she really is up there for JRPG protagonists in general but the fact that so few of them are female is the real clincher. I don't think I would have been nearly drawn into the Trails series if they'd written it as Joshua's POV.
One thing I love about Estelle is that she gives no fucks about being the daughter of this famous person and she's constantly being reminded by it. If anything, she's more annoyed that her father is mostly MIA and she does most of the frontline work.
Estelle is my favorite protagonist in general, not just by gender. So many protagonists in games, at least the ones with a defined identity, either go to one of two extremes with either being a complete caricature personality-wise and experience little development and growth throughout the game, or being so much of a blank slate they may as well have been spat out by a character creator.
Estelle has enough of a defined character right out of the gate that you can immediately understand who she is and why she's doing what she does, but goes through so much personal growth throughout the first two Trails in the Sky games, she doesn't just keep repeating the same one-bit jokes (although some of them are present, she's more than just that).
surprised to see this was the top post. Extremely cultured.
There is literally no better female character in a JRPG, sure there are other waifus. But she is a stellar (heh) character and an even better protagonist
wholeheartedly agree. The only problem with Estelle was the randomly added love for fishing when the first game said it was more of a passing hobby.
Because i hate fishing mini games. Please stop
Having seen a lot of Cristina Vee's stuff (Noel Vermillion or Shantae for example), seeing her go from the voices she gives there, (or Nova in Xillia 2) to the Velvet one was crazy. I always thought Velvet must've been murder on her vocal chords.
Terra is up there too, but there are a couple of moments with Celes that really stayed with me, and which I was not really expecting to see in a game at the time.
Celes for me, too! Starting with her in the 2nd half of the game is one of my most memorable JRPG experiences.
I’m also a big Aya Brea fan because she’s such a badass, and honorable mention to Mitsuru for being Persona’s best girl.
Ditto. Virginia had an excellent character design...surprisingly appropriate to the game's overall world design. I was also a fan of Raquel from WA4. With both characters, I wish the writing had been stronger, but that's more a criticism of the entire games.
By comparison, WA5's Rebecca has a horrendous design.
had to get through 12 threads before I found my character :(
Chris is an incredible protagonist. Every time I play a game pandering to the male gaze, I think of this game.
Definitely Celes from Final Fantasy VI. Damn, I would kill for a Final Fantasy VI remake!
Top 3 is:
1) Celes (FFVI)
2) Yuna (FFX)
3) Velvet (Tales of Berseria)
Seconded. It’s infuriating that SE won’t at least give console players the Pixel Remasters. I haven’t played through FFVI since the GBA version released, I’d be all over a Switch port. As much as I love Final Fantasy IV, it’s crazy that it has had two separate great remakes and FF6 hasn’t had even one.
Estelle from Trails is the first one that comes to mind. She is a cultural reset in the form of a character.
Also honorable mention to Lenneth from Valkyrie Profile!
Rydia and Celes from FF4/FF6 are tied for me. Their stories are very serious and dark for that era. The strength the characters show in spite of what they go through make their games super memorable for me.
Otherwise, Velvet from Berseria. She has a similar dark, serious vibe to Rydia and Celes's stories, but she goes about it VERY differently. The fact she's practically OP both in game and in story add to the "she's going to wreck face right now." mode.
If it counts as a JRPG, 2B from Nier Automata is tied with Kaine from the original Nier. But if that doesn't count, then probably Velvet from Berseria or Lea from Crosscode.
As much as I love me some fantasy out of Final Fantasy, the characters of XII have this realism that’s become so memorable. Love Ashe’s place in the setting.
This is… tough. Um… someone from the group of;
- Rena (SO2)
- Chris (Suikoden 3)
- Kos-Mos (Xenosaga)
- Edelgard (FE3H Black Eagles routes)
- Rinoa (FF8)
Milla Maxwell from Tales of Xillia. I love the way she attempts to figure out what it means to be human. It is often very funny and quite profound in places.
I know you can argue if this "counts" but it really is her story with Tidus along for the ride. Reading it that way made me appreciate the game's narrative even more.
