When discussing classic games that have stood the test of time, the Final Fantasy franchise comes to mind. It first started as an RPG and then pivoted into other genres of gaming. Final Fantasy is the “Bohemian Rhapsody” of gaming: it has a little something for everyone. It derives from different pop cultures, religions, and mythologies- making it loved by everyone.
Final Fantasy offers a different, vast cast in every game. There are recurring characters like Cid but it also has its fair share of unsung heroes who are often ignored due to lack of backstory or screen-time. Some have stories just as deep but are dropped to focus on the protagonist. This list takes into account the characters from all Final Fantasy games, so it may not cover your favorite.
10 Laguna Loire
Laguna from FFVIII is loved by many. Still, he does not get the recognition he deserves. He has a charming and cool personality. He traveled the world as a journalist hunting for stories, though that came to an end when he decided to lead a revolution and become Esthar’s president. He’s like a humble middle aged-man who has seen the world and is now spending the rest of his days in peace. Julia had a nice fling with him but that ended shortly.
Laguna also has one of the coolest themes - “Man with a Machine Gun.” He is a beast in combat too. Especially, the Desperado limit deals a lot of damage. It was unfair to give him so little screen-time.
9 Hope
From FFXIII, Hope is a character that feels like a whiny kid to many. People were unable to see behind the surface that he’s just a 14 years old kid whose mom died in front of him. Of course, it’s going to affect his personality and he’s going to become vengeful. He was portrayed realistically considering the events of his life. Lightning helps him become familiar with combat and supports him through his progress.
He goes from a naive boy to a battle-hardened soldier. His character development is one of the best in the whole game as you’ll end up loving him by the end. Hope is a representation of those who want to live a peaceful life but are dragged into the fight to protect their dear ones.
8 Tellah
Lots of people like to make fun of this old man. However, he has a better story than most. He’s cranky and blindly driven by his desire to have revenge against Golbez. After confronting Golbez, he knew that the only way he could kill him is by casting Meteor, killing both of them in the process. Without giving a second thought, he sacrificed himself for the greater good. Unfortunately, Golbez survives his attack.
His spells are pretty powerful too and he can cast most of them, so he’s a well-rounded mage. At one point, players are forced to use him. It’s fun to experiment with different options with him.
7 Balthier
Balthier is a pretty cool and badass character. He’s popular not because he is good: its because he’s a suave selfish guy. He’s got that charisma that entertains players. His lines are witty and amusing, which matches his character.
Balthier is a useful ally in combat. His speed and strength are his strong points. In Revenant Wings, he’s best suited as a ranged fighter. It’s best to equip him with weapons that are suited with his speed and strength, so he can deal the most amount of damage then.
6 Basch
Basch is a guy who was tricked into killing his king in hopes of ending the war. But the war raged on and he was prosecuted for it. He took the blame on his shoulders and paid a price that wrecked him completely. Basch has faced nothing but despairs his whole life.
He speaks words of true wisdom but gets overshadowed by Balthier. He never got the praise he deserved and gets sidelined later in the story. The guy keeps giving and deserves some love in return. His strength and HP are high compared to other members of the party.
5 Fran
Viera existed in the Final Fantasy franchise but it was Fran who brought attention to them. Her personality and ability to perform in battle is second to none. She has been bestowed with the title “Master of Weapons” for her versatility in wielding any kind of weapon and her excellency in craftsmanship.
She’s a strong woman and her voice has that overwhelming, commanding tone. She saved Vaan and Balthier’s lives so many times that it’s hard to remember. After the events of Eruyt Village, Frans is portrayed only as Balthier’s hot sidekick. She could have turned out to be a favorite with only some minor character development.
4 Sazh
Sazh is a middle-aged hip uncle who likes to hang out with rebellious college kids. He’s not extremely emotional like other characters. He’s a simple guy who wants to save his child from being trapped in the form of a crystal for many years.
His dad jokes and interactions with other characters made him feel more realistic and approachable than others. Sazh is optimistic, while also being torn apart by fear from the inside. He’s also more logical than other characters and does not mindlessly rush into combat.
3 Freya
Freya has faced a devastating loss of a lover, friends, and the land she called home. She’s the last of the Burmecian race. Some of her best qualities are honor, loyalty, and strength, making her a noble person. Freya had a good backstory, but it was just cast aside and given little importance. Freya gets overlooked because FFIX is not a popular game and Zidane, Kuji, and Viva take the spotlight.
Her design is very cool and she’s useful in battle, easily able to replace a healer in fights and recover MP without consuming ether. Plus her quote, “Being forgotten is worse than death,” reflects a lot about her personality. She’s a unique and memorable character if observed carefully.
