8 Most Shocking JRPG Plot Twists

Plot twists are an enduring element in stories, whether they’re liked or disliked. Personally, I lean towards Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPGs) that offer robust world-construction, a well-structured storyline, and rising action twists that intensify the tension, as opposed to those that drastically alter the overall direction of the plot.

Indeed, it’s undeniable that certain unexpected turns in a narrative can make the story more intriguing, often causing me to exclaim, “I can’t believe I didn’t guess that! It seemed so evident.” This moment of realization is truly invigorating.

Brandon Sanderson contends that the most effective plot twists exceed expectations rather than disappoint them. Certain role-playing games (JRPGs) have grasped this concept, whereas others occasionally stretch credibility too much in their twists.

Here are some of the mind-blowing JRPG plot twists I’ve encountered while playing various games, presented without any particular sequence:

1. The revelation that a major character is not what they seem, as in Final Fantasy X when it’s discovered that Seymour is actually Sin, the summoned beast.
2. A seemingly dead character making an unexpected return, like Aerith’s resurrection in Final Fantasy VII.
3. The unmasking of a beloved hero as the true antagonist, such as Squall’s transformation into Umbral Squall in Final Fantasy VIII.
4. A time-travel twist that alters the game’s timeline, like Chrono Trigger’s multiple endings based on the choices made throughout the story.
5. The exploration of complex themes and moral dilemmas, such as the examination of the nature of good and evil in Tales of Symphonia.

Spoilers ahead.

8. Final Fantasy Tactics

The True Hero Erased From History

In the storyline of Final Fantasy Tactics, one surprising event follows another not merely for dramatic effect, but due to the organic progression, development of the world, and characters’ decisions that inevitably lead to these twists.

It’s a classic tale of history being written by the victors.

Initially, the conflict appears to be a power struggle among noble families. However, upon closer examination, it’s revealed that the church is orchestrating events unseen, with elements of sorcery, supernatural beings, and the notorious Zodiac Stones playing significant roles.

While this transpires, Delita Heiral, once a companion to our main character Ramza, resorts to various strategies in his quest for ascension. Eventually, he attains the throne of Ivalice, earning the title of King and leaving an indelible mark on history as a legendary hero.

As I played through the game, I thought I was the hero, but by the end, it turned out to be Ramza all along. He battled the Lucavi, exposed the church’s machinations, and essentially saved Ivalice from a demonic onslaught, in a sense. Quite an unsung hero he was!

In a nutshell, the abbreviated account may not fully capture the essence of “Final Fantasy Tactics,” but it demonstrates how a narrative can be intricately woven without relying on sensational or sudden plot twists.

7. Tales of Vesperia

Good Old Party Member Betrayal

In the narrative of Tales of Vesperia, the surprise element of the plot twist is not as powerful as some others mentioned, yet it took me by surprise more than any other. The character I’m referring to here is Raven, the imperial spy.

In the game titled “Tales of Vesperia“, you take on the role of the rebellious protagonist, Yuri. Over time, Yuri establishes a guild and interacts with some members of the Guild Union, such as Raven—a carefree character who often brings humor to the story.

I adored Raven. He embodies the archetype of the mature character amidst a youthful JRPG crew, grumbling as if he were in his sixties, though he’s barely forty. It came as quite a shock when he unveiled himself as an imperial spy and turned against our group.

It required a full minute for me to fully grasp the information. Previously, I had learned about Sir Schwann, a distinguished imperial knight who tragically passed away. Intricate and subtle clues in Raven’s narratives suggested this outcome, although they were subtly presented, yet exquisitely so.

The resolution of Raven and Schwann’s storyline unfolded swiftly, diminishing the surprise factor. Yet, even though it was a relatively small plot twist, the way it was carried out was so skillful that it felt like a satisfying betrayal, almost making me glad about it.

6. Chrono Trigger

Protagonists Can’t Die, Right?

In most role-playing games, especially Japanese ones, when my character bites the dust, it essentially spells “game over.” I mean, I’m living vicariously through this avatar, so if they cease to exist, there’s no tale left to tell.

In the intricate world of Chrono Trigger, this game doesn’t follow conventional rules. Surprisingly, it allows you to confront the final boss without needing the main character, Crono, present. If we choose not to undertake an optional quest, it’s possible to vanquish Lavos without his participation.

In some video games, events occur that make you pause, hoping the game will undo those events by some miraculous means or implausible system. However, this was not the case with the game “Chrono Trigger“.

Man, I just couldn’t believe it when Crono turned into thin air at Lavos’ hands! We had been trying to keep him in our team up until then, and poof, he was gone. Square, that was some next-level surprising, dude.

In contrast, even though the main character’s fate in Chrono Trigger is intertwined with the game’s unique system, this system encourages repeated plays to uncover more than just a handful of conclusions.

If the game concludes without Crono’s presence, the finale depicts the team attempting to revive him, implying that the canonical outcome is that our sword-wielder will survive and thrive in the end.

5. Xenogears

So. Many. Plot. Twists.

Xenogears is filled with unexpected storyline shifts, making it hard to choose a standout twist, yet here’s one that left me astonished. However, before I share it, let me express some feelings: I placed my entire trust in you, Citan.

The main topic I’d like to discuss is the multiple identities of Fei. Right from the start, it was clear that there was something unusual about him. It’s not often you encounter someone who blacks out and inadvertently destroys their entire village.

The game Xenogears boasts a highly intricate and layered narrative. Simplifying it to some extent, let me put it this way: instead of having one or two distinct personalities, the main character, Fei, possesses no less than three different identities.

