So, I finally picked up Final Fantasy 12

!King_Amazon!

!King_Amazon! said:

My problem with Vaan is that he could just completely disappear and it wouldn't change the story one bit(so far anyway.)

But isn't the same true for the rest of the cast, with the exception of Ashe? Balthier doesn't have any great stake in the plot. The only thing he provides is an airship. Basch hasn't done anything noteworthy yet beyond being related to Gabranth. I needn't reiterate Fran's general uselessness. And Penelo is there as Vaan's conscience, basically. So, individually, none of the characters, except Ashe, would make a giant dent in the plot if they were suddenly removed. It's an ensemble cast. The whole of it is worth more than the sum of it's parts.

However, it can be argued that if it hadn't been for Vaan's brash behavior (attempting thievery in the palace), none of the characters would have congregated into the central party at all. Vaan tied himself to Balthier and Fran, which gave way to rescuing Basch, which gave way to saving Ashe. Without that first incident of theft, Basch would still be rotting in jail and Ashe would most certainly be dead. So, he holds more importance than what you're giving him credit for.

Raziel

Asside from Penelo, if any other character were to just disappear from the game, I would miss them. Vaan and Penelo seem like they don't belong.

This is all pretty much just a matter of personal taste. I like my bread with butter, you like yours with jam.

My guess is Vaan's character will develop later, at least I hope so. I don't think either of us are far enough into the game to say.

!King_Amazon!

I don't think FFXII focuses on just one character. It's like all the characters have a part in the story and no ones part is bigger than the others, atleast as far as I've played. I think thats why they added the whole point of you being able to choose your own "Party Leader". It's either that or I'm playing the stoner's version.