Summary
Games in theFinal Fantasyseries tend to be character-driven experiences. For all the wonderful world-building and innovative mechanics, the RPGs live or die on their ability to captivate their audience with a cast of charming personalities.
There have been solid hits and sore misses, but some characters have a strange tendency to polarize the fanbase. Whether it’s because of their personality, looks, or actions, fans are divided into those who love them and those who hate them.
Of all the modernFinal Fantasygames, many fans agree that the friendship between the party inFinal Fantasy 15was characterized the best. The road trip and all that follows is a backdrop to Noctis' growth from a sheltered child to a responsible adult and ruler.
However, some gamers took one look at his then-already outdated emo attire, sampled his early characterization, and wrote him off as flat and childish (for example, his refusal to eat vegetables).Noctis' best side comes from his growth, which happens late in the game, and it doesn’t help thatFinal Fantasy 15’sfull story is delivered in a scattered fashion across non-game media.
Some players may associate thisFinal Fantasy 13character with perpetual whining and needless antagonism towards Snow, but to be fair to Hope, he experiences profound personal loss and trauma early in the story, followed sharply by his becoming a l’Cie, which is, in all fairness, a reasonable explanation for holding onto such undying anger.
Players meet Hope atthe worst moment of his life, and many forget that he is also just a child who, extreme circumstances aside, would have trouble dealing with his emotions anyway. However, many have pointed out thatFF13’swriting failed to make him a sympathetic figure. His fans tend to cite his rapid character growth and the end result: a true symbol for humanity worthy of his name.
For their first game with voice acting and expressive human models and faces, Square Enix really leaned into the character-driven narrative forFinal Fantasy 10. Its success hinged upon whether players would relate with the cast and bond with the audience surrogate, Tidus. While he won many fans over with his can-do optimism and innovative, fish-out-of-water perspective, many players found Tidus' shenanigans tedious.
Those with a dislike for the star of the Zanarkand Abes will point to his downer opening narration, his tendency to stick his neck in other people’s sacred rituals and business, andthe infamous laughing scene. While his antics do come across as occasionally laughable, Tidus demonstrates humanity and a string when the situation calls for it. Plus, he proves himself a champion in the Blitzball arena.
As far as characters go inFinal Fantasy, Rinoa is probably one of the more grounded in terms of looks and backstory. Although her father was an important political figure, she is not a princess or chosen hero, nor is she a supernatural being (at least at the beginning). Rinoa is headstrong and willful, going as far as toplan a revolutionto liberate her home city of Timber. She looks and acts like a regular young adult or teen girl with her own history of relationships, her own ideas about politics, her big pet dog, and her dreams.
Unfortunately, it is for these exact reasons that many (male) fans see her in a negative light. However, some Rinoa detractors will point out that, due to the generic nature of the cast (thanks to the Junction System), players have nothing to focus on besides their weapons and limit break abilities. Rinoa has a flimsy-looking wrist-mounted projectile weapon, which she uses to occasionally shoot her dog at enemies at low health, among other campy moves. Finally, some fans just didn’t gel well withFF8’slove story theme, and Rinoa is one of the two characters in that romance.
2Lightning - Final Fantasy 13
Headstrong And Cool (Or Heartlessly Cruel)
For a main character who spawned two sequels (including one with her name in it), it is strange that Lightningis either beloved or reviled by the fans. Many see her as cold and cruel, especially when she directs violence against members of her own party throughoutFinal Fantasy 13.
Lightning has often been unfavorably compared toFinal Fantasy 7’s Cloud and described as a “lesser clone” of him. However, many view her as a refreshing change of pace for female characters in the series, who (with a few exceptions) tended to be on the more passive side, rarely taking a leading role. In contrast, Lightning’s stoicism and strength give her a strong personality.
1Squall Leonhart - Final Fantasy 8
Introspective And Relatable (Or Detached And Dull)
As one ofFinal Fantasy’s most polarizing gamesin general, it makes sense thatFinal Fantasy 8’slead character would also garner divisiveness among theFinal Fantasycommunity. Squall is often decried as a moping, cold depressive with an attitude problem. His perceived “attitude” is not helped by the English translation’s insistence on overusing his notorious “Whatever” catchphrase when the original script called for more ambiguous and indirect language.
One thing to consider about Squall’s characterization is that much of the “whining” is read directly from his thoughts. Unlike otherleading men in Final Fantasy, Squall’s inner doubts and fears are put on full display. In other words, many players prefer the masculine ideal of an invincible supersoldier over being able to see the realistically troubled thoughts of a young man.
