Role-playing games originating in Japan (JRPGs) are filled with elements that make them unique within their genre, drawing inspiration from Japanese culture. This includes visual styles reminiscent of anime, narratives heavily focused on personal struggles, as well as a strong emphasis on exploring and understanding each character’s history.
I often find myself ambivalent towards a common trope in Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), specifically the transformation of adversaries into allies. To put it simply, when people discuss Naruto using “Talk no Jutsu” to resolve disputes rather than resorting to combat, they’re referring to this very concept.
In many Japanese video games, TV shows, and anime, it’s quite typical to encounter a scenario where an adversary eventually becomes an ally or joins our group.
In contrast, the shift from foe to friend isn’t always seamless or fitting within the narrative flow. Here, I’ve compiled a list of 10 JRPGs where adversaries transform into allies, either by joining the party permanently or undergoing a change of heart in their climactic scenes.
There will be spoilers ahead for all the games mentioned.
10. Regal Bryant
Tales of Symphonia
Regal is among the party members in “Tales of Symphonia,” but initially, he was on the opposing side. He could serve as an excellent illustration of the distinction between a villain and an adversary, as his reluctance from our first encounter with him in battle suggests.
As a gamer, In this game world of Tethe’alla, the Pope had me, Regal, on a mission to seize Colette. However, when I laid eyes on Presea, I found myself in a dilemma. Later, during our second face-off, he aimed to obliterate Presea’s Exsphere. This forced us into a battle where we ultimately emerged victorious. Post-defeat, Colette tended to Regal’s wounds. Upon regaining consciousness, Regal decided to join our cause instead.
Over the course of their travels, it becomes clear that Regal possesses a greater depth of worldly knowledge compared to his fellow companions. This suggests that he may not be as ordinary as he appears at first glance. Later on, we discover that he was involved in the death of Presea’s sister, and her spirit now dwells within the girl’s Exsphere—a shocking revelation and one of the most poignant plot twists found in the game Tales of Symphonia.
After taking the life of Alicia, Regal vowed to stop using his hands for causing hurt, hence he always binds them. Instead, he fights primarily by kicking. It’s worth noting that a skillfully delivered kick can be far more lethal than a fist.
9. Ursula
Breath of Fire IV
In simpler terms, Ursula isn’t exactly a foe but rather a commander in the Fou Empire who is tasked with capturing Ryu, the main character from Breath of Fire IV.
Once she meets the Dragon Boy, she not only sees him but also catches a glimpse of the Empire’s darker practices, causing her to ponder their actions. She decides to join Ryu and his companions, acting as both an imperial escort and a covert observer.
As I grow more acquainted with Ryu, I find myself recognizing that the Empire’s portrayal of him as a villain is far from the truth. Conversely, my journey deeper into the Imperial territory reveals an indifferent Emperor who seems to disregard the welfare of his people.
Eventually, following General Rhun’s demise, Ursula, who served as a foster grandfather, chooses to align with Ryu in their quest to dismantle Imperial corruption and foil Fou-Lu’s schemes that involve our dragon hero.
8. Goro Akechi
Persona 5 Royal
It can be tricky to label Goro Akechi from the game “Persona 5” as simply a friend, because he started off more like an adversary. However, in the storyline of “Persona 5 Royal,” there’s a significant twist that adds a major exception to this relationship.
In the initial version of the game, Goro Akechi feigns allegiance with the Phantom Thieves, showcases his power to traverse the Metaverse, and even manages to gain membership within their ranks as he infiltrates Niijima’s Palace. Later on, he deceives Joker in one of the most gripping twists found in a JRPG. In the end, Akechi decides to make the ultimate sacrifice to aid the Phantom Thieves.
In the expanded version of “Persona 5 Royal,” a new third semester is introduced, in which Goro Akechi reappears. This detective openly shows his animosity towards the Phantom Thieves, suggesting that he’s alive because of Maruki’s power to manipulate reality. However, he refuses this fabricated existence and teams up with the Phantom Thieves to defeat Maruki.
