Japanese role-playing games have made a comeback for the ages, being criminally underrepresented in the seventh generation of consoles before regaining their mojo once again.JRPG behemoths likeDragon QuestandPersonaare more relevant across the world than ever before, and fans can’t wait to check out more imaginative games in the genre that introduce new mechanics, help players bond with a lovable cast of characters, and become heroes after saving the world from a massive threat.
Given that most JRPGs want players to feel like heroes, it’s easy to see why a lot of games in the genre focus on traditional warriors, knights, and other such roles for a protagonist who can look as heroic as can be while on a quest to save the world. While mages are always present in most JRPGs, very few games take a risk and place these magic users in the lead role. The ones that do become more memorable, as a result.
A great thing aboutthe twoOctopath Travelergamesis that players can control one of eight protagonists to serve as the protagonist of their tale. Osvald fulfills the role of a mage inOctopath Traveler 2, with this wise sorcerer being bamboozled by his closest friend when they were working on a valuable piece of research. Osvald loses his wife and daughter and is sent to prison, where he must stage a breakout and find Harvey to get answers.
Starting out as Osvald can be a challenge, especially since the bulk of his moves require players to expend SP, a valuable resource in the early going. This can make early fights somewhat of a challenge, but it shouldn’t take long for the wizard to become one of the most valuable members of the party who can target enemy weaknesses and punish them for being overzealous with numerous magical skills.
While most people argue thatFinal Fantasy 6features an ensemble cast, there’s no denying that Terra’s role in the story is quite significant. She’s the first character players control who is forced to wear a Slave Crown and follow the Empire’s demands until a fateful encounter with an Esper frees her. However, this leads to the mage suffering from amnesia, who must be escorted outside of Narshe before eventually joining the Returners.
MostFinal Fantasygames don’t place mages in a central role, which is why Terra’s importance to the story deserves a mention. Fans who still find it hard to categorize her as a protagonist should remember that another mage, Celes, becomes the central focus of the story after players transition to the World of Ruin. In both instances, it can be argued that players control a mage protagonist in what many people consider to bethe greatestFinal Fantasygame of all time.
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witchwowed everyone with its charming art style, delivering Studio Ghibli’s iconic visual stylings as players were whisked on a grand adventure for the ages. Players control Oliver, a boy who has learned how to wield magic from a young age but never had to use it in combat scenarios all that often. This changes when a freak accident expedites his mother’s demise, prompting Oliver to journey across worlds to figure out a way to revive his mother by any means necessary.
Despite this tragedy,Ni no Kunimaintains its charm throughout an epic journey where Oliver encounters many friends. His in-depth knowledge of magic helps him stand tall against numerous foes, using summons to aid him in combat while bringing out Burning Heart, his Miracle Move for when things get dire. He’s one of the best mage protagonists in JRPG history who elevates thestorytelling quality ofWrath of the White Witchand makes it one of the most endearing games in the eyes of many.
BeforeShadow Hearts, there wasKoudelka. This underappreciated JRPG was overlooked by many because of its slow-paced battles, which is understandable. However, people who managed to give this dated combat a pass would enjoy one of the most atmospheric JRPGs on the PS1 that was full of engaging puzzles and astory that was unlike anything featured in the genre at the time. At the heart of this game is the eponymous protagonist, a Romani with psychic powers who is shunned by her family and turned into an outcast.
Thankfully, this girl managed to find her way and get in touch with Mrs. Blavatsky, a psychic who recognized the girl’s potential and honed it, eventually helping her become a witch who used black magic in combat. She’s an intriguing protagonist who forms an interesting bond with Edward Plunkett and James O' Flaherty, the two other playable characters as they explore the haunted Nemeton Monastery.
Players who feel likegetting into theYsseriesfeels a bit daunting will findYs Originto be the perfect starting point, since the game serves as a prequel to the main series. A unique characteristic of this game is that players can choose the protagonist they control, letting them explore the story from different perspectives before eventually getting the big picture. One of the characters that players can control is Hugo Fact, a magical prodigy who is a blast to control.
He uses his trusty wand and two hovering satellites called the Eyes of Fact to dish out a ton of damage against his foes. Out of all the mage protagonists people can control in JRPGs, Hugo has the most action-packed moveset and is a joy to control as players unlock more powers over the course of this character’s adventures inYs Origins.
