Final Fantasy 17 Still Has a 24-Year-Old High Bar to Clear

Final Fantasy 17 Still Has a 24-Year-Old High Bar to Clear

As a long-time fan of the Final Fantasy series, I can confidently say that some characters have left lasting impressions on us all. While Cloud and Sephiroth may be household names, it’s the lesser-known characters like Vivi from Final Fantasy 9 who truly steal our hearts. With his simple yet effective design, endearing personality, and a backstory that tugs at our heartstrings, Vivi is a character that has stood the test of time.


The popular “Final Fantasy” series has been a constant across multiple generations of video game enthusiasts, with each installment boasting its own devoted fanbase. Over the years, there have been 16 mainline games, each offering distinct narratives, characteristics, and elements that make them stand out. With such a rich history, “Final Fantasy 17” faces significant expectations, given the excellent titles that preceded it. Beyond refining aspects like combat systems and character interactions, the upcoming game could potentially revisit a theme or element first introduced in “Final Fantasy 9”, which has been absent for over two decades.

One of the greatest things about Final Fantasy is the characters, as some have become so iconic that people can instantly recognize them even without having played any of the games. Aside from the ever-famous Cloud and Sephiroth, non-human entities like Fran and Kimahari have also gained enough popularity to warrant fan adoration. But among them, one character stands above, whose charm and compelling story have yet to be recaptured by other entries in the series. That entity is named Vivi, a Black Mage from Final Fantasy 9. If Final Fantasy 17 were to have someone similar or anything close to him in its world, then the quality of the game is nearly guaranteed to be high caliber.

What Made Vivi So Popular That a Final Fantasy 17 Character Needs to Top

In the beloved game series, Final Fantasy, Vivi stands out among non-human characters for his endearing traits that resonate with fans. If Square Enix aims to create a similar captivating character or even surpass Vivi in Final Fantasy 17, here are some characteristics they should consider:

  • A simple yet effective design that indicates what the character specializes in, while also showing how he can be both cool and adorable
  • A personality that people can easily empathize with and good dialogue, making the character instantly likable to those who have him in a party
  • A meaningful and compelling backstory that delves deeper into the character, allowing for moments that make Vivi stand out among the other members

In Final Fantasy 9, Vivi’s character became widely admired due to its exceptional craftsmanship. Therefore, should any character in Final Fantasy 17 aspire to outshine the Black Mage, they must emphasize their unique qualities. It will then fall upon the development team to explore and push those elements even further.

What a New Final Fantasy Character Could Have That Will Help It Surpass Vivi

As a gamer, one of the key factors that made Vivi stand out was the enigma surrounding his traits. Peeling back those layers and understanding why he became pivotal to the story allowed me to forge a deep emotional bond with him. If Final Fantasy 17 wants to create a character even more impactful than Vivi, it needs to ensure that this new character plays an equally significant role in shaping the epic narrative.

In my gaming adventure, it seems that Vivi was a character with a heart-wrenching past and a significant role, but he often took a backseat during our journey. For the next installment of Final Fantasy 17, they could create a character similar to Vivi who plays a more crucial part in moving the main story forward, making it an even more impactful figure in the game. As long as they manage to preserve the adorable quirkiness of Black Mage from Final Fantasy 9, there’s a lot of anticipation for this new character to outshine its contemporaries in terms of quality.

Among the unique aspects of Final Fantasy 9 is the creation of an endearing and intriguing character, much like Vivi. To enhance the appeal of Final Fantasy 17, it would be beneficial to develop a character with similar qualities. However, it’s crucial that this new character isn’t simply a replica of Vivi. The developers should aim to bring something fresh yet reminiscent of what made Vivi so special. If they can strike the right balance and surpass the charm of the Black Mage, I believe fans will appreciate the effort.

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2024-10-16 23:34