I Like Hope

Quick warning here: possible FFXIII story spoilers ahead.

"So far Hope is my least favorite girl in the game".... "Hes such a frickin cry baby. I want him to die.".... "...Hes just pathetic. I wouldnt be as bad if he wasnt a little Ahole mommas boy. But to be that and a useless little cry baby. Hes just wants to be hated"

Just a sample of forum posts I found relating to the character of Hope Estheim in "Final Fantasy XIII". I wonder why people don't like him so much? Sure, he complains from time to time but who doesn't? I don't even think he is a particularly egregious whiner... certainly not by Final Fantasy standards (Edward the bard, anyone?) So what gives? Why do people hate Hope?


Now, given, I haven't completed FFXIII yet. School currently possesses the deed to my soul. However, I'm about 11 hours in and I've came to regard Hope as almost my very favorite character. Some background information on Hope is that he's 14 years old and, along with his mother, was part of the Sanctum's Purge event that happens at the beginning of the game. Hope's character is the type of character that is pulled into a conflict he wanted no part in. He's unwilling, for the most part, forced into being an enemy of the Sanctum by being branded an l'Cie (one chosen by a fal'Cie to complete a particular goal). He feels that the other characters pushed him into this situation and, at first, deflects all blame to others and refuses to take any for himself. He harbors a particularly strong grudge against the character Snow who, in his view, is responsible for the death of his mother. He's certainly not a cheerful character (Vanille is cheerful to the point of parody). He's not a particular strong character in some respects. But as the game progresses, he begins to grow stronger. (Note: when I say he isn't a very strong character, I'm referring to his place in the game's story and not commenting on his usefulness in battle.) He even takes the lead at one point in the story, fighting in front of Lightning: resident badass of the game. So far as I've seen, Hope has began to change. I'm certain that he will continue to.


His actions seem completely plausible in response to his mother dying before his eyes and him being swept up into a conflict he didn't choose to be placed in. It's not very over the top or overwrought. So, I ask again, what gives? Would you rather have Edward? Or perhaps *shudder* Vaan? Compared to those two, does Hope's crimes seem so heavy?


I have a hypothesis. I think that Hope is hated in the exact same way Raiden is hated in the Metal Gear Solid series. Raiden, for those unfamiliar, is the name of the protagonist in the sequel to Metal Gear Solid: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. He's a huge departure from the series' hero: Snake. While an effective soldier, he's noticeably more feminine than Snake in appearance. He's also a little less sure of himself. He doesn't bleed testosterone. Raiden's taking-over as the main character in MGS2 was a CLOSELY guarded secret. I don't think we figured out until we actually played the game. And the shock was great... Western gamers disliked Raiden because he wasn't an apparent badass. He talked about what was bothering him more openly that Snake did. Perhaps Western gamers dislike Hope because he's not a ripped, manly, bullet-sash-wearing type character that doesn't oft talk about his personal issues. I'm not saying that those characters aren't good characters, far from it. A good story can't be populated by just one type of character. You have to have variety. If you don't, congratulations: you've made something very uninteresting.

So, I remain unconvinced that Hope is the annoying character that he is made out to be. He has a heavy burden he's trying to deal with. Consider the scene where he draws the dagger given to him by Lightning and ponders it. It's his "to be, or not to be" moment. It's a great scene. He doesn't bottle his emotions. He also doesn't throw them all out at once. 

Plus, his Eidolon is Alexander. Always a favorite of mine.