The Best JRPGs Games With Evil Gods

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Summary

  • Dragon Quest 9: Zenus is a godlike being, though not supremely evil
  • The World Ends With You: Joshua learns compassion through Neku
  • Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Z orchestrates a war for his own amusement

In various JRPGs (Japanese Role-Playing Games), fans often notice recurring themes such as antagonists with silver hair or masks, protagonists suffering from amnesia, frequent random battles, and numerous others. Additionally, Japan’s narrative often incorporates religion into the backdrop of many stories, sometimes culminating in a malevolent deity encountered by players at the conclusion of their journey.

In contemporary gaming, the concept of evil deities isn’t as commonplace as it once was, but they still make occasional appearances. Let’s explore some well-known JRPGs that center around malevolent deities, evaluate their impact on the narrative and their imposing presence.

Here’s a possible list of classic JRPGs that feature evil gods:

1. Final Fantasy VII – Sephiroth, a self-proclaimed god, is one of the most iconic villains in gaming history. His influence on the plot is extensive and profound.
2. Chrono Trigger – Magus, also known as Lavos, serves as the primary antagonist. Although Magus isn’t technically a deity, his massive destructive power can be seen as god-like.
3. Tales of Phantasia – Dymorn is an evil god who sought to destroy the world. His impact on the plot is significant and helps shape the narrative’s direction.
4. Legend of Dragoon – Valendia was created by the malevolent deity, Oden. Although he doesn’t appear much in the game, his presence and influence are felt throughout.
5. Dragon Quest VIII – The Huang-Di, also known as the Crimson Dragon, serves as the primary antagonist. His destructive power and impact on the plot make him an imposing figure.

There will be spoilers for the games listed.

Zenus/The Almighty (Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Sky)

Passing Judgment

In many Dragon Quest games, divine beings or superior entities make an appearance. However, it’s Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky that uniquely focuses its narrative on a celestial realm. The game begins with players taking on the role of an angel who is subsequently banished to Earth. The objective is to devise a means to return to the heavens. This quest appears to be a lofty one, aiming to reestablish harmony between the two realms for the supreme deity, Zenus, also recognized as The Almighty.

In a less intimidating portrayal, Zenus, who often acts like an overconfident deity, is depicted within the friendly confines of the Dragon Quest role-playing game series. Though he may appear somewhat menacing due to his unwavering belief in his own righteousness, he never crosses into being a truly evil figure. Instead, he’s led astray by power and corruption, aspects that players help rectify as the story unfolds and truth is revealed. The game’s angelic narrative, along with elements like multiplayer interaction and character customization, give Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky its distinctive charm within the franchise. Zenus also makes a reappearance in Dragon Quest 10: Rise of the Five Tribes Online.

The Composer (The World Ends With You)

It’s All A Game

In “The World Ends With You,” our protagonist, Neku, finds himself in Shibuya, a genuine Japanese district, mysteriously sporting a watch-like device on his wrist. Caught within The Game, this otherworldly, nightmare-esque reality, survival is the only option, achievable by winning. Over a series of weeks, Neku evolves, growing more human as he forms alliances with new companions assigned to him, learning about life and empathy along the way.

In time, Neku uncovers that one of his fellow travelers, Joshua, is in fact The Composer – a divine figure responsible for creating the world within the video game, ‘The World Ends With You’. Through his journey with Neku, Joshua develops empathy for humanity, despite previously compelling individuals to suffer and die painfully for an insignificant game. By the story’s conclusion, Joshua’s motives remain unclear, yet it appears he has learned a valuable lesson.

The Sinistrals (Lufia 2: Rise Of The Sinistrals)

A Series About Fighting Evil Gods

As a devotee of the captivating Lufia series, I find it intriguing that the games predominantly revolve around malevolent deities known as Sinistrals. Among all the installments, Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals stands out as a prequel to the original, set in the earliest timeframe and often suggested for beginners to delve into first. Throughout this journey, players encounter gods of Chaos, Death, Destruction, and Fear, with Daos leading their reign.