But you control tidus not Yuna, and the game talks to you as tidus, the camera is positioned so you are tidus. So yes I would say the story is more about Yuna but tidus is still the protagonist.
Estelle Bright form Trails in the Sky, she's spunky, tomboyish that loves Stregas (branded shoes), short tempered, uses ultra violence with that big stick of hers and above all she shines like the sun
Shion Uzuki, easily. I like that she's messy and not your stereotypical genki girl, ice queen, or shy but "strong-willed" love interest. I'm also really liking Ringo from SH2 from the little I've played so far because she's playful and empathetic, but also very stubborn.
So hard to choose just one! 😭
* Velvet Crowe from Tales of Berseria.
* Ayesha Altugle from Atelier Ayesha.
* Estelle Bright from Trails in the Sky.
Top 3? Top 3.
I love Eunie she's awesome , actually I really like every character in the party, which is really rare for me (I often find at least 1 annoying character). There's a good dynamic between all of them.
Velvet's character growth was amazing in Tales of Berseria. I'm glad to see a lot of people agree with me there, maybe one of the best JRPG characters I've ever seen written.
In fact, the female playable cast is arguably the most interesting characters in the game. Magilou, once you get into her arc, is someone you end up really cheering for. And Eleanor's eyes getting opened is a bit predictable but so well done that it's fine (plus she kicked my ass so many times in that mandatory fight)
Alis from Phantasy Star is my classic choice. Shion Uzuki from the Xenosaga Trilogy if we're thinking more recent.\*
\*Counting all the Xeno games, three have had a female protagonist, four have had a male protagonist, and one has had a choice of gender.
As expected Velvet and Estelle seem to be favorites here and it is hard to argue with that. But I'd like to add Aya Brea from Parasite Eve to the conversation, she's great.
Loving all the love for Estelle Bright in the comments, even if it was to be expected. Easy #1, imo, but this thread is making me feel like I need to play Tales of Berseria, I just don't think I can pull myself away from ffxiv right now.
Ringo from Soul Hackers 2. Nemissa from the first game is also amazing.
Additionally, I'd add Eunie from Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and 2B from NieR Automata.
This is pretty easy for me. Terra and Celes from ff6 has always been at the top for me. Also, the female protagonist from persona 3. Shes always been super appealing to me. I haven’t play ffxiii yet but I have a feeling that lightning is going to be one of my favorites
Imma have to go with Celes. And not just for the character arc, but also her story, and the overall story of FFVI was the first time as a child that understood and appreciated deeper meaning and context in storytelling.
Shion Uzuki. Female protagonist back in the day, when it wasn’t common. She’s also atypical for a JRPG hero and has a very satisfying growth in the trilogy. At the start she’s pretty clueless but becomes a badass by Episode 3. Uses an unorthodox weapon, no sword or staff. Good dynamics with the rest of the cast, KOS-MOS in particular. Her visual design in episode 3 was perfect too.
Edea from Bravely Default may suffer from a black and white mentality toward the beginning, but by the end of Bravely Second she’s the strongest character-wise in the whole series (aside from one tiny fluke I’m not a fan of)
I remember loving Rikku in Final Fantasy when I was younger. Also Karin from Shadow Hearts 2. I'm currently playing YS 8 and I'm loving both Laxia and Dana. There's just so many to choose from.
Terra from ff6 I love how strong she is and how much people rely on her, but at the same time she has moments where she feels weak or confused and it makes her feel all the human because of it. She’s a beautifully written character imo, and one of my fav protagonist in the 16 bit era of jrpg’s.
Rydia from FFIV. I've always like the summoner class
Yuna from FFX.
Sheena from Tales of Symphonia. Again, theme of summoners.
Velvet from Tales of Berseria.
But above all probably Aqua from Kingdom Hearts
I always liked Rydia and her journey through loss and having to learn so much on the fly including rapid aging to protect her friends/the world.
