When discussing classic games that have stood the test of time, theFinal Fantasyfranchise comes to mind. It first started as an RPG and then pivoted into other genres of gaming.Final Fantasyis the “Bohemian Rhapsody” of gaming: it has a little something for everyone. It derives from different pop cultures, religions, and mythologies- making it loved by everyone.
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Final Fantasyoffers a different, vast cast in every game. There are recurring characters like Cid but it also has its fair share of unsung heroes who are often ignored due to lack of backstory or screen-time. Some have stories just as deep but are dropped to focus on the protagonist. This list takes into account the characters fromallFinal Fantasygames, so it may not cover your favorite.
10Laguna Loire
Laguna fromFFVIIIis loved by many. Still, he does not get the recognition he deserves. He has a charming and cool personality. He traveled the world as a journalist hunting for stories, though that came to an end when he decided to lead a revolution and become Esthar’s president. He’s like a humble middle aged-man who has seen the world and is now spending the rest of his days in peace. Julia had a nice fling with him but that ended shortly.
Laguna also has one of the coolest themes - “Man with a Machine Gun.” He is a beast in combat too. Especially, the Desperado limit deals a lot of damage. It was unfair to give him so little screen-time.
9Hope
FromFFXIII, Hope is a character that feels like a whiny kid to many. People wereunable to see behind the surfacethat he’s just a 14 years old kid whose mom died in front of him. Of course, it’s going to affect his personality and he’s going to become vengeful. He was portrayed realistically considering the events of his life. Lightning helps him become familiar with combat and supports him through his progress.
He goes from a naive boy to a battle-hardened soldier. His character development is one of the best in the whole game as you’ll end up loving him by the end. Hope is a representation of those who want to live a peaceful life but are dragged into the fight to protect their dear ones.
8Tellah
Lots of people like to make fun of this old man. However, he has a better story than most. He’s cranky and blindly driven by his desire to have revenge against Golbez. After confronting Golbez, he knew that the only way he could kill him is by casting Meteor,killing both of them in the process. Without giving a second thought, he sacrificed himself for the greater good. Unfortunately, Golbez survives his attack.
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His spells are pretty powerful too and he can cast most of them, so he’s a well-rounded mage. At one point, players are forced to use him. It’s fun to experiment with different options with him.
7Balthier
Balthier is a pretty cool and badass character. He’s popular not because he is good: its becausehe’s a suave selfish guy.He’s got that charisma that entertains players. His lines are witty and amusing, which matches his character.
Balthier is a useful ally in combat. His speed and strength are his strong points. InRevenant Wings, he’s best suited as a ranged fighter. It’s best to equip him with weapons that are suited with his speed and strength, so he can deal the most amount of damage then.
6Basch
Basch is a guy who was tricked into killing his king in hopes of ending the war. But the war raged on and he was prosecuted for it. He took the blame on his shoulders and paid a price that wrecked him completely. Basch has faced nothing but despairs his whole life.
He speaks words of true wisdom but gets overshadowed by Balthier. He never got the praise he deserved and gets sidelined later in the story. The guy keeps giving and deserves some love in return. His strength and HP are high compared to other members of the party.
5Fran
Viera existed in theFinal Fantasyfranchise but it was Fran who brought attention to them. Her personality and ability to perform in battle is second to none. She has been bestowed with the title “Master of Weapons” for her versatility in wielding any kind of weapon and her excellency in craftsmanship.
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She’s a strong woman and her voice has that overwhelming, commanding tone. She saved Vaan and Balthier’s lives so many times that it’s hard to remember. After the events of Eruyt Village, Frans is portrayed only asBalthier’s hot sidekick. She could have turned out to be a favorite with only some minor character development.
4Sazh
Sazh is a middle-aged hip uncle who likes to hang out with rebellious college kids. He’s not extremely emotional like other characters. He’s a simple guy who wants to save his child from being trapped in the form of a crystal for many years.
His dad jokes and interactions with other characters made him feel more realistic and approachable than others. Sazh is optimistic, while also being torn apart by fear from the inside. He’s also more logical than other characters and does not mindlessly rush into combat.
3Freya
Freya has faced a devastating loss of a lover, friends, and the land she called home. She’s the last of the Burmecian race. Some of her best qualities are honor, loyalty, and strength, making her a noble person. Freya had a good backstory, but it was just cast aside and given little importance. Freya gets overlooked becauseFFIXis not a popular gameand Zidane, Kuji, and Viva take the spotlight.
Her design is very cool and she’s useful in battle, easily able to replace a healer in fights and recover MP without consuming ether. Plus her quote, “Being forgotten is worse than death,” reflects a lot about her personality. She’s a unique and memorable character if observed carefully.
2Quina
If there is one word to define Quina, it would be funny. Quina only gets better if you stick with him from the start. His powers are improved by eating different monsters. This means he can be used as a healer or deal 9999 damage by his Frog Drop. Quina is considered weird by many, even though he’s the best Blue Mage in the game.
He’s hilarious, powerful, and adapts to your liking by time. He would make a nice life partner. He needs some work and getting used to, but once you do, Quina will become an essential member of the party.
1Vanille
At first glance, Vanille (from XIII) is nothing more than a generic 19-year-old clumsy girl with skimpy clothing. People regard her as dumb but they don’t realize that it’s just a mask she has put on to keep those around her happy. With every chapter, she gives away some of her true feelings while narrating the story.
She is also terrified of the direction she’s heading in and has to make critical decisions that haunt her. This makes her vulnerable, inspiring, and human- everything that makes fans love her. On a replay of the game, players can notice her sad reactions. Once you see through the surface, she’ll grow on you instantly.
