Popularity makes not a hero

by Geronimo 

WARNING:Possible spoilers for Chrono Cross, which actually isn't much of anything.

Upon playing Chrono Cross (which, I might add, severely disturbed me in terms of plot twists) something became very clear to me about the heroes of RPGs. Sure, everyone says that all the heroes are pure-hearted, good spirited, strong young men who go out to do their little "coming-of-age" deal and end up saving the world.

Sure, sure, that's all true. But it's something else.

They just aren't all that popular. Sure, if they already have a magical reputation (as does Link) or after they've already saved the world, the women will fawn over them and men will look up to them. But we all know that it isn't always this way. When we the gamers select that NEW GAME choice, there's a good chance that the game is going to open with some sort of incident that blatantly points out just how unpopular these "heroes" really are. Here's some examples of this happening.

EXILE! Okay, this is one of the most popular. The boy is an orphan, only slightly different from all the other boys, and is resented for this. Take Cloud, The Boy from SoM, Rudy from Wild Arms, or anyone like that. They try desperately to fit in, to play with the other boys, to get the girl they like to smile at them, but are only cast down or ignored. Then, when an evil demon is unsealed or they mess up slightly, even if they save the town or defeat the demon, the damage is done. They get kicked out of their village, or in Cloud's case, blamed for Tifa's injuries even though he tried to help her. Often it is the elder who took them in who exiles them 'for the good of the village'. But boy, do they eat their words when the hero saves the world later.

SILENCE IS A VIRTUE... Another thing I've wondered is: "Why on earth do these brave, physically outgoing males with the good hearts...never speak, or almost never??" I mean, maybe it's just because some programmer wanted to give more control to the gamer by making them make the choices of the main hero. But still, why don't those like Crono, Serge, Ness, Squall, or anyone else ever talk? Or if they do, as in Cloud, why are they so bitter?? The answer is right back in that hometown, where they were frowned upon for whatever reason.

Squall gives us a special look at this feeling within heroes: he is insecure, about socializing with others, about loving Rinoa, about leading the team, because perhaps he's afraid that if he messes up everyone will go away and leave him. Hence the constant (Am I alone?) dialogues with himself. The same goes for Crono. He hangs out with Lucca, who as you find out by talking around, isn't the most popular or cute girl in Guardia. Crono, who has no father, and Lucca, who didn't really fit in with everyone, really made a nice pair, and became great friends. But maybe Crono was made fun of a lot, and doesn't speak out of insecurity. Or maybe just because Marle seems to do enough talking for everyone ;)

People like Ness or Serge, though, seem to have a pretty good likable-ness about them. Ness especially, in fact, everyone likes him, and Pokey's jealousy of that is what drives him to fight against Ness, thus making him Giygas' pawn. Serge seems well-liked enough, except you never really spend enough time around Arni Village to find out what shut him up. Maybe Leena.

Also, there are those who are just so DIFFERENT, like Link in LoZ:OoT, and who get made fun of mercilessly by people like Mido. (people who, I might add, are usually saved by the hero later and learn to regret their taunts).

Well, no matter how much we don't like watching these kids get beat up (Suikoden 2) shut up (CT, CC) or thrown out (SoM, WA), we have to face the fact that it's probably these very experiences that drive the hero to become a true hero, save the world, get the girl, and prove themselves to the town that shut them out.

"You can do it, Ness! No matter what anyone says, you'll go far! I feel like such a hero right now! Well, the father of a hero, anyway. Wahaha! *click*"
-Ness's Dad, EarthBound

As an afternote...I hope Serge doesn't think that being naked in an FMV will make him popular, because it won't.
*Bleeaaughh...*

Send any replies, rebuttals, praise, or flames to geronimo6@hotmail.com
....But no naked FMV's, please.