He has been recognized as a standout protagonist in the Final Fantasy series, with his transformation into a Paladin receiving commentary, particularly as a representation of abandoning violent masculinity.

The game opens with him having successfully stealing the Water Crystal from the town of Mysidia as part of the Red Wings militia, though he expresses doubt about the morality of his mission.

[5] Engadget writer Kat Bailey discussed how Cecil defied stereotypes of Japanese role-playing game protagonists, being that he is an established warrior with a wife instead of a teenager.

This aspect of his character appealed to Bailey, who noted that she likely would not have cared when she was younger, but because she's thinking of starting a family of her own, him fighting alongside his wife resonates with her.

[6] Cecil's pursuit of redemption, alongside him becoming a Paladin, was Game Informer writer Joe Juba's favorite moment from Final Fantasy IV.

He compared this to an earlier scene in the series where the player has to earn class changes for their characters, but noted that the search for atonement helped make it stand out.