As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent navigating fantastical realms and battling mythical beasts, I can’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie with these virtual heroes. However, there are times when our protagonists fall short, and it’s not always the monsters they’re fighting that let us down.
From the beginning, Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) have primarily focused on storytelling, offering a set group of characters and following a predetermined plotline with minimal influence from players.
As a gamer, I know that to create an engaging experience, a game needs a diverse and relatable set of characters for me to bond with. In a Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG), the main character serves as the foundation for the storyline’s appeal.
As a devoted gamer, I can’t help but appreciate the significance of the main characters in any game. These are the individuals we initially encounter and who accompany us throughout our journey. If, by some unfortunate twist, the lead character fails to captivate me, my enthusiasm for the game may wane, despite the efforts of the vibrant side characters to keep the story engaging with their rich personalities.
This list is not about characters who are fundamentally negative, dull, or unengaging, but instead highlights those whose actions sometimes impede the plot more than they advance it, or who don’t significantly contribute anything valuable to the narrative.
8 Rex
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Rex isn’t necessarily a poorly-crafted main character in “Xenoblade Chronicles 2,” and he plays a crucial role in the storyline. Yet, given the heavy reliance of the game on anime stereotypes, Rex has become a focal point for all the awkward moments.
I love anime, but I don’t think it worked well in the context of Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Rex is constantly shouting in that over-the-top dramatic way and believes the power of friendship will solve everything, undermining the excellent narrative of the other Xenoblade characters.
Among these anime stereotypes, the most peculiar one is when every female character seems inexplicably drawn towards the main character, frequently resulting in unintentional and embarrassing romantic encounters. However, what makes this odd is that Rex is still just a child.
The issue isn’t inherently Rex’s fault, but since he is the main character, it’s his story that suffers. These diversions in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 take away from the narrative, leaving me feeling let down by the young swordsman.
7 Rush Sykes
The Last Remnant
Rush, the type of figure, rose to be the main character primarily due to possessing a unique quality that captures the attention of all prominent groups. However, if judged by his individual qualities alone, he wouldn’t even warrant a moment of their time.
It seems that The Last Remnant mistakes a protagonist for a leader. Right after Rush encounters David Nassau, the king of Athlum, he suddenly gains influence without having done anything to deserve it.
Despite some resistance from certain generals under David, Rush rapidly gains prominence, as expected given his role as the central character. However, his repeated catchphrases can become grating rather swiftly.
When the introduction of the game states, “The narrative revolves around a young warrior embarking on a mission to bring an end to the ongoing conflict,” it’s important to keep a discerning eye since many JRPGs tend to feature teenagers, even if they make efforts to disguise this fact more subtly.
6 Hero
Dragon Quest XI
Instead of delving into a comprehensive essay about silent protagonists, let me zero in on Dragon Quest XI as it was acknowledged by its creator, Yuji Horii, that perhaps this narrative style may need a refresh.
In older Dragon Quest games and more recent versions such as the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, a protagonist without dialogue doesn’t seem awkward. This is because the classic role-playing game (RPG) format emphasizes text interactions over dramatic cutscenes, making it less dependent on them.
In contrast, as games have advanced with intricate visuals, a mute protagonist among vibrant characters may feel oddly incongruous, and this is exactly the case in Dragon Quest XI.
Observing Erik, Sylvando, and Jade brimming with character and vitality makes it noticeable when attention turns to the main character, who seems more like an inanimate prop, silent and motionless. This treatment doesn’t do justice to the entire ensemble.
5 Randi
Secret of Mana
You might wonder, “Who is Randi?” To clarify, the main character from the game “Secret of Mana” does indeed have a name, but it’s so obscure that many gamers were oblivious to it.
The character named Randi, alongside others, didn’t have a known name beforehand, but when the iOS release of “Secret of Mana” came out, they were officially given their canonical names.
