Summary
There is still no news from Square Enix aboutFinal Fantasy 17, but the developer is unlikely to put its most beloved series to bed anytime soon, especially as it continues to impress with Game of the Year contenders likeFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Nevertheless, the lack of any news surroundingFinal Fantasy 17also means its protagonist is still under wraps, who now has a high ceiling to shatter that was left there by the series' most recent protagonists.
Final Fantasyhas seen plenty of memorable protagonists over its decades-long lifespan, likeFinal Fantasy 8’s Squall Leonhart,Final Fantasy 9’s Zidane Tribal, andFinal Fantasy 4’s Cecil Harvey. However, the characters who have led the last fewFinal Fantasyinstallments have effortlessly taken over the scene by delivering compelling character arcs and personalities, making them all tough acts to follow and therefore puttingFinal Fantasy 17’s protagonist to the ultimate test.
Final Fantasy 17’s Protagonist Has a High Bar to Clear
Final Fantasy 15’s Noctis Is a Relatable and Grounded Protagonist
Of the last fewFinal Fantasygames,Final Fantasy 15’s Noctis Lucis Caelumisn’t the most well-received protagonist, but that doesn’t mean he is a bad one by any means. One of Noctis' best characteristics, in fact, is his relatable journey and grounded personality.Final Fantasyhas featured numerous stoic protagonists over the years, and Noctis makes for yet another one on that list, but unlike previousFinal Fantasyprotagonists, Noctis shows a surprising amount of vulnerability, frustration, and growth throughoutFinal Fantasy 15’s story, making him feel more human. His character arc, which sees him growing from a reluctant prince to a self-sacrificing king, is also one of his strongest aspects as a protagonist.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake/Rebirth’s Cloud Shows Emotional Range and Vulnerability
Then there’s Cloud Strife, who initially appeared in the originalFinal Fantasy 7in 1997 but whose character has been more recently expanded on in theFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketrilogy. Due to technological limitations at the time, the originalFinal Fantasy 7was unable to fully express Cloud’s emotions in a way that only detailed animation, voice acting, and modern storytelling techniques can, which makes his portrayal in theFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketrilogy the new standard for his character. In bothFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeandRebirth, Cloud’s insecurities, guilt, and struggles with his identity are put on full display, each of which works together to produce one of the more compellingFinal Fantasyprotagonists as of late.
The characters who have led the last fewFinal Fantasyinstallments have effortlessly taken over the scene by delivering compelling character arcs and personalities, making them all tough acts to follow and therefore puttingFinal Fantasy 17’s protagonist to the ultimate test.
Final Fantasy 16’s Clive Has Become One of the Series' Best Protagonists
Finally, there’sFinal Fantasy 16’s Clive Rosfield, who is arguably one of the best protagonists theFinal Fantasyseries has ever seen. Clive’s character arc is one of his best qualities, which sees him maturing from a guilt-ridden and troubled warrior on a quest for vengeance to a soft-hearted, compassionate, and kind hero who is willing to put his life on the line for others. His kindness, in fact, is perhaps is standout quality when it comes toFinal Fantasyprotagonists. While the series has featured kind heroes before, the warm nature that Clive eventually adopts is on an entirely different level than almost any other protagonist in the series, and this is all the more realized in an impeccable performance by his voice actor, Ben Starr.
Needless to say,Final Fantasy 17’s protagonisthas big shoes to fill, following the acts ofFinal Fantasy 15’s Noctis,Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s Cloud, andFinal Fantasy 16’s Clive. Even so, should Square Enix continue treading the path it has been on over the last several years, whoever ends up beingFinal Fantasy 17’s lead character is likely to impress, just as the series' most recent protagonists have in their own ways.
