Let me recount a story I heard so long ago that I sadly have no sources for and that you don't have to believe a word of.
Back when FFVII was being planned, Vincent was the main character. Or, more correctly, the main character had Vincent's design. But much of the creative process behind FFVII involved trying to usurp the popularity of FFIV - despite the subsequent releases of FFV and FFVI, Japan still really loved Cecil and crew.
(of course, this is apparent because FFVII does little more than rearrange a bit of FFIV's plot and swap a few characters out)
'Vincent' as the lead wasn't deemed sympathetic enough, or something, so Cloud sprung into existance and progress continued. But, likely Nomura or Sakaguchi or perhaps even Amano, someone said 'Vincent' does have a cool design, let's make him a bonus character!
And by this time, the game was over-budget and past-due and that's why it's so glitchy and full of plotholes and some things that likely should have been explained... aren't.
They really could have tried for an original plot, though. Despite doing FFIV really well...
no subject
Let me recount a story I heard so long ago that I sadly have no sources for and that you don't have to believe a word of.
Back when FFVII was being planned, Vincent was the main character. Or, more correctly, the main character had Vincent's design. But much of the creative process behind FFVII involved trying to usurp the popularity of FFIV - despite the subsequent releases of FFV and FFVI, Japan still really loved Cecil and crew.
(of course, this is apparent because FFVII does little more than rearrange a bit of FFIV's plot and swap a few characters out)
'Vincent' as the lead wasn't deemed sympathetic enough, or something, so Cloud sprung into existance and progress continued. But, likely Nomura or Sakaguchi or perhaps even Amano, someone said 'Vincent' does have a cool design, let's make him a bonus character!
And by this time, the game was over-budget and past-due and that's why it's so glitchy and full of plotholes and some things that likely should have been explained... aren't.
They really could have tried for an original plot, though. Despite doing FFIV really well...