History RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap / FinalFantasy

* Kefka was considered a boring, underwhelming villain [[AmericansHateTingle in the Japanese version of the game]], where he comes across like a fool with no idea what he's doing, and a ConflictKiller who cuts short the more interesting struggle against Gestahl. But in the West, his dialogue was rewritten extensively to make him into a monstrous, nasty sadist with a genuinely charming sense of humour, who's still regarded as one of the best villains ever to appear in the ''medium'', let alone the series. This was so much an improvement that his American characterisation was ported back across the Pacific for ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy''.

* Cloud started out as ridiculously popular and being considered one of the greatest game protagonists ever, before losing a lot of his rep due to "[[{{Wangst}} emo]]" CharacterDerailment across his various cameos, an over-serious tone to media he was in, mild CreatorsPet status, and HypeBacklash. Sephiroth's MotiveDecay also hurt the character, as it meant his only real reason to be fighting his rival endlessly was [[PanderingToTheBase shallow pandering]] that even fans of the relationship found boring. But even the fans who'd grown to loathe him were overjoyed to see him in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSWiiU Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' -- partly because it cut out everything about his later appearances that fans found irritating, keeping his nice-looking ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'' design as an alternate costume while basing his aesthetic and powers strictly on [[MythologyGag his original appearance]], and partly because the increasing years had turned HypeBacklash into NostalgiaGoggles. Similarly, Cloud's appearances in ''VideoGame/TheatrhythmFinalFantasy'' and ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy2015'' emphasize either traits of his that [[DeadUnicornTrope were forgotten over the years]] or the CharacterDevelopment he picked up in the original game (and after ''Advent Children'', [[CharacterRerailment to a degree]]), such as describing Cloud as an arrogant showboater or, in direct contrast to numerous post-''FFVII'' instances of being a PerpetualFrowner, showing him relaxed and relatively cheerful in battle. His ''VideoGame/MobiusFinalFantasy'' storyline continues these character trends and even contains some LeaningOnTheFourthWall subtext about this, having him disown both his previous 'moping' and the idea of emptily rehashing his past.

* Cloud started out as ridiculously popular and being considered one of the greatest game protagonists ever, before losing a lot of his rep due to "[[{{Wangst}} emo]]" CharacterDerailment across his various cameos, an over-serious tone to media he was in, mild CreatorsPet status, and HypeBacklash. Sephiroth's MotiveDecay also hurt the character, as it meant his only real reason to be fighting his rival endlessly was [[PanderingToTheBase shallow pandering]] that even fans of the relationship found boring. But even the fans who'd grown to loathe him were overjoyed to see him in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros 4'' -- partly because it cut out everything about his later appearances that fans found irritating, keeping his nice-looking ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'' design as an alternate costume while basing his aesthetic and powers strictly on [[MythologyGag his original appearance]], and partly because the increasing years had turned HypeBacklash into NostalgiaGoggles. Similarly, Cloud's appearances in ''VideoGame/TheatrhythmFinalFantasy'' and ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy2015'' emphasize either traits of his that [[DeadUnicornTrope were forgotten over the years]] or the CharacterDevelopment he picked up in the original game (and after ''Advent Children'', [[CharacterRerailment to a degree]]), such as describing Cloud as an arrogant showboater or, in direct contrast to numerous post-''FFVII'' instances of being a PerpetualFrowner, showing him relaxed and relatively cheerful in battle. His ''VideoGame/MobiusFinalFantasy'' storyline continues these character trends and even contains some LeaningOnTheFourthWall subtext about this, having him disown both his previous 'moping' and the idea of emptily rehashing his past.

