Balthier 'Ffamran' Bunansa (aka. 'The Leading Man')
The smooth-talking buccaneer of the skies, he bedazzles friend and foe alike with his swashbuckling ways, always prepared to greet danger with a sarcastic quip.
Despite his irony and bravado, Balthier remains a man of integrity and sophistication. He discerns the true nature of events and provides the voice of reason to Ashe in her conflicted quest for revenge. Balthier, too, has his own interest in the fight against the Empire, with his broken relationship with his father. At the moment of reckoning, there is no outburst of angst, just a simple exchange which speaks volumes:
Balthier: '...Was there no other way?'
Dr. Cid: 'Spend your pity elsewhere. If you are so set on running, hadn't you best be off? Fool of a pirate...'
And of course, none of this would have been possible without the exceptional voice talent of Gideon Emery. He brought sex to our ears as Balthier stole every scene with his double-edged wit and charisma.
I have agonized over this question for half an hour now and still can't decide, so I'll just take the easy way out and list off all my faves in no particular order:
Cloud: This guy had to defeat his own crazy before he could even hope to defeat Sephiroth, and that takes a lot of strength. Excellent character development throughout the game, really grows into his role of hero.
Barret: A terrorist, a loving father, an outcast, a best friend, who swears like a sailor and when he dresses up like one he looks like a bear wearing a marshmallow. One of the most complex characters of the entire series.
Cid: Chain-smoking badass testosterone-leaking motherfucker, who gives up his dream only to snatch it back with both hands and a long pointy stick. A natural leader who isn't afraid of responsibility or anything else, and goddammit you better shut your mouth and drink your goddamn tea if you know what's good for you.
Vincent: Let's just ignore the travesty that was DoC, shall we. OG Vincent is a cold, angry dude, who had once been a member of the most badass organization to grace Gaia but had lost it all because of his love for a woman. Now he's full of demons - literally - and is out for vengeance. Despite not being very talkative, he still delivers some great lines and has a flair for the dramatic. *backflips out of coffin*
Reeve: The only Shinra board member to have any sort of moral compass. This is the guy who built Midgar, and he loves the city as much as he loves anything. Though his motives are never made very clear, this is a guy who starts off sabotaging your mission and threatening little girls to fighting as hard as anyone else - with great personal risk as a double agent - to save Midgar and the Planet.
Tseng: A professional, first and foremost, but with a sense of compassion and a huge streak of loyalty to his fellow Turks that sometimes has him ignoring his orders. But don't think he's a nice guy - he has an arrogance about him that comes with being such a bamf, and has a tendency to mock people he doesn't like. His relationship with Aerith is one of the most intriguing of the series.
Reno: This is a guy who oozes cool and deadly in equal quantities. Though the Compilation shoved him into more of a comic relief role, in the OG he was a mean sonofabitch, dedicated to his work but practical enough to know when it's time to jump ship.
Zidane: A straight-up hero from the very get-go, acting like a rogue but very noble and compassionate. He's always ready to help out his friends, whether with some kind words or something a bit more physical. He has an easy confidence about him you can't help but love - and
when he loses it, with the help of his friends he comes back stronger than ever.
This is someone who has a clear sense of right and wrong, but is ready and willing to forgive people and give them another chance.
Vivi: If adorableness was a weapon, Vivi would be a fucking nuke, with tragedy used as a guidance system. Splintered already covered his character nicely, so just read go read her post again fgj.
Locke: He's a goddamn treasure hunter, the FF version of Indiana Jones but with a tragic past instead of a whip and a bandana instead of a hat. What's not to love?
Edgar: Another charmer (especially with the ladies), he's a king who's got the balls to defy the Empire and the brains to back it up, all the while being a responsible ruler of his people and a loving brother.
Shadow: Go listen to his theme. Go on, I'll wait for you.
Now does that ooze badass, mysterious wandering loner or what? Shadow is a man who plays by his own rules, answers to nobody and doesn't give a shit about anyone other than his awesome dog Interceptor. Haunted by his past, in the end he finally manages to escape it.
