Tales of Vesperia – Ranking the Playable Characters (Worst to Best)

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RPG Odyssey

 (Spoilers Ahead)

Before we dive in, I want to make one thing clear:

    This ranking isn’t based on combat usefulness or mechanics. It’s purely based on how I connected with each character on a personal level—their personality, their arc, and how much they stood out over the course of the game. Tales of Vesperia has one of the strongest casts in the JRPG genre, but that doesn’t mean they all hit the same for me.

    So, with that said, here’s how the party shook out for me—from worst to best:

9. Repede

    I get it—he’s cool-looking. The whole pipe-smoking wolf thing is unique and undeniably stylish. But beyond his aesthetic, there’s just not much to grab onto. Repede doesn’t speak, doesn’t grow, and has almost no meaningful narrative presence. He’s loyal to Yuri, sure, but I never really felt anything for him. He was just... there.

8. Karol

    Karol had potential. The young underdog trying to prove himself trope can be effective when done right, but in Vesperia, it felt inconsistent and undercooked. He swings between cowardice and forced leadership moments too often. And the whole dynamic with Nan had room to go somewhere but ended up doing almost nothing. His development didn’t land for me.

7. Flynn

    Flynn had some really strong moments—especially when he finally confronts Yuri. But he’s not a full-time party member, and that limits his presence. He’s the classic "idealistic knight" character, and while his struggle with the limits of the law is interesting, it doesn’t get enough depth. He’s more important to Yuri’s arc than he is to his own.

6. Patty

    She’s charming, I’ll give her that. Her pirate metaphors and eccentric personality brought a lot of color to the group. But narratively, her entire arc feels tacked on. It’s full of emotional potential—lost memory, family, legacy—but the game treats it like optional content. She deserved to be better integrated into the main plot.

5. Raven

    This one was tough. I really like Raven as a character—he’s witty, tragic, and surprisingly complex. His comic relief moments often hide some of the darkest parts of his backstory, and I respect that duality. But the inconsistency around his survival at the end of the game bothered me. I wanted more resolution for someone who had such high stakes tied to the blastia.

4. Estellise (Estelle)

    Estelle is genuinely endearing. Her kindness never feels fake or overdone, and she holds the group together emotionally. She plays the “pure-hearted healer” role, but with sincerity and grace. I appreciated her growth, even if it was quieter than some of the others. She’s easy to care about, and that counts for a lot.

3. Yuri

    Yuri is one of the best JRPG protagonists out there. His morally gray actions, his sharp wit, and his quiet protectiveness make him unforgettable. Seeing a protagonist who doesn’t always “play by the rules” and yet still feels grounded was refreshing. He’s high on the list for good reason—but the two above him hit even harder for me.

2. Judith

    Judith has such a powerful presence. She’s elegant, composed, and carrying out a mission that puts her at odds with the rest of the group, and yet she never feels antagonistic. Her relationship with Rita is one of my favorite parts of the entire game—the respect they show each other despite fundamentally opposing beliefs is rare in JRPGs. Judith's calm strength and sense of purpose made her unforgettable.

1. Rita

    No contest here. Rita was the highlight of the game for me. Her personality is fierce, her sarcasm is unmatched, and her inner conflict—choosing between her love of blastia and the fate of the world—was deeply compelling. Every time she was on screen, I was engaged. Her interactions with Raven, Karol, and especially Judith were some of the most entertaining and meaningful in the game. In a party full of great characters, Rita still managed to outshine them all.

1. Who was your favorite character in Tales of Vesperia, and why did they stand out to you?

2. Do you agree with my placement of Rita at number one? If not, who would you put in the top spot?

3. Was there a character whose arc resonated more strongly with you on a personal level compared to my list?

4. Which character do you think had the most untapped potential or deserved more development?

5. Did Repede or Karol rank higher for you? If so, what made them memorable?

Feel free to share your thoughts—I'd love to hear different perspectives!