Because you have seen a lot of interesting ishgardian characters? I'm genuinely curious really. I find Aymeric pretty alright and not flat and trite as I found him the first time I saw him, but I don't find him especially better than the Scions (except Minfillia). I almost think that most of his persona is flatly designed to please the female audience, which seems to work admirably well, and nothing wrong with that, to the contrary... But besides that... meh. He got way better in 3.2-3.4 though. I like him now, we got to see his dreams, doubts, etc. But I would also like to see more of his failings. More of his pragmatic side we barely saw the first time we met him in 2.4.
For example, I didn't find Estinien great at all. He had the potential to be great, with his internal darkness and all, but he just shuts it up most of the time and plays the brooding dragoon. He then gets possessed like an idiot (why not) and literally gets to play Thancred's role in the battle for Ultima Weapon (who was also possessed, but by ascians). Those possessed characters don't exactly hold any personality left of them to make an impression in my opinion. The only time where Estinien got a bit fleshed out (a bit... since he always broods and never complains) was during the trip with Ysayle. I can admit that their mutual relationship was interesting, but it never really took off in my view.
I like Ysayle way more than at first impression yeah. Still not totally sold on her as well. SE has really lacked the fundamental part of storytelling since 2.0 (can't say for 1.0 I didn't play it), which is character development. Ysayle most of the time spent her time in the background, following the warrior of light after she stopped being the apparent 2 dimensional ishgard villain (it was interesting to see that what seemed to be in the Dragonsong conflict actually wasn't black and white, that's the main strength of its story). Her sacrifice at the end was telegraphed. But I think I'm nitpicking because overall, I like her okay.
I don't find Lucia interesting at all. She is bland to me. Her only redeeming (and potential!) value is that she may have something for Aymeric, which makes her seem at least a bit human. And if that's not even the case, then what? She is an empty husk, and not even in the positive storytelling sense. She has literally nothing for her. It's not even easy to describe her considering how void of character she is...
Compared to all the Scions up to 3.0, and all the Scions minus Y'shtola up to 3.3? Sure, they are ten times above. The Scions were so abysmally void that it was repelling (almost as much as Minfillia's prepubescent player-bait cleavage).Â
What makes me rather hopeful and optimistic though, is what they did in 3.4. It's the first time I see a patch mostly focused on character development, besides what we already had on Alphinaud with his dreams of grandeurs and the crystal braves (which was kind of meh but ended awesome thanks to Lolorito). I had good hopes for Alisaie, and they really made a believable character with flaws, doubts and all with her. She's not all awesome and altruistic like some. But it makes her inner strength, emotions and failings even more brilliant in comparison.
I even started to like Yda and Papalimo. Or at least, not hate them like I did before. I hope they continue on that path, which is, improvement. If we start to discover how deep some apparently bland and non fleshed out characters are, I'm all for it really. It can be quite a nice twist.
For example, I didn't find Estinien great at all. He had the potential to be great, with his internal darkness and all, but he just shuts it up most of the time and plays the brooding dragoon. He then gets possessed like an idiot (why not) and literally gets to play Thancred's role in the battle for Ultima Weapon (who was also possessed, but by ascians). Those possessed characters don't exactly hold any personality left of them to make an impression in my opinion. The only time where Estinien got a bit fleshed out (a bit... since he always broods and never complains) was during the trip with Ysayle. I can admit that their mutual relationship was interesting, but it never really took off in my view.
I like Ysayle way more than at first impression yeah. Still not totally sold on her as well. SE has really lacked the fundamental part of storytelling since 2.0 (can't say for 1.0 I didn't play it), which is character development. Ysayle most of the time spent her time in the background, following the warrior of light after she stopped being the apparent 2 dimensional ishgard villain (it was interesting to see that what seemed to be in the Dragonsong conflict actually wasn't black and white, that's the main strength of its story). Her sacrifice at the end was telegraphed. But I think I'm nitpicking because overall, I like her okay.
I don't find Lucia interesting at all. She is bland to me. Her only redeeming (and potential!) value is that she may have something for Aymeric, which makes her seem at least a bit human. And if that's not even the case, then what? She is an empty husk, and not even in the positive storytelling sense. She has literally nothing for her. It's not even easy to describe her considering how void of character she is...
Compared to all the Scions up to 3.0, and all the Scions minus Y'shtola up to 3.3? Sure, they are ten times above. The Scions were so abysmally void that it was repelling (almost as much as Minfillia's prepubescent player-bait cleavage).Â
What makes me rather hopeful and optimistic though, is what they did in 3.4. It's the first time I see a patch mostly focused on character development, besides what we already had on Alphinaud with his dreams of grandeurs and the crystal braves (which was kind of meh but ended awesome thanks to Lolorito). I had good hopes for Alisaie, and they really made a believable character with flaws, doubts and all with her. She's not all awesome and altruistic like some. But it makes her inner strength, emotions and failings even more brilliant in comparison.
I even started to like Yda and Papalimo. Or at least, not hate them like I did before. I hope they continue on that path, which is, improvement. If we start to discover how deep some apparently bland and non fleshed out characters are, I'm all for it really. It can be quite a nice twist.
Balmung:Â Suen Shyu