-A black woman.
A black party member. In fact, a game with humans of a variety of ethnicities would be nice.
-A badass middle-aged woman that doesn't feel the need to mention her age.
Real middle age, too. Like 40-55. Bonus points it her age is not treated like a humorous contradiction.
-A cast of people all over the age of 25.
At least by average. I feel more intensely with an adult's issues than a teenager just being insecure.
-A male White Mage. (Come on, Minwu was one of the most underrated
It's ridiculous women have been put in this role so much.
-A romantic couple in your party.
I mean a real romantic couple. As in, a married couple who has real relationship issues without making them a center of the conflict. Also, not "falling in love" but actually having a real history together.
-An openly gay party member.
A romance arc with this person would be double points. Being stereotypical or having their sexuality being their primary conflict would lose points.
-A character who is physically handicapped.
Again, don't make their "struggles with being handicapped" define them.
-A female character who is also the physically strongest.
A female Auron. As in, hands-down the strongest.
-An "evil" party member.
I don't mean "anti-hero" or "moody", I mean doing the right thing for the wrong reasons and using the party for their own means. Bonus points if they're balanced, their motivations make sense, and they're not doing anything "for the evilz".
-A lead, either male or female, that isn't designed to be particularly attractive.
Again, not necessarily ugly. Even ruggedly good-looking works, but these bishounen and sex kittens are seriously losing their appeal and ability to be identified with.