Sometimes a great ensemble cast can uplift a game’s story. For many, one of the best parts of games is the characters you meet along the way. A well-written cast of characters can make all the difference when it comes to your experience. It ups the stakes of the narrative when you care about the characters, making the game even more fun.
When it comes to great ensemble casts, the key characteristics are characters that each shine in their respective games, making you want to see them develop over the course of the story. It’s important for games to not only prioritize the main character but the supporting ones too, as this will make for an unforgettable gaming experience.
10 Time For Band Practice: Night In The Woods
Night in the Woods is a single-player adventure game that has you exploring Mae Borowski’s hometown, Possum Springs, uncovering the mystery that lies beneath this seemingly normal neighborhood.
Although in the game you play as Mae, you have the option to get to know each of her friends, visiting them in their daily routines. The cast of this game does an excellent job of representing the struggles of young adulthood and each character stands out because of their individual hardships. The cast also has the added bonus of being in a band together, which more games should definitely incorporate.
9 Friendship Across Worlds: Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
Developed with the help of Studio Ghibli, this JRPG is dripping with charm and beautifully uses the studio’s iconic animation style. The game incorporates fantasy elements to create a world filled with magic and a wide variety of people and creatures.
Nowhere is this more apparent than the game’s cast, whose backgrounds let you experience their individual journeys across parallel worlds. For example, the humorous Mr. Drippy, who was transformed into a doll and given to Oliver by his mother, then restored by Oliver’s tears. Oliver and Mr. Drippy encounter many others across their journey, each adding something new to the party’s dynamic.
8 Classic RPG Misfits: Tales Of Vesperia
Tales of Vesperia is an action role-playing game and the 10th installment in the Tales of series. This series is synonymous with extensive plots featuring memorable characters, and Tales of Vesperia is no exception.
The game revolves around the protagonist Yuri Lowell, a former Imperial Knight, and his diverse cast of comrades as they discover the mystery behind Blastia. The cast incorporates all the traditional RPG job classes, including a mage (Rita Mordio) and healer (Estellise "Estelle" Sidos Heurassein). It’s fun to see the cast grow and develop as the game progresses, with each of them having a moment to shine.
7 Close-Knit Trio: Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
The Kingdom Hearts series is known for its huge cast of characters, spanning Final Fantasy-like protagonists and the Disney mascot Mickey Mouse, but Birth by Sleep is one of the few entries where you can play as three protagonists in the main game.
Ventus, Terra, and Aqua are training to be Keyblade Masters under Master Eraqus. But when Terra leaves the Land of Departure after Xehanort encourages him to follow the darkness in his heart, the three best friends split up. The game allows you to play through each character’s perspective of the events, greatly developing their stories and showing you their bond.
6 Heroes With A Common Goal: Xenoblade Chronicles
Xenoblade Chronicles is another example of an incredible RPG that’s only further uplifted by its cast. The game follows Shulk, a weapons researcher from Colony 9, who’s joined by a diverse cast of characters in his quest to destroy the Mechon.
The RPG has developed a well-respected reputation due to its voice acting that greatly enhances the plights of these characters and the game’s gripping narrative. Hopefully, future games in the series carry on this spirit by introducing fans to new protagonists who are just as memorable.
5 Gaming’s Finest: Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 7 is one of the most beloved video games of all time, often considered one of the most pivotal moments in gaming history. The cast plays a large part in this, becoming iconic figures in pop culture.
The Buster Sword-wielding Cloud Strife has become one of the most popular video game protagonists; however, the rest of the cast is just as unique, featuring a talking lion-wolf creature, a kindhearted healer with mysterious links to the Planet, and a vampiric ex-Turk. Each of these characters has stood the test of time, and it’ll be interesting to see how their stories are developed in Final Fantasy 7: Remake, adding depth to an already incredible cast.
4 Almost Too Much Choice: Fire Emblem: Three Houses
The Fire Emblem series is known for its personalized gameplay that allows you to form relationships with each member of the cast. Fire Emblem: Three Houses takes this to another level, incorporating a House class system where you can build relationships with your units.
With such a large cast of characters, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to which House to pick. But with each character having such a unique personality and in-depth backstory, there are no wrong choices when it comes to who you recruit.
3 Who Will You Pick First?: Octopath Traveler
As the name suggests, Octopath Traveler has a large ensemble cast. The gimmick of this game is that it allows you to play as all eight characters, discovering their backstories before they eventually cross paths.
The game’s branching-path format means that no character is left unaccounted for, and each of them gets time to go on their own individual journey. This is a unique mechanic when it comes to video games, and it’s successful when it comes to creating an ensemble cast. It’s great to see a title take the time to develop its characters in this way, and it’s definitely a unique notion for RPG parties.
2 Putting The ‘Wicked’ In The Wicked Twisters: NEO: The World Ends With You
NEO: The World Ends With You had a lot to live up to, considering fans waited 14 years for the sequel after the initial game, The World Ends With You, was released. This unique RPG follows Rindo Kanade and his friend, Tosai "Fret" Furesawa, as they join up with fellow players in the Reapers’ Game.
Following in the footsteps of the original, each cast member has something to overcome over the course of the Reapers’ Game. Each character develops as the game heats up, becoming closer to each other in the process.
1 Timeless Classic: Chrono Trigger
For many, Chrono Trigger has one of the best ensemble casts in video game history. This game involves you traveling through time, recruiting new party members on your journey to destroy Lavos. Because of the time travel mechanic that’s brilliantly utilized in this game, each party member brings a new perspective, spanning various time periods.
The game takes its time to get to know each cast member, meaning that no character is underutilized or underdeveloped. Each character holds their own within this story, making it difficult to choose your final party.