The character development and the ethical dilemmas faced by the protagonist also contribute to the book's popularity. Overall, Ender's Game has been praised for its engaging plot, complex characters, and exploration of moral and ethical issues within a futuristic setting.

So much of Ender's Game is focused on human nature and motivation that the characters become the true life force of the novel. Ender is an exceptionally wise boy who observes every move that his friends and enemies make and discerns the reasoning behind each of them.