10 Most Tragic JRPG Deaths We Still Aren't Over

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of gaming, I can confidently say that the demise of a beloved character is always one of the most poignant moments in any game. And when it comes to characters whose deaths have left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of gamers worldwide, Aerith Gainsborough from Final Fantasy 7 takes the top spot.

As a gamer, I’m drawn into immersive JRPG worlds where magic is as common as grass and wounds are mended with ease by a mere spell. Resurrecting the departed is possible, yet developers know how to tug at our heartstrings – when they want us to shed tears, it’s time for characters we care about to meet a permanent, heart-wrenching end.

Although losing a Pokemon during a Nuzlocke challenge or playing a roguelike game might cause emotions like sadness, this response is largely due to the unpredictable nature of player involvement and bonding with characters. However, when death is an integral part of the storyline, it tends to have a more profound impact.

JRPGs (Japanese Role-Playing Games) are well-known for their significant impact on the concept of party member demise. They boast some of the most memorable instances, which continue to echo in the annals of gaming culture, even decades after they were first introduced.

From battlefield allies, to lovers, to friends – these are the most tragic JRPG deaths that players have born witness to.

10 Zack Fair

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

10 Most Tragic JRPG Deaths We Still Aren't Over

Anticipating a character’s demise ahead of time doesn’t automatically lessen its impact. In fact, gamers who played Crisis Core and were familiar with Final Fantasy 7 found themselves bracing for that inevitable moment throughout the entire game.

In Final Fantasy 7, Zack’s demise was somewhat understated due to the constraints of the hardware, with him being outnumbered and overpowered by a small group of soldiers.

In Crisis Core, the sophisticated technology revealed progressively more details, which ultimately led Zack into confrontations with the powerful Shinra military. As he fought, his DMW device gradually malfunctioned, and the memories of his cherished friends began to blur, until all that remained was Aerith – the woman he deeply admired and loved.

Despite knowing that Zack’s demise is imminent, it doesn’t lessen the difficulty in witnessing it. His storyline has reached its tragic end, and it’s crucial for the sequence of events that ultimately leads to Cloud saving the world to unfold.

9 Dyluck

Secret of Mana

10 Most Tragic JRPG Deaths We Still Aren't Over

In the game Secret of Mana, Dyluck serves as the romantic interest for one of the female party members. Throughout the game, she persistently follows him, often finding herself a step behind. Players might anticipate that this pair will eventually reconnect before the game concludes.

Throughout much of Secret of Mana, Dyluck stays alive, but towards the end, he gets overtaken by the wicked spirit Thanatos, ultimately leading to a tragic outcome for him.

Thankfully, Dyluck selflessly gives up his life, ejecting Thanatos from his physical form and transforming him into a Dark Lich – an entity that can be defeated by the heroes. In this way, he heroically saves the world; however, his sacrifice means he is eternally parted from his one true love.

8 Pankraz

Dragon Quest 5

In Dragon Quest 5, the narrative takes a distinctive route, with the main character initially portrayed as a child, maturing into an adult, and eventually commanding their own offspring in combat.

For the hero to become self-reliant, tragically, they need to part ways with their guardian – in this instance, that guardian is their father, Pankraz, who bravely gives up his life to protect his child.

As a gamer, I was the mighty warrior, Pankraz, known far and wide for my strength. However, when my beloved son was captured by monstrous foes, I had no choice but to withstand their vicious attacks, helplessly watching from the sidelines. When the unthinkable happened and Pankraz fell, I was left alone, marking the beginning of one of the darkest chapters in my life.

7 Shinjiro Argaki

Persona 3

It’s undeniable: Shinjiro is rather unlikable in many parts of Persona 3. But, since he’s the team’s resident troublemaker and can join them in battles within Tartarus, it adds a bit of tolerance for his behavior.

As a gamer, I can’t shake off the guilt when it’s unveiled that my careless actions led to the loss of Ken’s dear mom, making him an orphan at such a tender age.

Luckily, he makes amends by bravely taking a bullet meant for Ken, thus saving the child’s life at the cost of his own. As he does so, he offers some poignant final words of comfort.

In both Persona 3 Portable and during the female protagonist’s storyline, there’s an opportunity for Shinjiro to avoid his predestined outcome. If Shinjiro is romanced, it opens up the possibility for his fate to be altered significantly, potentially leading to a comatose state instead of death, offering some glimmer of hope for his future.

6 Haurchefant Greystone

Final Fantasy 14

In Final Fantasy 14, certain beloved characters like Alphinaud, Thancred, Estinien, and Y’shtola have an uncanny ability to withstand any danger or demise, as fans adore them so much that it seems nothing can harm them. These characters are virtually indestructible, akin to Teflon.

