As you may well know, there are a lot of discussions and criticisms for more diverse representations in today's videogames, such as more female leads, minority leads, female minorities, etc.
This has led to some criticism over Final Fantasy XV, which is sticking with an all-male party, while the few female representations showcased so far have led to further debates:
How FFXV turns out in the end is a whole other story, as I wanted to make this thread to analyze the next major release from the company: the highly anticipated remake to Final Fantasy VII:
Obviously, FFVII already has countless fans who have played the original ad nauseam that are already looking forward to the Remake. The question, instead, is how will a modernized FFVII appear to a new generation of gamers who have never played the original and/or are only vaguely aware of it?
Frankly, I can't help but find the timing of the FFVII Remake to be an interesting one, as the main cast of characters can potentially gain newfound appreciation and acclaim for their diversity. Let's take a look at a few examples:
1. Barret: A black male party member in a JRPG. Amazingly (and almost depressingly), this is every bit as unique a concept now as it was back in 1997. There have been a couple of other candidates in the past (such as Sazh in FFXIII), but what makes Barret stand out is just how important he is to the main story: the iconic opening mission that has Cloud and company bomb a reactor was entirely orchestrated by Barret as the leader of AVALANCHE. He also has an ongoing backstory that is one of the most mature and heart-breaking ever seen in Final Fantasy, if not RPGs period. While it is true that he was originally localized to speak in a then-stereotypical manner, we can assume the Remake will scale down on this considerably.
2. The Ladies: Two of the most iconic videogame heroines of all time (and also Yuffie, who is terrific and criminally underappreciated in her own right), Tifa and Aerith both play major roles in FFVII's story, and both bring something unique to the table. For one thing, their contrasting designs should satisfy both kinds of players: those who want a modestly dressed heroine, and those who don't mind a little bit of sex appeal so long as it's handled in a reasonable non-Cindy approach. Regardless of which one is your favorite, both Tifa and Aerith take up the main heroine role and have a big influence in the development of the main character Cloud. Though there are a few unfortunate sequences from the original game that plague both girls at various points in the story, there is the hope and expectation that the Remake will alter/remove said moments in order to allow both of these great heroines shine for a new audience.
3. Subversion of Tropes: Another thing that makes the FFVII cast so fondly remembered is the way they defy your expectations, rising above their character designs and base personalities. Barret isn't just a lumbering, almost comic relief character, he has his own personal demons and a drive to make the world a better place for his daugher, even if he has to resort to abhorrent methods to achieve that peace. Tifa isn't just a super-attractive bar owner who pines for the male lead, she's also a capable fighter who reflects deeply on her own character flaws and whether the group is doing more harm than good for the planet. Also, she tends to rescue herself out of most situations, rarely becoming a damsel in distress. Aerith, despite appearing to be a more modest and innocent heroine, is frequently more open about sharing her thoughts and often acts impulsively for the sake of her own wants. And finally there's Cloud, the poster boy for jaded spiky-haired bad-ass characters, but is in fact a deeply troubled introvert who tries to play a role that hides his true insecurities (and mental instability).
4. Non-human leads: You also have a talking cat/dog creature and a robot cat riding on top of another robot cat. Remember when JRPGs had unique and wacky party members?
What do you think? Will the re-release of FFVII for a modern audience gain newfound praise and admiration for its progressive cast? Can Square manage to handle these characters without resorting to some of their old ill-conceived representations?
This has led to some criticism over Final Fantasy XV, which is sticking with an all-male party, while the few female representations showcased so far have led to further debates:
How FFXV turns out in the end is a whole other story, as I wanted to make this thread to analyze the next major release from the company: the highly anticipated remake to Final Fantasy VII:
Obviously, FFVII already has countless fans who have played the original ad nauseam that are already looking forward to the Remake. The question, instead, is how will a modernized FFVII appear to a new generation of gamers who have never played the original and/or are only vaguely aware of it?
Frankly, I can't help but find the timing of the FFVII Remake to be an interesting one, as the main cast of characters can potentially gain newfound appreciation and acclaim for their diversity. Let's take a look at a few examples:
1. Barret: A black male party member in a JRPG. Amazingly (and almost depressingly), this is every bit as unique a concept now as it was back in 1997. There have been a couple of other candidates in the past (such as Sazh in FFXIII), but what makes Barret stand out is just how important he is to the main story: the iconic opening mission that has Cloud and company bomb a reactor was entirely orchestrated by Barret as the leader of AVALANCHE. He also has an ongoing backstory that is one of the most mature and heart-breaking ever seen in Final Fantasy, if not RPGs period. While it is true that he was originally localized to speak in a then-stereotypical manner, we can assume the Remake will scale down on this considerably.
2. The Ladies: Two of the most iconic videogame heroines of all time (and also Yuffie, who is terrific and criminally underappreciated in her own right), Tifa and Aerith both play major roles in FFVII's story, and both bring something unique to the table. For one thing, their contrasting designs should satisfy both kinds of players: those who want a modestly dressed heroine, and those who don't mind a little bit of sex appeal so long as it's handled in a reasonable non-Cindy approach. Regardless of which one is your favorite, both Tifa and Aerith take up the main heroine role and have a big influence in the development of the main character Cloud. Though there are a few unfortunate sequences from the original game that plague both girls at various points in the story, there is the hope and expectation that the Remake will alter/remove said moments in order to allow both of these great heroines shine for a new audience.
3. Subversion of Tropes: Another thing that makes the FFVII cast so fondly remembered is the way they defy your expectations, rising above their character designs and base personalities. Barret isn't just a lumbering, almost comic relief character, he has his own personal demons and a drive to make the world a better place for his daugher, even if he has to resort to abhorrent methods to achieve that peace. Tifa isn't just a super-attractive bar owner who pines for the male lead, she's also a capable fighter who reflects deeply on her own character flaws and whether the group is doing more harm than good for the planet. Also, she tends to rescue herself out of most situations, rarely becoming a damsel in distress. Aerith, despite appearing to be a more modest and innocent heroine, is frequently more open about sharing her thoughts and often acts impulsively for the sake of her own wants. And finally there's Cloud, the poster boy for jaded spiky-haired bad-ass characters, but is in fact a deeply troubled introvert who tries to play a role that hides his true insecurities (and mental instability).
4. Non-human leads: You also have a talking cat/dog creature and a robot cat riding on top of another robot cat. Remember when JRPGs had unique and wacky party members?
What do you think? Will the re-release of FFVII for a modern audience gain newfound praise and admiration for its progressive cast? Can Square manage to handle these characters without resorting to some of their old ill-conceived representations?