* Genesis made his first appearance in a laughably terrible live-action cutscene in ''VideoGame/DirgeOfCerberus'', was a shallow Sephiroth {{Expy}}, and was promoted as an InkSuitActor for Creator/{{Gackt}}. Accusations of him being a CanonSue abounded and were not without merit. While his next appearance in ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'' [[BaseBreakingCharacter remained contentious]] due to his constant recitation of awful poetry and his inclusion in [[MultipleChoicePast that game's version of the Nibelheim story]], he's got fans even amongst people who hate most of the Compilation due to the writers using him to allegorically discuss the good and bad of ''Final Fantasy VII'''s FanDumb, with his plot being based around overidentifying with a bad fantasy story and trying to find the truth behind its mysterious open ending. Some have also noted an element of StealthParody or even WriterRevolt about his portrayal, which is so over-the-top and full of uncool {{Bathos}} that it seems that the writers were mocking his forced inclusion.

* Cloud started out as ridiculously popular and being considered one of the greatest game protagonists ever, before losing a lot of his rep due to "[[{{Wangst}} emo]]" CharacterDerailment across his various cameos, an over-serious tone to media he was in, mild CreatorsPet status, and HypeBacklash. Sephiroth's MotiveDecay also hurt the character, as it meant his only real reason to be fighting his rival endlessly was [[PanderingToTheBase shallow pandering]] that even fans of the relationship found boring. But even the fans who'd grown to loathe him were overjoyed to see him in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros 4'' -- partly because it cut out everything about his later appearances that fans found irritating, keeping his nice-looking ''Film/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'' design as an alternate costume while basing his aesthetic and powers strictly on [[MythologyGag his original appearance]], and partly because the increasing years had turned HypeBacklash into NostalgiaGoggles. Similarly, Cloud's appearances in ''VideoGame/TheatrhythmFinalFantasy'' and ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy2015'' emphasize either traits of his that [[DeadUnicornTrope were forgotten over the years]] or the CharacterDevelopment he picked up in the original game (and after ''Advent Children'', [[CharacterRerailment to a degree]]), such as describing Cloud as an arrogant showboater or, in direct contrast to numerous post-''FFVII'' instances of being a PerpetualFrowner, showing him relaxed and relatively cheerful in battle. His ''VideoGame/MobiusFinalFantasy'' storyline continues these character trends and even contains some LeaningOnTheFourthWall subtext about this, having him disown both his previous 'moping' and the idea of emptily rehashing his past.

* Tidus was a major Scrappy for a lot of people in his [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX own game]] (even taking his CharacterDevelopment into account), and many were looking forward to beating the crap out of him in this game. But Tidus' voice acting (in [[Creator/MasakazuMorita Japanese]] and [[Creator/JamesArnoldTaylor English]]) [[VocalEvolution had improved a lot since the original game]], which made him a more appealing character. He also [[TakingTheBullet took the bullet]] in the second ''Dissidia'' game for none other than Yuna.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'''s Golbez was not loathed, but ''was'' seen as a generic Darth Vader ripoff and viewed as thoroughly less interesting than Kain and even the Four Fiends he commanded. The reveal that he was just being mind controlled by the GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere had the effect of turning him into a non-entity with no agency, and TheReveal that he's Cecil's brother is followed up by very little and is wasted (in part due to the technical limitations of the time making it impossible to include as much dialogue as they wanted). But in ''Dissidia'', he's allowed to have a relationship with Cecil based on both of them knowing that they are brothers and having to reconcile being on opposing sides, allowing Golbez to come off as one of the more nuanced and developed characters in the whole game, and finally paying off on some good concepts that [[WhatCouldHaveBeen never got explored in the original]].

* [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyV Bartz]], while not a bad character overall, ''was'' seen as dull, even by the standards of preceding ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' protagonists. His adversary being, well, a [[WhenTreesAttack tree]]... didn't help. In ''Dissidia'', Bartz was given a balanced appearance between his forgettable sprite and [[Creator/YoshitakaAmano Amano]] design, he became a much more likeable character, and his fighting-style involves {{dual wielding}} two of the most badass weapons in the series. And Jason Spisak does an amazing job at voicing him, along with imitating other character's voices, when using their weapons.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'''s Golbez was not loathed, but ''was'' seen as a generic Darth Vader ripoff and viewed as thoroughly less interesting than Kain and even the Four Fiends he commanded. The reveal that he was just being mind controlled by the GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere had the effect of turning him into a non-entity with no agency, and TheReveal that he's Cecil's brother is followed up by very little and is wasted. But in ''Dissidia'', he's allowed to have a relationship with Cecil based on both of them knowing that they are brothers and having to reconcile being on opposing sides, allowing Golbez to come off as one of the more nuanced and developed characters in the whole game, and finally paying off on some good concepts that were never explored

