Why Final Fantasy V Has The Best FF Ensemble Cast
You know what RPG series is awesome? Final Fantasy. It's got Fantasy right in the title, and (almost) every entry gives us a new story to engage in, a new world to explore, and new characters to love. However, one thing I have sadly noticed, is that many times the cast of these games tend to center around one or two central characters: Everyone centering around Zidane, Squall, etc, while the rest of the cast, well... they may not always interact that much. Lulu and Auron don't talk that often, Freya and Garnet barely speak, Selphie and Quistis don't have much going on. But Final Fantasy V is different.
I am a person who loves ensemble casts. I love characters and I love watching them interact, form relationships, strengthen bonds, and I love seeing them interact with each other in different and unique ways. It's why I love the Tales series. But while Final Fantasy does a lot right, it can lack in this department. That is why Final Fantasy V is a pleasant change from this trend and why I love it so much. It has a true ensemble cast. Everyone interacts, everyone has a friendship and a relationship, everyone cares for each other.
While the game is generally pretty lighthearted and funny, it doesn't hesitate to drop the heavy moments on you as well. This small cast manages to stick through it to the end, supporting each other, helping each other along. There is no 'I' with this group. It's full of 'us', 'we'. The team comes first. Doesn't matter which of our heroes are in trouble, they can count on being rescued by one or all of their friends. Whether it be Faris climbing out from a chasm, or Galuf rescuing his friends solo, they can always count on each other.
Final Fantasy V takes it a step further though in its message of friendship. Not only do our core characters deeply care for each other, they form bonds and relationships with characters outside of the main cast. Whether it be Boko whom you can return to check on regularly and watch him start a family, or Syldra who meets an unfortunate demise, the game also gives us some outside characters to love and interact with, like Cid and Mid and King Tycoon.
Final Fantasy V has a great ensemble cast. It even shows this by allowing you to select your on-screen character, something not every Final Fantasy does. They aren't one character and a team behind them, they are a group. Each and every one of them is important and each and every one of them matters to each other. This leads to some powerful moments and touching scenes and is one of the reasons I love this game so much!
What did you think of Final Fantasy's ensemble cast? What are some of your favourite friendship moments of the game? Share some of your thoughts!
