Final Fantasy Protagonists With The Best Stories

Final Fantasy is a franchise renowned for incredible stories, genre-defining gameplay, wonderful characters, and all-around impeccable gaming experiences. From the very first to the most recent, each game has a unique world and host of characters to explore and befriend, many of which have become long-standing fan favorites.

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This topic looks at the Final Fantasy protagonists with the greatest individual stories, ranking them on how impactful their story is and how well-received the characters themselves are. There are so many entries in this franchise that there is bound to be a character for every gamer, whether they prefer single-player games, MMOs, RPGs, or real-time action.

7

Lightning – Final Fantasy 13

Revolutionary Icon

Released

March 9, 2010

Developer(s)

Square Enix

OpenCritic Rating

Weak

Despite Final Fantasy 13‘s less-than-stellar reception, Lightning stands out as a diamond in the rough. The game’s story revolves around revolution against a corrupt government, with the stereotypical Final Fantasy setting of vague magic and sci-fi technology. Amid all this, Lightning seeks to save her sister from a governmental purging of citizens. Lightning herself turns from a soldier of the government to a revolutionary hero throughout the game, learning to accept the methods of NORA in stopping the purges.

While Lightning may not be the franchise’s most outstanding character, reserved for an entry further down the list, she is a clear standout point for the game in which she appears. Whether a player likes Final Fantasy 13 or not, it is hard to argue with her iconic status within the series, and the well-written development her character goes through.

6

Noctis Lucis Caelum – Final Fantasy 15

Heir To Lucis

Game

My Favorite Games My Played Games My Games Wishlist

Released

November 9, 2016

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Noctis is a character that grated on a lot of fans upon Final Fantasy 15‘s release. Coupled with the game turning the franchise away from its turn-based roots, focusing entirely on real-time action, 15 is one of the series’ most controversial entries. Despite this, the story of Noctis shines through as a highlight of the game. Noctis begins as a stuck-up prince, forced to journey far and wide with his merry band of companions to return to the capital city and reclaim his rightful throne.

Through the ups and downs of the narrative, each character in Noctis’s crew gets a whole heap of development (with each having an entire DLC dedicated to them) which ultimately helps cement the story of Noctis’s growth. The player sees how this once pompous prince becomes the hero of his land, and can see how his view on people changes as his experiences broaden.

5

Terra Branford – Final Fantasy 6

Magitek Elite

Released

October 11, 1994

Developer(s)

Square Enix, Square

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Final Fantasy 6 is a difficult game to describe the protagonist for, given the game’s huge roster of playable characters. That being said, Terra Branford is widely regarded as the protagonist of the game and is often treated as such by Square Enix in other projects and advertising. Terra, like many Final Fantasy characters, can innately use magic, and as such is experimented on for use as a living weapon. Upon coming into contact with one of her own, Terra is left with no memories and must find her way again in a world locked in war.

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Terra’s story isn’t hugely unique within the realm of Final Fantasy. However, it is intrinsically linked with the overall story of Final Fantasy 6, as without her as the catalyst, much of the narrative would not take place. While it is somewhat more difficult to resonate with the narrative beats of Final Fantasy 6 thanks to its graphical appearance when compared to the modern entries in the series, Terra’s story is deeply compelling if the players can find themselves absorbed in it.

4

Tidus – Final Fantasy 10

Blitzball Prodigy

Released

December 17, 2001

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Many gamers will be familiar with Tidus, even those unfamiliar with the game he helms, thanks to his frankly ridiculous laugh. Despite that, Tidus is a character who finds himself commanding deeply emotional responses from the player as he is ripped from everything he knows and thrust into a world that refuses to acknowledge the existence of his home. Tidus is probably the greatest example of character growth in the franchise’s long history, going from a childish, naïve yet well-meaning person into a grounded, level-headed individual who does what he deems right.

Tidus plays a pivotal role in the narrative of the game as a whole, and, unlike other protagonists, is the perfect focal character for any player unfamiliar with the world. Like the player, Tidus is placed in a world he doesn’t know and is forced to find his way, and in doing so, commits to an emotional rollercoaster that is well worth the price of admission.

3

The Warrior Of Light – Final Fantasy 14

More Complex Than A Typical MMO Player Character

It is a bit of a stretch to argue that Final Fantasy 14 has a dedicated protagonist. It is an MMO, which are notorious for making players feel like one of many “chosen ones.” Despite this, Final Fantasy 14 manages to make every single player feel like they are the protagonist, taking the blank slate “Warrior of Light” that each player creates upon their first login and turning them into a fully-fledged individual savior of Eorzea.

Final Fantasy 14 is unlike any other MMO in this sense, with a focus on the story over everything else. While this can lead to extended scenes that feel right out of a visual novel, if a player takes the time to sit through the cutscenes, read all the dialogue, and explore the world, they will find themselves attached to their player character in much the same way they would be to any named protagonist.

2

Clive Rosfield – Final Fantasy 16

First Shield Of Rosaria

Released

June 22, 2023

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Clive is yet another Final Fantasy protagonist whose main goal is related to a sibling, this time his brother. He vows to hunt down the Eikon Ifrit for supposedly killing his brother. Clive begins as an idealistic teen, kind and charismatic before the events involving Ifrit turn him into a cynical, depressed, and thoroughly bitter man. Having his home and family taken from him, and being enslaved for thirteen years, it is unsurprising Clive feels so cold for much of the game.

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By the end of the game, Clive has learned to harness the power of Ifrit, and come to terms with the actions of his past, destroying the seed of magic within his world as the narrative concludes. Clive’s story is one of loss, grief, and pain, but most importantly, self-forgiveness and perseverance. It is impossible to play Final Fantasy 16 without feeling a great deal of admiration for Clive by the conclusion of his story.

1

Cloud Strife – Final Fantasy 7

Everyone’s Favorite Ex-SOLDIER

Released

January 31, 1997

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

As unsurprising as this choice is, Cloud Strife is by far the Final Fantasy protagonist with the greatest story to date. While Cloud’s story does vary depending on the version of Final Fantasy 7 a player chooses, every iteration of the character shows an ex-SOLDIER dealing with the guilt and trauma of his past, while fighting to overcome one of gaming’s most handsome villains.

Cloud can be grating at first, being a typical edgy protagonist of few words and fewer cares. However, as the game progresses and his character develops, he warms up immensely and becomes the character many gamers have loved since his first appearance in 1997. He truly is the poster child for the franchise, with his spikey blonde hair and huge sword, and is impossible not to love by the end of his story.

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