1. I firmly believe that he embodies the soul of Abel, the primordial man in religious lore.
2. His persona seems to be deeply influenced by the Id, a psychoanalytic construct born out of profound psychological turmoil.
3. Yet, beneath this complex exterior lies Fei, the timid character that has won our hearts.

To put it simply, Xenogears’ storyline is so complex that attempting to fully describe it could make me trip over my own words. However, be aware that Fei’s character development contains a surprising revelation, which is just one aspect contributing to the game being highly regarded as one of the greatest JRPGs from its era.

4. Persona 5

All Because of Pancakes

Among my top favorite Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPGs) is undoubtedly Persona 5. However, there’s a significant chunk of the game I haven’t experienced because I haven’t played the Royal edition yet. This is crucial to mention since many gamers claim that the most stunning plot twist in the game unfolds exclusively in this version.

It doesn’t exclude the possibility that there are others, in fact, one of them has been developing since the beginning, starting from the time Joker was being questioned.

To ensure a successful twist, various aspects needed to align, including recruiting Sae Niijima to our team. When this event ultimately transpired, I was left speechless.

At a pivotal instant, Goro Akechi unmasked his betrayal and fired upon an unarmed Joker within the interrogation room. Akechi firmly believed he had ended the life of the main character, causing me to think that the game had reached its conclusion.

To be honest, I was taken aback when it became clear that the group had known Akechi was a traitor from the start.

In preparation, they stepped into the Metaverse just moments before the Joker was supposed to be shot. They cleverly deceived Akechi, leading him to believe that he had killed the main character, when in truth, they had aimed at Ren Amamiya’s mental counterpart instead.

In summary: The Joker managed to pull through, unveiled the corrupt detective, and orchestrated everything with an unprecedented level of elegance.

3. Final Fantasy X

Square Hates Protagonists

Just writing this entry made a tear roll down my face.

Final Fantasy X tells a tale centered around love, self-sacrifice, and mortality. Unexpectedly, our character Tidus, hailing from another realm, finds himself in Spira. He becomes the player’s perspective, allowing us to explore this new world, its unique customs, and deeply rooted traditions.

One tradition involves a self-sacrificing pilgrimage known as the Summoner Journey, undertaken by an individual to halt a catastrophic event triggered by a colossal entity known as Sin, which emerges approximately once every decade, causing widespread devastation.

In this instance, it’s Yuna who serves as the summoner, a character whom Tidus develops affection for. Despite comprehending her objective, he vigorously opposes her self-sacrifice and ultimately manages to sway the entire group towards devising an alternative means to halt Sin’s recurrence without compromising Yuna’s life.

Ultimately, we emerge victorious, a cause for celebration. Yet, as with all wonderful things, this too shall pass. Ah, the bittersweet twist. Despite Tidus’s tireless efforts to save Yuna from her fate, in reality, he was destined to perish from the start.

This plot twist hit me like Superman had thrown a truck at me. Gosh, I cried.

Many people might not be fond of Tidus, perhaps due to the chuckling scene which some find off-putting, but I found myself captivated by his lively, enthusiastic, and hopeful demeanor. Seeing him vanish after significantly impacting those around him left a deep, emotional impression on me.

2. NieR: Automata

The Mission Is a Lie

In a nutshell, NieR: Automata is a game brimming with unexpected plot shifts, making it no surprise that it boasts more than 20 different conclusions, out of which merely five are deemed canonical.

In our video game, we play as androids with the objective of liberating a post-apocalyptic Earth from the robotic entities controlling it. This way, humans, who are believed to be safe on the Moon, may reclaim their home planet once more.

As characters 2B and 9S delve deeper into questioning their assigned task, they stumble upon revelations about its nature and the real motives behind YoRha. What they uncover is startling: humankind has long since ceased to exist.

After discovering this truth, they find themselves questioning why they’ve been engaged in conflict for such a prolonged period if there are no more beings left to claim the rewards. Now, they ponder what their new objective is since their makers are no longer around.

In the game NieR: Automata, there are additional unexpected events, one of which is that each android is destined to malfunction, allowing them to be reset before they begin questioning their purpose – this was how 9S uncovered the truth and managed to retain his memories.

2B, designed primarily to repeatedly eliminate 9S in order to keep him away from the truth, found this strategy less than effective. Consequently, 9S managed to uncover all the secrets.

1. Final Fantasy VII

Cloud Equal Zack

In terms of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), it’s widely acknowledged that the plot twist in Final Fantasy VII ranks among the most memorable. This isn’t just due to the game’s enduring popularity, but also because its creation process was subtly hinted at throughout.

Essentially, Zack’s memories were passed on to Cloud. This means that right from the start of the game, when he claims to have been a member of SOLDIER, fought alongside Sephiroth, and even aspects of his own persona—all these elements were actually inherited from Zack as a result of Jenova cells, mako poisoning, and an accumulation of traumatic experiences.

The most compelling aspect of this plot twist lies in its organic development. The character’s deception tricks the player since the character is being misled himself. In order for us, as players, to discern reality from illusion, he must be uncertain. To my 14-year-old self, it was completely unexpected.

It’s true that in the original version of this popular game, some viewers have pointed out inconsistencies, such as Tifa appearing to be less assertive than expected. For instance, fans often wonder why she didn’t challenge Cloud’s account more vigorously, especially during the Nibelheim flashback scene.

In “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth”, there’s a scene where Tifa communicates with Cloud, expressing concern about his unclear memories and discussing past occurrences together.

Regardless of a few flaws in its execution, it’s hard to dispute that the plot twist involving Cloud and Zack in “Final Fantasy VII” ranks among the most unforgettable twists in the annals of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPG).

2025-02-15 18:10