In my opinion, while Randi isn’t strictly mute, his scarcity of dialogue leaves me feeling like I’m not truly connecting with him. It seems that the creators of this JRPG didn’t put as much effort into developing his character as they should have, which can sometimes make a protagonist feel distant or unengaging.
Eventually, due to a seeming disregard for character development, the game Secret of Mana turns out to be heavily focused on action. If you’re not drawn in by the gameplay, there’s little else that holds your interest.
4 Emil Castagnier
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
“Tales of” is a long-running franchise for Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), consistently excelling in character creation and development. However, it occasionally falters when it comes to producing direct sequels.
In the sequel titled “Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World“, we find a fresh lead character named Emil Castagnier, who experiences a tragic event early in the story – the loss of his parents at the hands of Lloyd, the hero from the initial game.
The young lad matures into a persistently complaining and insecure individual, nurturing a deep-seated animosity towards Lloyd for unclear reasons. Introducing a new character who speaks negatively about a favorite figure can be problematic, and it doesn’t aid Emil in forming bonds with the players.
In the game “Dawn of the New World“, they attempt to conceal Emil’s consistently submissive character by providing him with an alternate, tougher persona during combat scenes. However, this effort to portray him as a tough guy falls short of its aim.
3 Zale & Valere
Sea of Stars
I absolutely love the game “Sea of Stars“! It’s as if my childhood fantasies have been beautifully encapsulated in contemporary gaming, boasting an exquisite visual design and a touchingly innocent charm.
To be honest, if I could tweak anything in this game, I’d focus on deepening the characters of Zale and Valere. As it stands now, they feel a bit one-dimensional for my taste. A bit more depth to their personalities or backstories would make them even more engaging to play as.
The two Solstice Warriors were born talented and trained their entire lives for their mission to save the world. The prologue depicting their training is endearing and immediately makes me connect with them.
As the story in “Sea of Stars” unfolded, they began to resemble each other more closely. They held similar thoughts, aspirations, anxieties, and predicaments. At a certain stage, it struck me that if their images were taken away from the speech bubbles, I wouldn’t be able to distinguish who was talking.
The game missed a chance to depict Zale and Valere as symbolic figures such as the Sun and the Moon, choosing instead to focus more on characters like Garl, who really stood out in the limelight.
2 Edge Maverick
Star Ocean: The Last Hope
Edge Maverick appears as a character with typical heroic qualities, possessing catchy slogans and noble values that any kind-spirited figure might embody.
As the story of “Star Ocean: The Last Hope” unfolds, it becomes evident that Edge is not merely what he seems. On occasion, he makes some questionable decisions that can be downright foolish, and at times, his actions may strike us as rather awkward or inappropriate.
However, it’s not just Edge Maverick who bears the blame; the entire ensemble of characters in the fourth mainline Star Ocean game is quirky and exaggerated.
As a gamer, I find that if I roll with the ridiculousness of the game, I can really enjoy its cheesy charm. But if I’m not open to that side of things, building a connection with the characters can be quite tough.
Additionally, it seems the choice of name “Edge Maverick” doesn’t make things easier. I mean, Tri-Ace, wasn’t Fayt Leingod a bit of a stretch already? It might sound more appealing in its original Japanese, though.
1 Vaan
Final Fantasy XII
I feel for Vaan, really. I like him because I’ve always had a soft spot for the more optimistic, upbeat, and hyperactive Final Fantasy protagonists like Zidane and Tidus.
It’s challenging to argue that Vaan takes on the role of the main protagonist in Final Fantasy XII. Instead, he seems to serve more as a storytelling tool, providing us with a character who is less deeply involved in the conflict between Dalmasca and Archadia, allowing us to experience the story from his perspective.
It worked with Tidus because he served as the player’s POV in a new world. Maybe the intent was to replicate that strategy, but it didn’t quite pan out.
In Final Fantasy XII, while Vaan might not be the top-tier protagonist, he’s an engaging character. The sequel, Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, provided more opportunities for Vaan to stand out, and he certainly did, demonstrating a blend of charm and depth when given the spotlight.
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2024-11-30 17:09