The change of Squall's character

[.Tifa]

Don't understand, really don't. Heard alot of Final Fantasy VIII players complaining about Squall's behavior before his love for Rinoa changes his character. That Squall is too jerky, that is he is cold-hearted and he is a moron for not helping his friends and he always walks away from others..

But when Squall finally falls deeply in love with Rinoa and Squall becomes less cold-hearted and more warm and supportive towards Rinoa and his friends. Hear again that the same fans that disliked Squall's cold attitude before hand cry out. "Why ? The old Squall was so cool and loved how he was a jerk and loved his heartless attitude towards things, oh I hate Rinoa for changing him into a weak and emotional character that actually cares... oh he is so not cool anymore, I hate you Rinoa " !!

Just don't understand why people dislike the change the Squall goes through and just don't understand why people could actually dislike a character that actually does care about other people and he actually does what to make sure that his girlfriend is alright and is not going through a mental breakdown. What's wrong with that ? What's wrong with a warm-hearted character that has a smile so magical it can bring tears to your eyes..

Don't see what's so cool about somebody acting like a jerk and being stick in a pile of emotional problems and coldly insulting the people close to you and not really even caring what he says to others. Mean what's so cool about that ? Mean we don't like those types of people in real life.. in fact those people in real life are probably the ones we have the must urge to strangle..

Just don't understand what's so wrong with Squall changing into a nice guy and actually turning into a amazingly awesome war commander leader and a really nice boyfriend to Rinoa and a good loyal supporter to his friends..

What's wrong with that...?

 

[Serah]

I agree with you. I don't see anything wrong with Squall changing. It's part of his character development. What people fail to realize is that Squall is scared. The reason why he's so cold towards others, standoff-ish and pushes them away is because he fears if he gets too close to that person, they're going to disappear on him like Ellone did. So, Squall puts up a front, tries to act cool and like he doesn't give a shit, but the truth is is that he does. It's good that Rinoa gradually changes him and the way he thinks. It makes him realize that life's too short to go around treating his comrades cruelly and that he really does care what happens to them. I think people are just searching for things to complain about in regards to his character. Some just can't accept character development I guess. I like Squall's change and I think it's wonderful that Rinoa made him open his eyes and realize what's important, that he can feel and he can love unconditonally.

 

[OnionKing]

"As long as you don't get your hopes up, you can take anything...
You feel less pain." -Squall

I don't get it either. There is great character development in him that other protagonists in the other games don't have. A guy who is flawed in so many ways turning into a mature leader throughout his journey. I mean, this is how a lot of character-driven plots succeed.

Maybe people hate it because he is exactly what they don't want to be or become. In games like this, the main guy is you, who you have to control over the course of a 40+ hour game. Generally, people want someone to look up to and admire in these situations. But that is just unrealistic, for the player itself can be just as flawed as Squall. Instead, fans look up to happy-go-lucky pricks like Tidus and Zidane because they are "zomg, so c00l!!1", that's why guys like them sell more in general.

Identifying with the character plays a huge part. I do when I play through VIII because I'm a heartless jerk. People don't want to be Squall, the guy is an asshole. Maybe I'm being biased for it is my favorite game of the series, but character-wise, it feels more realistic.

 

[.Tifa]

Identifying with the character plays a huge part. I do when I play through VIII because I'm a heartless jerk. People don't want to be Squall, the guy is an asshole. Maybe I'm being biased for it is my favorite game of the series, but character-wise, it feels more realistic.

Is it more realistic to look up to somebody who is cold-hearted and distant ?
Mean we are not all going to relate to Squalls persona. Espically if your the outgoing and warm-hearted type which he is the opposite of. Agree with you on the part of Squall's persona being something that most players can relate to because met so many people that through their teenaged years had the problems that Squall had of the fear of not getting close to others..

But also feel like Squall's change was realistic too ? Alot of people believe that the change was sudden but all throughout the game Squall was changing little by little and he was starting to notice what a jerk he was. Espically the child in Fisherman's Horizon who reminded him of himself and gave him a bit of a wake-up call..

But feel like Squall's persona change was realistic too and is still something that we can relate to and follow up to. Because sometimes in life moments happen and we sometimes get told that our personality's are doing nothing for us and we have to make a change and a improvement like Squall did..

 

[OnionKing]

But also feel like Squall's change was realistic too ? Alot of people believe that the change was sudden but all throughout the game Squall was changing little by little and he was starting to notice what a jerk he was. Espically the child in Fisherman's Horizon who reminded him of himself and gave him a bit of a wake-up call..

But feel like Squall's persona change was realistic too and is still something that we can relate to and follow up to. Because sometimes in life moments happen and we sometimes get told that our personality's are doing nothing for us and we have to make a change and a improvement like Squall did..

Realism isn't necessarily good in a game. One of the many reasons to play games like FF is to escape from your own reality, so once you try to escape and meet up with Squall on screen, haters might be like "hey! that dude is a jerk, this is depressing, I prefer X."

And I agree, his persona change throughout the game was very well done. Sometimes you do meet someone that will completely change your life and the way you are. Also, I don't get how people can say it was "sudden." Squall was stubborn for a long time before coming to his epiphany. Once you figure it out and have your mind set, things change.

I'm getting side-tracked here. Anyway, I think he just has characteristics that are not commonly seen in the usual main character, like being a cold-hearted jerk. If it's different, people will always complain about it.