Gamespot's top 10 best Final Fantasy Protagonists

https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/the-10-best-final-fantasy-protagonists-ranked/2900-4581/

10. Vaan (FF12)
9. Noctis (FF15)
8. Bartz (FF5)
7. Tidus (FFX)
6. Squall (FF8)
5. Cecil (FF4)
4. Lightning (FF13)
3. Terra (FF6)
2. Zidane (FF9)
1. Cloud (FF7)

Thoughts, SW? Do you agree with this list? I'm good with Cloud at number 1. He's a badass and FF7 Remake is amazing. Everyone else I'm not really sure about, but surprised to see Squall at 6.

Lightning being that high is laughable

Surprised to see Zidane so high on that list.

Weird list. Subjective, but think Squall sucks and Lightning is a super bland attempt at them trying to create another Cloud. Maybe the XIII sequels change that?

Vaan is a secondary pov character. You start the game as him, but he quickly becomes sidelined for the real main characters, Basch, Balthier, Ashe. Vaan is just kinda there for the remainder. Actually weird that him and Penelo stick around when you think about it.

Seems they wanted to limit this list to one character per game, but realistically could have picked multiple protags from some of these games, and had a better list for it.

Did you play the FF13 games? I never bothered because it looked so linear.

Cloud is a pretty solid number one choice. Don’t know if I’d put Zidane and Lightning that high on my list though.

@SolidGame_basic:

Just the first one.

Linear wasn't even my issue really. Most FF games have a very linear progression. Give you just enough wiggle room at times to have the illusion of being more open. And 13 wasn't far off from 10 in its layout tbh. Think the back half of FF6 is the only time I've seen a truly open FF game.

13 was just so damn restrictive in every way. Combat, leveling, equipment, party composition, all systems feel handcuffed every step of the way. Truly feels like 90% of the game is the worlds longest tutorial. By the time the game says ok, have fun now, you're at the end lol.

They're all cring poorly written characters.

@ConanTheStoner: btw, I preordered the FF1-6 Pixel Remaster Collection for Switch. Apparently, the physical edition is very limited; Square Enix’s store says no longer available. So I may finally play FF6 😲 it’s the collectors edition too!

@SolidGame_basic:

Nice, hope you enjoy it man.

Like I said in that thread a while back, the new music kills me lol. But you don't have that nostalgia tying you down, should be fine.

Surprised Vaan charted. One of those people who absolutely adored FFXII and liked Vaan but Vaan is not the hero of the story, Ashe is. The story just presented from Vaan's point of view.

Other than that, Noctis honestly should be charting higher. He is not a bad hero just happens to be in an incomplete game. If only Devs could explain what is Ardyn motive properly, why Luna had to die, why Noctis somehow had to go to sleep for years to gather light etc etc etc... I imagine the response to FF15 would be much better.

Where's Celes? She's as much of the main protagonist of FF6 as Terra is.

Also, it's been ages since I played the original FF7 - does Cloud stop being such an aloof dickhead after disc 1? He was a total edgelord in FF7R, and easily the least interesting part of the main cast.

WTF is Lightning doing at 4? She's one of the worst FF protagonists. She's basically female Squall, but a lot worse... Even Squall doesn’t go around randomly punching his teammates like Lightning does.

@Planeforger: Agreed. Celes is a better protagonist than Terra. She should be replaced with Celes on the list.

Tidus should be top 3. Gets shit because of the laugh scene but legit a good character.

Cloud strife is badass. he only matters.

@ghosts4ever: how is he badass when he obviously got bad gas non stop, he should seek treatment

Cloud is a solid number 1. But he is just a Zack Fair wannabe.

They all seem silly.

Speaking of which, I just beat Crisis Core Reunion! First time playing Crisis Core. I'm now a Zack Fair fan lol.

Cloud deserves #1 but Tidus should be second and Zidane third.

Lightning at number 4 really is questionable.

Pretty redundant to make a top 10 like that. 11 and 14 are MMOs, and 1 and 3 had no predefined protagonist while 2's protagonist was barely spoke any lines.

Since there have only been 10 real protagonists in numbered FF games.

Zidane over Squall and Tidus? 9 is so overrated these days. The least popular game upon release. It collected a lot of fanboys through the years.

Kaim Argonar. lol :P

Cloud is where he should be at.

No Balthier/Basch/Fran? Boo

Swap Cloud with Tidus and we're good.

JAPANIMEEEEEE GOOOOOOOOOO

Let’s play something WEEBOO!!!