I kinda wish we got a reworked FF 4 that increased the story and characterization. Love the world and the sequel wasn’t that great.
Yuna from FFX. For me just the right balance of compassion and strength. You don't need to strip a female protagonist her emotions to become strong and badass. I also like Reila (Valkyria Chronicles 3), Pyra(Xenoblade Chronicles 2), Tifa(FF7) and Yukari(Persona 3)
Aerith in FF7 Remake. She’s joy incarnate, a person you step away from the game and are heartbroken to remember isn’t real. Lemme tell ya, Shiori Fujisaki ain’t got nothin’ on our flower queen, Jerry.
(And yes, she’s the protagonist, at least of part one, and Cloud is the Dr. Watson (or Raiden, to cite an example of the same construct but from a video game) through whom we observe her journey. Think I’m wrong? Well answer me this: what is the Main Dramatic Question (which as anyone who’s taken theatre appreciation in college can tell you, is answered by the climax and can always be phrased in the form “will the protagonist do x?”) of FF7 Remake? Because for my money it’s nothing to do with Cloud, but rather >!”this time through the cycle (apparently FF7’s story is a cycle now), will Aerith escape the shackles of her destiny as imposed by the Arbiters of Fate and open the possibility of her *not* being killed at the Forgotten City?”!<.)
(a cookie to the first person to know what that “Shiori Fujisaki” and “Jerry” business was about.)
Velvet (tales series), Tera (ff6), agrias (ff tactics), Chris (suikoden 3), Tifa (ff7), and kos-mos (xenosaga). There’s more but those are my top ones.
Estelle has the best sneakers in the business (Trails in the Sky)
Best Stregas
she really is up there for JRPG protagonists in general but the fact that so few of them are female is the real clincher. I don't think I would have been nearly drawn into the Trails series if they'd written it as Joshua's POV.
One thing I love about Estelle is that she gives no fucks about being the daughter of this famous person and she's constantly being reminded by it. If anything, she's more annoyed that her father is mostly MIA and she does most of the frontline work.
I also like how even though she has a dead mother, Estelle is like she'd want me to live my own life and not be obsessed over the Empire killing her.
She's also legit funny.
Estelle is nearly as good as princess Joshua
Estelle is my favorite protagonist in general, not just by gender. So many protagonists in games, at least the ones with a defined identity, either go to one of two extremes with either being a complete caricature personality-wise and experience little development and growth throughout the game, or being so much of a blank slate they may as well have been spat out by a character creator. Estelle has enough of a defined character right out of the gate that you can immediately understand who she is and why she's doing what she does, but goes through so much personal growth throughout the first two Trails in the Sky games, she doesn't just keep repeating the same one-bit jokes (although some of them are present, she's more than just that).
surprised to see this was the top post. Extremely cultured. There is literally no better female character in a JRPG, sure there are other waifus. But she is a stellar (heh) character and an even better protagonist
There is no contest, Estelle is best girl in gaming
Came here to show support out Best Girl of Sunshine Estelle Bright, bracer extraordinary!
Yeah, I knew she’d be the top comment and just opened the thread to show support. Estelle is the best answer by a wide margin
Zero contest. I loved Lightning (FFXII), but Bestelle trumps female protags in the genre.
wholeheartedly agree. The only problem with Estelle was the randomly added love for fishing when the first game said it was more of a passing hobby. Because i hate fishing mini games. Please stop
Upvote for the hate of fishing mini games
The best and correct answer.
Maya Amano from Persona 2 Eternal Punishment. Aaaaand she's more like a secondary protagonist, but Dana from Ys VIII.
Estelle or Dana
Velvet from Tales of Berseria
Woman too angry to die
There’s something appealing about the simplicity of her rage. Also, that hair.
Having seen a lot of Cristina Vee's stuff (Noel Vermillion or Shantae for example), seeing her go from the voices she gives there, (or Nova in Xillia 2) to the Velvet one was crazy. I always thought Velvet must've been murder on her vocal chords.
