Now that I see someone has completed the game, I'll go ahead and re post my original ending post from back in December to try and contribute to the discussion here.
"I finally finished the game last night with a build of level 81 shulk, sharla, and riki. I will say this, this is def in my top 5 rpgs ever. The game is so grand and so fullfilling by the end. When everything is said and done, you actually get the feeling of accomplishment. The journey from little hom to world savior is an amazing and grueling one. I think the ending was perfect and left it on a very good note even though it created more questions than it answered. Hopefully this becomes a franchise for Nintendo and sequels are made on the WiiU in the years to come. Theres still so much more they can do with this world.
Also, this is the first JRPG where I enjoyed every single character. Usually theres at least one in a game that I can't stand especially the cliched "cute" one that's in every jrpg and is practically useless and annoying. I would assume Riki was the designated "cute" character in this game but he is far from the stereotypical cliched character. At first I really didn't think much of him but over time he grows on you. I think the scene where he and Dunban had that deep conversation at the beach really sold me on Riki and had me seeing him in a new light. Once I actually saw him in battle, I was sold, Riki was a baddass heropon. Also something about the "pon" extension he adds to words really has a nice ring to it lol. I think one day when I have kids I'll love to have them call me daddypon lol"
My thoughts on Riki after completion (thanks again to InsanoLord for the assist on my screenname adjustment lol)
"As for Riki and the noppon, I didn't really think much of them at first. I saw them as your usual cutesy characters that are in every jrpg. I did love their home village though. It was an amazing place to visit and some of the views were spectacular from it, specially during sunsets.
Riki though really grew into his own character and I think its great how you and your expectations of him go along with the main characters in the game. At first the group didn't really think much of him too but at the end, he's just as big a part of the group as the next man or woman. "
and here is me in defence of Riki's good name after Broodwar expressing his low opinion of him lol.
"blasphemous.... how dare you sully Riki's good name lol. Alas, I was like you once lol. When I first saw him, I didn't think much of him just like you. I never once planned to ever use him but by the end of the game, I was singing a different tune. I'll just say this to Riki's defence, I attempted the final boss a handfull of times and failed each one. I then decided to switch out my usual tank Reyn for Riki and within 15 or so minutes, Riki has his boot on that boss's throat. I think its obvious who the difference maker in that group was then lol.
Quick note though for those that have finished the game, I really enjoyed the banter between Riki and Reyn during the ending, I thought it was hilarious. Thinking back at it again, I believe Riki is the only character in the game we adults can all relate to one time or another in our lives. He has a bunch of kids and a wife he needs to keep happy so he doesn't have to be repremanded lol. Compared to everyone else in the game, that's as real as it gets lol."