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Your favorite Final Fantasy protagonist? (it's Squall, right?)
- Thread starter enigmatic_alex44
- Start date
ivanthebearable
Member
I'm very surprised and happy to see this many people saying they like
Bartz.
Also I don't think Ramza really counts if it's mainline games only. He'd be very much up there if it included spinoffs. As would Layle from Crystal Bearers.
Butz
Also I don't think Ramza really counts if it's mainline games only. He'd be very much up there if it included spinoffs. As would Layle from Crystal Bearers.
Subhuman Filth
Member
Terra. Her subplot with the kids in VI was quite endearing.
Butz and Cloud are cool too.
Butz and Cloud are cool too.
Duane Cunningham
Member
Light.
Just kidding, I guess. I don't really know, but for some reason I like the ones everyone else hates, I just can't help it.
Just kidding, I guess. I don't really know, but for some reason I like the ones everyone else hates, I just can't help it.
JudgmentJay
Member
Zidane by a long shot.
Steiner would be a close second behind Zell.
Since when did this thread become about favourite characters besides the protagonists?
mcz117chief
Member
Main char only? Only mainline games? That leaves a lot of good characters off the table 
Lightning
even with these criteria it is still definitely Lightning, other than that I would vote for Serah, Kain, Vincent Valentine and Rem.
Lightning
even with these criteria it is still definitely Lightning, other than that I would vote for Serah, Kain, Vincent Valentine and Rem.
Google.
pro·tag·o·nist.
[prōˈtaɡənəst, prəˈtaɡənəst]
NOUN
1.the leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text.
Ashe and Basch, the real protagonists from FFXII. Both have a very clear objective, they are not trying to save the world from some evil being (even though they kinda do it), just recover their throne and honor, respectively. Also, no romance, true love, or tough guy persona that is so common in JRPGS. All around a great cast.
I always felt that Freya was robbed out of a story. She had the potential of being a really good and interesting character... but then her story just kind of doesn't advance after the first disk.
I get it. She is a non human character and thats the treatment they generally get. But she was just too intriguing. I wanted her to be Zidane's Kain but alas... she was a nothing in the end.
So my votes goes for the next best thing. Auron. Although he is a little too grizzled for his experiences I like the overall package. He's a secretive stoic dick with a pretty neat premise to his character. He also has a reputation that we get to witness. We aren't just told he was a legendary guardian. We see it in the past and present and it plays a pretty big role to the backdrop of the entire game.
It helps that he looks ridiculously cool.
I get it. She is a non human character and thats the treatment they generally get. But she was just too intriguing. I wanted her to be Zidane's Kain but alas... she was a nothing in the end.
So my votes goes for the next best thing. Auron. Although he is a little too grizzled for his experiences I like the overall package. He's a secretive stoic dick with a pretty neat premise to his character. He also has a reputation that we get to witness. We aren't just told he was a legendary guardian. We see it in the past and present and it plays a pretty big role to the backdrop of the entire game.
It helps that he looks ridiculously cool.
AgentLampshade
Member
It... Is actually Squall. He reminded me way too much of my own teenage self (minus the trained mercenary part) so I could empathise with him a lot more than the other protagonists. Noctis might have my favourite powerset though.
the_sun_king
Member
If we're talking THE hero/heroine of their respective game, then mine probably is Squall when I ponder on it.
He's just very relatable in that perfectly teenage angsty way. It's not overdone, or too melodramatic, but he possess that right amount of anxiety that I think most teenagers (especially those who aren't social butterflies) can identify with. And then he grows and slowly changes due to the people he meets and situations he's placed in.
I definitely preferred him to Cloud (who honestly has very little personality of his own;
).
He's just very relatable in that perfectly teenage angsty way. It's not overdone, or too melodramatic, but he possess that right amount of anxiety that I think most teenagers (especially those who aren't social butterflies) can identify with. And then he grows and slowly changes due to the people he meets and situations he's placed in.
I definitely preferred him to Cloud (who honestly has very little personality of his own;
most of his in-game persona is stolen directly from Zack and with good reason - Zack is the better character
GrantDaNasty
Member
Terra/Tina (I stick to the former name, but I'm not here to argue with anyone, so I included both) - FF6
As for justification - She finds herself a victim, manipulated into servitude, but after finding herself newly autonomous and independent in her state of mind, she seeks to do what she can to help make things right. She finds out she's the result of a mutual trust between 2 different groups, and while seeing first-hand the evils man can succumb to and commit, she remains steadfast in her humanity, based on the idea that she can help by working towards that goal, the loyalty of her comrades, and her staunch belief in protecting the innocent, that we can love instead of hate (If you understand that Kefka only feels hatred, and wishes to see the world plunged into chaos, Terra is the opposite).
All of her companions have their own reasons to fight, but they all unite under a common goal, and find the strength within themselves thanks to the support of one-another.
As for justification - She finds herself a victim, manipulated into servitude, but after finding herself newly autonomous and independent in her state of mind, she seeks to do what she can to help make things right. She finds out she's the result of a mutual trust between 2 different groups, and while seeing first-hand the evils man can succumb to and commit, she remains steadfast in her humanity, based on the idea that she can help by working towards that goal, the loyalty of her comrades, and her staunch belief in protecting the innocent, that we can love instead of hate (If you understand that Kefka only feels hatred, and wishes to see the world plunged into chaos, Terra is the opposite).
All of her companions have their own reasons to fight, but they all unite under a common goal, and find the strength within themselves thanks to the support of one-another.
Arcana Wiz
Member
Of mainline...
