Most characters have something like their complete identity from level 1, especially if you're looking at build options that hew tightly to the core concept of the class. There's certainly exceptions; anything that relies on getting something from an archetype, for example, isn't generally going to work at level 1. (Two-weapon Barbarian, for example, doesn't have much actual use for their second weapon.)
I'd also say that spellcasters in general might be a little less appealing at level 1. A lot of level 1 spells aren't super exciting, and you don't have many. There are some spells that would have an outsized impact in such a campaign (Magic Weapon, for example), but on the whole I feel like spellcasters get a slightly slower start than most martials.
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I think barbarians are pretty fun at level 1 - they have a decent amount of HP which makes them less likely to crumple to a crit, and each of the instincts gives them something fun even at level 1 (like dragon instinct meaning they are the one martial doing energy damage with their attacks).
They also have a lot of really great choices for level 1 feats (raging intimidation, sudden charge, etc).
I think the key if you are stuck at level 1 is that you should choose a class that has some kind of interesting class mechanic or subclass going on at level 1 (beyond just being proficient in things or having basic spellcasting), and having interesting feat choices at level 1.
Precision ranger seems good. With natural ambition, you can grab an animal companion and hunted shot at level 1, making up the core of your kit.
Hunted shot isn't strictly necessary for a precision ranger, but it lets you get off all your attacks in a single action. This would let you spend the rest of your time on your animal companion, moving, marking prey, picking your nose, etc.
Precision also lets you get in relatively big numbers for level 1.
On a similar note, a natural ambition rogue could grab tumble behind and twin feint at level one as well. These work together to give you an entire attack sequence that is a move-attack-attack that all hit flat footed. It probably isn't better than a 2 handed fighter, but earning that damage through your build might feel better.
Personally, all characters feel fun from level one, but my caveat is that it comes down to how you use the character.
While a monk may dance between Athletics actions and stance strikes, they've also got the action economy to let them set up flanking or even just dart away from enemies. Wizards may not look exciting at the outset, but an evoker who tosses out a Force Bolt before Jumping away and Recalling Knowledge has an interesting turn as well. Rogues who are constantly Distracting, Hiding, and Sneak Attacking also make for interesting level one characters.
As for me, I'm currently playing a character that interests me, though it may be familiar for many posters here. As a battle-ready orc battle oracle, I have a number of action available to me on any given turn, which lets me approach each combat differently. I can take to the front-lines with my bastard sword and shield, playing as a martial (even buffing up with a bless if need be) or drop the shield to switch to a more aggressive two-handed style (or just use the free hand for Athletics maneuvers). I've also go the zeal domain power to get more aggressive and let my moderate curse keep me from getting too beat up. I've also got Intimidating Glare at level one from the heritage, so I can do my own share of non-magical debuffing for both myself and my team. And if need be, my Charisma is high enough to Feint an opponent for a quick hit.
I've only played two characters from Level 1 (my third character was ported from D&D 3.5 @ L12) and both are Alchemists.
I will say, they were both really fun to play @ L1. The Bomber was kinda challenging to play at that level (L1 is really rough on Bombers) but it was still an awful lot of fun.
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Level 1 characters are surprisingly fun to play since all classes have equal proficiencies except for a few outliers.
If you know it is just going to be a level 1 adventure you could really go crazy making a goofy character.
My favorite probably would have to be Bard. They just really are fun to me.
There are only a few classes I would say aren't super fun at low levels for "usual builds". Of course every class has the potential to be fun at low levels. Even Wizards could be built to be level fun characters.
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I think PF2 did a smashing job of making L1 fun among all classes.
I do think that especially at level 1-2, champions have bit of a leg up because their out of combat healing is already reliable. Medicine takes a little longer before Continual Recovery becomes available. (Level 2 if you rush it, level 3-4 if you take your time.)
AC isn't entirely smooth, unarmored casters tend to be quite squishy. On the other hand, their cantrips do a good job, at that point the accuracy and damage is very competitive.
Meanwhile, only fighters have AoO to intercept monsters, although champions can also protect a backline. But you have to be quite on guard for monsters breaking through to attack the backliners.
The skill game is pretty wide open, untrained in a skill but with a strong attribute is still competitive.
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I think PF2 did a smashing job of making L1 fun among all classes.
I agree with this.
Unfortunately, I think they did a BAD job of making all characters fun at level 1. There are a LOT of characters who really only become viable at level 2 or even level 3 (eg, a wizard who wants to wade into melee).
A lot of characters REALLY need that level 2 archetype feat.
There are a LOT of characters who really only become viable at level 2 or even level 3 (eg, a wizard who wants to wade into melee).I think PF2 did a smashing job of making L1 fun among all classes.
*laughs in orcish staff nexus transmuter*
Edit: To expound on that, a Hold-Scarred Orc with 16 Str, 16 Con would be sitting pretty with 21 HP and Diehard along with Orc Ferocity. Sure, we have 12/14 Int, but we're fight-zards! Even lacking in proficiency, we can grab splint mail to bump our AC up to 16 (if we've got 12 Dex). Keep jump in the ol' d8 staff (not as useful at level 1, moreso later on) and magic weapon ready to roll. Now we've got two encounters with a 2d8+3 swing (thank you arcane bond for the recharge) and we can hurl ourselves bodily out of combat (or into flanking) if things get dicey with our stored jump. Not to mention we have physical boost up in every combat to drop a hand and get to Tripping and Grabbing opponents.
I dunno, sounds fun to me!
Level 2 is a big deal for archetypes, but if you're trying to play a class the 'intended' way (something PF2 really emphasizes as a system) that isn't really a big issue.
If I had to rate classes, I'd say d8 melee martials can sometimes feel a little sketchy at level 1 because of how soft they are and fighters and bards probably feel the best to me, but it's not a huge gap between them.