Sazh: A regular dude who just wants to save his son, his story is simple yet incredibly genuine. He's a kind and patient man, but even he has his limits - and when he reaches them it's easily the most emotional part of XIII. This guy is the rock of the party, dealing with all the stupidity and mistakes of his younger companions with a great deal of patience and wisdom. Also, afro.
Ramza: He starts off incredibly naive, and when reality slaps him in the face rather than become bitter he keeps to his honour and does the best he can. And no matter how hard he tries, things still go wrong for him - lots of things - but he keeps at it and he holds on to his core values. This is a guy who had basically everyone he ever believed in turn on him, but he still kept his head high and refused to back down.
Delita: He thought he was fighting for change. He though he was going to make a difference. And then, in the end, he finally realizes it - he's become the very thing he loathed so much. Delita is a walking definition of tragedy, a man who gains everything only to realize he has nothing at all.
Ack! I forgot Ramza. Yes, he's another great character. It's rare that I would get so pissed at other characters even when they did little more than be a dick to Ramza. As I mentioned before, I was so angry at Argath/Algus that I made sure Ramza was the one to deal the final blow. As you say, everyone he knows, trusts, or cares for turns on him. And then to top it all off, history forgets him. Terrible.
Loving these recent entries, guys. A joy to read all your insights.
I'm still behind you guys (Day 12 is going to be the next entry for me; sometime today, I hope), but I can't wait to do Day 14. I already know exactly who I'm going to write about and what I'm going to say.
Squall's a softie inside. He's just scared as piss to show it.
I can easily point to a number of examples of him caring about everyone from Seifer to Selphie.
When he thinks Seifer has been executed by Galbadia he actually mourns the dude and takes something from it all that impacts him on a personal level:
Squall: (I liked him... wasn't really a bad guy... He was one of
us... Seifer... You've become just a memory. Will they...
Will they talk about me this way if I die, too? Squall was
this and that. Using past tense, saying whatever they want?
So this is what death is all about... ...Not for me. I
won't have it!!!)
Quistis: "What's wrong, Squall?"
Squall: "I won't have it!"
Zell: "W-What?"
Selphie: "Are you MAD!?"
Squall: "I'm not having anyone talk about me in the past tense!"
When Irvine's freaking about shooting Edea, Squall takes a decidedly non-hardass approach to dealing with his comrade's feelings:
Irvine: "My bullet... The sorceress... I'll go down in history. I'd
change the history of Galbadia... Of the world! It's all too
much..."
Squall: "Enough! Just shoot!"
Irvine: "I can't, dammit!"
Squall: "Irvine, calm down. Everyone's waiting on you. I don't care
if you miss. Whatever happens, just leave the rest to us. Just
think of it as a signal. A sign for us to make our move."
When Balamb Garden was in danger of being destroyed by missiles, Squall was spazzing on the inside:
Headmaster Cid: "You can rest assured. I am just going to try
something. There still may be a way to save the
Garden."
Squall: (Against missiles...? How?)
Headmaster Cid: "Heh heh... I'm too old for this."
Squall: "Sir, I'd like to handle whatever it is that you're planning."
Headmaster Cid: "And why is that?"
Squall: (...I don't know...Because you might screw up. ...Because I
want to do more than announce the evacuation. Because this
place is important to me, too. Because I want to find out
your plan. Because this is my home. I have too many reasons.
I don't know why... Who cares?) "My feelings have nothing to
do with it, sir."
Headmaster Cid: "Heh heh, Quistis was right. You do have a hard time
expressing your feelings."
Selphie: "... Squall...being sensitive? That's weird.
You're the last person I expected to cheer me
up. I must really look depressed."
Squall: (What's so weird? I care just like everybody
else. It's just that there are too many things
that can't be helped. So why bother talking about
everything.)
Selphie: "Uh-oh! There you go again into your own little
world. And you're not gonna share anything, huh?"
