8 JRPGs That Don't Use the Amnesiac Hero Trope

In a lot of ways, the JRPG genre is built almost entirely on the tropes and clichés that defined it. Thanks in large part to how fluid it is with those tropes, it sometimes feels like we go years without seeing a classic JRPG cliché come roaring back to life.

In terms of the amnesiac hero, it's the kind of trope that had its time in the sun. It defined a huge number of 1990s JRPGs, and continued well into the 2000s. It certainly persists today, but feels a lot less common.

The prospect of a hero with no memory of their past life, piecing together how that affects their current adventure, has powered some pretty important JRPGs over the years. For the games that don't use it, however, they stand out among the crowd. Some of them are also pretty solid contenders for the best the genre has ever seen.

8 Super Mario RPG

A Timeless Classic

Though he explores some rather unfamiliar territory, Mario's first RPG adventure very clearly avoids the amnesiac trope. Super Mario RPG sees the jolly plumber from Brooklyn on a huge adventure, recruiting pals like Peach and newcomers Geno to the party.

Mario shows absolutely no sign of amnesia, having a clear head about each and every person he encounters. It would probably be a bit strange to give Mario amnesia anyway, but Super Mario RPG steers very clearly from the trope.

Super Mario RPG is also an excellent game. Its weird, offbeat humor and quirky writing are wonderfully charming. That sense of style and weirdness would pave the way for other Mario RPGs to follow the same pattern.

7 Triangle Strategy

The Best HD-2D Game

Though I do understand the potential fatigue setting in with Square's HD-2D art style, I find myself eagerly waiting for what they're going to do next with it. Back in 2022, Square released what I feel is still the best HD-2D game in Triangle Strategy.

With its slick combination of tactics-based gameplay, a richly detailed fantasy world and an incredible cast of characters, Triangle Strategy is such a fantastic experience. It also rather handily avoids the amnesiac hero trope.

Serenoa Wolffort is a headstrong, compelling leader who is grappling with whispers of betrayal and a quest to prevent all-out war. He feels like a classic JRPG hero in that he's brave, charismatic and a little bit arrogant in the coolest ways.

6 Skies of Arcadia

Ahoy, Mateys!

In all the years since Skies of Arcadia released, I've tried, and failed, to find a game that creates the same feeling as that one does. It's been over twenty years, and I've yet to play a JRPG with the same genuine sense of wonder that this game can conjure up.

It's one of those games where, if you're a fan of it, you're likely a superfan. No other level of fandom will do, as Skies of Arcadia is a game that can define your personality for decades.

The lead character of Vyse also has absolutely no signs of amnesia. He's a focused, straight-ahead JRPG hero who I would easily rank up there with some of the best in the genre.

5 Valkyria Chronicles

A JRPG Like No Other

For the last fifteen-plus years, I have tried to get everyone I know to play Valkyria Chronicles. It's the kind of game that a lot of people think they understand, but you can't really get a strong grasp of how great it is until you play it. On the surface, it looks like a standard strategy JRPG, but it's a lot more interesting than that.

I love how satisfying the combat and encounters feel in Valkyira Chronicles. A lot of games that use this style of combat don't feel nearly as tactile, but the actual act of firing a gun or using a tank just feels so incredibly tactile and heavy.

Both of Valkyria Chronicles' lead characters, Welkin and Alicia, are absolutely fantastic. Their relationship forms the backbone of the game's story, and I just love both of them. The story and characters of Valkyria Chronicles are some of the best I've ever seen in a JRPG.

4 Final Fantasy 13

Lightning Strikes Thrice

If any JRPG franchise has a solid track record with amnesiac protagonists, it's Final Fantasy. Characters like Cloud, Squall and Terra are formed by their amnesia, but Square has also done their best to avoid the trope.

One game that did that exceptionally well was Final Fantasy 13. Lightning is as clear-headed as one can possibly get, and the way she reacts to the surrounding situation to evolve from fairly passive to proactive, is terrific.

Final Fantasy 13 has a pretty unfortunate reputation, but I have always had such a fondness for this game. The combat is excellent, and despite the linearity in the beginning, it's truly breathtaking when it opens up.

3 Yakuza: Like a Dragon

We're a JRPG Now

It's still rather strange to me that Sega decided to make a mainline Yakuza game a JRPG, then decided that this is just what the franchise is now. It was clearly a smart decision, as Yakuza: Like a Dragon has shipped over two million units, and helped to make the franchise a household name.

Like a Dragon took strong influence from genre staples like Dragon Quest, and it wears those influences on its sleeve. It's honestly so impressive that their first attempt to turn the franchise into a JRPG was as good as it was, and subsequent Yakuza games would follow suit.

It also introduced a new character, with ex-con Ichiban Kasuga taking the reins from former protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. Ichiban is an absolute delight, and has become one of the franchise's most beloved heroes.

2 Chrono Trigger

One of the Greats

No JRPG conversation is complete until Chrono Trigger is brought up. It's one of the most influential video games of all time, exceeding the JRPG tag in every possible way. Indie developers have taken inspiration from Chrono Trigger forever now.

It has some of the most enjoyable combat in the genre, and the pace at which it unfolds is still impressive today. The combat and action just feels so energetic, and there aren't many JRPGs from this era that have as much spark as this one.

Chrono himself is a fabulous protagonist. Among '90s JRPG heroes, Chrono feels like the most archetypal example. He's a young man on the brink of destiny, and faces off against the forces of evil with a brave face.

1 Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age

An Old Favorite

Dragon Quest 11 was one of those special games that makes me feel like I'm reliving a part of my childhood that is long gone. Spending hours upon hours just exploring a huge fantasy world gets a little tougher with adulthood, but Dragon Quest 11 was the kind of game you make time for.

The hero of Dragon Quest 11 also feels like a throwback to the past. He isn't overloaded with trauma or grief, simply a young man who gets tasked with growing up before his time. No signs of amnesia here, though party member Erik does struggle with it briefly during the early part of the game.

As it always does, Dragon Quest makes the old ways feel revolutionary. It has an incredibly traditional turn-based combat system, but there's something about the flow and pace of the combat that's just intoxicating. There's no better time than right now to jump into this timeless masterpiece.