Every Final Fantasy Protagonist Ranked

#13: Warriors of Light

Also in:

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Is An Excellent Zelda Action Game

“Final Fantasy” (1987) They say that every epic journey begins with a single step, and for “Final Fantasy,” this goes all the way back to 1987, and the Warriors of Light. Although the theme of chosen warriors hearkens back to the monomyth of The Hero’s Journey popularized by Joseph Campbell, it also permeates the “Final Fantasy” mythos. Despite this, there’s little to chew on emotionally from this first game, at least compared to the grandiose stories told by later entries. The Warriors of Light may represent the players, but we actually much prefer it when the games take us on their own Hero’s Journeys.

“Final Fantasy XV” (2016) Has the bloom fallen off the rose when it comes to the more recent entries in the “Final Fantasy” franchise? Some might say “yes,” especially if we’re discussing the quality of recent protagonists, such as Noctis. Don’t get us wrong, we do admire the fact that this pretty boy, despite being royalty, is loyal and non-judgmental to those he loves. However, his general disinterest and sullen behavior leaves us cold, despite his backstory fleshing out this attitude as the journey went on. Maybe Noctis just has a lot of competition, but we just think there are better leads out there.

“Final Fantasy III” (1990) Luneth is a great example of how “Final Fantasy” expanded upon their “Warriors of Light” mythos, just as they were becoming more adept at telling their own stories. This courageous and headstrong warrior exemplifies the impulsiveness of youth, and thus makes a perfect avatar, going from innocence to experience. Luneth develops strong leadership qualities throughout his story arc, taking his naturally extroverted nature and tempering it with wisdom, moral strength and tenacity. It’s just a shame this “Final Fantasy” entry was initially only released in Japan, as it would’ve brought Luneth to a wider audience that would have likely appreciated his story.

“Final Fantasy II” (1988) Another entry that was only available in Japan at first, until it was ported over to the Game Boy Advance in 2004. This is a shame, because the introduction of Firion was rather unique at the time, since he was the first named protagonist for the franchise with his own storyline. Sure, he’s not as fully fleshed out when compared to those that would come later, but Firion’s motivations of justice and revenge are easy to understand. Additionally, Firion is presented as imperfect, with personality flaws that directly affect the plot, such as his weakness for a pretty face. Overall, it’s an early example of where “Final Fantasy” was headed.

“Final Fantasy V” (1992) It’s a sad reality that characters like Bartz Klauser didn’t receive the exposure they deserved until their games were ported over years after their initial release. That said, there’s also a reason why Bartz is comparatively higher up compared to his contemporaries, and it's thanks mainly to how much he matures during his journey. He’s a lone wolf, a drifter with no real direction, until certain events nurture his growth as a leader and team player. His fear of heights relates to a backstory that’s revealed to us piece-by-piece, just as our affection for Bartz grows as he’s tested by the game’s ever-rising stakes.

“Final Fantasy IX” (2000) The decision to go back to grassroots with this entry was a bold one, particularly given how the previous two installments felt so comparatively adult in their execution. The journey of Zidane Tribal and friends is much more colorful, and often presented with a dose of humor, although their story certainly has its share of darkness. Still, “Final Fantasy IX” is SO full of heart, and Zidane himself practically bursts with life. He’s a thief by trade, and a sucker for the ladies, but loyal and brave to a fault. Beyond this, his bold personality was a breath of fresh air for those who just might have been tired of the moping by other, more famous “Final Fantasy” protagonists.

“Final Fantasy XII” (2006) Picking a central protagonist from this game is a difficult task, as the developers themselves have gone on record stating that the game is “about numerous people, not just one person.” Still, we’re going to go with Vaan here, despite Balthier so often referring to himself as “the leading man.” Vaan’s big dreams and humble origins make him easily identifiable, serving as the eyes from which we view XII’s sprawling story. He’s also, depending on the artist’s rendering, quite a bit of a fashion plate, rockin’ the vest-and-no-shirt combo with no shame. You go, Vaan!

“Final Fantasy X” (2001) There’s no shortage of memorable characters here, such as Yuna, who took center stage in the direct sequel X-2. As for Tidus - he’s a big, dumb jock, but we love him for it. The lug is a Blitzball star stuck in a strange land, forced into the world of Spira, which requires him to grow up, and quickly. As a result, his already brave and selfless nature is amplified as he grows into his new role, with his flaws of naivete and impulsiveness eventually tempered, thanks to the influence of his new friends. The less said about his laugh, however, the better…

“Final Fantasy XIII” (2009) It was refreshing that the franchise was still able to knock it out of the park with a new, iconic character so late in the game. Lightning was absolutely an instant classic when she debuted, despite being ice-cold. It actually takes almost the entire game for Lightning and Claire Farron to become one, a fully-fledged hero that is not only a fearsome warrior, but a trusted friend, leader and hero. Her relationship with her sister Serah, herself a protagonist for sequel “XIII-2,” is also crucial to defining Lightning as a major modern part of the “Final Fantasy” universe.

“Final Fantasy VIII” (1999) Does the man mope a lot? Why yes…yes, he does. Still, we can’t help but admire Squall for his undeniable intelligence. His initially hard demeanor softens in a fashion that’s similar to other “Final Fantasy” heroes, but his execution is a bit different, as we’re given a lot of guidance as to his thought processes and inner struggles. Beyond this, his excellence as a fighter, leader and tactician is beyond reproach, growing into one of the most well-rounded and compelling characters the series has offered up.

“Final Fantasy VI” (1994) The ability for players to mix-and-match party members in this game made it challenging to pick a proper protagonist. We could’ve easily gone with Locke Cole, but in the end we just had to give the honor to Terra Branford. The tragic nature of her amnesia, combined with the very realistic fear and confusion makes her instantly identifiable. We’re eager to follow her story to the end, while her strength as a magic-user makes her an essential party member. “Final Fantasy VI” is almost always in the conversation when it comes to the very best entries in the franchise, and Terra is a HUGE reason for that.

“Final Fantasy IV” (1991) The story of Cecil Harvey and Kain Highwind was a huge deal for North American players, as it was the first “Final Fantasy” to be ported over to the SNES after the original game’s success. To jump from the OG’s basic execution to this sequel’s comparatively sprawling story was nothing short of a revelation. Players now had a protagonist whose motivations we could really get behind, since Cecil was “supposed” to be a brave knight, yet he struggled with insecurity and fear, while his relationship with childhood friend Kain ebbed and flowed. It felt like the best sort of soap opera, with the best sort of hero.

#1: Cloud Strife

Also in:

Final Fantasy VII: Cloud Strife's Origins

“Final Fantasy VII” (1997) There’s probably no other “Final Fantasy” protagonist that better connects the spirit of the franchise with the spirits of the players. There’s just an emotional connection to Cloud that transcends. For many, this SOLDIER is the poster boy, from his battles with Sephiroth to his iconic weapon. The emotional beats of his struggle have been touched on with other characters, such as his growth from being reserved to open and extroverted. However, Cloud’s inner demons, his self-doubt and guilt, are actualized to a point that they transcend “Final Fantasy VII” and frankly enter the gaming zeitgeist as a whole. He’s an all-time classic.