Squall: "...Yeah, whatever..." (Why is she teasing me? I
was just trying to help.)
Selphie: "Well, I think I'm feeling better. Don't worry
about me, Squall."
He then, of course, has the Garden go all the way to Trabia just because Selphie asked.
I could go on with examples from just FFVIII, but there's Dissidia as well, where he shows care for Bartz and Zidane -- and that's even while he lacks his memories of Rinoa. The guy's a freakin' teddy bear.
Damn, I have so many favorite male characters. ;o; If I had to choose one, I guess I too would choose Kain Highwind. And if I were to form a top five, it would look something like this:
1. Kain Highwind
2. Larsa Ferrinas Solidor ( Prince Charming. :'D )
3. Zack Fair ( I always liked him, even before Crisis Core. I can't even begin to express how much I freaked out when Crisis Core was first announced. I was always interested in knowing more about Zack, because he appealed to me so much when I played FFVII )
4. Locke Cole ( What is not to like, really. >w> )
5. Zidane Tribal ( His attitude and outlook about life. His sweet and flirty attitude. The ultimate struggle that he overcame in the end. )
And I had to strain to choose those! xD As for the reason why I like Kain, is because he's so unlike any other character. Yes there are the strong silent types, the stoic types, etc... but no one quite matches up to the personality that he has, because it's more than just that. I like that he wasn't as nobel as the other characters, that he had emotional struggles, that he was constantly fighting his own demons. Like Aaron mentioned he's in love with Rosa, his best friend's girl... and I always felt bad for him because of that. I like that he continues to fight on despite everything. And again as mentioned, continues to fight even after everything that happens. He really is one the most powerful badass characters ever. ;-; Also, I love dragoons.
Favorite female character list is going to be even harder to choose. X_X
It’s a tie between Kefka Palazzo, Sephiroth and Kuja, who are also, coincidentally, my favourite characters not only in the FF series, but in all fiction in general.
Points in common between the three that I adore: their personalities; their design; their charisma; their intelligence; their motivations: their divine, world-shattering power; their background; their ominous presence; the way they influence the plot of each of their respective games and the way they bring chaos, despair and destruction to their hero counterparts and their worlds in general.
Individually, I like each of their villainy style, Kefka being the loud, batshit insane-type of villain, Sephiroth the silent, shadowy, ominous presence-type and finally Kuja being the flamboyant, theatrical-type.
Other than those three, I have to mention Dr. Cid (for the reasons I mentioned before) and Vivi, not only because he’s one of the cutest FF characters to this day, but also because, in spite of his childlike appearance and some of his mannerisms, Vivi is a very mature and charismatic character. His letter at the end of FFIX is one of the most touching moments in the series.
Favourite controllable character - it's a toss-up between Vivi, Cid and Barrett. I'm also fond of Vaan, and I'm pretty sure he isn't going to get much love from anyone else.
Favourite non-controllable characters - Tseng, Rufus, and the guard at the Sector 7 train station. What a philosopher!
Definitely don't need to think about this one at all. It's Tina Branford. Despite being the opposite gender I identified with her as soon as the game started, and continued identifying with her character arc throughout the entire game. Her arc from shy, confused ex-slave of the Empire to self-sufficient distributor of justice is a wonder to behold, and one of the factors I like most about the game. She's a very complex character whose arc is handled in a completely believable fashion, and the issues she has to cope with throughout it are matters that nearly every human being has to deal with at some point in their life (and if they don't, I'd have to wonder whether they even have a conscience). And her character theme is just marvellous. Suffice it to say that if there were not a Tina Branford I probably would never have gotten as wrapped up in this series as I did.
Oh is it favourite Final Fantasy male ? Oh, I did it wrong. My favourite is actually Locke Cole. Because of how kind and protective he was towards Terra and Celes, and he had the power to make me laugh, cry and follow along with his story. Zack is good, but he isn't my favourite FF male.
