I actually liked Squall, and during that time in the game he was either 17 or 18. Orphan who loved his sis and lost her. He obviously is somewhat introverted but he's a fairly badass character. Lets see Cloud, extreme pathological liar, even during advent children he's an emo depressed "boo hoo, I can't protect anyone cuz I let Aeris die, boo hoo". Squall is fairly close to a real world character given the circumstances of his past. Also remember based on the storyline Rinoa is his first love. I would love to see people's reaction under his circumstances. His Lionheart limit is still win.
P.S. Zack was a much better character than Cloud will ever be.