The two protagonists of the Fabula Nova Crystallis sub-series have a lot of differences in personality, but experience a lot of the same moments of growth throughout their respective stories. Both Noctis and Lightning are troubled by their positions at the beginning of the story, but each gradually shifts into a well-forged leader through similar emotional beats that tests their resolve. By the end, both Final Fantasy protagonists become the charismatic leaders necessary to defeat evil, to varying degrees of success.
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The Cold Ex-Soldier, Lightning
Lightning’s character evolution throughout Final Fantasy 13 is genuinely interesting and humanizing, if a bit muddied up by the game’s heavy-handed plot. At first she acts as this brash and cold mercenary/ex-soldier, lone-wolfing through her personal mission and leaving behind any who can’t keep up or pushing aside all who stand in her way. Lightning hardly has any interpersonal tendencies or compassion; her demeanor is at best standoffish and at worst bitter and confrontational. The death of her sister, Serah, pushes her forward on her quest. It’s only when Lightning starts traveling with and mentoring Hope Estheim, a young party member she meets in the beginning of the game, where her strong exterior begins to crack. Hope helps Lightning realize her emotional mistakes with Serah, and learn to trust her allies.
Unfortunately the underlying problem with Lightning’s character development is that it’s mostly cheapened by the nature of Final Fantasy 13’s overall story. Even when players could get beyond the overbearing l’Cie/fal’Cie/Cie’th tell-don’t-show lore, the protagonist and the party largely aren’t acting on their own motivations. Sure Lightning wants to avenge Serah, but the branding of her as a l’Cie means there are greater beings at work driving her and the party forward. Her character development in the end feels moot in favor of the fal’Cie’s “Focus.” Any agency, or rather sense of agency, for Lightning and the player is lost as she’s presumably marching to the beat of some vaguely omniscient drum.
Lightning’s character arc and growth is respectably done even if a bit flawed, but those flaws are brought down even further by Final Fantasy 13’s lack of character direction.
The Uneasy King, Noctis
As for Noctis, his character arc is a bit more convincing without the overbearing narrative elements to weigh him down. His upbringing has shaped Noctis into a reluctant but determined king, who typically takes action only when he absolutely has to. His childhood friends and Royal Guardsmen Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto, help guide his aloof nature to strengthen his interpersonal skills and motivation. He’s fully aware that his father’s passing will usher him in as the next King of Lucis, and while he respects the throne and his father’s responsibilities, his disinterest and reluctance makes him afraid of living up to his father’s presumed expectations.
Noctis’ growth throughout Final Fantasy 15 feels organic in the context of the story. The tragedy of his father’s death pushes his determination to the limit, forcing him to abruptly combat his struggles with reluctance of responsibility. Throughout his journey, Noctis confides in his brethren, Prompto, Ignis, and Gladiolus, about his inner turmoil and his nervousness. The weight of grief on Noctis grows stronger with the death of his wife Lunafreya, and the maiming of Ignis after protecting Noctis from the Niflheim empire. He is emboldened by several moments of tragedy throughout the story and eventually is able to defeat Ardyn and retake his throne.
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Lightning’s Brash Stoicism vs. Noctis’ Reluctance of Responsibility
Comparatively, Lightning and Noctis are both brash and reckless in the beginning of their respective stories. Lightning’s overconfidence and stoicism leads her to believe she is strong enough to take on any enemy. Noctis’ ego leads to him making reckless decisions, knowing he has the strength of the former kings and gods on his side. Their personalities, however, don’t have many similarities between them. While he’s not exactly the most outgoing King of Lucis, Noctis is still capable of speaking with friends and citizens of his soon-to-be kingdom without feeling like they’re dragging him down. Lightning on the other hand is very much a lone wolf, content on upholding her selfish mission without the assistance of anyone.
What’s interesting is the two experience very similar hardships and character evolutions throughout their stories. Both Lightning and Noctis wipe away their egos in favor of honing their leadership. Of course, like every Final Fantasy game, both need to band together with their respective parties to take down a god-like entity. Lightning’s hard edge is dulled away by Hope’s surrogate sibling relationship with her, showing Lightning that she’s capable of trusting others and stronger for it. Noctis is bolstered by his closest childhood friends, assisting with his struggles of responsibility and strengthening his drive to become the next King.
Lightning and Noctis both end up becoming the rightful heroes they need to be. While both games have their own respective shortcomings throughout their narratives, it’s a shame that Final Fantasy 13’s overbearing story clouds Lightning’s progression into a genuinely interesting protagonist. While some of the pacing in Final Fantasy 15 could get a little jarring, Noctis’ journey was compelling and didn’t feel invalidated by anything presented by the story.
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