Nintendo Franchises With The Most Complicated Lore

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Nintendo has crafted some of the most captivating and complex worlds in video games. From the timeless classics of yesteryears to the current crop of Switch exclusives, there’s no denying the sheer scale of their narrative lore.

Nintendo is an influential and long-standing corporation that has made significant strides in the gaming industry for many years. Over this time, they’ve developed some of the most iconic game franchises globally. Their earlier consoles are home to numerous classics, and the Switch continues to expand its library of games, even after several years since its launch.

Many current Nintendo games offer straightforward stories for players to follow, given the wide range of franchises and numerous titles within each. It’s no wonder then that some Nintendo series over time have accumulated a vast amount of background information or lore. As creators change from writers to directors, and gameplay styles shift, certain games develop complex worlds difficult to navigate, or intricate timelines resembling elaborate roller-coaster schematics more than linear sequences. These particular Nintendo series are notable for their rich and intricate lore that fans need to stay updated on.

5 Fire Emblem

How Do The Iconic Heroes Of Each Game Interact?

The Fire Emblem series stands out primarily due to its memorable, well-crafted characters. While it’s worth noting that these characters often contribute to the roster of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, let’s save that discussion for another time. What truly sets the protagonists, allies, romantic interests, and adversaries apart is the compelling narrative and environment they inhabit. In some games, it’s the characters who carry the weight, while in others, like Three Houses, an intricate and captivating plotline keeps players eagerly returning.

The intricacy in the Fire Emblem series lies in how each game’s events interconnect. While Engage may seem to have a straightforward narrative, it has significantly muddied the waters when it comes to the emblem system. Characters from past Fire Emblem games can be recruited into your team, and these characters possess memories of their original counterparts. However, are they illusions or spirits? If all these games occupy the same world or dimension, how do these emblems retain memories of every possible storyline a player could have influenced them through? This single feature has loosened the tight, self-contained feel of other FE games, replacing it with something vague and complex, which Engage doesn’t quite resolve.

4 Kid Icarus

Open-Ended Stories And Lore

For an extended period, the character cherished by many, Pit, had been sidelined and lost in the shadows, as other more thriving series grabbed the limelight at Nintendo. To this day, the Kid Icarus series is not usually the immediate choice when people think about Nintendo’s roster of heroes, despite the fact that some truly engaging, open-ended games featuring the young angel have been developed.

The game “Kid Icarus: Uprising” was among the top titles for the 3DS, however, its open-ended storyline has left some players puzzled about the power level of Palutena and the relationship between Icarus and her. Is Icarus merely her strongest angel or a source of her strength? Also, how do the extraterrestrial beings from “Uprising” tie into this world’s narrative that is based on Greek mythology?

3 Golden Sun

A Compelling Fantasy Title That Raises A Lot Of Questions

The Golden Sun series is often listed among the best games for any console, be it Game Boy Advance (GBA) or Nintendo DS. These Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) strike a fantastic balance between immersive gameplay and a richly detailed world that stimulates the imagination. However, by the time the third game was released, there were several queries about the nature of the Golden Sun universe.

In the game, the connections among various magical elements like Psynergy, Alchemy, and the controlling lighthouses are not entirely clear. These components play crucial roles, yet their interplay remains unclear. The lighthouses have the power to unlock Alchemy, but what led to its initial sealing? The game Golden Sun is rich in obscure lore regarding Psynergy and Alchemy, and understanding these topics demands a significant investment from players.

2 Xenoblade Chronicles

Incredibly Dense Lore And Worldbuilding

The Xenoblade Chronicles series, encompassing its three primary installments, boasts an immense depth of story and world-creation that captivates many JRPG fans. It’s the unique and fascinating setting that truly sets this game apart. Each title in the series offers something appealing, yet these intricate narratives contain a complex web of lore.

The deaths of Bionis and Mechonis, how these two gods shaped the world of Xenoblade Chronicles, and the nature of the legendary Monado sword are all expanded upon in some very interesting, but obscure directions, and the Xenoblade universe has seriously accrued some deep lore in its lifetime.

1 The Legend Of Zelda

A Timeline Of Massive Proportions

Ever since 1986, “The Legend of Zelda” has captivated Nintendo enthusiasts around the globe with its compelling blend of adventure, exploration, and high-fantasy narrative. This unique mix has been instrumental in creating iconic games on various platforms, each offering challenging dungeons and visually stunning worlds for players to delve into.

The game often features an unconventional release pattern with a complex narrative structure. This storyline splits Link’s character between adult and child versions in different installments, and even includes a timeline where he appears as a fallen hero. Nintendo remains tight-lipped about how the more recent, open-world games fit into this intricate timeline. To make matters more puzzling, retcons across new remakes only serve to further confuse the overall narrative.

2024-10-10 08:33