Japanese gaming media Famitsu recently conducted a survey asking: “Which RPG made you cry the hardest?” The results were varied but ultimately unsurprising: Final Fantasy 10 clinched the top spot.
Among over 4,700 responses, 498 votes crowned the 2001 PS2 classic Final Fantasy 10 as the ultimate tearjerker. FFX’s themes of fate, tragic endings, and poignant romance left a deep emotional imprint on players.
Top 10 Tear-Jerking RPGs:
- Final Fantasy X – 497 votes
- Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII – 289 votes
- Persona 3 – 245 votes
- Ōkami – 211 votes
- Mother 3 – 208 votes
- Tales of the Abyss – 207 votes
- Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – 164 votes
- Final Fantasy XII – 161 votes
- Suikoden II – 158 votes
- Final Fantasy XV – 154 votes
Notable Insights:
- As a Japan-focused poll, the list is dominated by JRPGs (especially Final Fantasy titles).
- Non-traditional entries like action-adventure game Ōkami made the cut.
- Two Western indie games inspired by JRPGs also appeared:
- UNDERTALE (#17)
- OMORI (#19)
Surprises & Omissions:
- Final Fantasy VII (PS1), despite its iconic heart-wrenching scene (Aerith’s death), ranked only 24th.
- Final Fantasy XII and Final Fantasy XV’s inclusion raised eyebrows—especially the latter, which received mixed reviews but seemingly resonated with Japanese players through its narrative.
Full list of top 40 tear-jerking RPGs was included in the original report.
Why FFX Struck a Chord:
Its bittersweet ending—where star-crossed lovers Tidus and Yuna confront destiny—remains one of gaming’s most emotionally devastating moments. Combined with Nobuo Uematsu’s haunting soundtrack, it cemented FFX as a masterpiece of melancholy.
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