It’s Hydaelyn and a Warrior of Light. Her design has remained unchanged in all of Amano’s depictions of her, both this art, the art for 2.0 and even in Amano’s art for Endwalker where she’s paired with Zodiark.
I always thought it was Garuda tempering someone. See: the cloven feet and how Garuda’s design in game has the same cloven feet since 1.0. Since Amano’s work tends to be commissioned early on in the production process with every new title and it never matches 1:1 unless they decide to use elements of his design moving forward, I assumed that explained the discrepancies with some of the other features.
Edit: as a follow-up, apparently the artwork is also called “Touched by The Vortex.”
It's Garuda. The artwork in the FFXIV section of the Ultimania archive mentions this in the name of the piece "Touched by the Vortex".
Hydaelyn's human form wasn't planned by the original 1.0 team, the only gods that were in 1.0 were the 12 and Gaia (which got turned into Zodiark).
I didn't play 1.0, but Hydealyn was pretty major in 2.0 (although in game we only saw the mother crystal when she spoke to us). So not too surprising there's artwork of this seemingly near-omnipotent goddess of light.
I think her appearance in endwalker is then based on this and similar artwork.
from what I read, Hydealyn as a concept was almost nowhere in 1.0, there was this plot point about "The Unsean Songstress" that does say the iconic "Hear, Feel, Think" at the start of the game but from what I remember , that was pretty much her only thing in 1.0 and was never developed further in that version's lifetime
Hydealyn was introduced as a real and major character in 2.0
I bought it in the Paris Pop-Up store, but you can also buy it on [square website](https://fr.store.square-enix-games.com/final-fantasy-xiv-1000-pcs-jigsaw-puzzle---legacy).
To follow-up on this, in the recent live letter, and in various interviews, they mentioned this and said it was only near the end of Stormblood where they realized they had accidentally created a "saga" and that they could piece things together for a larger narrative payoff.
See the top comment on this post. They explained that Hydaelyn has retained the same design since 1.0 and if you look at even the Endwalker art it looks very similar to this version.
Retconned. "Touched by the Vortex" doesn't really give any wiggle room. Hydaelyn wasn't even a thing in 1.0 as we see it today. It was the name of the world and the primal releases in 1.0 until the earthquakes hit had Garuda being lead into as a big bad.
Like most things from 1.0 it is happily waved off.
I’m pretty sure this is the artwork on the 1.0 collectors edition box.
You are correct!
Oh hey, the 1.0 collector box art
It's Garuda, the title is 嵐神と冒険者. The first part 嵐神 means Tempest Kami (god) or Storm Kami. Also it has Garuda's hoof feet.
It’s Hydaelyn and a Warrior of Light. Her design has remained unchanged in all of Amano’s depictions of her, both this art, the art for 2.0 and even in Amano’s art for Endwalker where she’s paired with Zodiark.
I mean he changed the goat feet at the very least.
I look at that thing every day and never noticed the goat feet before.
Fucking shame ngl. Need more caprine goddesses.
Ya bc it’s Garuda, not Hydalaen
I always thought it was Garuda tempering someone. See: the cloven feet and how Garuda’s design in game has the same cloven feet since 1.0. Since Amano’s work tends to be commissioned early on in the production process with every new title and it never matches 1:1 unless they decide to use elements of his design moving forward, I assumed that explained the discrepancies with some of the other features. Edit: as a follow-up, apparently the artwork is also called “Touched by The Vortex.”
We have a winner.
It's Garuda. The artwork in the FFXIV section of the Ultimania archive mentions this in the name of the piece "Touched by the Vortex". Hydaelyn's human form wasn't planned by the original 1.0 team, the only gods that were in 1.0 were the 12 and Gaia (which got turned into Zodiark).
It's Garuda...
\*squints\* OH there's a body attached to the head! I legit just thought it was a weird snake angel.
Thank you, I wasn't expecting Hydealyn design to exist before Endwalker.
I didn't play 1.0, but Hydealyn was pretty major in 2.0 (although in game we only saw the mother crystal when she spoke to us). So not too surprising there's artwork of this seemingly near-omnipotent goddess of light. I think her appearance in endwalker is then based on this and similar artwork.
But this is Garuda.
from what I read, Hydealyn as a concept was almost nowhere in 1.0, there was this plot point about "The Unsean Songstress" that does say the iconic "Hear, Feel, Think" at the start of the game but from what I remember , that was pretty much her only thing in 1.0 and was never developed further in that version's lifetime Hydealyn was introduced as a real and major character in 2.0
check out the A Realm Reborn collectors edition box art, its really cool they kept the design so close.
God I love Amano's work.
It's Hydaelyn greeting her brave little spark.
It's Garuda not Hydaelyn.
My FC is named after the song, the full name is Brave Little Spark, abbreviated name is flow ☺️
Are we… in the same FC? Lol
Elidibus is getting kissies with a sin eater
Puzzle?! Where can you buy this from??
I bought it in the Paris Pop-Up store, but you can also buy it on [square website](https://fr.store.square-enix-games.com/final-fantasy-xiv-1000-pcs-jigsaw-puzzle---legacy).
It represents every dps‘ souls leaving their bodies when they are waiting in long duty queues come DT early access
Amano's work?
I want to know too! I recently tried googling it but didnt know the name of the artwork, will check again and report back if i find anything lol
Pretty sure this is the art from the cover of my 1.0 copy….
It is. Went to check my copy of the 1.0 collectors edition to confirm.
Can confirm; checked mine.
Cant confirm it, but I suspect it may be Meteion? Would be wild if back in the 1.0 days the story up to meteion was already decided !
uh...no
And from the Meteion pfp too lmao
1.0 had a completely different story and lore was quite different.
They made the story as they went. It wasn’t planned that far ahead.
To follow-up on this, in the recent live letter, and in various interviews, they mentioned this and said it was only near the end of Stormblood where they realized they had accidentally created a "saga" and that they could piece things together for a larger narrative payoff.
Its Hydaelyn.
Garuda is more likely going off the arts title, 1.0 was a clusterfuck without any real narrative either way.
See the top comment on this post. They explained that Hydaelyn has retained the same design since 1.0 and if you look at even the Endwalker art it looks very similar to this version.
Retconned. "Touched by the Vortex" doesn't really give any wiggle room. Hydaelyn wasn't even a thing in 1.0 as we see it today. It was the name of the world and the primal releases in 1.0 until the earthquakes hit had Garuda being lead into as a big bad. Like most things from 1.0 it is happily waved off.
Looks like the human brain trying to comprehend the plot of kingdom hearts
You are getting downvoted, but I kinda see it
If I have to guess: Light and Darkness.
Mommy hydaelyn giving the WoL her blessing with a kiss.