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'''s Golbez was not loathed, but ''was'' seen as a generic Darth Vader ripoff and viewed as thoroughly less interesting than Kain and even the Four Fiends he commanded. The reveal that he was just being mind controlled by the GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere had the effect of turning him into a non-entity with no agency, and TheReveal that he's Cecil's brother is followed up by very little and is wasted. But in ''Dissidia'', he's finally allowed to have a relationship with Cecil based on both of them knowing that they are brothers and having to reconcile being on opposing sides, allowing Golbez to come off as one of the more nuanced and developed characters in the whole game, and finally paying off on some good ideas.

* Like Cloud above, Sephiroth started out as ridiculously popular, but VillainDecay, ''terrible'' MotiveDecay and [[BaitAndSwitchLesbians cynical fanservice]] hit him hard, and fans begun groaning every time he showed up to spout the same six lines about despair so Cloud could hand his ass back to him. While the vanilla ''Dissidia'' fits perfectly with these trends, his quest plotline in the prequel ''Dissidia 012'' gives Sephiroth a CharacterRerailment, focusing on his curiosity, detachment and Oedipal traits rather than on his vengefulness, sadism and coolness.

* Cloud started out as ridiculously popular and being considered one of the greatest game protagonists ever, before losing a lot of his rep due to "[[{{Wangst}} emo]]" CharacterDerailment across his various cameos, an over-serious tone to media he was in, mild CreatorsPet status, and HypeBacklash. Sephiroth's MotiveDecay also hurt the character, as it meant his only real reason to be fighting his rival endlessly was [[PanderingToTheBase shallow pandering]] that even fans of the relationship found boring. But even the fans who'd grown to loathe him were overjoyed to see him in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros 4'' -- partly because it cut out everything about his later appearances that fans found irritating, keeping his nice-looking ''Film/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'' design as an alternate costume while basing his aesthetic and powers strictly on [[MythologyGag his original appearance]], and partly because the increasing years had turned HypeBacklash into NostalgiaGoggles. Similarly, Cloud's appearances in ''VideoGame/TheatrhythmFinalFantasy'' and ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy2015'' emphasize either traits of his that [[DeadUnicornTrope were forgotten over the years]] or the CharacterDevelopment he picked up in the original game (and after ''Advent Children'', [[CharacterRerailment to a degree]]), such as describing Cloud as an arrogant showboater or, in direct contrast to numerous post-''FFVII'' instances of being a PerpetualFrowner, showing him relaxed and relatively cheerful in battle. His ''VideoGame/MobiusFinalFantasy'' storyline even contains some LeaningOnTheFourthWall subtext about this, having him disown his 'moping' in favour of revisting the past but in a way that is new.

* Cloud started out as ridiculously popular and being considered one of the greatest game protagonists ever, before losing a lot of his rep due to "[[{{Wangst}} emo]]" CharacterDerailment across his various cameos, an over-serious tone to media he was in, mild CreatorsPet status, and HypeBacklash. But even the fans who'd grown to loathe him were overjoyed to see him in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros 4'' -- partly because it cut out everything about his later appearances that fans found irritating, keeping his nice-looking ''Film/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'' design as an alternate costume while basing his aesthetic and powers strictly on [[MythologyGag his original appearance]], and partly because the increasing years had turned HypeBacklash into NostalgiaGoggles. Similarly, Cloud's appearances in ''VideoGame/TheatrhythmFinalFantasy'' and ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy2015'' emphasize either traits of his that [[DeadUnicornTrope were forgotten over the years]] or the CharacterDevelopment he picked up in the original game (and after ''Advent Children'', [[CharacterRerailment to a degree]]), such as describing Cloud as an arrogant showboater or, in direct contrast to numerous post-''FFVII'' instances of being a PerpetualFrowner, showing him relaxed and relatively cheerful in battle.

