Project #2 - Case Study 2

As poor a game as I think Final Fantasy XIII is, in terms of game-play at least, it is an ideal case study in terms of discussing whether the sibling was relevant and/or significant in the game. 

Ultimately, Serah Farron clearly had enough significance to become the protagonist of the following installment, XIII-2, however the general view on her as a character in Final Fantasy XIII isn't one of high regard - mainly because she spends a great deal of the game 'dead'.

In other words, a lot of players feel she was unnecessary because they barely see her for the best part of a very large, long game. The last thing players want is to have to care about a character that plays no significant part, if that player is supposed to carry some importance, that is.

When you look a little more closely, however, it seems that Serah Farron's situation isn't ENTIRELY different to that of Aryll's in Wind Waker. Lightning is looking for her, trying to save the little sister she basically raised herself. In that regard, that common-yet-cliched plot-line of family is there. Though Serah isn't all that present, apart from being a crystal for the most of it, this isn't far removed from Wind Waker wherein you don't actually see a great deal of Aryll since you are spending the time looking for her. With this in mind, the argument that Serah isn't prominent enough in the game is a little weak in my opinion. 

Serah is rather significant, actually.  In fact, her whole fate is a key plot point in the entire game. That's not where the issue lies, I feel. I think it is the apparent relationship between Serah and Farron. When Serah becomes crystallised, Lightning seems to readily accept that her sister is dead - an attitude that probably doesn't come all so naturally to a lot of people. It is Snow who is most adamant that Serah is still alive. Players feel cheated by the wooden relationship that is portrayed here between two supposedly close siblings.

As a result, though Serah is paramount to the central plot of Final Fantasy XIII, clearly existing seamlessly in the game world down to her striking resemblance to her older sister, all of this seems to be overlooked since players feel she isn't central enough - ironically.

Again, one of the drives of the game is the theme of family and trying to protect them, as it is in Wind Waker. This is perhaps a common theme, a frequently used situation since it is an innate instinct to want to try and protect your family, and many players can relate to this. This compliments the argument that it is often a character's background and circumstances which help a player to relate and thus engage with a game space.