What Zero Could've Been

[aveyond-dreams]

The kind of woman you are mentioning in your screenshot is not really what i would expect from someone coming from the void.
I think it's a bit soon to talk about what she could have been, when we are at the very beginning of her arc.
Especially considering she show interest in concept like friendship.

Have you never met a female demoness type character in video games. Succubi, and other sort of temptress like ones? Demons often have more to them besides the violence they're associated with, though I suppose instead FFXIV opted to make them quirky like SMT or Persona ones.

Having a character who can both look and act that sort of part would be quite refreshing, especially since Y'shtola in no way fills such a role despite the reputation she gained after the "little sun" stunt from Stormblood. She's way too bland to be treating men like that.

"Beginning of her arc" far be it from me to expect the start of a story to be bit more gripping, the friendship angle is just not what I expect to have fed to me especially so bluntly. That's some care bears or kingdom hearts type of storytelling, there has to be more going on. There are ways to make compelling heroines without going for such childish stories, but it's been ages since a female protagonist has been allowed to have a decent arc since the days of Ysayle.

Zero is awesome just the way she is. The game already has plenty of endearing "we can do anything with the power of friendship" characters. I very much enjoyed her straight to the point attitude and it makes perfect sense for a character who has spent eons in a world where the only rule is kill or be killed. I assume she'll open up more as time goes on but I hope they don't stray too far from how she is now.

I just wish the sort of attitude and dynamic she brings could've gone to a male cast member instead. FFXIV women are oftentimes too "strong" without a sufficient arc leading up to that level of empowerment or confidence while the men are either jokes or hung up on a set of emotions like Vrtra is, and it's not doing anyone any favors.