Remember when we were mocking Phantasy Star Idola's bad, overwrought, melodramatic writing for its character's backstories? Backstories are one of the things I love most about Shining Force. Let us contemplate Arthur's story:
The hero approaches a knight, to ask if he wishes to fight against the forces of evil together. Before he can open his mouth, the knight says "Don't bother me kid - can't you see I'm doing laundry?"
Later, the hero decides to try asking him one last time. Before the hero can speak a single word: "Alright, laundry's done. Now it's time to take out the trash!"
* Arthur the Knight has joined the force *
That's all you need man.
Sumez wrote:2/3 of your party is clearly inferior, but you are stuck with them, and that is part of the appeal.
I know the princess is OP, but the dumb blue ox gets infinite Healmore once he has a Shield of Strength.
Some players might not realize this though, since games back then liked hiding equipment use-effect information.
I'm sure the games you mentioned all have at least a few characters that no one ever uses.
All characters get used by somebody.