Saddest JRPGs, Ranked

Most people assume that JRPGs are full to the brim with chirpy characters and stories, which is true to an extent. However, it’s not until players check out some of the most popular and celebrated games in this genre that they realize the level of nuanced storytelling present in these games. Some of the best JRPGs have emotional stories that will make fans shed a tear multiple times.

These sad moments can come out of nowhere, or slowly build up over the course of a masterfully crafted game. Even if players may not be all that happy to play a JRPG that messes with their emotions, strong character moments and riveting narratives ensure that they will be on the edge of their seats for the entire experience.

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5 Final Fantasy 15

The Happy Boy Band Energy Comes Crashing Down

Most players familiar with Hajime Tabata know how he loves his fair share of tragedies in his video games, and Final Fantasy 15 is no exception. The game lulls players into a false sense of security with a bright, engaging open world and amazing camaraderie between the main cast, only for tragedies to start piling up. Noctis’ father dies in an enemy invasion, the woman he’s betrothed to dies at the hands of his nemesis, and his best friend loses his eyesight in a bid to protect him.

After he is pulled into Crystal to absorb the knowledge he needs to stop Ardyn, Noctis comes back to a world where daemons run rampant. He reunites with his friends, and embarks on one final adventure where he comes back to Insomnia and takes Ardyn out at the cost of his own life. The final scene shows Noctis and Lunafreya enjoying their marriage in the afterlife, with the protagonist looking fondly at a picture players choose that embodies their road trip before the game draws to a close.

4 I Am Setsuna

Maidens Are Sacrificed In A World Stuck In A Cycle Of Sadness

A lot of people may unfairly label I Am Setsuna as an imitation of Final Fantasy 10‘s story and Chrono Trigger‘s combat, but there’s more to this title than meets the eye. The idea of a world sacrificing an innocent maiden to appease a selfish god and prevent him from laying waste to their existence is as bleak as they come, and I Am Setsuna leans heavily into a sad atmosphere. The snow-coated world is melancholic, and characters can’t stop talking about how their world is constantly on the brink of destruction.

This is why it’s so heartwarming to see the heroes take their fate into their own hands, refusing to let Setsuna become another sacrifice. They take on this malevolent entity and strike it down, finally bringing peace to a world that has been mired in sadness for the longest time.

3 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion

The Breakdown Of Each Major Character Is Hard To Witness

In many ways, Zack is the perfect protagonist for a game like Crisis Core. He’s a charming and upbeat individual who doesn’t let anything wear him down, making him a shining beacon of light in a title that is full of dark undertones and sad moments. The new characters in this title are a joy to interact with, with Angeal being a notable mention. Watching his mentor slowly become disillusioned with the idea of being Shinra’s tool and forcing Zack to finish him off is an emotional moment, with the Buster Sword passing down to Zack not long after.

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Sephiroth is also shown in a sympathetic light at times, making his final descent into madness harder to digest. Of course, one can’t forget about Cloud’s ordeal after he sees Nibelheim set ablaze by Sephiroth, prompting him to stand up for himself and battle Sephiroth along with Zack before the duo is whisked away to be experimented on by Hojo and other Shinra scientists for four long years. This heartbreaking detail is revealed in Aerith’s letter, who was waiting for Zack all this time without losing hope. Unfortunately, their reunion never came to pass, with Zack losing his life in a final stand as they fought off waves of Shinra troops to protect Cloud.

2 Koudelka

The Main Characters Have Been Through A Lot

Koudelka

Systems

Released

December 16, 1999

Developer(s)

SNK

Fans may be familiar with Shadow Hearts, but what players aren’t aware of is that this game is technically a continuation of a PS1 JRPG that was overshadowed by the release of Final Fantasy 9. Koudelka is a gothic role-playing game that’s as dark and brooding as they come. The trio of the eponymous heroine, James, and Edward explore the Nemeton Monastery to dispel the horrors plaguing it. This haunting is way more personal than players assume. The spirit is revealed to be James’ long-lost love, Elaine, whom he gave up on because he felt that she was better off in the arms of another. This backfired, since she died and her husband tried to bring her back, only to bring back a vengeful spirit who killed him and haunted the monastery.

The most thematically appropriate ending involves players losing to the final boss so that James can right his wrongs and sacrifice himself to destroy Elaine’s spirit, which shows how harrowing Koudelka‘s story is. The main character herself has endured a tough life as well. She reveals in a heartfelt bonding session with Edward that her affinity to magic caused her mother to abandon her when she was just nine years old, forcing her to endure horrible things that closed her off to the world for a long time.

1 Persona 3 Reload

The Theme Of Loss Is Rife Throughout

Persona 3 has a strong focus on the themes of loss, and fans have rightfully pointed out that Reload‘s peppy menus and stylish presentation may clash with its dark overtones. This may be true to an extent, but one need only look at the remake’s improved presentation to see how much the story benefits from this. The emotional journey that players are taken on is deeply tragic, with numerous characters close to the main cast dying as the heroes experience loss after loss.

Even after players think that they’ve saved the world by taking out Nyx, there’s a final gut punch in the ending, where the protagonist’s friends regain their memories and run towards the dormitory in the hopes of reuniting with their friend. However, they’re too late, and the hero breathes his last in Aigis’ lap as the last of his life ebbs away.

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