* [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyV Exdeath]] himself was originally rather bland, a forgettable TinTyrant EvilOverlord bent on taking the power of the Void, but was ultimately turned into ''the'' LargeHam BarrierWarrior and got his desire to take the Void's power for himself morphed into an outright [[NarmCharm obsession with the Void itself]].
* Tidus was a major Scrappy for a lot of people in his [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX own game]], and many were looking forward to beating the crap out of him in this game. But Tidus' voice acting (in [[Creator/MasakazuMorita Japanese]] and [[Creator/JamesArnoldTaylor English]]) [[VocalEvolution had improved a lot since the original game]], which made him a more appealing character. He also [[TakingTheBullet took the bullet]] in the second ''Dissidia'' game.
* Jecht was rather one-note as Tidus' opponent. But his relationship with Tidus was made much deeper and improved voice acting has also improved Jecht's character to most people.
* [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII Vaan]] is one of the more disliked ''Final Fantasy'' protagonists [[AmericansHateTingle outside of Japan]]. His attitude is unlikable, [[SupportingProtagonist he's got almost no stake in the plot of the game]] outside of being Ashe's MoralityPet, and [[MemeticMutation he's Captain Basch fon Ronsenberg of Dalmasca. (Don't listen to Ondore's lies!)]] His rescue was two-fold. First, there was the release of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'', [[BrokenBase which became divisive]] and [[VindicatedByHistory retroactively redeemed]] ''Final Fantasy XII'' from being a rather bland game you can leave on overnight to play itself to now being recognized for a ''Series/GameOfThrones''-esque plot and its very well-done late game. Second, there was his inclusion in ''Dissidia 012'', where he took a more active role in the 12th Cycle and even rescued Terra from Kefka's clutches. And this time, there was no "I'm Captain Basch!" mini-game involved.
* Lightning was, and continues to be, disliked by some people, owing to the ''very'' divisive nature of [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII the]] [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2 Lightning]] [[VideoGame/LightningReturnsFinalFantasyXIII Saga]]. In ''Dissidia 012'', her personality is based more on how she was in the second half of ''XIII''; she doesn't tend to punch people, is still depicted more as a loner, but much more open to depending on others when necessary and ready to trust in teamwork. Unfortunately, her role in the 12th Cycle and treatment as the main hero of the story, thus supplanting [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyI the Warrior of Light]], only furthered longstanding accusations about Lightning's status as a CreatorsPet.

[[AC: Final Fantasy IV]]

* Edward, the original SpoonyBard, had [[UselessUsefulSpell horrible skills]], no decent parameters and was overall a very whiny character. But he was improved so much in each remake! The GBA remake increased the chances of status effects, making his skills actually be a legitimate threat; the DS remake included a pleasing design, genuinely useful abilities and a good voice actor.

** Edward is the weakest character at the low levels (which in the original game, was the only time you could play as him). At the high levels, he's the strongest AND the fastest.

[[AC: Final Fantasy VI]]

[[AC: Final Fantasy VII]]

* Yuffie was somewhat of a BaseBreakingCharacter before. But after her appearances in ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' and ''[[Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren Advent Children]]'', which included a [[ShesAllGrownUp new look]] and the less selfish personality she gained at the end of the game built up upon, Yuffie became more liked by the general fandom.

