Quote Originally Posted by Conundrum View Post
Because their stories are over and yes, in a story where you're killing thousands of nameless enemies, to be taken seriously your side needs to take losses as well. If everyone is walking around with impenetrable plot armor we may as well play Disney Online because no matter how dire the situation there is zero tension.

But I know there is a contingent who thinks none of the characters they like should ever die and they try to setup reductionist gotcha arguments to support that, usually by asking disingenuous questions.
There are plenty of instances especially in the JRPG genre where the story has plenty of tension and depth and the main cast doesn't die. Previous Final Fantasy games and the JRPG classic that is widely considered a masterpiece Xenogears come to mind.