Final Fantasy: 25 Greatest Heroes

Cecil is established by the end of Final Fantasy IV as a archetypal ‘chosen one’ of sorts through his Lunarian heritage and fraternal connections to the villainous Golbez (something of a misstep), but the fact that he starts the game as a villain was a unique concept to explore, if only briefly given that his redemptive transformation begins almost immediately after loading the game for the first time.

‘Following orders’ is an excuse that has been repeatedly given throughout history as justification for acts of atrocity. Cecil is the instigator of such barbarism in Mysidia and Mist, even if he is openly conflicted about the former and ignorant of the latter, giving him serious baggage to overcome as he does what others have been repeatedly unable to do by taking a stand and putting his own morality ahead of loyalty to a regime that becomes despotic.

The fight between the two sides of Cecil’s self at the summit of Mt. Ordeals, which sees him enter as a Dark Knight and emerge as a Paladin, is one of the series most fondly recalled moments and for good reason given its symbolism and psychological depth.

From his guardianship of Rydia and love for Rosa through to his revolving door relationship of brotherhood and rivalry with Kain, Cecil was the series’ first true multi-layered protagonist and paved the way for the vast majority of his successors to be increasingly interesting creations.