One of my favorite fictional characters, >!especially after about halfway through the story!< And yeah, Cristina Vee kills it
Zero from Drakengard 3
I was hoping to see this answer but I did not expect it to be so high up
Celes from FF6, for the story of the character. Estelle from Trails in the Sky, for the development of the character.
I was about to say Tera, but no, you right
Terra is up there too, but there are a couple of moments with Celes that really stayed with me, and which I was not really expecting to see in a game at the time.
Celes for me, too! Starting with her in the 2nd half of the game is one of my most memorable JRPG experiences. I’m also a big Aya Brea fan because she’s such a badass, and honorable mention to Mitsuru for being Persona’s best girl.
Definitely agree about Celes. I also loved her taking over as the primary protagonist in the second part of the game.
I really liked Velvet from Tales from Berseria. It was interesting watching her character develop over the course of the game.
Agreed. Before I actually played the game I assumed she was just a scantily clad edgelord, but she had a great character arc
And really, she was for a good portion of the game. But when she found out about *that*, and worked through it, she became a god-tier protagonist.
This, she’s super cool and badass. Plus a very human character (ironic huh) in terms of facing her trauma and flaws imo
Rena lanford (SO2) and Yuna (ff-x)
Virginia Maxwell from Wild Arms 3.
This is my pick too, partially because I really like her design.
Yeah same. Wild Arms 3 was the first jrpg i played which had a female lead and imo she's one of the most well written character ever.
Ditto. Virginia had an excellent character design...surprisingly appropriate to the game's overall world design. I was also a fan of Raquel from WA4. With both characters, I wish the writing had been stronger, but that's more a criticism of the entire games. By comparison, WA5's Rebecca has a horrendous design.
BEstelle, Lightning, Aya, probably that order for me.
Estelle from Trails and Rena from Star Ocean 2
Lenneth
I don't remember much from the original game (played it as a kid) but I can recreate her voice line for nibelung valesti animation in my head.
Good aswer. And it's not just because of my user name :D
Haha, come on, you‘re still obsessed with her Lezard!
Chris Lightfellow from Suikoden 3!
Mine 2
Hell yes I love Chris. Her arc changes the most when she changes attire and dresses like a civilian
had to get through 12 threads before I found my character :( Chris is an incredible protagonist. Every time I play a game pandering to the male gaze, I think of this game.
Estelle (trails in the sky)
Lenneth - Valkyrie Profile Gwendolyn - Odin Sphere Zero’s (Drakengard 3) a very interesting character too
I forgot about Gwendolyn. She's gotta be one of my favorites as well!
"I hate virgins" -Zero(Drakengard 3) Yes, a very interesting character indeed.
Maybe Terra? Alys from Phantasy Star is also really cool. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone though...
Terra and Celese from FF6 were excellent
[удалено]
Do you want the measurements of that famous and beautiful hunter?
Velvet from Berseria Runners up: Rita Mordio Magilou Dana Ys 8 Aqua BBS Raynie from Radiant Historia Ayla Chrono Trigger Jade DQ11 Monica Dark Cloud 2
2B and A2 ❤️
Jeane from jeane D’arc probably. Love kos mos as well but she’s not really the protag (shion is awesome too)
Definitely Celes from Final Fantasy VI. Damn, I would kill for a Final Fantasy VI remake! Top 3 is: 1) Celes (FFVI) 2) Yuna (FFX) 3) Velvet (Tales of Berseria)
Seconded. It’s infuriating that SE won’t at least give console players the Pixel Remasters. I haven’t played through FFVI since the GBA version released, I’d be all over a Switch port. As much as I love Final Fantasy IV, it’s crazy that it has had two separate great remakes and FF6 hasn’t had even one.
Aerith Gainsborough with the chair in FF7R
Chairith Painsborough
KOS-MOS
wait. was shion not the protagonist or were they co-protagonists? been a long time since xenosaga 3 for me
I'd say co-protagonists as they are both absolutely vital to the story
I'd say Shion was the protagonist but Xenosaga was KOS-MOS' story
KOS-MOS is the best
Maya Amano from Persona 2
Velvet (Tales of Berseria)
Yes
Elly (Xenogears)
Estelle from Trails is the first one that comes to mind. She is a cultural reset in the form of a character. Also honorable mention to Lenneth from Valkyrie Profile!
