I think you pretty much summed it up. I don't think SE is bold enough or competent enough to properly handle a female main character. I don't think they would even understand the criticism of the characters in games like FFX-2.
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A wish that won't come true: FFXVI female protagonist
- Thread starter Alanood
- Start date
I think you pretty much summed it up. I don't think SE is bold enough or competent enough to properly handle a female main character. I don't think they would even understand the criticism of the characters in games like FFX-2.
So in the most recent mainline FF titles (past 20 years or so) we've gone male (X), female (X-2), MMO, male (XII), female (XIII), female (XIII-2), female (XIII-LR), MMO, male (XV). So why you think there won't possibly be one for XVI doesn't make sense to me. Now if you'd said you don't think we'd get a well written female lead, then you'd probably be onto something.
Her localisation and vocal direction (English) aren't good but she's a fun character in a few of the other versions
Technically, 2 is "several".
But anyway, that poster is wrong since it's more than 2.
The sad thing is that Lightning didn't have a very good story written for her, but she's a breath of fresh air compared to other female JRPG protagonists these days. No nonsense personality, no overly sexualized design, etc.
As much as I've shit on Final Fantasy from XII onwards, they've seemingly done right by most of their female characters, especially in recent years. I'd say there's a good chance of it happening.
Honestly, that's another can of worms. We had a topic a while ago about what are basically male characters with a female paint job but I can't seem to find it now...
If there can be characters like Barret, Sahz and Fang, theres no reason why there can't be a MC of colour. A lot of 12's cast dont seem to be euro-white looking compared to other series entries.
I'm not really fussed in general though, and my excitement is always interrupted by the realisation that they want to create an ever changing eco-system game with product partnerships, etc but it runs the experience for me.
I'm not really fussed in general though, and my excitement is always interrupted by the realisation that they want to create an ever changing eco-system game with product partnerships, etc but it runs the experience for me.
if we consider the games where the story revolves around a female playable character we have 5-6-10-10/2-12-13.
That would definitely make me more interested in playing it. Luckily there are lots of good RPGs with women leads out there these days.
People are always glossing over FF5 where the second half of the game had 3/4 cool women in your party with just as much agency and plot relevance as the guy, if not moreso. Not that the writing of the SNES days were exactly up to snuff, but you know, it's fun. And you can dress them up like bloodthirsty wolves or maniacal chemists and stuff?
I'll take more of that with an ensemble cast of mostly women over a single protagonist taking the spotlight. If we have to then of course I'd rather we have a postergirl than a posterboy, but still.
I'll take more of that with an ensemble cast of mostly women over a single protagonist taking the spotlight. If we have to then of course I'd rather we have a postergirl than a posterboy, but still.
I know it "doesn't count" for a lot of people, but hey that's what I did and it means a lot to me, especially with how involved the story gets.
I think he's just doing the usual "pretty anime boy" joke.
OK then...
Oh I see, thanks for clearing this up. It really had went right over my head.
Still don't understand why would they make that joke though.
The entire XIII trilogy filled with "misogynistic nonsense"? No. In the original the girls absolutely were the stars of the show. Only problem I would say with the original is Vanille's dumb moans
Hopefully the next woman protag will have an actually good game.
And...not stuff like that, too.
Why is every FFXIII hater so unoriginal
Sounds like a pretty horrible thread.
I don't see any reason why it wouldn't happen. Lightning wasn't that long ago and she got three games.
Isn't that just par for the course? Something that has big glaring problems would have various people criticizing those same things. And really, if every criticism is unique, it means that the game has unlimited problems!
This has nothing to do with her gender. XIII just had garbo writing and so does XV. If they get someone talented the protagonist will shine.
Like I said. I don't want a female lead without a female head writer. I don't trust Square not to fuck it up otherwise.
What did they even criticize about it in that post? A presentation?
It'd definitely be nice, though I think the most important thing is a diverse cast of characters from different backgrounds and with different motivations. There have been FF games where I didn't really relate with the protagonist (FF7 especially) but really enjoyed some of the other party characters and their perspectives. I think the FF series is at its best when it broadens the focus across the party rather than everything happening through the lens of a single character.
So long as it's not another XV situation of 4 characters from the same place and with very similar motivations and goals. That was a disaster on so many fronts.
So long as it's not another XV situation of 4 characters from the same place and with very similar motivations and goals. That was a disaster on so many fronts.
I wouldn't gender-code that part of the equation. Amy Hennig wrote male characters brilliantly, as do many, many female japanese writers, and the same goes for men writing women IMO, but there's a commonality of hacky writers who are straight, white, middle aged and tend to sexualize or stereotype women, and the same applies to a lot of japanese writers.
If they just got Nojima to write XVI he could do an awesome female hero.
Why the obsession with female writers? Do you really think that by just having women in the writing team we will have great female characters?
The main scenario writer for Shadowbringers is a female and its the best story in Final Fantasy since 9
The scenario writer of Persona 3 Portable was also a woman and we still got things like being able to romance 10 years old Ken and putting the FeMC into fanservice outfits like bikini armors or maid uniforms.
What I'm saying it's that just having a woman writing the scenario doesn't guaranteed an absence of some questionable choices.
Yeah, but a female writer is beneficial in the same way any diversity in staffing is. They bring a new perspective and differing ideas. But I think that poster's point was that a female writer doesn't guarantee good female characters, in the same way a male writer doesn't guarantee good male characters
Well evidence clearly shows the FF writers are pretty shit at writing female leads. Idk why that would be even remotely hard to comprehend.
I'm not that pessimistic about this. Of all the long-standing franchises that mix up their protagonists, Final Fantasy seems pretty open to the idea of female protags. Crossing my fingers alongside you, OP.