TheFinal Fantasyseries boasts some ofthe most recognizable main protagonists in the history of gaming, with many of them even going on to appear asguest characters in other big titles. Part of the reason for this is how well realized the series' heroes are and how much detail goes in to defining their characters and their often elaborate backstories. This isn’t always the case though.
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Whenthe series' first entry debuted back in 1987, its four main protagonists were but nameless Warriors of Light. What’s more, recent online offerings likeFinal Fantasy XIandFinal Fantasy XIVallow players to customize their characters; effectively meaning that there are no canon heroes in these games. Aside from these exceptions though,each mainlineFinal Fantasytitle has had its own unique main protagonistwho has played a vital role in bringing their game’s story to life.
Ultimate Weapon: Ragnarok
Firion was born in the town of Salamand and lost both of his parents at a very young age. He was taken in by a new family shortly after their passing, but his adoptive parents are once again taken from him when the town is subsequently invaded by the evil Emperor Mateus' forces. Seeking to avenge their deaths, Firion joins the rebel movement and sets out on an adventure that will forever change his life.
Ultimate Weapon: Ragnarok
Although the main protagonist of the original release ofFinal Fantasy IIIwas nameless, the game’s 3D remake gives him both a canon name and a real backstory. Much like Firion, Luneth is orphaned at an early age after the airship on which he and his parents were travelling crashes into the floating continent. He later becomes one of the four Warriors of Light after speaking with a magical crystal and, together with his new companions, is given the task of saving the world from the evil sorcerer Xande.
Ultimate Weapon: Lightbringer
Cecil is the first of the series' main protagonists to be given a fully fleshed out backstory and this plays a huge part inthe narrative ofFinal Fantasy IV. His relationship with Kain is one of the driving factors behind the game’s plot, as too ishis mysterious ancestry. Although he was raised by the King of Baron, his true parents are not revealed until he nears the end of his journey. Due to its shocking nature, the revelation perhaps comes as just as big a shock to players as it is to Cecil himself.
Ultimate Weapon: Ragnarok /Brave Blade*
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Bartz (or, Butz, as he’s known in Japan) lost his mother when he was just a few years old and his father around the time of his seventeenth birthday. Together with his faithful Chocobo companion, Boko, he sets out on the path of adventure and soon stumbles upon it when a meteor comes crashing down to the west of Tycoon. Upon investigating the impact site, he meets a young woman named Lenna and together they set out to repair the four elemental crystals and save the world froman extra terrestrial villain.
Ultimate Weapon: Apocalypse
Little is known about Terra when players first assume control of her in the caves of Narshe. Asthe game’s narrativebegins to unfold, however, they soon learn that she is one of a small number of humans capable ofusing magicand has been controlled by the empire for much of her life. It’s later revealed that her abilities are the result of her being the daughter of a magical creature and, together with the rest ofFinal Fantasy VI’s huge cast of playable characters, she sets out to protect her fellow Espers from the evil empire and bring an end toKefka’s reign of terror.
Ultimate Weapon: Ultima Weapon
While growing up in the town of Nibelheim, Cloud dreamed of becoming a member of Shinra’s elite fighting force, SOLDIER. Unfortunately, however, he lacked the skills required and instead became a nameless Shirna grunt. Things only get worse for the spiky-haired hero whenhe’s subjected to a series of unethical experimentsand then can only watch as his best friend is killed as the pair attempt to flee. Upon returning to Midgar, a childhood acquaintance offers him some mercenary work and this leads to him joining the group full time. Together, they embark upon a dangerous quest to bring down Shinra andCloud’s former idol Sephirothto save the people of Gaia and the very planet itself.
Ultimate Weapon: Lion Heart
Final Fantasy VIII’s main protagonistSquall is just seventeen years old when he first signs up for SeeDand while his training starts out slow and steady, he quickly becomes embroiled in an inter-dimensional plot to take over the world. First, he must work together with his new friends to take downformer allies Seiferand Edea, but this is only the beginning of their struggles.The game’s true villain, Ultimecia, later enters the fray and it’s here that Squall must overcome his toughest challenge yet.
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Not only is Zidane one of the series' youngest main protagonists, but he is also the only one that has a tail; a telltale trait of the Genome race. Born in the regency of Lindblum, the blond-haired womanizer begins life as an Angel of Death, but goes on to become Gaia’s savior after he and his fellow party memberstake down the evil Necronand prevent the Lifa tree from destroying the entire world.
Ultimate Weapon: Caladbolg
Born in the futuristic, yet somehow ancient city of Zanarkand, Tidus finds himself transported to Spira following a surprise encounter with the monster, Sin. There, he makes new friends and together they set out to defeat Sin once and for all. He’s anall-star Blitzball playerwith some serious Daddy issues, but most players will remember him for his awkward and off-putting laughter more than anything else.His story is an incredibly tragic one, but is expertly told and accompanied by one ofthe series' very best soundtracks.
Ultimate Weapon: Zodiac Spear
Vaan is a street urchin who hails from the Royal City of Rabanastre. The seventeen year old lives a challenging life on the streets, but things become a whole lot more difficult for him when he finds himself entangled in a political plot that’s threatening to bring war and death tothe realm of Ivalice. His quest to save his homeland forces him to do a lot of growing up and this leads to him becoming a competent and capable leader in a relatively short amount of time.
