So with the humans, each of them is essentially the same as a player or as a guardian, save for differences relating to their changed circumstances (The reasons why Rose and Dave's works exist for example) but some of the Ancestors compared to the A1 Trolls seem too different, though that may be subjective on my part. Any idea why this is or is it me seeing differences that aren't really there? Beyond the parodying of fanfic tropes I mean.

You’re definitely not imagining things! See, even though they’re put through rather awful circumstances- John and Jade being raised by the Condesce, Dave and Rose opposing a Fascist Tyranny, you can definitely see their similarities more clearly than those of the Dancestors and the Ancestors.

However? You have to consider that Alternia is being maliciously influenced by Doc Scratch to pave the way for Lord English’ Arrival. The Guardians and the Kids differ because of their life experiences, but the Culture of Alternia and Beforus, compared to that of Pre-Scratch Earth and Post-Scratch Earth, are completely different. They’re basically polar opposites, in fact.

For this reason, you get rather extreme divergences between characters, and yet you can STILL see them. 

Young Handmaid and Damara post-snapping are quite similar, and you could attribute her more meek attitude pre-snap to the coddling for being a Rustblood (Not to say, as ‘meek’ as she may have been, Rufioh always mentions her to have been quite the Jealous one).

All Rufioh wanted was to detach himself from the society that wanted to coddle him for being a lowblood and kind of live his life as he wanted it. On Beforus, he found the Lost Weeaboos and became Anime Peter Pan, but Alternia’s society was oppressive in a violent and aggressive way- Giving him drive to use this need to escape the clutches of society to lead a rebellion.

We don’t know much of Mituna pre-Accident, but we do know he was a very powerful Psychic and rather heroically burnt his mind out to protect his friends, and the Psiionic, likewise, was a powerful Psychic that joined the Rebellion.

The Sufferer Sees the more peaceful life in Beforus, and strives to try and bring ideals of good and peace to Alternia. Kankri, however, lives in this more ideal society, and becomes obsessed with trying to better it, by obsessively focusing on minor things that literally affect to no one while missing some actual issues. Both have similar goals, but the Sufferer is, you know, actually GOOD with pin pointing the problems of society and inspiring others.

The Disciple obsessed over the Sufferer and his Teachings, she was drawn to a strong set of ideals and hyperfocused on it. Meulin, similarly, was drawn to Kurloz and is influenced, not by the good ideals of someone, but by the bad ideals of the Juggalo Cult. Additionally, the way Disciple’s relationship transcended Quadrants ties in with Meulin’s own love of shipping and relationships.

Porrim is a badass feminist that dislikes the spot Society has prepared for her, and rebels against it and the underlying patriarchy of Beforus. Dolorosa, similarly, breaks away from societal conventions just to protect the Sufferer, and joining his ideals of rebelling to make the world a better place.

I could go on, but this is dragging a bit too long.