In the finale of “Royal”, should the player reject Maruki’s manipulated reality, it seems that Goro Akechi meets his end once more. However, a post-game scene hints at something intriguing – a suggestion of Akechi being alive and moving about, which keeps the ending somewhat ambiguous.
7. Harle
Chrono Cross
As a gamer, I could contend that roughly half of the characters in Chrono Cross transform from foes to allies following Serge’s body swap with Lynx, but I prefer to delve deeper into an intriguing subject instead. In this discussion, let’s focus on my beloved dragoness, Harle.
Harle presents a puzzling persona, making it challenging to categorize her as either foe or ally. Initially, she appears alongside the genuine Lynx, seemingly intent on hindering our strategies. Later events reveal her setting fire to Radius’s home and offering herself as an optional adversary in combat.
Even though Serge transforms into Lynx, she ultimately proves to be more helpful than harmful, even with her knowledge of the truth. As the story unfolds, it is eventually disclosed that she had been secretly leading us towards the Frozen Flame all along, offering a surprising twist in my first JRPG experience.
In one aspect, she served as a representative of the Dragon Deity, employing Serge to secure the Frozen Flame. At the same time, though seemingly devoid of emotion, she found herself developing affection towards the main character, resulting in a struggle within her between her assigned task and these newfound feelings.
In the end, she turned out to be nothing more than a piece of the Dragon Deity that we ruthlessly overcame.
or
Eventually, she was merely a shard of the Dragon Divinity, which we brutally vanquished.
or
She eventually became insignificant as a remnant of the Dragon Deity, who we relentlessly conquered.
Each version keeps the meaning of the original sentence while using different word choices and structures to make it more natural and easy to read.
6. Asch
Tales of the Abyss
In simpler terms, Luke Fon Fabre from “Tales of the Abyss” shares striking similarities with the character Asch, as both are remarkable figures in the “Tales of” series. Originally, Asch was abducted and trained to be an ideal soldier for the antagonist Van.
Just as someone who was abducted as a child might develop a resentful thirst for retribution, Asch matured with a deep-seated bitterness and an unquenchable desire for revenge. Upon encountering the main group, he exhibits a poisonous contempt towards Luke, frequently criticizing him as a failure and undermining him at every turn.
At times, Asch demonstrates acts of assistance within the group and exhibits a somewhat hesitant sense of unity, which isn’t common among them. Occasionally, there are indications that he acknowledges Luke as an individual, albeit without directly expressing this realization.
Just before the decisive battle, Asch selflessly gives up his power to Luke, thus saving the world. Yet, at the end, there’s a hint that Asch might have survived by combining with Luke. Many fans speculate that Asch’s mind now resides within Luke’s body.
5. Hendrik
Dragon Quest XI
Hendrik is the latest character to be added to the group in Dragon Quest XI, a surprise that has led most official guides to conceal his name to preserve the story’s secrecy.
The knight from Heliodor is a character that we can’t help but have complex feelings for. Initially, he appears incredibly rigid, relentlessly pursuing our main character while unwaveringly adhering to his honor code without questioning his commanders. However, it becomes clear as the story unfolds that he is misguided, yet this realization doesn’t diminish his impact.
Hendrik pursues the suspect globally, only to discover later that he was tracking the wrong individual. Regrettably, this realization comes too late, as the world endures catastrophic repercussions from the annihilation of the World Tree. Tragically, the group also loses a cherished member during these events.
In this novel world, Hendrik and the Radiant One find common ground in their shared opposition against the Dark Overlord. As a result, they agree to combine their strengths with the ultimate goal of recapturing Heliodor and safeguarding the remainder of Erdrea.
4. Albel Nox
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
In the game “Star Ocean: Till the End of Time”, Albel Nox is an optional character who can join your party. This means that during your gameplay, you could potentially overlook him, resulting in the swordsman not developing a friendship with you.
In the realm of Airyglyph, Abel the Cruel serves as the commander of the dark-clad Black Brigade. He frequently ridicules Fayt and his companions with an unrelenting demeanor, consistently displaying a heartless attitude during each interaction.
