A Lovable Cast of Characters
Probably the most appealing aspect of Final Fantasy IX, is its stellar ensemble cast. These are lovable characters that change and grow as you make your way through the game, but who each are flawed or deal with some major issue. The main character Zidane Tribal, is a bit different from the archetypal teenage JRPG hero. He’s a young adult confident in his abilities, a little too much so sometimes, who also has a way with the ladies. Yet behind his bluster and pomp lies a character that’s afraid to be alone and can wallow in his insecurities. He values friendship above all else, but doesn’t want to impose his problems on his friends, choosing to do things alone. Each party member in the game is multifaceted and believable, helping add gravitas to the overall story and drawing you in.
The important thing about Final Fantasy IX though is that the game isn’t afraid to show its characters as vulnerable. Sure these are lovable people, but you’ll see them hit with deep depression and questions about their life or their place in the world. The game takes its characters seriously and wants you to care about them, but also wants them to grow and change as the story does.
