A common trope in video games isthe Healer. Some characters are simply designed to treat injuries and restore health, often through magical powers. This makes them immensely useful, as it means the action-based characters can focus on the task at hand without stopping to heal themselves. However, that’s not always the case.
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Some healers' uses are limited. They can’t do their job as well as desired. Whether due to poor stays or simply being outclassed by others, the result is always the same. Players ignore them and curse the developers for including such useless allies.
7Hope - Final Fantasy 13
This kid is already the most reviled character in an unlikeable party, which is impressive, but the automated battle system compounds his obnoxiousness. One of two main Medics inFinal Fantasy 13, Hope can learn the Cure spell early on. Players can’t just command him to heal, though.Due to the nature of the Paradigm mechanic, the best they can do is switch him to the Medic role and hope he’ll cast his healing magic. That’s a forlorn hope (pun intended) since he’ll likely die before getting the chance.
Fans are better off using Vanille as their main Medic. She’s not only tougher, but she has more healing spells available earlier in her progression. When the game deigns to let players pick their party, they’ll never again rely on Hope to heal them. Part of why Lightning is so angry is because she has to drag this whiny wimp around for 10 hours.
6Bambi - The Kingdom Hearts Series
ThisDisneyfilm thrives on atmosphere over action, so it’s unclear whySquaredecided to throw the titular deer into their hack-and-slash RPG. Bambi functions asa summon characterin the first couple ofKingdom Heartsgames. He doesn’t deal damage or power up the heroes; he just prances around and drops health orbs.
This routine is rendered superfluous by simple Cure spells. Most enemies chip off more health than Bambi can restore. It takes MP to summon him, but players are better off spending that MP on powerful healing magic, recovering more HP in less time. They can also get Donald Duck to do the same. He may die easily, but at least he’s constantly in the party and, thus, can provide more aid in the long run. Though Bambi’s film may be among Disney’s best, fans weren’t sad to see him go from this series.
5Serena - Dragon Quest 11
This mild-mannered spellcaster isn’t useless in a vacuum. When she joins the party early inDragon Quest 11, she comes with some welcome restorative magic. Thus, players rely on her for several hours. Sadly, she becomes less instrumental as the party grows.
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Later members come with their own methods of healing. Rab can do more in this area at a lower level, aiding the entire team with Multiheal while Serena is still stuck with mid-tier magic. She grows even less enticing with Sylvando in the mix; he comes with his own version of Multiheal with theflamboyant Hustle Dance. In addition, both of these guys are more durable than Serena. These comparisons make her role in the Luminary’s prophecy downright perplexing.
4Samos - The Jak Series
The mythical Eco makes the world go ‘round inJak & Daxter, and Samos is the sage of Green Eco: the type with healing properties. This should make him a nurturing figure who keeps the heroes at full strength, but that’s not the case. Instead, he sends them to unclog his vents and face the dangers of the world without imparting any sage advance or spells. The only time he pitches in is during the first game’s climax, combining his energy with the other sages’ to create Light Eco and defeat the villains. That usefulness is all too brief, however, as he gets even lazier once the series jumps to the future.
Samos takes a strategic role in the sequels, commanding from a distance and barely getting his hands dirty. The heroes must actually protecthimin several relentless escort missions. These are difficult not only due to his small amount of health, but because he heals neither himself nor his defenders. At this point, it seems the “Green Sage” title is just for show.
3Peach - The Mario Series
The most iconic damsel in gaming, Peach calls onMariotime and time again to rescue her and save the Mushroom Kingdom. The experimental spinoffs, though, expand her role beyond this. InSuper Mario RPG, for instance, the turn-based gameplay positions Peach as the healer of the group. She later retains this ability in her solo venture,Super Princess Peach, where she can restore her health through specialized “Vibe” magic. Unfortunately, giving her these gifts might do more harm than good.
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If Peach has healing and other stat abilities, why does she still need rescuing? With such potent powers, she should be more than capable of saving herself. Nevertheless,she seems content to scream and cry whenever Bowser shows up. If she actually pitches in, thisGamerawannabe wouldn’t be such a recurring problem.
2Nanba - Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Nanba is a practiced nurse, albeit one who had his license revoked. He begins his time inYakuza: Like a Dragonby stitching up protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, and he continues doing so with various healing spells throughout their adventure. Despite his training, though, Nanba is outclassed by someone from a completely different field.
It’s actually Saeko Mukoda who hasthe best healing stats in the game. As such, she sports more potent and immediate medical moves than Nanba’s snoozing. This makes her the go-to choice for the Idol role. Granted, she has to wait until Level 15, but that wait is worth it, as her restorative magic can bring the whole party back from the brink with little cost to her MP. Maybe Nanba lost his license because he just sucked at his job.
1Anders - The Dragon Age Series
This guy is basically the red-headed stepchild ofDragon Agemages. He’s an occasional party member inOrigins, where he constantly requires the player’s help with legal and spiritual troubles. Of course,it’s not worth the effortsince Wynne is a far more powerful alternative with the wisdom of age. That said, it’s Anders who returns in the second entry.
Here, heacts as the main healer. That sounds straightforward, but protagonist Hawke can utterly outclass him in this area with a little progression. No wonder he sits out the following game.Inquisitionspreads healing magic out among several characters, so the tale can no longer justify Anders’s presence.
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