Locke Cole

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Locke Cole
Final Fantasy character
Concept artwork of Locke by Yoshitaka Amano for Final Fantasy VI
First gameFinal Fantasy VI (1994)
Created byHironobu Sakaguchi[1]
Designed byTetsuya Nomura (preliminary)[2]
Yoshitaka Amano[3]
Kazuko Shibuya (sprites)[4]
Voiced byEN: Jonathan von Mering[5]
JA: Yūki Ono[5]

Locke Cole (Japanese: ロック・コール, Hepburn: Rokku Kōru) is a character in the 1994 video game Final Fantasy VI.

Appearances[edit]

Locke Cole is a character in the 1994 Square Enix video game Final Fantasy VI, and a thief who prefers to identify as a "treasure hunter".[6][7] He bears a personal vendetta against the Empire for assaulting his hometown, which killed his amnesiac love interest Rachel.[8] Her last word is Locke's name.[9] Driven by the conviction that failing Rachel led to her death, Locke seeks to protect Terra and Celes as he fights with the Returners against the Empire;[10] Locke seeks a means of resurrecting Rachel as a way to right his greatest wrong. This takes him to the depths of the Phoenix Cave to acquire the "rebirth" power of the esper Phoenix. Although some of the treasure chests here are empty, though Locke will give the contents to the party once the dungeon is cleared. In the end, Rachel urges him to move on to find someone new to protect, giving Celes her blessing to watch over him before departing for the afterlife.[11]

He is also featured in the rhythm game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy as a subcharacter representing Final Fantasy VI.[12] Locke also appears in Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, where he is voiced by Yūki Ono in Japanese and Jonathan von Mering in English.[5]

Locke was also one of three characters from the game featured in a tech demo for the August 1995 SIGGRAPH event showing a 3D example of Final Fantasy gameplay. Intended to promote the concept of a 3D Final Fantasy game, a video of the gameplay was included in demo discs of Final Fantasy VII at the 1996 Tokyo Game Show.[13] Outside of video games, cards representing Locke have been produced for the Final Fantasy Trading Card Game.[14] A keychain figure based on his chibi artwork was also produced by Bandai, as part of a series to promote the release of Final Fantasy VI.[15]

Concept and creation[edit]

Final Fantasy VI was developed with the mindset that none of the playable cast was the protagonist, and that each of them were equally the "main character". The cast of characters were selected from submissions from across the development team, with Final Fantasy series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi contributing Locke. Once the cast was selected, each individual would write their character's story, with Yoshinori Kitase balancing the plot as things developed.[16][1] In the earliest iterations, Locke was meant to be a dark and mysterious character using a magic sealing sword, and to have a rivalry with Terra Branford, another character developed by Sakaguchi who in this iteration was male. As things progressed, his personality was changed to be "more open", and he was changed into an ordinary man with a "bit of a past", meant to help progress the game's story. Meanwhile, his sword ability was modified, and giving to the character Celes Chere as her "Runic" ability.[17]

Standing 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) tall,[7] an early draft of the character's appearance was drawn by Tetsuya Nomura,[2][18] while Yoshitaka Amano was commissioned to design the characters from the brief outlines provided. Given full creative freedom, Amano wanted to make "real" and "alive" characters, though with consideration for their representation in-game as small computer sprites.[3] Said graphics were designed by Nomura, who drew the chibi artwork of the characters, and Kazuko Shibuya, who designed the in-game sprites.[19][4] His outfit consists of an open dark blue jacket with a white shirt underneat, dark blue pants, boots, and a sash around his waist.[7] A bandana covers his brow, inspired by a style worn by rock and roll musicians at the time.[20] Locke was originally intended to be a brunette, however in the finalized design his hair is a sandy blonde.[21]

Critical reception[edit]

Kotaku writer Jason Schreier discussed how Locke's character has more depth than as he initially appears, praising Final Fantasy VI for depicting his and other characters' personalities in a subtle way. He argued that Locke's motivations for helping Terra as well as other people was because he was unable to save Rachel, thus driving him to save others.[22] This point was also discussed by Dengeki Online writer Kawachi, who covered how "painful" it was to see Celes question this approach to life.[23] Locke's relationship with Celes was regarded as among gaming's best by Paste writer Jessica Howard. touching upon Locke's propensity to protect women and how they grow closer despite internal traumas from which they suffer.[24]

The titular protagonist of the book The Lies of Locke Lamora is named after Locke.[25]

In the book The Legend of Final Fantasy VI, Pierre Maugein described him as a "classic RPG bulwark", a character that's depicted as a hot-headed savior ready to do the right thing at any given moment, and a character archetype that he felt was often a favorite of teenage gamers seeking escapism. However, Maugein stated that unlike many such examples his grief and guilt over Rachel made him unique. Instead of being driven by revenge against the Empire solely, his primary goal is to help others, but also by seeking Rachel's forgiveness, drawing comparison to the Greek hero Orpheus. He further described it "tragic behavior that extricates him from his stereotype and provides him with an unexpected fragility", and as he completes his quest the lesson he learns is to move on. Maugein felt this was represented by his relationship with Celes, someone he cared for rather than wanting to protect, and found that this "powerful extremism" made him a "resolute yet poignant protagonist".[26]

