Final Fantasy XIII: Lightning or Vanille?

We know how long and boring the beginning of Final Fantasy XIII is. We know how linear and uneventful our adventure starts. We know the battle system is extremely streamlined. We know a lot of things about the newest installment in the Final Fantasy series, and we know that not everyone is happy about it, but there is one thing we can agree on: the beautiful girls Square-Enix always delivers! My question to you is, who is hotter, Lightning or Vanille?

Now, before we do this, I just want to say that the characters in Final Fantasy XIII are slow to open up. Once they do however, you do actually start to care about them. Therefore, this is not just based on looks, but personality and loveability (yeah I made that word up).

First up is Lightning, the main protagonist in the game. Though Final Fantasy XIII has somewhat shifted its focus from the one character revolving plot line, and instead giving the player 6 “main characters” rather than one, Lightning is who the player has been introduced to the longest. From the very first gameplay teaser trailer all the way up to the game’s launch, we have seen Lightning kick so much ass that there is no way anyone could not be intimidated by her. Though, underneath every tough persona, lies a sweet beautiful girl who just wants to be loved. I haven’t seen it yet to be honest, but I know it is there. It just has to be!

Lightning makes the other girls in the Final Fantasy series look like wimps. It is about time we get a warrior that is a woman, and who is not only tough as hell, but hot as hell too. Gunblades are for girls too, Squall. My only concern with her is that the attitude she carries could get old. As intriguing as she is now, if she keeps this to-cool-for-school persona up forever, I just might lose interest. Regardless of that small concern, Lightning still gets an A in my book for going against the stereotype given to the girls in Final Fantasy.

If we are going to compare the girls of 13 to the past Final Fantasy games, I would have to say that Vanille gets the Rikku treatment all the way. She is scantily clad, has a bubbly personality, and is pretty as all hell. If I had to pick one of these girls as my favorite, I would feel a little creepy picking Vanille, if only because she is still a kid. Granted, Lightning apparently is only 21, but at least she is of age. I would be a creeper calling Vanille my favorite, and most likely end up hanging out on “To Catch a Predator.”

But, in the end it might just be worth it. Six hours into the game and Vanille is still a mystery. I have a feeling there is something weird about her, and because of that it just makes her that much more intriguing. Plus, I think I have something for red heads.

In conclusion, it is really hard to say who is the overall cooler girl. Lightning has the whole badass thing, and Vanille has got the whole bubbly cute thing, and they both have the whole hot as hell thing. I guess it is a good thing this isn’t Mass Effect 2, because my choice on who to bone would come down to jail time or getting beat up. So for now, I think I will just admire from afar, and appreciate both of their fine qualities as I trek through the new world I’ve been thrusted into.

Who do you think is better, Vanille or Lightning?