet Treasure Island!!!

Seriously though, Fox didn't really have a mental issue until Assault, so I think that extensive time spent in the close company of Krystal & her telepathic abilities has slowly started to drive him insane. Or maybe Krystal gave him a telepathic suggestion to make him have stronger feelings for her but it back fired and made him so concerned for her safety that he forced her of the team...

And as for Andross, I always thought this song suited him rather well....

[Samantha Weltzin]

Wait, so Andross is the way he is because he doesn't understand why he doesn't like Mondays? I am amazed!

Also: I chuckled at your thoughts on why Fox has mental issues. You could actually make a case for that.

[leonsdrago619]

  Gender confusion, 'Nuff said

[Vixie Darkmatter]

General Scales sounds like he has a massive inferiority complex.

[Samantha Weltzin]

General Scales sounds like he has a massive inferiority complex.

Probably because he's so inferior. I mean really, what a loser! :D

[The Shaper]

Probably because he's so inferior. I mean really, what a loser!

I am inclined to agree, he did a terrbile job of training his soldiers as they only block when you fight them, and he himself is a terrible fighter. Have you ever tried not pulling the staff out when you and him aer supposed to fight? He doesn't do anything except jump around.

[Andross]

And let us not forget his way of taking over the planet, remove the spell stones! What a master plan! You can kill yourself and them at the same time!!!

BTW, did anyone else notice striking simiralities between the plot of Twilight Princess and Starfox Adventures (With Scales/Zant and Andross/Ganondorf and all).

[Samantha Weltzin]

I am inclined to agree, he did a terrbile job of training his soldiers as they only block when you fight them, and he himself is a terrible fighter. Have you ever tried not pulling the staff out when you and him aer supposed to fight? He doesn't do anything except jump around.

My thoughts exactly. Scales is easily the lamest character in the entire series, and for a series rife with lame characters, that's saying a lot.

And let us not forget his way of taking over the planet, remove the spell stones! What a master plan! You can kill yourself and them at the same time!!!

BTW, did anyone else notice striking simiralities between the plot of Twilight Princess and Starfox Adventures (With Scales/Zant and Andross/Ganondorf and all).

No kidding. Just another example of really sloppy writing in that game, though. Honestly, I think the only reason Scales did it was so some hero could go on a collection quest. Seriously.

And yeah. There are a lot of "Oh hey, the guy we were fighting turns out not to be the real bad guy after all!" games. A Link to the Past, for instance, had Agahnim. It's a pretty common way to throw in a random plot twist.

[Gestalt]

I wouldn't say He's a narcissist....stop jankin' on Wolf...

[The Shaper]

I wouldn't say He's a narcissist....stop jankin' on Wolf...

He's so full of himself it might be considered narcissism. How many times has Fox beaten him and his crew yet he constantly says: "One day Star Wolf will bring you down!" Even if it is quite clear that he can't beat fox. Whether it be air or ground.

[Ruukyasu]

I personaly Like the Idea of Falco being in an Orphanat, to tell the truth I am planing to do a Fanfic about his past, im my view he is abandoned, that would explain his Exagered Self Confidence, to tell the Truth, Falco could have the same problem of Asuka from Neon Genesis Evangelion, She have Exagered Self Confidence, but she uses that to hide her truth personality being Fragile and Insecure, for See her Mother Dying in front of her

Falco Could have somenthing like that, he could been alone in his Childhood, leaving him to be angry and Jealousy of other kids, making he close himself and "hate" the others, okay not hate, but making him don´t reely on others, don´t have help from nobody, that could Explain why he left Star Fox 2 times,

and in Assault Biography says that he came back for the team, because he consider they his family, that only Strenghthens my theory, that he was abandoned or lived a great part of his adolescence alone

For Fox, maybe the Fobia of lose someone he loves could work well, I gonna think about This

For Slippy, he Could have some Trauma that makes him cleave more objects( especialy Machines) than people

For Krystal, She Could have matured earlier because the death of her parents, and being the only survivor of her species, making her less sociable of more agressive with others Like she was in Adventures

Panther-he could wish more feminine attention, or being a sexual maniac, almost capable of rape a Women

Leon- A serial Killer would fit him perfectly for me

Wolf-I thinked about his being really bad, an enjoy Hurting Others, but after assault, I don´t see him as as enemy, I see him more like a Anti-Hero

that could result being left alone in his childhood, first he could wish for Revenge against Humanity, but after Lylat Wars, he could have matured leaving him neither good, or bad, maybe someone who is lost, trying to find his way

it´s all today

PS: First Time Here ^^

[LoneWolf]

Listen to this as you read. I've attached links to the symptoms in hyperlinks.

Well, it would appear that Fox may have some form of PTSD, at least, he might in command.

Falco doesen't seem to have any issues, besides his high ego.

Slippy is just confused, maybe a bit OCD. There's also some disorder associated with neediness, I don't remember what it is though.

Peppy just seems to be an old man, perhaps early Alzheimer's as mentioned earlier.

Krystal also seems to have PTSD, perhaps a personality disorder as well.

Wolf seems clean enough to me. Just a bit eccentric.

Leon. He's a PSYCHO.

General Pepper's prolly also got PTSD. He is a general after all.

Andross is a bit difficult. He seems to be very intellegent, but has some form of megalomania.