JRPGs With The Biggest Plot Twists

Engaging plots with unexpected turns and swerves are what give life to numerous remarkable role-playing games, including those not as widely appreciated. These plot twists can serve as powerful surprises that entirely alter the story’s direction, while others might lead the narrative astray or veer off in strange directions. The genre of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPG) encompasses a wide spectrum of plot twists, ranging from brilliant to baffling.

Fortunately, any type of plot twist can be effective if it’s impactful. Even seemingly absurd plot twists can work, provided they are unexpected and captivating. Let’s delve into some of the most dramatic plot twists found in Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs).

Final Fantasy 8: The Orphanage Twist

Outlandish and Widely Criticized

Final Fantasy 8 kicks off by presenting the SeeD, an exceptional military force consisting of teenagers who function as mercenaries. At the onset of the game, these mercenaries aren’t acquainted with each other, but their paths cross unexpectedly on a basketball court where a significant truth is disclosed. The shocking revelation is that all these soldiers were actually childhood friends, having grown up together in the same orphanage.

In a few years, they had lost touch due to an unexpected revelation: The summoning entities called Guardian Forces (as seen in FF8) occupy a portion of the user’s brain that stores memories, leading to memory loss. This plot twist, considered one of the most criticized in video gaming history, and arguably the most criticized within the Final Fantasy series.

The Death of Aerith, Final Fantasy 7

Still One Of The Most Tragic Deaths In Gaming History

In 1997, it’s safe to say that hardly any player of Final Fantasy 7 wasn’t taken aback when they discovered that no Phoenix Down could revive Aerith after her tragic death at Sephiroth’s hands. This unexpected turn of events dealt a heavy blow to gamers worldwide, making it one of the most memorable and heart-wrenching moments in the game’s history.

30 years on, Square Enix has shown it still packs a powerful punch with its shock value intact. They’ve subtly adjusted the recipe in Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, leading players to believe they might be able to alter things this time, only to unveil that fate remained unalterable and this event was inevitable. This is definitely a moment destined for the annals of gaming history.

Persona 5: Betrayed By A Seemingly Trustworthy Ally

You Never Know Who To Trust

In many instances, betrayals prove to be the most frequent and surprisingly effective forms of unexpected turns in anime productions. It was imperative for Persona 5 to incorporate such a twist in its narrative journey, aiming to secure its position as the finest video game inspired by anime ever created.

If you prefer to avoid spoilers, give this game a try for an exciting ride filled with unexpected twists and turns. For those unfazed by spoilers, it’s Igor who makes an appearance in the game. Though he may seem peculiar within the game, he appears loyal and competent at his duties. However, he has personal objectives that will conflict with those of the main group – a challenge for anyone seeking to preserve their illusion of free will.

Earthbound: It’s Aliens

And Quite An Encounter

For those who yearn to believe in extraterrestrial life, it can be disappointing to find that aliens aren’t typically the solution to the mysteries they encounter. Contrastingly, in the world of “Earthbound”, aliens do play a significant role and leave quite an impact on the narrative.

As a gamer, I embarked on an adorable, kid-friendly RPG journey alongside a band of young companions, eager to unravel our neighborhood’s peculiar mystery. However, in stark contrast to the vibrant colors and charming characters that dominated most of the game, the final battle scene suddenly plunged me into a chilling red and black abyss. There, I found myself face-to-face with Giygas – an alien entity so enigmatic that the game barely managed to provide any explanation for its existence. This final boss encounter wasn’t just a shocking plot twist; it was a bold, groundbreaking move in video game history.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – The Organ Trafficking Mission

Pokémon Would Never

The game titled “Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth” is a detective-style spinoff within the Digimon universe, which makes it somewhat more somber than typical Digimon stories might suggest. However, there’s one instance where the tone takes an unexpectedly bleak turn. In a mission labeled “Living Doll, Dead Body,” players uncover a chilling scenario-an individual uses lifelike dolls that resemble humans to lure victims, intending to capture them and potentially strip their bodies for unknown purposes, possibly involving organ harvesting.

The player can halt the operation eventually, but not before the group’s last victim ends up stranded in cyberspace without a physical body to return to. This is quite bleak, even by the standards of games like Cyberpunk 2077, let alone Digimon.

Chrono Cross: Everybody From Chrono Trigger Is Probably Dead

Fan Disappointment In An Otherwise Great Game

Many online lists consider the apparent death of the main character from Chrono Trigger to be a major plot twist, although it is temporary, unlike Aerith’s death. For fans who persist in playing Chrono Cross, this event does indeed transpire.

Chrono Cross, similar to its predecessor, stands among the all-time great games. However, unlike the original, Chrono Cross implies that Crono has perished. While this sets up the possibility of his reappearance later in the story, sadly, Crono is nowhere to be found throughout the game. Instead, players take on the roles of an entirely new group of characters. One might wonder if everyone else met a similar fate, but perhaps it’s better to leave such questions unresolved.

Vagrant Story: The Answer To The Game’s Biggest Mystery

It’s All Up To Interpretation

At the beginning of the game “Vagrant Story,” there’s a scene depicting Ashley Riot’s family being brutally slain by a group of armed assailants. This serves as a powerful starting point for his character, although it’s a narrative element often seen in many stories. However, “Vagrant Story” tends to avoid tropes, and later reveals that the culprit behind these murders is none other than Ashley himself, as shown in another cutscene.

Most impressively, what makes this standout is that it isn’t the real twist yet. The game intentionally keeps you guessing about which of the flashbacks are authentic, or if any are at all. The game could be hinting at a complex implanted memory plot, leaving the truth always obscured. This daring narrative decision in a game is truly exceptional and effectively says, “Focus on the present, immerse yourself in this fantastic game instead.

2025-09-02 06:06