Second places would have to be Cecil Harvey and Kain Highwind. And okay, add Squall to the list
1. Celes Chere
I absolutely adore everything about her character. She always had the strong front, the tough girl act. I adore her initial reaction to the Opera, and I think I mentioned this before, how she stated that she is not a floozy. However, Celes hasn't always been strong. We really got to see her emotional break down at what seemed to be the end of days. She flung herself off of a cliff, for goodness sakes. While that was going on, we got to see her rise up and travel the world searching for everyone and bringing them all together again. If anyone is a hero in this game, it's her. She was so understanding of Locke too, though she had doubts in this area. They were removed by the end of the game, and she was even stronger than she started out. She really developed over time, and she's really a lady that any person could look up to.
2. Tifa Lockhart
Kind of similar to the reasons why I like Celes. She puts on a strong front, while inside she's struggling. We get to see Tifa's insecurities throughout the game, but she was always genuinely a good person and did what she thought was right. She put others before herself, especially Cloud who she was willing to do absolutely anything for. She has the sweetest personality, and while she's one of the more modest characters she kicks so much ass while looking hella sexy. More power to her! xD As stated, she's a lover, a fighter, and a mother and she excels in all of those areas. She wasn't perfect though, she was quite emotionally strained but she kept on fighting.
3. Princess Garnet
Bah, I absolutely adore her. From the moment I started the game, I liked her. While she was raised as a princess, the first we see her she is trying to escape the castle! I was already interested in her then. I like how she asked to be kidnapped, how she was observant enough to see the changes in her Mother and know that it was time to get the fuck out. Not only that, but her desire to see the world and learn new things and how to fight on her own. She had a warm and bright personality, and while she was naive about the outside world she wasn't stupid. She grew a lot over time, realized her duties, realized what was truly important to her, and even though her Mother had changed she still mourned over her. Also the scene where she cuts her hair is really powerful, how she decided to make that change and take that step. Finally at the end when she throws away her pendant and crown for Zidane... just BAAAW. I did cry my eyes out at the end of the game. xD
4. Rosa Farrell
She's beautiful, yet tough in battle. >=D I really like how devoted she is to Cecil, and how sweet and gentle she is to the others. She's one of those pure characters that also has a bite to her. When Cecil told her to stay behind, I just love how she defied him and did what she really wanted. She's so supportive, and sweet. There's nothing to hate about her. And I have a soft spot for these types of characters. (See: Kairi. Except she can't really fight is the only difference)
5. Quistis Trepe
Where do I even start? I loved her from the beginning, rolling her eyes and Squall because he's just so damn predictable. She was a great teacher, and it seemed she genuinely cared about all of her students. When she lost her position, my heart just broke for her. She really didn't deserve that shit. And you know what else she doesn't deserve? Squall being a complete twat to her when all she did was care about his feelings, and his well being. She also acted out on her feelings with not so subtle flirting, and got shot down... harshly. Being told she was a teacher, nothing more and that she should talk to a wall when she was sincerely expressing her feelings just made my hate for Squall increase to an insane degree, lol. I guess in a way I thought of how when you're treated like that in real life and the kind of emotions you feel when it happens. That's why I always felt for her. While she had all of these insecurities, this unrequited love... it never really got resolved. It's kind of just pushed back and forgotten about, just like with every other character that isn't Squall and Rinoa. =/
1. Celes Chere
I absolutely adore everything about her character. She always had the strong front, the tough girl act. I adore her initial reaction to the Opera, and I think I mentioned this before, how she stated that she is not a floozy. However, Celes hasn't always been strong. We really got to see her emotional break down at what seemed to be the end of days. She flung herself off of a cliff, for goodness sakes. While that was going on, we got to see her rise up and travel the world searching for everyone and bringing them all together again. If anyone is a hero in this game, it's her. She was so understanding of Locke too, though she had doubts in this area. They were removed by the end of the game, and she was even stronger than she started out. She really developed over time, and she's really a lady that any person could look up to.
