JRPG Where The Main Character Has Amnesia

Key Takeaways

JRPGs utilize amnesia to weave mystery into narratives, exploring character identities and broader plotlines.
Characters like Cloud Strife, Neku Sakuraba, and Adol Christin embark on identity quests through amnesia.
These amnesiac protagonists uncover truths about their past, connections to worlds, and forgotten memories.

As I delve into these captivating narratives, I can’t help but marvel at the intricate lives of our protagonists who, much like some of us, grapple with the mystery of their past. Each character, in their own unique way, navigates through amnesia, uncovering pieces of their forgotten stories while shaping the world around them.

In numerous Role-Playing Games (RPGs) with a Japanese influence, or JRPGs, the objective is often to transport players into fresh, engaging environments. One method used to achieve this immersion involves the frequent employment of amnesia as a narrative device. This plot element helps generate intrigue not only about the protagonist’s identity but also the storyline of the surrounding region. As the main character grapples with memory loss, they set out on an adventure to unravel their own past. Simultaneously, players join this journey, gradually discovering both the game’s world and its unfolding narrative together.

In many Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), amnesia serves as a tool for character progression and world exploration. It generates an intriguing mix of individual and global enigmas, as the protagonist’s forgotten past intertwines with the broader narrative of the game’s cosmos. Here are some games that skillfully employ this plot device.

10 Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy 7)

The Hero With Manipulated Memories

JRPG Where The Main Character Has Amnesia

The storyline of Final Fantasy 7 revolves around Cloud Strife’s journey to unearth the realities and deceptions hidden in his past. While he isn’t completely afflicted with amnesia like other characters, Cloud struggles with a blend of truths and distorted memories caused by false recollections.

In the game, Cloud grapples with his past, which he supposes was as a part of the elite SOLDIER unit. As the story unfolds, the character discovers further details regarding his identity, his links to the Shinra Corporation, and the mysterious Sephiroth.

9 Neku Sakuraba (The World Ends With You)

A Boy Forced To Participate In The Reapers’ Game

In the story “The World Ends With You,” Neku Sakuraba awakens in the district of Shibuya, unable to recall anything beyond his personal name. It isn’t long before he learns that he is a participant in the Reapers’ Game, an event where he must collaborate with another character named Shiki Misaki to stay alive throughout a span of seven days.

As the game unfolds, Neku gradually uncovers details about the plot and realizes that Joshua selected him to take part in the competition instead of him. Additionally, he finds out that this game will ultimately decide the destiny of the entire city of Shibuya.

8 Adol Christin (Ys: Memories of Celceta)

The Protagonist Without Memories Of Casnan

As a dedicated fan, I’d rephrase it like this: In the game known as Ys: Memories of Celceta, I find myself in the shoes of Adol Christin, the familiar face from the Ys series, who mysteriously finds himself in the city of Casnan with no memories. I’m joined by a friend named Duren, who claims to know me, and we embark on an exciting journey together, delving into the unexplored lands of Celceta.

On their journey across the terrain, confronting adversaries and charting the surroundings, Adol comes across companions. They collaborate on a quest to regain Adol’s lost memories as well as unearth the mysteries surrounding his link to this area.

7 Fei Fong Wong (Xenogears)

The Tragic Story That Even The Protagonist Doesn’t Know

In the game titled “Xenogears”, Fei Fong Wong embarks on a journey from his humble beginnings as an amnesiac resident of Lahan Village. He has no recollection of his past events. A catastrophic incident in Lahan Village propels him to search for answers concerning his history and fate.

Throughout the game’s progression, it becomes clear that Fei has another self, known as Id, who emerged from the turmoil of his youth. Notably, Fei was fashioned as a fresh personality to lead a tranquil life, devoid of the recollections of his distressing childhood traumas.

6 Luke Fon Fabre (Tales Of The Abyss)

Learning To Live Outside The Luxurious Life Of The Fabre Mansion

The story, Tales of the Abyss, revolves around Luke Fon Fabre, a young noble who underwent trauma-induced amnesia following an abduction. To shield himself from the painful memories, his mind eliminated all recollections of his captivity and the preceding events.

As Luke delves deeper, he discovers a hidden conflict between the lands of Auldrant, and finds out that his capture is part of it. Moreover, he realizes he bears a significant relationship with an old evil character named Van Grants, who intends to demolish the existing world and construct a new one according to his beliefs.

5 Aleph (Shin Megami Tensei 2)

Facing Angels And Demons

Platforms: Super Nintendo, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, iOS, Android
Released: March 18, 1994
Developer: Atlus
Genre: JRPG

In Shin Megami Tensei 2, Aleph embarks on his adventure as a gladiator in the underworld city of Valhalla, a deteriorating metropolis that plays a significant role within the game’s core locations. He is a character steeped in enigma, plagued by amnesia and lacking any memory of his past or real self. Initially called Hawk, he rises from anonymity to command attention on the battlefield.

In the story, Aleph finds himself caught up in a struggle between heavenly beings, angels and demons. As the main character, you are tasked with making decisions that carry moral and ethical implications, shaping both the narrative’s progression and the destiny of the world.

4 Kaim Argonar (Lost Odyssey)

An Immortal With No Memories Of The Past

The game, titled “Lost Odyssey”, chronicles the journey of Kaim Argnoar, an individual blessed with eternal life yet plagued by memory loss, in a realm undergoing a fusion of Magic and Industrial Age. Here, magic is no longer just a mystical force but a potent resource. Two powerful nations, Uhra and Gohtza, are in fierce competition for supremacy, leveraging their magical prowess. Kaim teams up with fellow immortals Seth and Queen Ming to delve into the Grand Staff, an immense engine harnessing magic’s power.

In short time, they expose Gongora’s plots – an eternal being meddling with events to gain power and close the gateway to a mirror universe, thereby achieving invulnerability.

3 Rush Sykes (Last Remnant)

A Forgotten Connection With The Remnants

In the game The Last Remnant, I find myself in the role of Rush Sykes, a character who’s been keeping a secret from himself – I’ve got amnesia, oblivious to the fact that chunks of my past have slipped away. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to be found and raised by John and Marina Sykes as their own kid.

At some stage, Rush learns about his past as he revisits the location where he was abandoned. His adoptive mom, Marina, conceals crucial memories from him, withholding information about his link to the Remnants – potent artifacts that have sparked conflicts worldwide.

2 Joshua Bright (Trails In the Sky)

The New Member Of The Bright Family

The story of “Trails in the Sky FC” commences as a fellow named Cassius Bright arrives home to his daughter, Estelle, cradling a young boy named Joshua. It’s eventually discovered that this boy becomes part of the Bright household, but it’s not until later that we uncover the enigmatic details of his past.

Despite not having full amnesia, Joshua’s memories have been manipulated by Georg Weissmann, a key figure in the shadowy organization called Ouroboros. It’s later uncovered that Joshua was once part of this group, but he has no awareness of the horrific acts he perpetrated in his past.

1 Joker (Persona 5)

Remembering The Strikes Of The Phantom Thieves

In the opening scene of Persona 5, the main character finds himself under interrogation by detective Sae Niijima. Yet, due to a series of drugs he’s taken, this protagonist experiences memory loss, causing him considerable trouble when it comes to sharing his tale with the detective and establishing his possible innocence.

In the game, the narrative progresses with the main character, who goes by the name Joker following his induction into the Phantom Thieves, gradually recalling his latest experiences. During this time, he encounters new companions and battles against the unjust realities of the world within an alternate realm called the Metaverse.

2024-09-29 18:34