3. Clive (Final Fantasy XVI)
It’s funny to think back on early looks at Final Fantasy XVI that made Clive look like a broody edgelord protagonist, because now that the game is out, it’s clear that he’s actually a big softy. That’s not to say his story isn’t dark. He goes from believing himself responsible for the death of his brother to fighting for the freedom of the enslaved Branded people of Valisthea. But in between the gravitas and drama, Clive is just a sweetheart enveloped in a corset that shows off his slutty little waist.
Final Fantasy XVI is full of huge setpieces and spectacular battles, but Clive stands out most when the game is tender. It’s in hushed moments between him and Cid, Jill, and others that Clive is able to be more than a Dominant, and more than a figurehead bearing someone else’s name.