2. Tifa Lockhart
Kind of similar to the reasons why I like Celes. She puts on a strong front, while inside she's struggling. We get to see Tifa's insecurities throughout the game, but she was always genuinely a good person and did what she thought was right. She put others before herself, especially Cloud who she was willing to do absolutely anything for. She has the sweetest personality, and while she's one of the more modest characters she kicks so much ass while looking hella sexy. More power to her! xD As stated, she's a lover, a fighter, and a mother and she excels in all of those areas. She wasn't perfect though, she was quite emotionally strained but she kept on fighting.
3. Lulu
Despite her outfit, she was far and away the most down to earth character in X. She dealt with Tidus' unfamiliarity instead of freaking out about it and explained things to him. While everyone else's emotions were flaring about Wakka's racism, she took it in stride explaining that she knew he was wrong but she also knew he was good at heart and would come around. She was devoted to Yuna and very perceptive as to how others were feeling. I dunno, she and Auron just struck me as the anchors of that party. Interestingly, I can't think of ANY dialogue between the two of them.
Oh, and I always hit on her, not Yuna.
4. Lightning, just to piss Tiff off.
But I do like her, I've explained why before. Her gender has nothing to do with it, really. I like that she's the first no-nonsense, unquestioned hardass leader in the series. Several protagonists have been from the military, but she's the only one that acts like it, and she gets shit done. People say she's trying to hard, going around punching people and whatnot. But come on, she's punching Snow, we all would. And trashtalking those troops on Lake Bresha was cool. As were any and all occasions of calling Hope out on being a dumbass
I have lots of runners-up for both Day 14 and Day 15. Maybe I'll list some of them later. Each of the characters I chose is my clear favourite for their gender, though. If forced to choose which I liked more, I probably couldn't.
5. Beatrix. And the award for "best hair" goes to... lol. Beatrix is great. She commands an army made up entirely of women, and they put the Pluto Knights to shame. I love the dialogue in FFIX, and Beatrix has a wonderful old-world feel to her dialogue that makes me swoon. Also, the romantic side plot doesn't undermine her power as a female character, and that's a rare gem indeed.
4. Aeris Gainsborough. Fuck you, compilation. Aeris is no shrinking violet. She is no PuritySue. She grew up on her own in the slums, damnit-all, and she bludgeons people to death with a quarterstaff. Sure, she's plucky. Sure, she's overly jrpg flirtatious with Cloud. And yeah, she's a mystical waif, but it's subverted in that she is also a streetwise girl, and that is played down so much these days that it's infuriating. So she gets a bump down to spot 4.
3. Garnet til Alexandros/Dagger. There was something so wonderful about Dagger's desire to break out of her castle life and go on an adventure. It's familiar, but her motivations are very new. There's dramatic irony in her struggle -- even on a first playthrough, because the player (well, me, at least) knows that Brahne is twisted beyond hope. And then there's the whole post-Brahne arc that Dagger gets. I love how the love story doesn't distract or circumvent her own personal arc.
2. Celes Chere. Much has been said about her already, but I'd like to point out that not only does she become the only required party member in WoR, she also acts as the shapeshifter in the first half of the story! Talk about taking cliche and subverting it.
1. Tifa Lockheart. I'm not the first person to put her in the top place. What even to say? The appearance belies one of the most tormented, angry characters in the series, and rightfully so. Take one look at the resume of disasters this girl has survived and even you would tell Dagger to shut up (or, you know, the opposite of that). People may disagree on the angry bit, but I think it's a part of her character that is (now disastrously) underplayed. So much of Tifa is being there for others, so her struggle is less about tending to her "nurturing instincts" and more about being the party's emotional meat shield. Because she can take it. She's the youngest non-optional character, but in many ways she's the oldest. She can cover up the hurt and regret and panic of her own issues to be the one member of the party who is emotionally stable. She can do that, and damn her selfish, human wants.