The objective of the Sinistrals is typical in JRPGs: they aim to take control over humanity and amass power. They are commonly portrayed as evil, yet entertaining to despise, much like Team Rocket in the Pokemon anime. Additionally, it’s intriguing that the Sinistrals recur as the main antagonists in sequels, always striving for absolute godhood regardless of the circumstances.

Fudo-Myoou (Muramasa: The Demon Blade)

Japanese God Of War

As a devoted gamer, I’m excited to share that Muramasa: The Demon Blade offers an immersive experience, no matter if you own the Wii original or the PS Vita re-release. You get to step into the shoes of two different characters: Momohime, a cursed princess, and Kisuke, a vengeful ninja. Despite revisiting familiar territories and encountering random foes, each campaign boasts unique narratives and challenging boss battles.

In numerous boss battles, you may come across lower deities, and one fine instance of this can be seen in Momohime’s campaign where she confronts the Buddhist deity of Wisdom, Fudo-Myoou. Standing tall, this formidable god instills terror, contributing to an awe-inspiring presence of gods within this Japanese-themed action RPG from Vanillaware. Fudo-Myoou serves as an excellent representation of how gods ought to be portrayed in video games; whether they are benevolent or malevolent, they should be imposingly powerful.

Z (Xenoblade Chronicles 3)

Trapped In An Endless Cycle

The Xeno collection is richly imbued with religious symbols and narratives, as evidenced in games like Xenogears, Xenosaga, and Xenoblade Chronicles. In the upcoming game, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the portrayal of a supreme being, referred to as Z, might be the most ominous in the series. This entity appears to instigate a war for his own entertainment, with two factions continuously battling each other, and upon death, combatants are brought back to life to continue fighting.

Even in death, one’s destiny cannot be evaded, a truth less angelic than what was promised. Eventually, the heroes manage to put an end to this endless cycle upon defeating Z and his malevolent alliance. However, this decisive battle unfortunately splits the two realms into distinct universes, leaving many consequences unexplored due to the lack of sequels.

Yu Yevon (Final Fantasy 10)

A Whale Of A Tale

In simpler terms, both “Final Fantasy Tactics” and “Final Fantasy 10” feature intricate religious themes, but “Final Fantasy 10” stands out due to its narrative where the main antagonist, Yu Yevon, serves as the final boss. As retribution for Spira’s past worship of technology as gods, Yu Yevon, the omnipotent deity, created a monster known as Sin. This monstrous whale-like entity periodically emerges to devastate Spira, and the only way to prevent its recurrence is through Summoners embarking on spiritual journeys.

In simpler terms, Yuna is fated to participate in a brutal ritual where she battles Sin to bring temporary peace to Spira, but sacrifices her life in the process. This cycle is eventually broken by Tidus and their companions. After defeating Sin, they engage with Yu Yevon’s spiritual essence. This event causes Tidus to disappear as the illusion of The Faith crumbles, which is sad for Yuna who loves Tidus, but beneficial for Spira overall.

YHVH (Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse)

Two Games, One Ultimate Climax

In the Megami Tensei series, players find themselves caught between angelic and demonic forces that control their actions through manipulation. This is also true for the Persona spinoff series. The most striking example kicks off in Shin Megami Tensei 4. At first, it mirrors Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky, where players protect the celestial realm. However, they are subsequently banished to the devastated remains of Japan during an apocalypse.

In the game’s continuation, Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse, several significant revelations unfold about the story. This narrative concludes with a mix of new and familiar characters. Interestingly, it is revealed that the supreme deity, YHVH, orchestrates a catastrophic war between angels and demons, intending to eradicate humanity. This plot twist paints a grim picture of the apocalyptic struggle. YHVH serves as the final adversary in the game, symbolizing the highest level of malevolent deity confrontations in gaming.

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2025-08-24 03:35