The Final Fantasy franchise has more than a fair number of great playable characters, but some are way better than others. These iconic party members are head and shoulders above their peers, with their personalities, fighting skills and overall impact on the main stories of their respective games all contributing to their fan-favorite status.
Because of the way many of the series’ previous entries have been designed, the best Final Fantasy characters are often secondary party members rather than the main heroes of the games. As a result, it’s not at all unusual for one playable character to outshine the rest of the party, as is the case with the next Final Fantasy characters.
Sabin (Final Fantasy 6)
While Terra and Celes are the two protagonists, neither really comes close to the list when it comes to the most playable party members in the world. Final Fantasy 6. The same can’t be said of Cyan or Edgar, both of whom bring an awful lot to the table, although in the end it’s the latter’s brother, Sabin, who is considered by most fans to be the game’s best character.
His relationship with his brother makes for an interesting subplot, but it’s probably his dealings with Duncan and Vargas that really set him apart from the rest of the pack. Sabin’s martial arts background and unique Combo command also make him incredibly useful in combat, with the young prince even being able to suplex a train at one point in the game.
Tifa (Final Fantasy 7)
Another monk-like fighter, the role of Tifa in Final Fantasy 7 is much more important than many players really give her credit. She is one of the few constants in Cloud’s life, and it is through his relationship with her that the spiky-haired hero and the players controlling him are ultimately able to explore and discover the secrets of his past life.
Final Fantasy Remake explores Tifa’s character in more detail, with the addition of voice acting and the improved graphical fidelity giving her much more depth than she had in the original game. Cloud may once again be the face of the project, but it’s Tifa who takes care of the heart, making her a much more recognizable and in turn a much more likable playable character.
Lightning (Final Fantasy 13)
Many of the earlier Final Fantasy games featured blank-sheet main characters, where players could rename them as they wish. Their non-existent personalities made it much easier for players to project themselves onto them, making the experience a lot more immersive. However, when voice acting made its way into the series, this trend quickly started to change, as did the way it happened Final Fantasy heroes were designed.
Vaan was the first main character with a permanent name, although he remained a somewhat forgettable character for various reasons. Lightning, on the other hand, turned out to be a lot more memorable, even if the games she appeared in were a bit bland. Her well-defined personality and stylish looks make her an infinitely better character than the rest of Final Fantasy 13‘s cast, although her sister Serah at least brings some competition in the two sequels.
Seifer (Final Fantasy 8)
Admittedly, Seifer is possible only for a very small part of Final Fantasy 8, but there’s still a strong argument to be made that he’s the game’s most playable character. Designed as the main rival and, in many ways, the polar opposite of Squall, Seifer is an incredibly deep character who manages to remain relatable despite his actions becoming increasingly sinister as the game progresses.
In many ways, Seifer is a lot like Kain in Final Fantasy 4, both in terms of his personality and his impact on the story. The fact that he can cut a subpoena in half gives the Final Fantasy 8 man the edge though, as this remains one of the most badass and most shocking moments in the series’ rich and storied history to date.
Auron (Final Fantasy 10)
Many consider the main cast of Final Fantasy 10 to be the best the series has to offer, and for a very good reason. Each has their own clearly defined motivations for accompanying Yuna on her quest, while the interrelationships help to provide depth and intrigue in nearly equal measures. With the exception of maybe Kimahri (whose background is just a bit too general for some players’ tastes), they’re all great characters in their own right, but one stands out above the rest.
The role Auron plays in the events of Final Fantasy 10 is a crucial one; help to connect the past and present, while also serving as a kind of role model for both Yuna and Tidus. In many ways, he’s the father figure the latter always wanted, but like Jecht, he’s far from perfect and has his own problems to solve. It also helps that he’s one of the strongest playable characters in the game, so probably a mainstay in most players’ active company.
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