Final Fantasy: The 10 Best Characters Introduced After FFVII

Final Fantasy is undoubtedly one of the biggest legacy gaming franchises around, especially when it comes to JRPGs. The mostly anthology structure of the mainline games makes it great for fans to jump into a new world without missing a beat. It’s the mark of a great gaming dynasty if the question of “best game in the series” will get largely different responses.

Naturally, this means a vast cast of characters has proved to resonate with fans over the decades. Final Fantasy VII was a landmark game in the franchise–and in the medium in general–but the following entries into the series have introduced plenty of worthwhile characters to get invested in.

10 Zidane Tribal (FFIX)

For many fans, especially those that consider Final Fantasy IX the best story in the series, it was a refreshing return to the franchise’s roots. VI, VII, and VIII all took sci-fi/cyberpunk twists with their settings and IX returns to high fantasy. Along with the world, Zidane Tribal was a similar welcome change of pace in being a more upbeat, lighthearted protagonist that emphasizes the joy and adventures of life.

Likewise, he broke the trend set by characters like Cloud and Squall in being sullen and brooding protagonists. But there’s hidden darkness to the game and Zidane’s character that gets peeled back as the story progresses to make him compelling and his swashbuckling personality makes interactions with the main cast and NPCs joyful at the same time.

9 Squall Leonhart (FFVIII)

Despite overall strong critical reception, VIII ended up being the black sheep of the mainline series for quite some time. Over the years, however, Final Fantasy VIII ended up being considered underrated and accrued more fan appreciation. Along with that was Squall Leonhart, as he was seen as a lesser imitation of what was just done with Cloud in terms of the sullen, stoic (eventual) hero.

He’s initially callous toward those around him and only concerned with self-preservation rather than the greater good. But Squall’s character development over the course of the plot felt intimate and earned. The touching romance between him and Rinoa made the story feel even more grounded and personal as well.

8 Vivi Ornitier (FFIX)

In the entirety of the FFIX cast, Vivi Ornitier might be the most inspirational character. He’s introduced as a more clumsy, shy character in an endearing way and he only works his way further into fans’ hearts. Vivi is a Black Mage and discovers his tragic past of being a prototype mage built on the order of the cruel Queen Brahne.

He fell into a forest and was raised by his “grandpa” who originally intended to eat him if he grew big enough. It’s a dark origin, as it touches on the concept of existentialism, but Vivi’s perseverance and positive outlook as he grew into the story were beautifully admirable to see. Through Zidane and co., Vivi discovers family, friendship, and a deserved sense of belonging.

7 Yuna (FFX)

The first mainline Final Fantasy for the PS2 was another critically acclaimed entry in the series, managing to make a generally linear gameplay progression of the story still be an engrossing experience. Likewise, X also helped to serve as one of the best jumping-on points for newcomers to the franchise. It had a great cast of characters, though, fans typically don’t include Tidus in that list.

While he came across as annoying to many with his forced humor, Yuna was the brightest spotlight of the main cast. For some fans, she often felt more like the proper protagonist of FFX, having her own personality being a hopeful spotlight in a story with massive stakes. She’s a Summoner on a mission to defeat the monstrous Sin, where she essentially needs to know beforehand will likely result in death, but she remains an inspiring example of genuine human empathy throughout and learns there’s more purpose to life than unquestioning self-sacrifice.

6 Noctis Lucius Caelum (FFXV)

Final Fantasy XV did manage an overall positive critical reception, but admittedly didn’t live up to the high expectations from suffering a decade of being in “development hell.” The worldbuilding, lore, and some characters were well-received, though, the romance plot didn’t peak like other best Final Fantasy romances and omitted some impactful narrative elements from the game and into supplemental material. Of those characters, Noctis was a relatable one, in a sense.

He has to fill the shoes of his father in the royal bloodline but was having trouble embracing his responsibilities in a “coming-of-age” kind of story. Noctis does veer into the sullen rebellious type again but makes sense given the time and circumstances of his life. Many of his character flaws become understandable through his great supporting cast of brothers in life and arms. Ignis, Gladiolus, and Prompto help complement Noctis notably.

5 Lightning Farron (FFXIII)

Among fans, FFXIII is certainly the most divisive entry, but for the slow and linear gameplay that is understandably criticized, it, unfortunately, buries the positive reception toward the lead character Lightning. This game may have also overstayed its already-limited welcome by stretching into a trilogy of games, but Lightning’s sheer determination is one of the XIII‘s redeeming qualities.

Her supporting cast and overall story of XIII don’t help, but her straightforward and unrelenting spirit to achieve her goal is also admirable. Lightning’s backstory and goal are simple–to save her sister–but it works in her favor and avoids needless complexity, and fans loved her iron will in this plot.

4 Seymour Guado (FFX)

The clues earlier on in his initial appearances aren’t exactly subtle, but Seymour Guado makes a great villain in FFX nonetheless. From the start, there’s always something that feels slimy and insincere about Seymour in the sense that all the politeness is a facade for something far more sinister.

He’s a maester of Yevon with powerful influence over Spira and uses that authority to try and exact a plan that embodies sheer nihilism. Seymour believed that letting death run rampant would be the peoples’ freedom from the suffering of the prophetic Sin. This warped perception becomes fascinating when uncovering Seymour’s childhood origins of hardship from being mixed-race and having his mother die as a sacrifice.

3 Seifer Almasy (FFVIII)

Seifer Almasy is one of the most tragic villains in the franchise. From the opening, he’s established as Squall’s parallel and rival. He also wanted to be a top-tier mercenary in SeeD, but failed to be enlisted. This was the catalyst that began Seifer’s dramatic descent into madness throughout the game.

Ultimecia is the grander plot-twist Final Fantasy villain behind the curtain, but Seifer serves as her knight and in this villainous role sees his internal sense of inferiority exacerbated aggressively. He’s desperate to ruin Squall’s life, seeing how he’s succeeding where Seifer came up short, and eventually loses the companionship of the few allies he had–not to mention his willingness to kill Rinoa. It’s a truly engrossing fall from grace for fans.

2 Auron (FFX)

In X‘s supporting cast, Auron is another worthy standout in terms of design and story. He clearly embodies the elements of the cool and stoic warriors of the franchise’s past but isn’t uninteresting because of it. Auron is a former warrior monk who joins Tidus’ party and watches over him.

He has a mysterious past, but once it’s uncovered that he’s connected to both Tidus and Yuna’s respective fathers, it adds an underlying tone of compassion to him as well as further worldbuilding. It’s all these traits that make Auron a memorable character that also retains the fan-favorite classy warrior tropes.

1 Balthier (FFXII)

XII‘s Balthier is another character who’s a member of the supporting cast that commands a level of attention that rivals the protagonist. He’s a charming pirate that happens to get sucked into a war in the plot, akin to Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy.

Balthier backs up his bark with bite, as he frequently takes command among the game’s party and even demonstrates the nobility of a hero, even if this wasn’t the way he imagined his life to go. He gets the best of both worlds, as he does plenty of treasure hunting while helping the greater good.

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