Until one day she can't anymore. Cloud wasn't the only one having a Heroic BSOD in Mideel. Just because Tifa wasn't in a coma, doesn't mean she was there. Losing Cloud was the straw that broke the camel's back (even the doom of Meteor didn't stop her from breaking out of a gas chamber and kicking ass on a giant cannon). People tend to associate this with a weakness in character, that Tifa is only developed when it's in relation to Cloud, that she has no character otherwise. I (deep breaths...) respectfully disagree. Unlike Garnet and Beatrix, whose romances are incidental, Tifa's development through Cloud is due to the way she is as a human being. Like I said, this is a girl who has lost everything, repeatedly. The only thing she's ever sure to have is her own behavior, and it's the only way she feels she can postively impact her surroundings. Losing her shit over Cloud's coma has just as much to do with her own best intentions turning on her and taking from her the only thing that has been a constant since the Nibelheim Incident - her ability to suffer for other's sake.
FFVII's world is populated by sad, angry people. The fact that Tifa lasted that long while enduring more than most is a testament to her endurance. She's the kind of person who would climb a mountain if her mother died. The kind of person who was destined to be a spoiled rich girl, but instead became what she is. A fierce, loyal, durable, powerful woman.
I haven't been straying from numbered entries, which is bad because it means no Agrias, but it's good because it means no Compilation!Tifa, who I happen to hate so much that it might knock Tifa off this list entirely. So take that to mean that I interpret Tifa in a wildly different way than most. But if I do, I do.
My favourite FF female character is Terra. I was always very fond of her since the beginning of the game and i liked a lot of her character development. And her having sufficient power to burn the fuck out of people helps too.
Next it would be perhaps Yuna. A brave woman who kept going foward, even knowing that eventually she would die from her pilgrimage. I also liked her personality and her character design was very memorable, imo.
I also liked a lot of Rydia, because even after having her town burned out, she was still able to move foward, in spite of her young age. The lecture she gave to the crying Edward was beyond epic.
But i also liked a lot of Celes, Tifa, Aerith, Garnet, Freya, Beatrix, Lulu and Fran. I also find the spunky Yuffie and Eiko cute.
In terms of design, however, got to give it to Sorceress Edea. I love her exotic, elegant yet distinctive design. Ultimecia also used more or less the same design themes, but came out a bit OTT.
But frankly, I also was fond of the Edea/Ultimecia "tag team". Edea herself was a kind, gentle woman, but her exotic looks, combined with Ultimecia's personality, made up for a intimidating but alluring sorceress. I also like Edea and Ultimecia individually, though I only became really fond of Ultimecia during Dissidia - one of the rare ocasions in which Dissida seemed to help to a character's development.
That's why I always felt for her. While she had all of these insecurities, this unrequited love... it never really got resolved. It's kind of just pushed back and forgotten about, just like with every other character that isn't Squall and Rinoa. =/
The unrequited love thing did get something of a resolution when she realizes that her attraction to Squall was a misunderstanding of her own leftover emotions from when she tried to look after him as a big sister. Her insecurities in general could have used more attention, though, no doubt.
1. Tifa Lockhart. Duh. Everyone's got her right on the money on why she's awesome.
Tifa's one of those characters that have an interesting dichotomy, being able to kick ass without fear on a regular basis but also being emotionally hesitant when it comes to her own life. This is the woman who went into Don Coreo's house masquerading as a prostitute, and had a bitch slap contest with Scarlet while running for her life- but also the person who can't even tell the person she loves how she feels. Her bad assery made her admirable, her insecurities made her relateable.
Tifa is far from perfect. She makes mistakes, and she makes big ones, sometimes she doesn't know what to do, she doesn't speak up when she needs to, and sometimes it feels like she just doesn't always win. But at the same time, she's obviously a tough girl and she goes forward because if not for her- but for her friends.
I see a lot of people often say that she doesn't really have a character but I disagree. She doesn't have many loud and exaggerated personality quirks, but she's fiercely loyal, soft hearted but tough when she needs to be, probably questions herself too much, but still always there to support those around her. It seems almost counter intuitive that she staid by Cloud when he was in his makocoma, or that it made it seem that she was far too revolved around Cloud as her character- but I think that it was sweet and reflective of a lot her character- deeply personal, incredibly loving and devoted, but at the same time a little sad and lost.