* Genesis made his first appearance in a laughably terrible live-action cutscene in ''VideoGame/DirgeOfCerberus'', was a shallow Sephiroth {{Expy}}, and was promoted as an InkSuitActor for Creator/{{Gackt}}. Accusations of him being a CanonSue abounded and were not without merit. While his next appearance in ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'' is a BaseBreakingCharacter due to his constant recitation of awful poetry and his inclusion in [[MultipleChoicePast that game's version of the Nibelheim story]], he's got fans even amongst people who hate most of the Compilation due to the writers using him to allegorically discuss the good and bad of ''Final Fantasy VII'''s FanDumb, with his plot being based around overidentifying with a bad fantasy story and trying to find the truth behind its mysterious open ending. Some have also noted an element of StealthParody or even WriterRevolt about his portrayal, which is so over-the-top and full of uncool {{Bathos}} that it seems that the writers were mocking his forced inclusion.
* Cloud started out as ridiculously popular and being considered one of the greatest game protagonists ever, before losing a lot of his rep due to to '[[{{Wangst}} emo]]' CharacterDerailment over his various cameos, an over-serious tone to media he was in, mild CreatorsPet status, and HypeBacklash. But even the fans who'd grown to loathe him were overjoyed to see him in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros4'' - partly because it cut out everything about his later appearances that fans found irritating, keeping his nice-looking ''Film/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'' design as an alternate costume while basing his aesthetic and powers strictly on [[MythologyGag his original appearance]], and partly because the increasing years had turned HypeBacklash into NostalgiaGoggles.

[[AC: Final Fantasy VIII]]

* Squall was often referred to as nothing but emo and whiny, but thanks to his role as a leader who actually helps the protagonists and good voice acting in ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'', Squall has become a deeper character. Compared to the below-mentioned ''[[VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy Dissidia]]'' examples, it's hard to say whether the game improved Squall there, too, since the game went with his originally anti-social personality and the voice sometimes didn't match his lines.
* Ultimecia. Early on regarded as a bland GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere, managed to be rescued from the scrappy heap by FridgeBrilliance as people came to better understand the game's MindScrew story. ''Dissidia'' in particular gave her a more direct presence compared to the background role in her original game, [[MindScrewdriver making her motives more clear]].

[[AC: Final Fantasy XIII]]

[[AC: Dissidia series]]

* Bartz was not an overall bad Scrappy character, it was just that he was a dull character and his adversary being, well, a [[WhenTreesAttack tree]]... In Dissidia, Bartz was given a balanced appearance between his forgettable sprite and [[Creator/YoshitakaAmano Amano]] design, he became a much more likeable character and his fighting-style involves dual wielding two of the most badass weapons in the series. And Jason Spisak does an amazing job at voicing him, along with imitating other character's voices, when using their weapons.
* Exdeath himself was originally rather bland, a forgettable TinTyrant EvilOverlord bent on taking the power of the Void, but was ultimately turned into ''the'' LargeHam BarrierWarrior and got his desire to take the Void's power for himself morphed into an outright [[NarmCharm obsession with the Void itself]].
* Tidus was a major Scrappy for a lot of people in his [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX own game]], and many were looking forward to beating the crap out of him in this game. But Tidus' voice acting (in [[Creator/MasakazuMorita Japanese]] and [[Creator/JamesArnoldTaylor English]]) had improved a lot since the original game, which made him a more appealing character. He also [[TakingTheBullet took the bullet]] in the second Dissidia game.

* Vaan is one of the more disliked Final Fantasy protagonists [[AmericansHateTingle outside of Japan.]] His attitude is unlikable, he's got almost no stake in the plot of the game outside of being Ashe's MoralityPet, and [[MemeticMutation he's Captain Basch fon Ronsenberg of Dalmasca (Don't listen to Ondore's lies!).]] His rescue was two-fold. First, the release of Final Fantasy XIII, which became divisive and retroactively redeemed Final Fantasy XII from being a rather bland game you can leave on overnight to play itself to now being recognized for a ''Series/GameOfThrones''-esque plot and its very well-done late game. Second, his inclusion in Dissidia 012, where he took a more active role in the 12th Cycle and even rescued Terra from Kefka's clutches. And this time, there was no "I'm Captain Basch!" minigame involved.
* Lightning was disliked by some people. In Dissidia, her personality is based more on how she was in the second half of her game; she doesn't tend to punch people, is still depicted more as a loner, but much more open to depending on others when necessary and ready to trust in teamwork.