Yet, beneath this harsh exterior lies a heartbreakingly painful history. Albel’s failure in the trial by fire, not only took his father’s life but also left him emotionally scarred and numb.
Initially, Airyglyph perceives Fayt as an adversary and dispatches its troops to engage in combat with him, among whom is Albel. On two separate instances, Albel spares Fayt’s life, causing the kingdom to question his loyalty and imprisoning him for suspected treason. Subsequently, Albel is forgiven and assigned a mission alongside Fayt to vanquish a dragon.
After that point, if the player chooses wisely and maintains friendly interactions with Albel, the swordsman becomes an ally. I unintentionally enlisted him during my initial gameplay because I wasn’t aware he was optional—and I’m grateful for it. Albel proved to be a formidable opponent in combat and ranks as my second favorite character to control.
3. Kain Highwind
Final Fantasy IV
Kain is an exceptional situation due to him switching from friend to foe, then back to friend, then enemy again, and ultimately a friend for the last time. He may have been the first significant instance of betrayal in the JRPG genre. Initially, it was quite surprising, but once we learned he was under mind control instead of acting voluntarily, its impact lessened.
I clearly recall the scene since I’ve always been fond of Dragoons as a job in the game “Final Fantasy.” In “Final Fantasy IV,” we spend some time fighting alongside Kain before he departs from our party. However, it’s only later that we learn he was under Golbez’s mind control. But beneath this control lies his genuine anger and jealousy towards Cecil.
Ultimately, Kain re-enters the team formally and is a pivotal figure throughout the game, with the exception of the Game Boy Advance edition. Desiring redemption for his past actions, he offers his lance expertise and agility to his companion Cecil until the game’s conclusion.
2. Jin
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
From my perspective, I find Jin to be one of the coolest characters in the Xenoblade Chronicles series. Initially, he appears as a tough Blade with a distinctive style reminiscent of Tetsuya Nomura, but his character seems rather simple at first glance.
As the story of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 unfolds, we gradually come to grasp and even empathize with Jin’s reasons. The Blade, who heads the Torna group, perceives that humans often mistreat Blades, treating them as mere tools rather than sentient beings.
To alter this situation, Jin initially aims to annihilate both the world and the Architect, the inventor of the Blades. Yet, following multiple encounters with Rex, Pyra, and Mythra, Jin comes to understand that humanity is not monolithic, and there are those who treat Blades with compassion and care as they rightfully should be treated.
In the end, Jin bravely lays down his life for the main group, shielding them from Amalthus and allowing them to carry on climbing the World Tree. With his last breath, the Sword achieves tranquility. I strongly advise playing the expansion Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country, as it delves deeply into Jin’s past and reveals the reasons behind his actions.
1. Magus
Chrono Trigger
As a gamer, I’ve always seen Magus, or Janus as some call him, as the primary adversary in Chrono Trigger. Not only did he wage war against Guardia and turn Glenn into a frog, but for most of the game, we were under the impression that he was the one who engineered Lavos, the harbinger of future destruction.
Upon our journey to the breathtakingly beautiful city afloat, Zeal, we uncover details about the sorcerer’s past. Magus, it seemed, was attempting to conjure Lavos to eliminate him as a means of protecting his sister, Schala. Granted, he took some questionable steps in the process, but perhaps his intentions were noble – at least that’s the assumption we can make.
In my initial playthrough of “Chrono Trigger”, I wasn’t aware that Magus could be recruited, so during the final battle with Frog, I ended up defeating him. Unlike me, my sibling had a soft spot for warlocks and chose to spare him instead. It turned out that sparing Magus allowed him to join our party, which made my brother extremely happy. However, I later came to regret my decision because I didn’t have Magus in my party during the rest of the game. As a result, I restarted “Chrono Trigger” using the New Game+ option specifically to recruit Magus this time around.
Unfortunately, allowing Magus to survive means that Frog will continue to be under a curse and can’t revert to his human form – which is quite disappointing since preserving the Triple Tech Omega Flare comes at the cost of denying our noble knight the opportunity for a conventional lifestyle.
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2025-02-21 01:10