Summary
- Tifa’s voice acting depth adds caring and intelligence to the character, making her an ideal partner.
- Tidus’ emotional openness and character growth make him one of the most human and lovable characters in the series.
- Players can design a date based on themselves in Final Fantasy XIV, offering unique possibilities for a strange yet next-level date.
Valentine’s Day is upon once again as people express their love to their partners, and single people presumably have a quiet night in. With so many wonderful characters throughout the Final Fantasy franchise, it’s hard not to wonder on a hypothetical level, which of the franchises’ heroes would be the ideal dating partner.
The writing throughout the series can be excellent, especially with the introduction of voice acting. The series has advanced to writing some brilliant couples, like Clive and Jill, or especially Tidus and Yuna. The series knows how to handle romance and sincerity amidst the often war-torn scenarios the characters find themselves in.
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9
Tifa (Final Fantasy 7 Remake)
Caring And Intelligent
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Fighting
Action
Adventure
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OpenCritic
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Top Critic Rating:
88/100
- Released
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April 10, 2020
- ESRB
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t
To briefly break the fourth wall, Tifa’s physical design was subject to one of the most irritating debates the series has ever seen. This entry will not discuss that aspect. Tifa is the character who benefits most from the introduction of voice acting to the FF7 remake, as Britt Baron adds incredible depth and delivers a flawless performance throughout the Remake series. The performance is caring and emotionally intelligent. The third chapter of Remake is one of the finest bits of voice acting you’ll ever see.
Her intelligence and genuinely caring nature make Tifa a true companion, knowing exactly when to challenge someone on their troubled beliefs and when not to. Her approach towards Cloud in the Remake series is a wonderful and pretty honest example of how best to deal with someone going through trauma. If someone does that for you, they’re a keeper.
8
Tidus (Final Fantasy 10)
Perhaps The Most Human Character Of The Series
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OpenCritic
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Top Critic Rating:
83/100
- Released
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December 17, 2001
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
If anyone ever picks up on their partner’s emotional subtleties and takes them to one side and tries to make them fake laugh, well, that’s love. Yes, the most mocked Final Fantasy scene online (before Stranger Of Paradise provided “Chaos…” to the series lexicon) is actually one of the most emotionally touching.
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Tidus’ habit of narrating at times means that he opens up to the player a lot earlier than other characters. Players see the performative side of his personality, but then they see his raw and honest thoughts. It is an incredibly endearing mix. He is naive, but also upbeat, and develops into a mature but still enthusiastic and fun person to be around. It’s easy to see why Yuna had enough trouble getting over him to warrant an entire sequel.
7
You (Final Fantasy 14)
Design Your Own Date
- Released
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August 27, 2013
- ESRB
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T for Teen – Language, Mild Blood, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
Some people wouldn’t want to date a version of themselves, but if it’s an option…maybe? If players are going to create someone and form their entire personality, then surely given the choice, they’d at least offer them a coffee? It prompts a bit of a strange question of whether someone would date themselves were they a separate person, but in a game of nearly infinite design possibilities, it has to be raised.
It might be a bit strange, and walking side-by-side, players would definitely walk into their date quite a lot, but again, they can literally design them. Has a date ever picked someone up in a giant magitek armor? Unlikely. This date would be the next level.
6
Cid (Final Fantasy 16)
Everyone’s Favorite Bit Of Northern Soul
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OpenCritic
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Top Critic Rating:
88/100
- Released
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June 22, 2023
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
Charming sense of humor? Check. Experienced enough to be emotionally intelligent? Also check. The tendency to turn into a giant old man when annoyed? Wait. It’s hard to ignore Cid as the wisecracking old fool, a term he’d probably grin at. Charm is in every bone of this man’s body, if one can tolerate the smoking habit.
It’s not often characters that are so ruthlessly efficient with their screen time as Cid. Some characters make an impact in their time on screen, and then there’s Cid. Get him to sign on the dotted line…until he turns into an old man full of thunder. Then, players should run away.
5
Dagger (Final Fantasy 9)
Realistic Character Development Pays Off
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OpenCritic
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Top Critic Rating:
81/100
- Released
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July 7, 2000
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Violence, Mild Language
Couples that do well are ones that grow old together, both physically and mentally. Even with friendships, the crucial element isn’t how they are when they meet, it’s how they let their life experiences shape and develop them. Dagger goes through just about every emotion during the course of Final Fantasy 9, and always responds in a very human way.
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She also develops in a very human way. The reactions she shows to her traumas are remarkably realistic, yet without any toxicity. If that’s how someone reacts and develops, they’re a pure person, and worth romancing in a world that looks suspiciously less detailed than normal.
4
Balthier (Final Fantasy 12)
Who Doesn’t Want To Date The Leading Man?
- Released
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October 31, 2006
- ESRB
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T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes
If Cid was charming, then Balthier is the leading man. The first time a voice-acted Final Fantasy character went on an all-out charm offensive, Balthier is irresistible. He’s funny and charming, and he’s a video game character, so his looks are irrelevant. There’s a good reason that the ‘leading man’ is both a compliment and somewhat of a statement of fact.
He’s even a loyal man, showing incredible camaraderie with long-term ally Fran. He might be charming, and suitors might have to tolerate skepticism from a fierce Viera, but he’s an obvious dating candidate. Funny, suave and 3D, he has everything anyone could want in a man.
3
Clive Rosfield (Final Fantasy 16)
If You Ignore His Giant Fiery Ifrit Side…
Thanks to voice actor Ben Star, players even know how Clive would sound while reciting his favorite lines from Barbie. It’s still an incredible performance from him — just ignore the fact that he can turn into the giant inhumanely strong Ifrit if he’s ever in a bit of a pinch.
Clive, being the first character from the first mainline entry in which players control one character, gets more screen time than most. He’s a steady head that steers an increasingly heavy ship, dealing with numerous traumas but coming out more mentally unscathed than players would imagine. He might have a cringe-worthy line right at the end suggesting his wedding vows would be less than ideal, but he’s an obviously great candidate.
2
Rikku (Final Fantasy 10)
Pretty Charming For A Thief
Rikku is the obvious foil to Tidus, and it’s no surprise they end up getting on well. Optimistic with a clear sense of fun, she prefers to hide the more serious downside. In both the original game and the sequel (which are still easily accessible, unlike some other titles), players see her mature more than most characters on this list. Just ignore the fact that she’s a thief when she first becomes a proper party member.
Suitors might have to keep their possessions safe around her, but if they grow old together, she’ll be able to still use that fancy new machina or whatever it is called. She has a unique amount of development as a character in the series, and is a lot more upbeat than Yuna.
1
Ramza Beolve (Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions)
The Most Intelligent Main Character Of The Series
- Released
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May 10, 2007
- ESRB
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t
Arguably the character with the most complicated series of decisions to make throughout the game, Ramza rolled a rather unfortunate die in getting the leading role in this title. Ramza is a very clever protagonist — serious consideration of how things could look three steps ahead is his forte. It goes to show just how complex this title gets, but for those looking for a man with intelligence, he’s the guy.
He’s also remarkably versatile, mastering a lot of jobs, so long-term employment will not be a worry for this man. Should things ever get complicated, he’s there for anyone, and probably smarter than any possible partner.
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