Playing a female WoL feels so natural for the story

[Lium]

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.

[Raldo]

Cool, I guess? The story doesn't really involve any gendered stuff, so ... sure. Personally, I find that the player has so little agency, the player character could be a sentient houseplant and it would still work fine.

After all, how many people are out there playing as potatoes? Oh ho ho ho.

[Theodric]

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.

[Doozer]

I think it's pretty neat that you see it that way, OP. Very rarely are there female protagonists in general, and sometimes when given the choice it's clear the people making the game didn't really see the protag as a woman, so it's cool that it doesn't feel awkward for someone playing as a woman. I haven't felt anything to be particularly out of place with a male character (though maybe it's because I'm so used to protags being dudes to begin with), so I appreciate that SE didn't goof on the narrative depending the player character's gender.

inb4 people start arguing about gender or something

[Vidu]

I like that it doesnt matter at all what gender you play.

I've played both and it didnt make a difference. It doesnt feel "empowering" to me at all, but thats the great thing about it: Its your character that matters, not their gender. It matters that you're the Warrior of Light - not if you're male, female or lalafell.

[Kukajoo]

I think its player by player, we've all raised our own characters up through the msq, saving the day again and again. Everyone see's their character as the WOL, the WOL isn't any one gender or race but i do like how squeenix does a good job at least in making you feel like you're filling those shoes.

[VillainQueen]

I think after you played through the MSQ and get attached to your character, every PC feels like the WOL/WOD. Starting from an old Roe guy to a small potato girl. It's just that you have to get immersed in the world and attached to your own character for that.
Also guys talking about female empowerment is kinda cringy imo but that's just me... lol

[Lauront]

Dunno, playing a male midlander as a main, it seems to fit to a tee...

[FantasyFan06]

I'm a male and I play as a female WoL. I've grown really attached to my character and really feel like she just fits the role great but honestly anyone could fit the role great. I'm sure people playing as a male WoL that they really like feel the same way. After all in the story scenes your character is just a hollow shell that shows a little emotion on their face from time to time and nods. The game even makes fun of this in some of the dialogue. I like it that way too. It would feel so jarring if your character was given a personality and was really involved and emotionally invested during the cutscenes and then after some urgent situation comes up they decide to go do side quests or play dress up with glamours.

[Doozer]

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.