* Kefka was considered a boring, underwhelming villain [[AmericansHateTingle in the Japanese version of the game]], where he comes across like a fool with no idea what he's doing. But in the West, his dialogue was rewritten extensively to make him into a monstrous, nasty sadist with a genuine sense of humour, who's still regarded as one of the best villains ever to appear in the ''medium'', let alone the series. This was so much an improvement that his American characterisation was ported back across the Pacific for ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy''.

* Tidus was a major Scrappy for a lot of people in his [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX own game]] and were looking forward to beating the crap out of him in this game. But Tidus' voice acting (in [[Creator/MasakazuMorita Japanese]] and [[Creator/JamesArnoldTaylor English]]) had improved a lot since the original game, which made him a more appealing character. He also [[TakingTheBullet took the bullet]] in the second Dissidia game.

* Edward, the original SpoonyBard, had [[UselessUsefulSpell horrible skills]], no decent parameters and was overall a very whiny character. But he was improved so much in each [[UpdatedRerelease remake]]! The [=GBA=] remake increased the chances of status effects, making his skills actually be a legitimate threat; the DS remake included a pleasing design, genuinely useful abilities and a good voice actor.
** Then there is [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyIVTheAfterYears The After Years]], where Edward was polished up and [[TookALevelInBadass got some steel cajones]]. Just look at the [[Awesome/FinalFantasyIVTheAfterYears Awesome page]] to see the details of his rescued and improved state.

[[AC: Dissidia (Duodecium)]]

* [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Butz/Bartz]] was not an overall bad Scrappy character, it was just that he was a dull character and his adversary being, well, a [[WhenTreesAttack tree]]... In Dissidia, Bartz was given a balanced appearance between his forgettable sprite and [[Creator/YoshitakaAmano Amano]] design, he became a much more likeable character and his fighting-style involves dual wielding two of the most badass weapons in the series. And Jason Spisak does an amazing job at voicing him, along with imitating other character's voices, when using their weapons.

* Tidus was a major Scrappy for a lot of people in his [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX own]] game and were looking forward to beating the crap out of him in this game. But Tidus' voice acting (in [[Creator/MasakazuMorita Japanese]] and [[Creator/JamesArnoldTaylor English]]) had improved a lot since the original game, which made him a more appealing character. He also [[TakingTheBullet took the bullet]] in the second Dissidia game.

* Vaan is one of the more disliked Final Fantasy protagonists [[AmericansHateTingle outside of Japan.]] His attitude is unlikable, he's got almost no stake in the plot of the game outside of being Ashe's MoralityPet, and [[MemeticMutation he's Captain Basch fon Ronsenberg of Dalmasca (Don't listen to Ondore's lies!).]] His rescue was two-fold. First, the release of Final Fantasy XIII, which became divisive and retroactively redeemed Final Fantasy XII from being a rather bland game you can leave on overnight to play itself to now being recognized for a GameOfThrones-esque plot and its very well-done late game. Second, his inclusion in Dissidia 012, where he took a more active role in the 12th Cycle and even rescued Terra from Kefka's clutches. And this time, there was no "I'm Captain Basch!" minigame involved.

* Kefka was considered a boring, underwhelming villain [[AmericansHateTingle in the Japanese version of the game]], where he comes across like a fool with no idea what he's doing. But in the West, his dialogue was rewritten extensively to make him into a monstrous, nasty sadist with a genuine sense of humour, who's still regarded as one of the best villains ever to appear in the series. This was so much an improvement that his American characterisation was ported back across the Pacific for ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy''.

* Yuffie was somewhat of a BaseBreaker before. But after her appearances in ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' and ''[[Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren Advent Children]]'', which included a [[ShesAllGrownUp new look]] and the less selfish personality she gained at the end of the game built up upon, Yuffie became more liked by the general fandom.