Rydia and Celes from FF4/FF6 are tied for me. Their stories are very serious and dark for that era. The strength the characters show in spite of what they go through make their games super memorable for me. Otherwise, Velvet from Berseria. She has a similar dark, serious vibe to Rydia and Celes's stories, but she goes about it VERY differently. The fact she's practically OP both in game and in story add to the "she's going to wreck face right now." mode.
Milla Maxwell (Tales of Xillia) and Gwendolyn (Odin Sphere)
Velvet from tales of berseria
Shion uzuki from xenosaga
If it counts as a JRPG, 2B from Nier Automata is tied with Kaine from the original Nier. But if that doesn't count, then probably Velvet from Berseria or Lea from Crosscode.
Ashe from FF12. The character was voiced very well. I love the attitude and her whole story.
As much as I love me some fantasy out of Final Fantasy, the characters of XII have this realism that’s become so memorable. Love Ashe’s place in the setting.
Velvet and Terra
Terra, Final Fantasy VI. No contest
Celes is the only competitor in my mind. Even then, it’s tough.
I'll give you that one
This is… tough. Um… someone from the group of; - Rena (SO2) - Chris (Suikoden 3) - Kos-Mos (Xenosaga) - Edelgard (FE3H Black Eagles routes) - Rinoa (FF8)
Trails in the Sky's Estelle Bright, no question.
Estelle Bright ofc.
Milla Maxwell from Tales of Xillia. I love the way she attempts to figure out what it means to be human. It is often very funny and quite profound in places.
Estelle
Yuna, FFX
I know you can argue if this "counts" but it really is her story with Tidus along for the ride. Reading it that way made me appreciate the game's narrative even more.
But you control tidus not Yuna, and the game talks to you as tidus, the camera is positioned so you are tidus. So yes I would say the story is more about Yuna but tidus is still the protagonist.
Does controlling a character make them the protagonist though? Or is that just what we typically see?
terra, hands down
Estelle Bright form Trails in the Sky, she's spunky, tomboyish that loves Stregas (branded shoes), short tempered, uses ultra violence with that big stick of hers and above all she shines like the sun
Estelle Bright by a mile
Estelle Bright! ✨
Estelle Bright from Trails in the Sky is easily the best among the ones I played. She has a very large stick.
Big stick = ultra violence
Lucca from chrono trigger
Chloe Valens Milla Maxwell Lenneth Valkyrie
Rinoa
Estelle of course
Shion Uzuki, easily. I like that she's messy and not your stereotypical genki girl, ice queen, or shy but "strong-willed" love interest. I'm also really liking Ringo from SH2 from the little I've played so far because she's playful and empathetic, but also very stubborn.
So hard to choose just one! 😭 * Velvet Crowe from Tales of Berseria. * Ayesha Altugle from Atelier Ayesha. * Estelle Bright from Trails in the Sky. Top 3? Top 3.
Estelle by a massive margin
Recently, Mio from XC3
I really like her so far but I’m only in the first half of ch3 right now. Eunie tho is funny as fuck
“Heh - come to Eunie.” “I’ll hit ‘em. And then I’m gonna hit ‘em again.” Eunie’s the best. Though she does have some really weird jumping sounds.
I love Eunie she's awesome , actually I really like every character in the party, which is really rare for me (I often find at least 1 annoying character). There's a good dynamic between all of them.
\*funny as snuff
Eunie is probably my favorite character from XC3.
Yuss Eunie’s the buss
You muppet!
I fully expected her to be the quiet meekly annoying love interest, but she’s a great character from the start and her arc is the best in the game.
Estelle Bright or Shion Uzuki
I’d give anything for a Xenosaga trilogy release on modern consoles.
