Laguna is actually my favorite character in the game. He's such a bumbling, affable guy. How can you dislike him? Sure, he's a little bit arrogant, but in such a goofy way that it doesn't even make him seem like a jerk. I'm fine with the role of Laguna, Kiros, and Ward being what it is though. There's no need for them to join the party and no good way to fit that into the game. Sure they could join near the end, but it doesn't seem like a good fit for aged Laguna, Ward, and Kiros who depended on "the faeries" in the past for improved battle ability, to be able to keep up with the SeeD members. They play the role that best suits them in the game.