Love Fest: Luke fon Fabre

In a previous post I mentioned that I don’t know what to do with this blog. That’s still true for the most part, but after my last post I had an idea. Valentine’s day is coming up soon, so in honor of it I have decided write a few posts about characters from video games, TV shows, and movies that either I love or feel need love—as in someone needs to give the character a hug, not that they are underrated.

So time to spread the love!

  Oh, and there is no ranking system.

Luke fon Fabre:

Oh god! That midriff! I really did not need to see that, especially when it looks so unnatural.  

So midriff aside, I am one of those few people who absolutely adores Luke from Tales of the Abyss.

For those unfamiliar with Tales of the Abyss, it is about Luke, son of Duke Fabre and nephew to the King of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear, who is mistakenly kidnapped one day by a mysterious girl and finds himself in enemy territory (the Malkuth Empire). As Luke  journeys home he learns that Kimlasca and Malkuth are on the brink of war. He soon finds himself at the center of the conflict. With both countries fates in the balance, one wrong move could mean the death of thousands.

So who is Luke, aside from a duke’s son? Due to events in his past, Luke can’t remember anything seven years prior to the beginning of the game. The event caused his family to become protective of him, imprisoning Luke in his manor with only servants and family to keep him company. Because of this Luke is an ignorant brat, and that’s probably how most players view him at first.

I, on the other hand, loved Luke the first second I saw his face. 

That deadpan stare of boredom sent me into a laughing fit. From that moment on, actions such as Luke taking an apple without paying, then becoming annoyed when he gets chewed out for it, made me snicker with glee. Also, that face!

Luke has some of the best comedic expressions!

Besides being humorous to watch, Luke truly is a kindhearted character, but just doesn’t know how to show it. An example early on in the game is when Luke protects a cheagle (think fire-breathing rabbit) from falling debris. When the cheagle thanks him, Luke quickly lies about his intentions to stop the cheagle’s praise.

Not only is he kindhearted, but Luke is one of the rare video game characters who shies away from murder. The first time Luke kills a man, he is sent reeling. He can't believe what he has done, and his companion's accepting attitudes in regards to murder are incomprehensible to him. Even towards the end of the game the thought of taking someone's life upsets Luke. It is such a breath of fresh air. In fact, the development of his entire character is like that.

As much as I gush about Luke, he has his faults. Sadly, I love him for those too, but that’s not the point. The point is that Luke has his flaws, and he is punished for them. The game loves tearing him to pieces only to rebuild him into a hero that players can admire. The selfish, disrespectful, naïve brat transforms into someone who isn’t brave and selfless, but someone that despite his fears and his wants realizes there is much more to the world than his existence. A far more human and engaging character than most would expect at first glance.