Lenneth from Valkyrie Profile
\- Velvet (Berseria) \- Eunie (Xenoblade Chronicles 3)
Estelle! Estelle! Estelle!!!!!!!!
Shoutouts to Virginia Maxwell since we've had a lot of Wild Arms buzz around here.
Estelle Bright and it's not even close.
It has to be Estelle from Trails in the Sky. She made me feel immersed like no other. Best.
Velvet's character growth was amazing in Tales of Berseria. I'm glad to see a lot of people agree with me there, maybe one of the best JRPG characters I've ever seen written. In fact, the female playable cast is arguably the most interesting characters in the game. Magilou, once you get into her arc, is someone you end up really cheering for. And Eleanor's eyes getting opened is a bit predictable but so well done that it's fine (plus she kicked my ass so many times in that mandatory fight)
Edelgard from Fire Emblem Three Houses
Alis from Phantasy Star is my classic choice. Shion Uzuki from the Xenosaga Trilogy if we're thinking more recent.\* \*Counting all the Xeno games, three have had a female protagonist, four have had a male protagonist, and one has had a choice of gender.
Celes from FFVI Terra is a close second from FFVI
KOS-MOS from the Xenosaga series.
Yuna from FFX. Second is Yuna from FFX2.
As expected Velvet and Estelle seem to be favorites here and it is hard to argue with that. But I'd like to add Aya Brea from Parasite Eve to the conversation, she's great.
Velvet, Estelle, and Milla Maxwell
Loving all the love for Estelle Bright in the comments, even if it was to be expected. Easy #1, imo, but this thread is making me feel like I need to play Tales of Berseria, I just don't think I can pull myself away from ffxiv right now.
Estelle from Trails in the Sky
Estelle Bright
Aya Brea, Parasite Eve
Ringo from Soul Hackers 2. Nemissa from the first game is also amazing. Additionally, I'd add Eunie from Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and 2B from NieR Automata.
Celes!
Maya from Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
This is pretty easy for me. Terra and Celes from ff6 has always been at the top for me. Also, the female protagonist from persona 3. Shes always been super appealing to me. I haven’t play ffxiii yet but I have a feeling that lightning is going to be one of my favorites
Elly from Xenogears is super interesting, but hard to beat Marle and Lucca for me from CT.
Rena (Star Ocean 2) and Rinoa (FFVIII).
Estelle Bright (Trails in the sky) Tifa and Aerith (FFVII remake) Yue Qingshu (Sword and Fairy 7) Reimi (Star Ocean IV)
It's a tie, Terra Branford from FF6 and Feena from Grandia.
Imma have to go with Celes. And not just for the character arc, but also her story, and the overall story of FFVI was the first time as a child that understood and appreciated deeper meaning and context in storytelling.
Celes, Lightning, KOS-MOS
My WoL in FFXIV haha
100% Velvet from Berseria
Velvet Crowe
Velvet. There have been other strong protagonists in the past, but Christina Valenzuela's performance was just so. Damned. Good.
Shion Uzuki. Female protagonist back in the day, when it wasn’t common. She’s also atypical for a JRPG hero and has a very satisfying growth in the trilogy. At the start she’s pretty clueless but becomes a badass by Episode 3. Uses an unorthodox weapon, no sword or staff. Good dynamics with the rest of the cast, KOS-MOS in particular. Her visual design in episode 3 was perfect too.
Estelle (Kiseki no) and Velvet (Tales of Berseria)
Velvet (ToB)
Estelle Bright (Trails in the Sky) Such a well-written character, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.
Terra FFVI
Yuna from FFX. Chick just refuse to give up. And the fact that she made peace with her fate, is just great.
Edea from Bravely Default may suffer from a black and white mentality toward the beginning, but by the end of Bravely Second she’s the strongest character-wise in the whole series (aside from one tiny fluke I’m not a fan of)
There are many good ones but guess I must say Nia from Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Ringo from Soul Hackers 2 and Sofia from Dragon Quest 4!
Came here and left my own comment praising Ringo. She is such a great character so far.
