I always found it sadly ironic how Laguna went all the way to Esthar to rescue Ellone, and while he succeeded at that, he wasn’t able to truly save her or ever see Raine again because he got elected as president for being the “hero” of the revolution. I’m sure all he wanted was to go back to Winhill and live as a family with Ellone, Raine, and their son, but fate would not be so kind to him. Although Laguna had dreams of being a journalist and a world traveler, that little town was home to him (Interesting aside: If you go back to Winhill during the present as Squall, someone there will mention how there’s an anonymous benefactor who’s been generously supporting the town for years, and the obvious conclusion you’re meant to draw is that it’s Laguna). I was really glad when he got to go back to Winhill and finally visit Raine’s grave during the ending. Plus, the flashback scene where he proposes to her during the ending always gives me chills, probably because the music climaxes right as she hugs him. Great moment.
Finally, I wish the game had explored Laguna’s relationship with Squall a bit more. It’s so heavily implied that they’re father and son that it’s obvious that was Square’s intention (and they confirmed it in the FFVIII Ultimania, to boot). Yet you don’t get any sort of conversation between the two of them. If you talk to Laguna on the Ragnarok, he says something along the lines of, “Let’s talk when this is all over. I’ve got some things I want to share with you, but if you don’t want to, I understand.” I dunno, some people like “leaving the gaps unfilled” or what have you, but I wanted some closure on stuff like that. Plus, I still insist that Square ought to make an FFVIII-0 starring Laguna, Kiros, and Ward to cover their adventures from 18 years before the events of the game up to the present. It’d be totally awesome!
Bonus Question: Who is your favorite Final Fantasy VIII character?
Those last two paragraphs were pretty spoiler-heavy indeed...!
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