Playing a female WoL feels so natural for the story

[Nerfworthy]

Disclaimer: I’m a guy who mains a female character. And the only reason I point that out is so you know I’m actually approaching this from a male’s point of view.

My main is the gal shown in my avatar. And throughout ShB, especially during the cutscenes, with all the references to her and she in regards to the WoL, it all just...I dunno...felt right. Like it fit.

The champion of Eorzea is a woman.

I know that the references to your gender changes depending on which one you’re playing, and that all the promotional materials and ads portray the WoL as male, (and frankly they can be whatever you want) but damn does it seem like she’s female to me.

During that one cutscene which I’m not going to get into here because it’s a huge spoiler, a certain character is talking about the heroic deeds of the WoL and how much they meant to the people of the world. Every time he said “And it was because of her.” Or “She is what keeps us all going”. Or “We must find her.” It just resonated in a way that none of my male characters could replicate. It was unique and in a way, empowering. But maybe I’m just biased.

Anyway, I’d be interested to hear what anyone else thinks.

I agree fully, and I'm a woman who also plays female characters. It felt right.

[Sandoria]

Couldn't agree more. I have played a female character from the start and I have a hard time seeing the story from any other perspective.

[Selova]

I think this stems from how attached one becomes to their character. I'm a Male that plays a female and I've always seen my character in how they are portrayed through the story as a extension of myself due to immersion. I dont believe one gender feels more suitable than the other, it's all about perspective.

[Insertcoins]

I kindof feel that.. tho with me it's funnier as I swear some scenes with my miqo make it seem like she was made for the role. The expressions they make her do in alot of them make it look like it was hand crafted from the get go. It also doesn't help me that I try to make Sony -LOOK- like a main character of an anime/video game. I'm a comic book artist so OF COURSE I would. I even had people in the game comment and say I look like a main character of a show. So I guess success. I couldn't play it any other way if I tried. Hell it's odd leveling my alt who is an au ra female. I'm so used to seeing Sony in the story xD.

[Lauront]

Though now that I think of it, remembering how some of the male characters interact with the WoL, I feel like playing as a female character would make things seem way more heterosexual. So many dudes fawn over the WoL no matter which gender you pick, which I enjoy while playing as a dude.

I've noticed that, too. Except those damned Buduga... they declined my boy! At least it was for Hien and not some scraggly lad.

[Atreides]

I play a male midlander and also felt just right. SE really nailed it to make you fit right into the picture of the WoL. Everything felt right and it didn't really matter which gender you represent.
Even if someone is all over you, it can be seen as just admiration because you represent the hero they look up to it does not always have to involve romantic interest. (This WoL is married yo!)

[Lunavi]

Yeah, you can definitely feel like they wrote the story in such a way that anyone, no matter what gender or sexuality, could really feel like their character is the WoL. It is such a wonderful thing to see that the story is so non-gendered and that as far as romantic interests goes both men and women displays what could be read as romantic interest in you, but could as well always be ignored, it works so well for the MMO narrative. I also really enjoy how many politically powerful and influential women there are in the story and how much screen time they have been allowed, that is in my opinion one of the most empowering parts, especially back when the game launched and almost all characters of actual authority in video games were men. It might sound silly to some people who are very used to it, but trust me positive representation is important once in a while.

I know this is a common theme with Square Enix who are actually very good at writing characters and worlds that feels welcoming to everyone, but it is still something I agree with is worth to point out every once in a while.

[Raltar]

I beg your pardon, but you aren't the Warrior of Light/Dark...I am. And nothing you can say will ever change my mind.

[guardin]

I disagree. It's not as if there's a shortage of powerful female characters in this game or any other Final Fantasy game for that matter so I don't see it as being more 'empowering' for the Warrior of Light to be a woman.

Just like how I wouldn't find the story to be more 'empowering' if the Warrior of Light happened to share my sexuality.

This. Even in Kingdom Hearts, the community complain that there arent enough "powerful" women but that is simply not true. Also, we dont need all this politics in the game. Male or female - it doesnt matter. Each character should represent themselves whether they are a woman that wants to be saved like peach and shy like Namine, sweet and sassy like Kairi from Kingdom hearts (people mad cause she isnt a powerful "woman" like aqua even though thats not her personality) or strong and independent like Lara Croft or Lightning. Every woman doesnt need to be a powerful emotionless powerhouse. It's okay to be cute, sweet and need a hero. Each character (and people irl) should just be themselves and not follow trending political agendas.

[Averax]

I feel extra right being a Male Miqo'te in the MSQ because that's the race/gender combination i enjoy playing.