Terra
First female MC along Celes, believable and consistent arc through the game
very interesting backstory, half
, DONT have a unbeliveable romance story like 90% Jrpgs, most original combat style on the first Dissidia on the protagonist side... where it can be summmed in 90% swords, lol.
And one of the best themes of FF.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ
Terra
First female MC along Celes, believable and consistent arc through the game
(i agree that the developers could have fleshed out more some parts, and made her have more moments in the game, BUT it's a SNES game).
esper/summon
And one of the best themes of FF.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ
mcz117chief
Member
i don't know
Holy hell I can't stop giggling
My problem with Cecil is that he is totally a victim of the plot. He never does anything on his own, he is constantly being dragged along and told what to do either by people he meets or by events that transpire. Not once is he like "it's my way or the highway" like Lightning. On the other hand Kain in IV is much more enjoyable character because he is a rogue element, you never know what's happening inside his mind and what he is planning.
Protagonist can include any of the major characters in a media. I didn't see main protagonist in the OP.
Edit: Nevermind, was at the bottom.
Sub_Level
wants to fuck an Asian grill.
Yeah its Squall. Sorry if you were being sarcastic as a joke (although by the looks of your OP thats maybe not the case but I'm still not sure)
Put Squall into any other FF as the protagonist and its better. The only exception might be VI because its an ensemble anyway.
Put Squall into any other FF as the protagonist and its better. The only exception might be VI because its an ensemble anyway.
Simon Belmont
Banned
Squall is the worst. I don't think I've ever cared less about a protagonist.
Zidane, gimme that shit.
Zidane, gimme that shit.
Zap Rowsdower
Banned
Also honorable mention to Laguna and Jecht who are both in the "Cool dads that should have been the protagonists instead of their loser sons" club.
YES! I love Beach and Ashe! Though, I really think all the protagonists in XII are excellent. I really like Balthier and Fran too
Ashe and Basch, the real protagonists from FFXII. Both have a very clear objective, they are not trying to save the world from some evil being (even though they kinda do it), just recover their throne and honor, respectively. Also, no romance, true love, or tough guy persona that is so common in JRPGS. All around a great cast.
Mr. Poolman
Member
Ramza Beoulve.
The most noble hero on all FF games.
He is more than willing to sacrifice his wealth, name and pride for what he believes is right.
His very will turns enemies into allies.
Also a pretty skilled warrior.
This is the pretty man you don't mess with.
The most noble hero on all FF games.
He is more than willing to sacrifice his wealth, name and pride for what he believes is right.
His very will turns enemies into allies.
Also a pretty skilled warrior.
This is the pretty man you don't mess with.
Dsyndrome
Member
I felt more of a connection to the folks from FFVI than any other FF, but I'm not ready to say that Terra's the main protagonist.
Going with that criteria, I'd say Zidane. Lightning, Squall, and Vaan are all bottom of the barrel as far as what I'd want in a protagonist.
Correct answer is Edgar though, smart mofo with a chainsaw, drill, etc.
Going with that criteria, I'd say Zidane. Lightning, Squall, and Vaan are all bottom of the barrel as far as what I'd want in a protagonist.
Correct answer is Edgar though, smart mofo with a chainsaw, drill, etc.
NismoTigerWVU
Neo Member
I'd say Cecil, but it looks like I'm in the minority. Terra is great as well.
secretanchitman
Member
OP I am 100% agreed with you. Squall has always been my favorite and will continue to be.
Robdraggoo
Member
You litterly hopped right over the best 2.
Not to step in your enjoyment of 8, but OP; were we playing the same game?
Squall was cardboard with angst who had no outstanding traits about him at all to me. He was distant...that was it. That and his signature "whatever" helped him apathathetically drag his angst through the plot.
As for the "natural" romance:
Well thought and stated post that doesn't hide how poorly written, executed, and implemented this possible idea is. No matter how self-protective cardboard was, having someone constantly make advances while he stonewalls her wasn't endearing. It felt so awkward. If children playing were able to pick up on how rushed a romantic sub-plot is, which involves the woman having to nearly die for the guy to think he cares, minutes into the end...maaaaan.
Personal favourites: Cloud then Tifa. Cloud started as a self-interested mercenary at the start and let his quirks and failures show. His development was fantastic. Can't shut up about that game to this day.
Greta from 9 comes third. There's a nuanced,complex, and capable... Fox thing.
Squall's character arc's not all bad, but people give way too much credit for the love story.
Squall was cardboard with angst who had no outstanding traits about him at all to me. He was distant...that was it. That and his signature "whatever" helped him apathathetically drag his angst through the plot.
As for the "natural" romance:
Well thought and stated post that doesn't hide how poorly written, executed, and implemented this possible idea is. No matter how self-protective cardboard was, having someone constantly make advances while he stonewalls her wasn't endearing. It felt so awkward. If children playing were able to pick up on how rushed a romantic sub-plot is, which involves the woman having to nearly die for the guy to think he cares, minutes into the end...maaaaan.
I just realized I bothered finishing those years ago for the card game...wow.that and Squall was lightning this whole time.
Personal favourites: Cloud then Tifa. Cloud started as a self-interested mercenary at the start and let his quirks and failures show. His development was fantastic. Can't shut up about that game to this day.
Greta from 9 comes third. There's a nuanced,complex, and capable... Fox thing.
Star Falcon
Member
Maybe Terra or Bartz. Leaning towards the latter as he is less emo.
Overall cast would go to IV or VI.
Overall cast would go to IV or VI.
HoodWinked
Member
Cloud Strife/Zack cause you get two protagonists in one.
JuanLatino
Member
.
The Spoony Hou
Member
Yup. Well, Celes and then Squall. I don't care about Terra (or most other FF main chars).