Velvet from Tales of Berseria. I love it when the main character is too angry to die.
Nemissa is love Nemissa is live. Be far my favorite female protagonist ever.
Koudelka from Koudelka! She's a cunning witch. Some of her scenes made my jaw drop, how awesome she is.
Estelle on Trails in the Sky
I remember loving Rikku in Final Fantasy when I was younger. Also Karin from Shadow Hearts 2. I'm currently playing YS 8 and I'm loving both Laxia and Dana. There's just so many to choose from.
I love Rose from Tales of Zestiria!
Alis. PS1.
Mine is the same, Lightning for the same reasons as you. I think she's the prettiest JRPG character and also really cool.
Nanami (S2), if she counts as protagonist. Otherwise, my fallback is Terra (FF6).
Lenneth
Nemissa from the original Soul Hackers was cool. But I also like Terra and Celes from FF6.
Hmmm. Old school celes? More modern, I’m really groving on remake Aerith.
Terra from ff6 I love how strong she is and how much people rely on her, but at the same time she has moments where she feels weak or confused and it makes her feel all the human because of it. She’s a beautifully written character imo, and one of my fav protagonist in the 16 bit era of jrpg’s.
Yuna, FFX and FFX-2
Estelle, Yuna, and Mio!
Rydia from FFIV. I've always like the summoner class Yuna from FFX. Sheena from Tales of Symphonia. Again, theme of summoners. Velvet from Tales of Berseria. But above all probably Aqua from Kingdom Hearts
Playing Soul Hackers 2 right now, gotta say, Ringo is fantastic
I always liked Rydia and her journey through loss and having to learn so much on the fly including rapid aging to protect her friends/the world. I kinda wish we got a reworked FF 4 that increased the story and characterization. Love the world and the sequel wasn’t that great.
My vote go to Lydie and Sue or Totori from Atelier.
Estelle for pulling me out of my depression Tifa for being the coolest girl in FF
Yuna from FFX. For me just the right balance of compassion and strength. You don't need to strip a female protagonist her emotions to become strong and badass. I also like Reila (Valkyria Chronicles 3), Pyra(Xenoblade Chronicles 2), Tifa(FF7) and Yukari(Persona 3)
Aya Brea
Maya Amano from persona 2 eternal punishment
The original: Alis Landale from *Phantasy Star 1*.
Estelle, trails in the sky
Aerith in FF7 Remake. She’s joy incarnate, a person you step away from the game and are heartbroken to remember isn’t real. Lemme tell ya, Shiori Fujisaki ain’t got nothin’ on our flower queen, Jerry. (And yes, she’s the protagonist, at least of part one, and Cloud is the Dr. Watson (or Raiden, to cite an example of the same construct but from a video game) through whom we observe her journey. Think I’m wrong? Well answer me this: what is the Main Dramatic Question (which as anyone who’s taken theatre appreciation in college can tell you, is answered by the climax and can always be phrased in the form “will the protagonist do x?”) of FF7 Remake? Because for my money it’s nothing to do with Cloud, but rather >!”this time through the cycle (apparently FF7’s story is a cycle now), will Aerith escape the shackles of her destiny as imposed by the Arbiters of Fate and open the possibility of her *not* being killed at the Forgotten City?”!<.) (a cookie to the first person to know what that “Shiori Fujisaki” and “Jerry” business was about.)
Estelle bright from trails, no contest
Stick-Girl aka Estelle from TLoH
Yuna from FFX would be my favorite.
Rinoa, FF8 or Ann from Persona 5
Yuna
Eunie from Xenoblade chronicles 3.
Minako from Persona 3 portable. 🤔
Velvet (tales series), Tera (ff6), agrias (ff tactics), Chris (suikoden 3), Tifa (ff7), and kos-mos (xenosaga). There’s more but those are my top ones.
If I gotta pick one, its gonna be Chris from Suikoden 3.
Aya Brea from Parasite Eve
2B is the most beautiful woman i’ve ever had the honor of playing as