Zanarkand Ruins
Yes, that’s right, you’re headed to the last destination on the list first and before anything else, and here’s why.
How “Episode Complete” Works
In each of the Hotspot locations, you’re going to be wrapping up everything that needs to be done. Once it’s complete, you will see an “Episode Complete” message on the screen, very similar to the “Mission Complete” messages you’ve been seeing throughout the game. You only get this message if you’ve fully completed everything; otherwise, you’ll see “Episode Concluded” instead of “Episode Complete.”
Warning
If you see “Episode Concluded” instead of “Episode Complete” in any of these locations during Chapter 5, you’ve missed a requirement from an earlier chapter. Each episode’s page in this guide notes what feeds into it. If you’ve been following this guide, you’ll be good to go!
The reason you should complete Zanarkand Ruins first is to make sure you don’t encounter the dreaded “Episode Complete Bug,” and you won’t, as long as you don’t complete Zanarkand Ruins last. If you’d like more information about how and why this bug persists, read the blurb below.
In-Depth Explanation
The bug is pretty simple. Every time you see “Episode Complete” on the screen, the game automatically warps you back up to the Celsius. And after you’ve earned all 15 “Episode Completes,” you’ll be transported back up to the Celsius, and a cutscene will play. You’ll get a ‘special gift’ during this cutscene, which is the 
Mascot Dressphere; the most powerful Dressphere in the game.
Well, that is, you’ll be transported back up to the Celsius after every “Episode Complete” message… except one. You guessed it: it’s the Zanarkand Ruins.
After you see the “Episode Complete” screen here at the Zanarkand Ruins, you won’t be transported up to the Celsius, because the game wants you to have an important conversation with Maechen. It’s the only episode that leaves you down on the ground. If it was your last one, the reward cutscene doesn’t get its trigger, and it will keep not playing until something else warps you back aboard.
This is very easy to avoid, though. Just don’t leave the Zanarkand Ruins until last. And if it’s too late, and you’re wondering what to do now because you never got the Mascot Dressphere, check out the Fixing the Episode Complete Bug page in the Tips and Tricks section.
We’re moving “Zanarkand Ruins” to the front of the list, but that’s okay, because it’s also the easiest episode to complete.
Zanarkand Ruins
This episode will automatically complete after a short bit of dialogue after you land.
Achievement/Trophy
Completing your first Episode in Chapter 5 will earn you the 
Complete Episode achievement/trophy.
The only other thing you can do while you’re here is also pretty important, and that’s to talk to Maechen, who has just appeared off to the left. Choose “Yes, please!” when he asks whether you’d like to hear more about Vegnagun.
Talk to Maechen immediately after the “Episode Complete” screen, and before you leave the area using the 
Save Sphere. He disappears permanently if you leave, taking three Story Completion lines with him. Choose “Yes, please!” when he asks whether you’d like to hear more about Vegnagun.
Achievement/Trophy
Engaging with Maechen at each available opportunity, without interrupting his stories, and allowing him to shake Yuna’s hand, will net you the Good Listener Achievement/Trophy. These interactions include:
- Chapter 1 - Youth League Headquarters
- Chapter 3 - Guadosalam
- Chapter 4 - Mt. Gagazet Hot Springs CommSphere
- Chapter 5 - Here at the Ruins
And with that, you’re all done with the Zanarkand Ruins. You can travel through the Dome again if you wish, but once you reach the end, you’ll see a message that says “It looks like Isaaru really closed the dome. Would you like to go back to the save sphere?” Selecting “Go back” returns you to the Save Sphere at the entrance, which you can use to head back up the Celsius.
Warning
As noted above, if Maechen is gone because you left the area too soon, he’s gone for good, and there’s nothing you can do to get him back. You’ll have to reload the game and repeat the Zanarkand Ruins episode if you missed this last conversation.
Your next destination is Besaid.
Checking the “Zanarkand Ruins Complete” box adds the Story Completion Percent for the automatic scenes in Zanarkand Ruins.