JRPGs With The Best Limit Break Systems

Key Takeaways

Final Fantasy 7 made “Limit Break” popular, but other RPGs have similar mechanics.
Dragon Quest 9 introduced Coup de Graces tied to Vocations for power boosts.
Kingdom Hearts 2’s Drive Forms provided stat boosts and special abilities through transformation.

As a seasoned RPG enthusiast with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that these limit break transformations are some of the most exhilarating and immersive gameplay mechanics I’ve ever encountered. It’s like tapping into the very essence of a character’s power, feeling their spirit surge as they transcend their mortal form and unleash devastating abilities upon their foes.

The term “Limit Break” is primarily associated with “Final Fantasy 7” because it was the game that initially introduced this concept in the series. Although similar mechanics existed in earlier and later games, they were named differently; for instance, “Final Fantasy 10” features Overdrives, while “Final Fantasy 12” has Quickenings instead.

It’s not just Final Fantasy and Square Enix that employ Limit Break mechanics; numerous Role-Playing Games (RPGs) have incorporated similar features where characters can temporarily unleash immense power, akin to a Super Saiyan transformation, during battles. Here are some notable games that showcase this mechanic without revealing any spoilers.

7 Coup de Graces (Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies)

Every Vocation Has A Special Talent Within

In contrast to many other titles in the Dragon Quest series, there aren’t too many games that feature Limit Break-style attacks. However, one notable exception is Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, which stands out as it was the first mainline game on a portable system and the first to offer cooperative play.

In the game Vocations, players can select roles or classes known as Vocations, each with its unique Finishing Moves, or Coup de Graces. For instance, a Mage might be able to activate a 0-Zone effect that momentarily reduces spell costs to zero. Activating a Coup de Grace is somewhat random, but it’s beneficial when characters find themselves in precarious situations such as low Health Points (HP). However, skills and equipment can also aid in triggering these moves.

6 Trances (Final Fantasy 9)

The Most Super Saiyan The Series Ever Got

Among all the Limit Breaks in the Final Fantasy series, those from Final Fantasy 9 seem particularly notable. In this game, they are referred to as Trances, and they hold more significance within the narrative since they debut within the storyline, making them stand out compared to their counterparts in other games of the franchise.

Characters enter a heightened mental state, similar to a boosted mode, which is represented by a damage counter. Each character possesses unique skills that last for several turns. For instance, Vivi can activate his Trance, allowing him to cast two spells simultaneously and these spells are also more potent.

5 Engages (Fire Emblem Engage)

Past And Present Heroes Merge

In “Fire Emblem Engage,” the game creatively blended elements from previous “Fire Emblem” games by allowing players to discover rings carrying heroes from past installments. For instance, the protagonist, Alear, owned a ring belonging to Marth, the character from the initial game.

Characters who wear rings can combine with previous victors, entering a powerful state where all their attributes are boosted. Each character has unique extraordinary abilities that could obliterate enemies, causing the combination to dissolve if not successful; otherwise, it will gradually fade away on its own.

4 Bracelets (Jeanne d’Arc)

Become Gods Temporarily With The Power Of Jewelry

Jeanne d’Arc, too, had some jewelry-related fusions, which is less commonly known among the examples provided. Originally, this game was exclusively available on the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and was developed by Level-5. Fortunately, it has now been emulated for play on both PS4 and PS5 consoles.

In a unique twist, this story explores the war between France and England, with the protagonist, Jeanne, being granted divine powers that enable her to assume an ethereal form reminiscent of Joan of Arc. Other characters will discover transformative charms, allowing them to temporarily enhance their abilities and gain new ones when they undergo this transformation.

3 Drive Forms (Kingdom Hearts 2)

Sora Changes Clothes And Gets More Keyblades

In Kingdom Hearts 2, the game introduced Drive Forms – a feature that players could activate by filling up a gauge during combat with enemies. By transforming into various forms like Valor or Wisdom, Sora gained unique abilities and stat boosts. For instance, his Valor Form enhanced his attack power and equipped him with two Keyblades, while the Wisdom Form focused on magic-related skills.

During the transformation process, there was always a risk of things not going as planned, leading to Sora assuming an Anti-Form resembling Heartless. Each time players triggered the Drive Gauge, it was essentially taking a chance, yet the additional power boost made it incredibly rewarding. In subsequent games, Sora gained similar abilities, but unfortunately, the literal Drive Forms themselves did not reappear.

2 Theurgies (Persona 3 Reload)

Going Beyond The Inner Self

Persona 3 Reload was a comprehensive overhaul of the original PS2 game, introducing numerous modifications such as the inclusion of Theurgies. These become accessible after some time, and they function similarly to traditional Limit Breaks for each character. However, enhancing the Theurgy meter is unique to each character.

In some instances of Theurgy, levels will elevate following attacks or being struck, whereas others grow by supporting teammates. It’s important to note that not all Theurgies are equally potent; there exists a hierarchy or ranking system, as demonstrated by Ken’s exceptional healing capabilities in “Persona 3 Reload”. This is simply the nature of role-playing games (RPGs).

1 Ouroboros Fusions (Xenoblade Chronicles 3)

Bringing Mechs Back To The Series

The Xeno series, which began with Xenogears on the PS1, is known for role-playing games that heavily feature mech combat. Among these, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 stands out as the most recent and particularly significant addition due to its extensive use of mechs within the series.

In due course, gamers will acquire the power of Ouroboros, enabling them to combine two characters into massive mech-like beings. Characters like Noah and Mio are examples, and there are various forms based on who is the primary fusion initiator. Similar to other Limit Breaks that rely on fusion, players must use their Ouroboros forms wisely as they have a limited time to maximize their potential in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

2024-11-10 09:05