Sebastian Deken in his book examining Final Fantasy VI and its themes described him as a "pathologically heroic" character who compensates for failing Rachel by frequently throwing himself into danger and being immediately protective of any woman he meets. Deken felt a good part of his characterization was emphasized in his theme music which shared a similar excited tone to Locke's portrayal, with the third measure "being a little unhinged". He emphasized however that neither the theme nor the character give the impression of going too far off the rails, but instead are a "smidge manic", reflecting that his "brashness and thievery come from a fearless, well-intentioned heart" demonstrated in the heartbeat-like pattern in the music's strings. He felt that Locke's heart was the crux of his character: an aspect of him permanently broken, and his daring behavior being a way to avoid dealing with his grief and self-blame.[27]

Deken pointed out that while Locke's secondary theme, "Forever Rachel", was mostly a reiteration of his main theme shifted down a musical key and slowed down, it was also different enough and able to add to his character and the melodrama of Rachel's death. He felt by comparison the theme's use when Celes discovers a bird with Locke's bandana at the start of the game's second half was meant to represent hope in regards to Locke. It's use in the scene brings him into it despite not physically present, and gave both Celes and the player hope he survived the conclusion of the game's first half. It's last use at Rachel's farewell meanwhile represented Locke's revival as a character, no longer carrying the guilt he was carrying as the music transitions into his main theme, and in Deken's view illustrated how he was able to heal past his own trauma.[27]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Maugein, Pierre (2018). The Legend of Final Fantasy VI. Third Editions. pp. 161–162. ISBN 9782377840472.
  2. ^ a b "Rare Tetsuya Nomura Art Sketches From Final Fantasy VI Era Unearthed". Siliconera. October 28, 2013. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Interview". Japan: Final Fantasy (in Japanese). NTT Publishing. August 11, 1994. pp. 108–109. ISBN 4-87188-338-8.
  4. ^ a b Cutscenes (August 16, 2021). Yoshitaka Amano, Kazuko Shibuya - from paper to pixel | 天野喜孝、渋谷員子 - 紙からドットへ (in Japanese). Event occurs at 8:27. Archived from the original on March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ a b c "Locke Cole". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Arvis: Took you long enough! Busy with all that robbing and plundering, I presume? [...] Locke: I prefer the term "treasure hunting"! Arvis: Ha! Semantic nonsense! Square Enix, Final Fantasy VI Advance (in English), 5 February 2007
  7. ^ a b c Studio BentStuff, ed. (January 31, 2008). Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary Ultimania (in Japanese). Vol. 1: Character. Japan: Square Enix. pp. 152–153. ISBN 978-4-7575-2206-0.
  8. ^ Father: Get out of my house! It's your fault Rachel lost her memory! Locke: Wait! Just let me talk to her...! Rachel: Please, just go away! I don't know who you are, but my parents get upset whenever you come here! Square Enix, Final Fantasy VI Advance (in English), 5 February 2007
  9. ^ Locke: A year went by... When I finally returned, I found out that Rachel had been killed in an Imperial attack. Her memory had returned just before she died. The last thing she said was...my name. I never should have left her side. I... I failed her... Square Enix, Final Fantasy VI Advance (in English), 5 February 2007
  10. ^ Celes: Why are you helping me? Locke: You remind me a lot of someone... What's it matter, anyway? I'm helping you because I want to! Square Enix, Final Fantasy VI Advance (in English), 5 February 2007
  11. ^ Locke: You're all safe! Behold... The legendary treasure that can undo death itself... Player character: Is that... magicite? Locke: It is. Legend has it that the Phoenix turned itself to stone ages ago. Square Enix, Final Fantasy VI Advance (in English), 5 February 2007
  12. ^ "Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy's Second Tier Stars". Siliconera. November 12, 2011. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  13. ^ Studio BentStuff, ed. (January 2012). Final Fantasy 25th Memorial Ultimania Vol. 2 (in Japanese). Square Enix. p. 114. ISBN 9784757537705.
  14. ^ "Opus XII Card of the Week - Locke". Square Enix. October 1, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "FF Colosseum". V-Jump (in Japanese). No. 18. December 1994. pp. 190–192.
  16. ^ Square Enix (July 26, 2023). Final Fantasy 35th Anniversary Special Interview | Part 2 of 2. Event occurs at 21:43. Archived from the original on March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ "FF Colosseum". V-Jump (in Japanese). No. 16. October 1994. pp. 190–193.
  18. ^ 【超貴重】「FF5、FF6」等のプランナーを努めた太田顕喜氏が、当時の野村哲也氏が描いたラクガキを公開！！. Jin115 (in Japanese). October 27, 2013. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  19. ^ Studio BentStuff, ed. (January 2012). Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Memorial Book Vol.1 (in Japanese). Square Enix. p. 322. ISBN 9784757537699.
  20. ^ "FF Colosseum". V-Jump (in Japanese). No. 22. April 1995. pp. 204–207.
  21. ^ "FF Colosseum". V-Jump (in Japanese). No. 06. January 1994. pp. 187–189.
  22. ^ Schreier, Jason (February 15, 2017). "Final Fantasy VI Retrospective: Simply The Best". Kotaku. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  23. ^ Kawachi (October 30, 2016). "【FFRK名場面】「俺が必ず守ってやる」ロックが女性に優しい理由とは". Dengeki Online. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  24. ^ Howard, Jessica (April 21, 2021). "The Best Final Fantasy Romances". Paste. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  25. ^ Moher, Aidan (July 17, 2019). "How Japanese RPGs Inspired A New Generation Of Fantasy Authors". Kotaku. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  26. ^ Maugein, Pierre (2018). The Legend of Final Fantasy VI. Third Editions. pp. 74–75. ISBN 9782377840472.
  27. ^ a b Deken, Sebastian (July 2021). Final Fantasy VI. Boss Fight Books. pp. 97–105. ISBN 9781940535289.
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