The Definition of "Handsome"

[ZephyrMenodora]

While there are some cultural norms (which would then require we ask, which culture?), the concept of finding someone handsome are beautiful is a bit of a personal preference thing.

I think Zero comes across feminine to me, and handsome isn't a word I'd immediately think of when seeing her. But maybe it's because of her strong vocal performer. Zero is genderless to me the same way Liara is genderless to me in Mass Effect lol.

I think Vrtra could be considered handsome in a prettier way, and the FFXVI image in a rugged way. But, I'm sure there are a variety of preferences and types of characters. A lot of people are bored of the standard video game "rugged male" protagonist, others still enjoy it.

I guess my overall point is there probably is not a consensus of the types of characters people desire. I like the variety of different types in XIV and I don't really need to find every character attractive.

[aveyond-dreams]

A lot of people are bored of the standard video game "rugged male" protagonist, others still enjoy it.

I guess my overall point is there probably is not a consensus of the types of characters people desire. I like the variety of different types in XIV and I don't really need to find every character attractive.

That's the thing though, we don't really have that sort of variety in FFXIV these days. The closest to rugged we had was Thancred's scruff back in Heavensward or Hien, both of which have now left the story. The "rugged" cast member is missing and before anyone has the genius idea to bring up Estinien, no what those of us who like having party members like Gladio or Basch do not want to run around with some dude who has his hair in a ponytail like a middle school english teacher.

When the time came for them to start serving up new party members, what we've gotten so far is Zero, Vrtra, and in 7.0, Krile. Granted there's still a chance that they might add in the sort of character I'd like to see prior to 7.0 or in 7.0 itself but the aversion to masculine aesthetics in game has been an ongoing situation for quite a while now. Again, see the midlander beard issue, with Yoshi being surprised that people wanted that beard for themselves. It's just mindboggling how something so basic is beyond their understanding.

[ZephyrMenodora]

That's the thing though, we don't really have that sort of variety in FFXIV these days. The closest to rugged we had was Thancred's scruff back in Heavensward or Hien, both of which have now left the story. The "rugged" cast member is missing and before anyone has the genius idea to bring up Estinien, no what those of us who like having party members like Gladio or Basch do not want to run around with some dude who has his hair in a ponytail like a middle school english teacher.

When the time came for them to start serving up new party members, what we've gotten so far is Zero, Vrtra, and in 7.0, Krile. Granted there's still a chance that they might add in the sort of character I'd like to see prior to 7.0 or in 7.0 itself but the aversion to masculine aesthetics in game has been an ongoing situation for quite a while now. Again, see the midlander beard issue, with Yoshi being surprised that people wanted that beard for themselves. It's just mindboggling how something so basic is beyond their understanding.

We still have the poster boy WoL, we had Ardbart in Shadowbringers. Brad Pitt wore his hair in a ponytail on many occasions and is still considered handsome.

There is Hildebrand / Godbert and the smith presently working on our Relic weapons.

There are the Gods we are meeting.

There are various guards from Vrtra's city who have appeared in the stories.

There are various NPCS in sidequests like the ones to open up the elephant-people tribal quests.

So, there are plenty to be found in the past and present. I still like variety, and I am someone who likes Gladio/Basch and the run of the mill "masculine" characters.

[aveyond-dreams]

We still have the poster boy WoL, we had Ardbart in Shadowbringers. Brad Pitt wore his hair in a ponytail on many occasions and is still considered handsome.

There is Hildebrand / Godbert and the smith presently working on our Relic weapons.

There are the Gods we are meeting.

There are various guards from Vrtra's city who have appeared in the stories.

There are various NPCS in sidequests like the ones to open up the elephant-people tribal quests.

So, there are plenty to be found in the past and present. I still like variety, and I am someone who likes Gladio/Basch and the run of the mill "masculine" characters.

I'm not going to bother explaining at length as to the difference between the WoL we customize and having a party member that fits the more westernized standard of handsomeness as a separate on screen presence.

Hildibrand and Godbert with their missing eyebrows are irrelevant to this discussion, as are the side quest characters.

If this guard is what you were referring to, I'm sorry but this is one of the worse combinations I've seen made with this face. Again, no more of this uncanny stuff please.

[ZephyrMenodora]

I'm not going to bother explaining at length as to the difference between the WoL we customize and having a party member that fits the more westernized standard of handsomeness as a separate on screen presence.

Hildibrand and Godbert with their missing eyebrows are irrelevant to this discussion, as are the side quest characters.

If this guard is what you were referring to, I'm sorry but this is one of the worse combinations I've seen made with this face. Again, no more of this uncanny stuff please.

It really sounds like you have a specific aesthetic you are going for and are very hard to please. *shrug*

[aveyond-dreams]

It really sounds like you have a specific aesthetic you are going for and are very hard to please. *shrug*

No, asking for this is not "hard to please" and I'm honestly quite tired of people pretending otherwise.

[ZephyrMenodora]

No, asking for this is not "hard to please" and I'm honestly quite tired of people pretending otherwise.

I mean you literally found a rugged character and then said that wasn't good enough either. A lot of people can take the image you just posted and not find that character handsome at all.

Why not have both men that are more feminine and men that are more masculine? That would be a win-win no?

Also, while the Au Ra guard is indeed 'rugged', he's also just an ugly character. You can make an ugly character with any race or theme, and that's an example of how to do it with a 'rugged' male Au Ra, with Vrtra (or Varshahn if you care lol) being an example of how to do it with a less rugged male Au Ra. Whenever either of them are on screen, they are just so off-putting visually imo.

I never said it's wrong to have masculine and feminine men. I just think we already have both and I'm sure we will continue to get a variety of types of characters to interact with since it's always been the case to me.

I personally think both characters look good - and I think both look better than the image from the other FF game. You think they are ugly which is fine. But that's the thing about personal preference - they can add whatever types and there will be those who like it and those who don't.

[Caddo]

No, asking for this is not "hard to please" and I'm honestly quite tired of people pretending otherwise.

I wish my guys hair flowed as well as Basch's hair does with his sideburns/facial hair. I feel like Male Elezen is the only one close enough to that "look" (but I don't want to use Beatin's hairstyle lol)