Summary
At this point, very little is known aboutFinal Fantasy 17, including whether Square Enix is even currently developing it. More than likely, all hands are on deck for the third and final part of theFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketrilogy, butFinal Fantasy 17could still be somewhere in the works. At the very least, it’s comforting to know that Square Enix will likely runFinal Fantasyinto the ground, so there’s more than enough reason to believeFinal Fantasy 17is on the docket. Following the tradition-shatteringFinal Fantasy 16, the next game in the series has the potential to do more of the same, but there is one element of a classic game in the franchise,Final Fantasy 10, that it should consider replicating.
The protagonists of eachFinal Fantasygame are often the stars of the show, as almost every game in the series goes the route of telling a character’s story, as most JRPGs do, rather than blurring the line between protagonist and player, as traditional RPGs have been known to do. In light of that,Final Fantasy 17’s currently unnamed and unknown protagonist remains one of its most intriguing elements, since they will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the next mainline installment’s narrative. However, perhaps it’s once again time for aFinal Fantasygame to feature a dual-protagonist couple, just asFinal Fantasy 10did with Tidus and Yuna.
Why Final Fantasy 17 Should Feature a Dual-Protagonist Couple Like FF10’s Tidus and Yuna
When looking at them merely on the surface,Tidus and Yuna’s relationshipand roles inFinal Fantasy 10might seem to be little more than a romantic subplot, but they are far more than they seem. Yes, their budding relationship is one of the highlights of the game’s story, especially as it comes to a close, but it is all a strategic move onFinal Fantasy 10’s part to not only connect the player to its story, but to also drive the narrative forward. Specifically, Tidus serves as the viewpoint of the player in the story, as he is effectively an outsider in the world of Spira, whereas Yuna is central to the progression ofFinal Fantasy 10’s narrative, as her mission is to defeat Sin using the Final Aeon at the cost of her own life.
Tidus' confusion about Spira’s customs, such as the faith’s teachings and the acceptance of sacrificial traditions, mirrors the player’s unfamiliarity with the world. Therefore, as he learns more about Spira’s history, the religion of Yevon, and the ongoing cycle of destruction caused by Sin, the player learns alongside him. This is all accomplished through his relationship with Yuna, as her predetermined journey essentially drags him alongside her. Furthermore, despite Tidus being the player character and therefore aprotagonist inFinal Fantasy 10, Yuna’s role being so central to the story makes her a protagonist as well.
Tidus serves as the viewpoint of the player in the story, as he is effectively an outsider in the world of Spira, whereas Yuna is central to the progression ofFinal Fantasy 10’s narrative, as her mission is to defeat Sin using the Final Aeon at the cost of her own life.
Since the release ofFinal Fantasy 10, no game in the series has come close to replicating what it was able to accomplish with Tidus and Yuna’s relationship and their role as the game’s protagonists. Prior toFinal Fantasy 10, bothFinal Fantasy 8andFinal Fantasy 9featured dual protagonists in Squall and Rinoa and Zidane and Garnet, respectively. However, the relationships and roles of these couples were not written into their stories in the same way that Tidus and Yuna were inFinal Fantasy 10. In light of the impact that Tidus and Yuna’s relationship and their individual roles had onFinal Fantasy 10’s story, it might be time forFinal Fantasy 17to revisit the idea.
A Dual-Protagonist Couple in Final Fantasy 17 Would Be a Sight for Sore Eyes
There’s enough of an argument forFinal Fantasy 17to make a bold leap and feature a dual-protagonist couple, just asFinal Fantasy 10did. It would be a great way to revisit one ofFinal Fantasy 10’s best concepts, and it could even do so in a fresh and meaningful way. For example, perhapsFinal Fantasy 17could feature a female protagonistas the main playable character, and her love interest could be a male character. It would be the first time theFinal Fantasyseries has reversed roles in that department, making it a sight for sore eyes in more than one way. After all, the blueprint is there; Square Enix just needs to build it.
