Thread progression:
MarthxIke --> Really cool discussion about interpreting the sexuality of characters with Ike and Soren as mediums --> Ike's relevance in FE10
I'd have to play the game again to have a fair opinion, but at this point, I feel the same.
Agreed. If you're adding in a character who is integral to the plot, one would expect that character to be developed upon, especially if that character is a protagonist. Otherwise, you'd have a boring main character, which is a critical writing flaw. Though, again, I'd need to replay this to have a more solid opinion.
Elincia and Micaiah both felt like well-rounded, integral characters. Through recollection, Micaiah was an interesting character, scrounging up street urchins to fight an oppressive government to eventually building an army to overthrow it, much like Ike in a way, though still being a breath of fresh air. Elincia struggled with trying to rebuild her kingdom while stubborn nobles fought her at every turn to an eventual revolution, to fighting for her country on her own.
Ike... Helped. He's still awesome, and playing him again in a brand new story is invigorating, but I felt let down slightly from lack of development. He functions as the strong character he is, but doesn't stand as high as he did in the previous game with the constant progression of his character.
If I may give my two cents on Priam: I like to pretend that those Xenologues don't exist because it kinda sorta undermines Emmeryn's character and her role in the story after not dying when dying helped her resolve the first arc. But that's just me.