Stranger of Paradise is said by Nomura to be the story of an angry man. And considering the sheer hell Jack goes through in this game, he has a damn good reason to be angry.
All spoilers are unmarked.
- The entire plot of the game. Jack is forced to watch the world he tried to defend be destroyed by darkness, Sarah dies in his arms, and his friends turn on him and attack him, forcing him to kill them. All because this was the only way to drive him to such hatred and rage that he would become Chaos and free the world from the Lufenians, and then a band of true Warriors of Light can destroy him and save the world. The game is a Protagonist Journey to Villain where Jack was Driven to Villainy because it was the only way to be a hero.
- Bikke's death. He doesn't even fully understand why he attacked the group, but the darkness in him grew so intense he was consumed by it. As he fades away, he whispers that he isn't even sure who to hate anymore.
- Astos's death. Revealed to be one of Jack's closest friends and a confidante who was trying to help guide him all along, and he has to die for the good of the world.
- Before the fight, Astos asks Jack "who am I?" and demands he guess. He's hoping Jack finally remembers their friendship, but Jack still has no clue. Astos looks and sounds like he's about to break into tears when he realizes Jack truly doesn't know who he is after all they've been through together.
Astos: (absolutely broken) That's all?- Even the way Jack finishes him off is sad. Normally his Soul Bursts involve violently smashing his crystalized enemies into pieces. But for Astos? Jack simply walks up to him and gently puts his hand on his head, crystalizing him.
- It becomes heartwarming when, untold years later, you are able to restore his memories in a new body in the Hall of the Dark Crystal, and finally answer the question he asked you once.
- Remember the line of Jack telling one of his partners to put a little spit on his wounds? It turns out it was actually something Astos once told him as a joke. What was once a sign of Jack's machismo was really a lingering memory from an old friend.
- After Jack kills his friends, he tries to perform a fistbump, but there's no one to reciprocate it. He's all but begging for someone to make him forget that their blood is on his hands.Jack: Make me forget...make me forget!
- Just before the final battle, Jack has The Slow Walk to the access point in the center of the Chaos Shrine to confront the Lufenians. As he walks, he calls out to each of his dear friends individually, giving all four a heartfelt monologue where he thanks them for everything, even if they aren't there to hear it. It's clear how much Jed, Ash, Neon, and Sophia mean to him even in the midst of his fall to Chaos - how can anyone claim he is a heartless, unemotional jerk by the end of the game?
- The ending of the Different Futures DLC can be heartbreaking. Unlike the Trials of the Dragon DLC where you play as Jack facing against the Warrior of Light, this time, you play as the Warrior of Light and fight Jack. Obviously, the battle ends with Jack being killed. Spending so much time with Jack and seeing his struggles to set the world right, it brings a tear to your eye seeing him die, even if it is for the greater good.