* Genesis made his first appearance in a laughably terrible live-action cutscene in ''VideoGame/DirgeOfCerberus'', was a shallow Sephiroth {{Expy}}, and was promoted as an InkSuitActor for Creator/{{Gackt}}. Accusations of him being a CanonSue abounded and were not without merit. While his next appearance in ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'' is a BaseBreaker due to his constant recitation of awful poetry and his inclusion in [[MultipleChoicePast that game's version of the Nibelheim story]], he's got fans even amongst people who hate most of the Compilation due to the writers using him to allegorically discuss the good and bad of ''Final Fantasy VII'''s FanDumb, with his plot being based around overidentifying with a bad fantasy story and trying to find the truth behind its mysterious open ending. Some have also noted an element of StealthParody or even WriterRevolt about his portrayal, which is so over-the-top and full of uncool {{Bathos}} that it seems that the writers were mocking his forced inclusion.

* Vaan is one of the more disliked Final Fantasy protagonists [[AmericansHateTingle outside of Japan.]] His attitude is unlikable, he's got almost no stake in the plot of the game outside of being Ashe's MoralityPet, and [[MemeticMutation he's Captain Basch fon Ronsenberg of Dalmasca (Don't listen to Ondore's lies!).]] His rescue was two-fold. First, the release of Final Fantasy XIII, which became the BaseBreaker and retroactively redeemed Final Fantasy XII from being a rather bland game you can leave on overnight to play itself to now being recognized for a GameOfThrones-esque plot and its very well-done late game. Second, his inclusion in Dissidia 012, where he took a more active role in the 12th Cycle and even rescued Terra from Kefka's clutches. And this time, there was no "I'm Captain Basch!" minigame involved.

* Genesis made his first appearance in a laughably terrible live-action cutscene in ''VideoGame/DirgeOfCerberus'', was a shallow Sephiroth {{Expy}}, and was promoted as an InkSuitActor for Creator/{{Gackt}}. Accusations of him being a CanonSue abounded and were not without merit. While his next appearance in ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'' is a BaseBreaker due to his constant recitation of awful poetry and his inclusion in [[MultipleChoicePast that game's version of the Nibelheim story]], he's got fans even amongst people who hate most of the Compilation due to the writers using him to allegorically discuss the good and bad of ''Final Fantasy VII'''s FanDumb, with his plot being based around overidentifying with a bad fantasy story and trying to find the truth behind its mysterious open ending. Some have also noted an element of StealthParody about his portrayal, which is so over-the-top and full of uncool {{Bathos}} that it seems that the writers were mocking his forced inclusion.

* Genesis made his first appearance in a laughably terrible live-action cutscene in ''VideoGame/DirgeOfCerberus'', and was heavily promoted as having been created specifically for Creator/{{Gackt}} to play him. Accusations of him being a CanonSue abounded and were not without merit. While his next appearance in ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'' is a BaseBreaker due to his constant recitation of awful poetry and his inclusion in [[MultipleChoicePast that game's version of the Nibelheim story]], he's got fans even amongst people who hate most of the Compilation due to the writers using him to allegorically discuss the good and bad of ''Final Fantasy VII'''s FanDumb, and mocking his inclusion as much as the premise allowed.

* Cait Sith was a damn near reviled creature by pretty much any player in the game. But he was much more positively received as the [[ThePollyanna one bright spot]] in the otherwise very grim ''VideoGame/DirgeOfCerberus''.

* Exdeath himself was originally rather bland, a forgettable EvilOverlord, but was ultimately turned into ''the'' LargeHam BarrierWarrior and got an [[NarmCharm obsession with the void]].

* Exdeath himself was originally rather bland, forgettable EvilOverlord, but was ultimately turned into ''the'' LargeHam BarrierWarrior and got an [[NarmCharm obsession with the void]].
* Tidus was a major Scrappy for a lot of people in his [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX own]]game and were looking forward to beating the crap out of him in this game. But Tidus' voice acting (in [[Creator/MasakazuMorita Japanese]] and [[Creator/JamesArnoldTaylor English]]) had improved a lot since the original game, which made him a more appealing character. He also [[TakingTheBullet took the bullet]] in the second Dissidia game.

* Lightning was disliked by some people. In Dissidia, her personality is based more on her appearance in the second half of her game; she doesn't tend to punch people, is still depicted more as a loner, but much more open to depending on others when necessary and ready to trust in teamwork.