7.0 News from Reddit.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

The thing is, new characters still need to be built-up, the devs can't just unceremoniously dump an entire 7-8 people in that we've never met before and go "enjoy your new companions", can they?

That seems to be what some people want....which would just be bad writing IMO.
The Scions are as loved as they are partially because we've been on a Journey with them and grew with them for several years, Even Estinian.
And then we get Varshahn who Joins with us on our Post Adventure, Im not excited because "OOOH LOOK, NEW GUY" but rather that we got to know him and his motivations, and our next Adventure directly relates and ties into a part of him; he lost his sister and wants to find and save her. So him joining us has proper motivation, instead of just being slapped on, just cause new guy.

Currently Im not enthused about Zero. She looks cool and is a badass, but she has no Personality outside of that One Snarky remark about briefly not helping us.
Otherwise she is currently a complete Bore to me. I do hope she becomes more interesting outside of her Fashion and Weapon.

[IDontPetLalas]

That seems to be what some people want....which would just be bad writing IMO.
The Scions are as loved as they are partially because we've been on a Journey with them and grew with them for several years, Even Estinian.
And then we get Varshahn who Joins with us on our Post Adventure, Im not excited because "OOOH LOOK, NEW GUY" but rather that we got to know him and his motivations, and our next Adventure directly relates and ties into a part of him; he lost his sister and wants to find and save her. So him joining us has proper motivation, instead of just being slapped on, just cause new guy.

Currently Im not enthused about Zero. She looks cool and is a badass, but she has no Personality outside of that One Snarky remark about briefly not helping us.
Otherwise she is currently a complete Bore to me. I do hope she becomes more interesting outside of her Fashion and Weapon.

Zero looks like someone based it on Yoshi in his reaper cosplay when reaper was launched and almost built that into (another) poorly disguised avatar for him. It satisfies those people who want some reaper or dark knight bad-ass image but there's not really much depth as yet, just one sole gimmick of "I won't do anything unless there's something in it for me". I would hope to see more of a backstory and more of an actual character.

That being said, I prefer that to "goofy" and while I can take a certain amount of cuteness and goofy, please keep that in Hildebrand and side quests. I've had enough of rabbits- I prefer HW and some drama, and consequences for my decisions and for main character plotlines. Not fluff where no one of consequence ever is in any real danger.