Final Fantasy 17 Should Follow FF13, FF6’s Lead

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Summary

  • Final Fantasy 17 needs a new female protagonist to shake up the series and offer new perspectives.
  • Final Fantasy has had a history of male leads, so it’s time for a female protagonist like Terra or Lightning.
  • Featuring a woman as the lead in Final Fantasy 17 would cater to diverse player demographics and offer compelling character arcs.

The “Final Fantasy” franchise has consistently aimed for reinvention, introducing unique settings, novel combat mechanics, and daring narrative decisions with each new release. With the likelihood of the upcoming game, presumably “Final Fantasy 17”, pushing boundaries at an all-time high, particularly following the success of “Final Fantasy 16” demonstrating that bold steps can be fruitful.

Though details about the upcoming “Final Fantasy 17” are still unclear, speculation abounds that it may be in development and could continue pushing boundaries of innovation within the series. It’s likely that the game will present a new world and updated combat mechanics, as is customary for mainline installments. However, there’s growing interest in one significant change: introducing a female protagonist once more, similar to Terra from “Final Fantasy 6” and Lightning from “Final Fantasy 13.

Final Fantasy 17 Needs a Female Protagonist Like Lightning and Terra

Final Fantasy Has Had Plenty of Male Protagonists Lately and Throughout the Series

For nearly four decades, the popular game series “Final Fantasy” has predominantly showcased male heroes. This is likely because the gaming community was largely male-dominated when the series first began, but times have changed significantly in the gaming world. More female characters are taking center stage nowadays. However, since “Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13,” it’s been over a decade without a female protagonist in a “Final Fantasy” game. Instead, fans have enjoyed playing as Noctis Lucis Caelum from “Final Fantasy 15,” Clive Rosfield in “Final Fantasy 16,” and Cloud Strife across various “Final Fantasy 7 Remake” titles.

A New Female Lead in Final Fantasy 17 Would Shake Things Up

It’s long overdue for the “Final Fantasy” series to introduce a female protagonist once more, considering only four games in the franchise (two of them being sequels) have had heroines as their leads. Notably, “Final Fantasy 6” was the first game to feature a female protagonist, with Terra Branford taking on that role. Interestingly, Terra is also one of the most acclaimed “Final Fantasy” heroes, largely because of her complex character development that centers around her internal battles over her half-human, half-Esper identity. At the time, Terra challenged gaming norms as her character was not defined by romantic relationships with male characters or love stories, making her all the more memorable.

Initially met with skepticism by both fans and critics, the main character of “Final Fantasy 13,” known as Lightning, was often compared unfavorably to Cloud Strife from “Final Fantasy 7” due to her seemingly cold demeanor. However, over the course of the “Final Fantasy 13” trilogy, Lightning’s character has been highly praised, with many now considering her one of the franchise’s top protagonists. This positive reception was largely driven by the development and growth of her character throughout the series. By the end of “Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13,” Lightning’s vulnerabilities and internal struggles are revealed, making her more empathetic and human than initially portrayed, thereby enhancing audience connection with her.

In the game “Final Fantasy 13-2,” Serah Farron is a major character that you can control, while Lightning plays a role in telling the story, but she’s more of a secondary lead character.

In the past, games like Final Fantasy have demonstrated that both male and female characters can deliver captivating storylines. Given the recent emphasis on male protagonists in the series, it’s time for a change in Final Fantasy 17. This shift would not only refresh the series but also cater to the growing diversity among gaming audiences. Having a female lead in Final Fantasy 17 would allow more players to identify with the story, which is crucial in any narrative. While characters like Noctis, Clive, and Cloud are well-developed, there’s a wealth of potential in female leads that Final Fantasy 17 should tap into.

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2025-01-11 17:37