When it comes to JRPGs, it often feels like the developers have some sort of cheat sheet or ingredient list that list all the necessary requirements to ensures’ their game’s success. Convoluted plot? Check. Hot ladies in skimpy/crazy outfits? Check. Cool cowboys/ninja? (or better yet some sort of hybrid like a cowja?) Check!! But I bet there is another hidden list that developers don’t really refer to unless they really, really want to set their game apart. And if such a list does exist, I know for sure that it will contain these 5 “optional-but-highly-
1. Complicated time travel conundrum
Preferably one that is more mind-boggling that the time loop riddle in the Terminator franchise with an added dollop of sorceresses and dinosaurs and enough parallel dimensions to drive one crazy. Check out Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy 8 among others. There is even a whole theory floating around the internet that Ultimecia is Rinoa in the future. In my opinion, if jolly ole’ Laguna can produce a son as pessimistic and dour as Squall, anything is possible.
2. Kid siblings that dresses oddly and looks a lot like each other except with different hair color
These precocious characters are usually magic casters with pathetic defense; thus driving the gamer mad with frustration. Occasionally, their magic prowess makes them the best attacker in the group…if you can ignore their crazy ass fashion style. See Final Fantasy 4’s Palom and Porom, Lost Odyssey’s Cook and Mack, Eternal Sonata’s Salsa and March, and Infinite Undiscovery’s Rico and Rucha. I don’t want to know how early their parents have to wake up just to stuff them in their weird, skin tight clothes. *Shudders*
3. Extremely cute mascot
Almost 90% of all JRPGs I played contained at least one atrociously cute character/mascot that afterwards gets sold as stuff toys (if the company is out to milk the gamer’s pocket!). See Final Fantasy’s Cactuar, Chocobo, Mug, and Cait Sith, Persona 4’s Teddy, Last Remnants’ Pagus, Shadow Heart Covenant’s Blanca (all right, she’s not the cutest, but definitely cuddliest!), and Skies of
4. Unrequited weepy love story
Another favourite staple of all JRPGs. Something about a girl wanting a guy she can never have appeals to the male Japanese developers. Why don’t we see more of the guy
suffering from unrequited love?! Oh wait, the girl is usually dead! Cue the sad music whenever the hero thinks of his long lost love and the other lady looking at him with yearning while standing far, far away. Every great JRPG is in essence a soap opera with interactive fighting scenes. Lucky for these game developers, gamers like me have a soft spot for love triangles and devoted lovers alike. Tifa from Final Fantasy 7 is the poster child for this category as well as Shadow Hearts Covenant’s Karin. Selvaria Bles from Valkyria Chronicles is also a victim of unrequited love. Unfortunately, the Emperor is a cold fish who rather sacrifice her than appreciate her other considerable err...physical qualities.
5. Cultural ambassador of
No matter how out of place it is, there will always be one girl/guy character who is the ultimate ambassador for Japanese culture. You know, the girl wearing a kimono standing under the cherry blossom tree and/or the taciturn samurai going on and on about honor. See Final Fantasy 10’s Auron and Shadow Heart Covenant’s Kurando and his mother.
If I missed out other notable points or characters, please feel free to enlighten me in the comment box. Otherwise, just leave a glowing comment to receive the Dim Sum Queen’s Ultimate blessing. +50 to HP!