The same isn’t true of the other NPCs in the game, who will be struck down at a moment’s notice.

Among these losses, the most poignant is Haurchefant, a character who offers refuge to the Warrior of Light in Ishgard following their betrayal and subsequent exile.

For a significant part of Heavensward, Haurchefant stands as one of the player’s most reliable allies amidst the complex Ishgardian politics. Tragically, he meets his end at the hands of Zephirin towards the close of the expansion, adding another name to the list of fallen comrades in the struggle against the Ascians.

5 Rei & Zen

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth

Persona Q represented a fusion of Persona 3 and 4, offering an array of characters for selection. Interestingly, players were additionally given control over Rei and Zen – enigmatic figures who lacked knowledge of their past lives.

Ultimately, it’s unveiled that Zen represents a facet of the deity of death, who discovered Rei’s genuine spirit. Moved by the hardships she faced in her existence, this deity fashioned a synthetic world for her, which led to the series of events depicted in the game.

At the conclusion of Persona Q, each character from Persona returns to their original worlds to carry on their adventures. Rei and Zen, however, remain behind, sharing a tender farewell before drifting back into the Sea of Souls. In this second life, they discovered joy that was absent in their first, while their old companions move forward unaware of their existence.

4 Earthern Heart Shifu’s Students

Live A Live

A previously released game, Live A Live, gained popularity again after its 2022 remake. In this game, players assume roles of various historical figures, including Earthern Heart Shifu – an ancient Chinese monk seeking a disciple.

Shifu is faced with selecting among three prospective trainees. The trainee who receives the most instruction from him will be featured as a playable character in the game’s concluding part.

Regrettably, it appears that the other two students meet an untimely end at the hands of a rival group. This tragedy not only robs them of fulfilling their aspirations but also compels the main characters to take action, fighting for their lost comrades.

3 Galuf

Final Fantasy 5

As an ardent enthusiast of Final Fantasy, I often find myself chuckling at the frequent jest among fellow fans. We’ve come to notice that some characters who suffer permadeath seem to be intentionally exempted from revival by magic or Phoenix Down items, which can sometimes disrupt the immersive experience.

In a clear and simple rephrasing, we can say: Final Fantasy 5 made an effort to detail the fate of Galuf, an elder character in the party, whose quest revolves around recovering his lost memories during the gameplay.

Alone and with everyone else down, Galuf rises to confront the primary antagonist, Exdeath. Remarkably, he continues the battle even when he’s at zero health points. His determination stems from a desire to rescue his kin and comrades.

When other party members attempt to resurrect Galuf using various items and spells, their efforts prove futile. The enormity of what he did – safeguarding the fate of two entire worlds – exceeds the capabilities of any ordinary incantation or potion.

2 Crono

Chrono Trigger

In most video games, the main character doesn’t get killed off. It’s extremely uncommon, but there are instances where the storyline persists, with other members of the group assuming the lead role instead.

In the game Chrono Trigger, Crono is destroyed by Lavos, the colossal being intent on consuming the world and potentially destroying it. However, his selfless act doesn’t go unappreciated, as his comrades successfully flee, carrying on the quest in honor of his memory.

Fortunately, Crono’s demise isn’t necessarily final. Given that the story revolves around time travel, there’s an opportunity for a return trip to rescue him.

Even though his death can be experienced within the game and there’s an ending that confirms his demise, it doesn’t diminish the surprising or startling nature of his final moment.

1 Aerith

Final Fantasy 7

Among other possibilities, who else could have claimed the leading position? Aerith from Final Fantasy 7 wasn’t the first video game role-playing game (JRPG) character to meet her end, but without a doubt, she has left an indelible impression.

The profound effect of Aerith’s demise stems from our extended time together during Disc 1, growing familiar with her aspirations, apprehensions, and visions for the future.

Then, Sephiroth strips everything from them, leaving an indelible mark in the memories of those who saw it unfold.

Unfortunately, Final Fantasy 7 Remake fell short in some areas, as the intricate multiverse manipulations ended up muddying the narrative rather than enhancing it. The focus on complex plot points seemed to overshadow the emotional depth that the game originally had, resulting in a less impactful experience overall.

Although Aerith’s initial death scene has been experienced by many, its emotional impact remains powerful. Despite being a well-known event in video game history, it continues to elicit a strong, gut-wrenching response when revisited.

2024-11-29 17:39

10 Most Tragic JRPG Deaths We Still Aren’t Over