I mean, just looking at the scene makes me think more about FFVII's story. Maybe it isn't just about saving the world. Maybe it's about something more personal. Maybe it's about all the mistakes that have caught up to you, or the people that you love- and the only thing you probably have left, or the dreams that were lost. Maybe sacrificing your time to be with this person in their greatest time of need makes you the real hero. I mean, even if the world ends tomorrow, without this one thing, what's the point?
This might be unpopular but I liked how she was characterized in AC/C and CoT. I think it showed how she really grew up. I think, even with her putting emphasis on Cloud in their dynamic, reflected a more mature and more independent Tifa- without sacrificing her flaws of not being able to communicate well- which resulted in her having to finally confront, and then support Cloud in the movie.
ps. God's Hand + Death Blow fapfapfap
2. Terra Branford.
I like emotional conflict, and Terra's got a ton of it. Well, everyone's got some, but I just liked Terra's story more. From the start of the game, Terra's got to start building her life right then and there even though she's got no real foothold. There's a part of her that is the victim, yes, but even with that baggage on her shoulders, she's pushing herself really hard to see it all through- because that's the kind of girl she is. I thought one of the best moments was her turning esper- and her almost fear of what she is. But in the end she doesn't let the monster she could be define herself.
Even in all the confusion and self doubts she's constantly evolving. I guess that's what makes her interesting. She carries a lot of the story with a mixture of vulnerability and absolute determination and does so with great execution. And the end result of a Terra that finally understands who she is- is satisfying.
Also fuck Dissida Terra. It had to be said.
3. Lightning Farron.
I'm going to say I actually didn't like her at the beginning. I also thought of Squall, and I hate Squall (sorry Tres, ill hold ur tearz 4 u). But I think there's a couple of fundamental differences.
I think the first thing that struck me is how absolutely pissed she is. Sure she doesn't flip her shit, she's too concentrated for that. Instead she leads herself into destroying the government, a plan that actually doesn't make too much sense until later. But at this point she's so godamned tired of being used, of having everything taken away from her, of having her fate dangled above her head that she takes charge of her life. And she does it in amazing fashion. She's headstrong, confident, easily annoyed, focused, she's good- and she knows she's good.
I think the best part of her cold, aloofness is that it's not always characterized as a good thing. In fact, it almost ruins her life. Unlike other characters where people jizz themselves over just how AWESOME it is to be a jerk- and how characters just get in line behind them anyway- Lightning's flaws are destructive to those around. She abandoned the sister she raised like a daughter in her time of need. It make her take out her anger on the wrong people. It tore about what little semblance of a team they had when they really needed a leader. And it guided a young boy further down his own harmful path.
I know that's hardly a good thing, but I just respect this spin on it more. Lightning finally comes to the understanding what she is doing is wrong, so what does she do? She mans up and apologizes. I think that's one of the best parts of her character.
And after that, she takes all the good parts of her personality before that, her bad ass, confident, focused, strong side- and she allows it to intermingle with the softer side that she shows in the game, hopeful, nurturing, and even friendly and supportive.
The unrequited love thing did get something of a resolution when she realizes that her attraction to Squall was a misunderstanding of her own leftover emotions from when she tried to look after him as a big sister. Her insecurities in general could have used more attention, though, no doubt.
Eh, I hardly call that a resolution. And I also felt like that was something just tacked on because lol no one cares about Quistis anyway when Rinoa is right over there. It's not just Quisty, but all of the other characters. All of them could have used more attention. And if they wanted to go with her feelings being a misunderstanding, then they should have done better at showing this. It's just kind of thrown in our faces... and I'm sitting there like "Oh."
As you say, everyone he knows, trusts, or cares for turns on him. And then to top it all off, history forgets him. Terrible.
