Crafting a captivating narrative in a JRPG is undoubtedly a challenging task. It’s not just a matter of stringing words together; the essence of why players immerse themselves in JRPGs often boils down to the story. When that narrative underdelivers, it can be a frustrating experience for players.
One common pitfall in even the most acclaimed JRPGs is the execution of plot twists. Successfully crafting an impactful twist hinges upon carefully establishing character traits and timelines before revealing surprising developments. However, not all games hit the mark, leading to predictable twists that fail to engage players.
From glaring foreshadowing regarding major plot points to obvious character revelations, JRPGs can sometimes disappoint by serving up twists that anyone could see coming from miles away. This article highlights several well-known JRPG moments where the anticipated surprises fell flat.
Warning: Major spoilers for all listed games below!
Memorable Yet Predictable Twists in JRPGs
1. Seymour Is a Villain
When Maester Seymour Guado first appears in Final Fantasy X, it’s nearly impossible to shake the feeling that he’s up to no good. Despite his initial role as a respected figure in Yevon faith, his appearance and behavior raise red flags. His unsettling demeanor and choices, such as summoning a giant mummy-like Aeon, ultimately confirm players’ suspicions, making his character reveal less surprising than intended.
2. Myth Is… Myth
In Tales of Symphonia, the encounter with a boy named Mithos could have been a riveting twist if not for the heavy foreshadowing. This child, who claims to have survived the attack on Ozette, shares a name with a well-known figure from the game’s lore. Given his vague connections to Cruxis and his too-convenient timing and appearance, players are quick to see the reveal coming long before it happens.
3. King Carnelian Isn’t Truly Evil
In Dragon Quest XI, King Carnelian initially presents himself as an ally. However, his rapid shift to antagonist raises eyebrows about his true intentions. The eventual revelation of his possession by the dark sorcerer Mordegon and clarification that he is not inherently villainous is predictable, especially given the game’s established narrative tropes.
4. The Wisdom of the Shifu Is Short-lived
In the Live A Live chapter set in Imperial China, the introduction of the venerable kung-fu Shifu almost guarantees tragedy. Players familiar with the genre know that such mentor characters rarely survive. The narrative hints at this outcome early on by allowing players to name their school, indicating that the Shifu is fair game, leading to an all-too-expected demise.
5. Lysandre Is the Leader of Team Flare
In Pokémon XY, Lysandre’s evil persona is telegraphed through his connections to Team Flare. Initially appearing as a charming figure advocating for a beautiful world, the reveal of his leadership within Team Flare comes off as predictable, especially when he invites players to join his “cause, ”leaving little room for doubt about his true motives.
6. Euchronia Is Post-Apocalyptic Earth
In Metaphor: ReFantazio, the setting’s revelation as a post-apocalyptic Earth is almost too blatant. The use of the term ‘humans’ for large monsters that the intelligent races encounter gives away too much about the world’s history. By the time players uncover the modern city buried beneath the fantasy setting, the big twist lacks impact, as many would have already speculated the truth.
7. Porky Is the Leader of the Pigmask Army
In Mother 3, the connection between the Pigmask Army and Porky Minch from Earthbound might not be instantly clear. However, seasoned players can quickly identify the impulsive and selfish nature reminiscent of Porky. The buildup leads to the inevitable reveal of his identity, which, while climactic, is something many players anticipate quite early in their journey.
8. Roxas Is Sora’s Nobody
When Kingdom Hearts 2 introduced Roxas, many players already theorized his connection to Sora. Despite the hype surrounding his character, the reveal that Roxas is Sora’s Nobody feels more like an expected conclusion than a shocking twist. While it introduces intriguing plot points, it lacks the surprise factor that earlier marketing had built up.
9. Akechi Is the Traitor
In Persona 5, Akechi’s betrayal of the Phantom Thieves is a notion that becomes apparent almost as soon as he appears. The heavy-handed foreshadowing, including his peculiar behavior and the narrative outline, points players toward the revelation long before it is officially confirmed. Although the game offers an engaging setup for this twist, its predictability mitigates the tension.
As you can see, these JRPGs feature twists that, while integral to their plots, often lack the element of surprise that makes such moments truly memorable. Keeping players on their toes requires clever storytelling and more subtle setups, which can greatly enhance the gaming experience.
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