10 Temporary JRPG Party Members We Wish Were Permanent

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The main distinction between tales from the West and those from the East lies in their narrative structures: Western stories are primarily centered around plots, whereas Eastern ones emphasize characters. To create a compelling narrative based on characters, it’s crucial to have an intriguing cast that resonates with the audience.

This explains why numerous Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) introduce remarkable party members who seem remarkably familiar, despite being teenagers capable of destroying deities and preparing for a chemistry test on Thursday.

In addition to having permanent party members, JRPGs also feature temporary allies who may only be with us for a brief time. Yet, their short appearance often leaves a deep and lasting impact on the game.

As a fellow gaming enthusiast, let me share with you ten temporary companions from JRPGs that I deeply wished could’ve stayed in my party forever, but alas, their stays were cut short due to plot twists or fatal wounds. However, fair warning: some spoilers are unavoidable for the games we’ll discuss.

Here’s a look at these cherished characters who left an indelible mark on our adventures.

1. Beatrix (Final Fantasy VIII) – Her tragic backstory and unparalleled skills made her an instant favorite, but she had to depart from our party all too soon.
2. Yuna (Final Fantasy X) – She was the heart and soul of our team, but her spiritual journey required her to part ways with us in the end.
3. Raine (Tales of Symphonia) – Her kindness and powerful abilities made her an essential member of our party, but her destiny ultimately led her down a different path.
4. Yuffie (Final Fantasy VII) – With her quick wit and formidable skills, she brought excitement to the team. Unfortunately, she had unfinished business that took her away from us.
5. Tidus (Final Fantasy X-2) – The hero of Spira, he joined our party as a playable character in this sequel. However, his journey ultimately led him to depart from our group.
6. Vivi (Final Fantasy IX) – With his unique abilities and emotional growth, he quickly became an indispensable member of our party. Yet, his fate was sealed by the actions of those around him.
7. Ramza (Final Fantasy Tactics) – A noble warrior with a heart of gold, he led us through battles and hardships. But his choices ultimately resulted in the loss of some of his most trusted allies.
8. Fran (Final Fantasy XII) – Her fierce determination and skillful abilities made her an essential member of our party. However, she had to make the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good.
9. Fang (Final Fantasy XIII-2) – Her powerful abilities and tragic backstory endeared her to us. But her destiny required her to leave our party in search of redemption.
10. Noctis (Final Fantasy XV) – The prince with the power to save his world, he joined our party for a short time. However, his journey ultimately led him to depart from our group as he fulfilled his destiny.

Honorable mention to Aerith.

10.
Minwu

Final Fantasy II

To be honest, I’d include Ricard on this list as I have a soft spot for Dragoons. However, it’s important to note that in Final Fantasy II, his appearance suggests a Dragoon, but he doesn’t actually possess the job’s signature ability, Jump.

In Final Fantasy II, Minwu is the initial guest character who joins our party, and he stands out as one of the most effective members due to his impressive abilities. Not only does he have significantly higher stats than our main characters, but he also possesses several advanced White Magic spells at his disposal.

Due to plot necessities, Minwu departs from the group, making it necessary for him to appear on this roster. Frankly, I would be content if he stayed longer, particularly since my teammates are punishing themselves to enhance their health points and overall strength.

9.
Mwamba

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

It proved challenging for me to discover an exceptional temporary party member throughout the entire Xenoblade Chronicles series, given that its permanent cast is extraordinarily talented. Tinkering with such iconic games by adding or subtracting elements could potentially disrupt their perfection.

In my gaming journey, I stumbled upon an interesting character named Mwamba who challenged my initial thoughts. Now, let me clarify, I wouldn’t necessarily want Mwamba as a permanent party member because, after all, he’s easily forgotten in this 60-hour game we’re playing. But here’s something intriguing – did you know he possesses a unique class that the game never explicitly teaches us? That’s right!

If you look at Mwamba’s status display, you’ll notice that he is classified as a Sharpshooter, a role that cannot be learned. He also possesses some peculiar abilities. As a completionist who enjoys delving into every system and aspect of a JRPG, I would welcome the opportunity to have one additional class for Mwamba, even if it meant making him a permanent member of our party in Xenoblade 3.

8.
Alisha

Tales of Zestiria

In the world of Tales of Zestiria, there were plenty of issues to contend with, but Alisha wasn’t among them – perhaps it’s because I have a soft spot for spear-wielding characters. The game had me hooked, line and sinker, just like a catfish on Tinder, leading me to believe that Alisha would be sticking around.

From a gameplay perspective, I get why they might not introduce another character with Armatization powers like Sorey and Rose. The combat system with Seraphim is complex enough as it stands, and I can hardly fathom how they’d manage to balance things if another character were involved.

Instead, it would be beneficial to introduce another character’s viewpoint into the narrative. Sorey is overly virtuous, while Rose leans more towards chaos. Alisha could serve as a balance between the two, adding an interesting dynamic, particularly during the Tales of skit scenes.

7.
Grius

Metaphor: ReFantazio

One captivating game that often confuses who’s a temporary or permanent party member is “Metaphor: ReFantazio.” In this fantasy RPG, they initially use Grius as a teaching tool for game mechanics, but later on, he gets removed from the team entirely.

As a gamer, I can honestly say that ReFantazio has won my heart, but there were some main characters whose stories didn’t quite resonate with me, despite completing their bonds. Among them all, Heismay stood out the most, and it wasn’t just because he was a powerful warrior. As a father myself, I found myself drawn to him, as I could see pieces of my own experiences reflected in his character.

My main reason for wanting Grius to join the party permanently is envisioning him hanging out with Heismay on the Gauntlet Runner’s deck during nights, sharing drinks and discussing parenthood.

As I grow up, I find myself yearning for more seasoned and developed characters in JRPGs – it just feels right.

6.
Jowy Atreides

Suikoden II

I won’t give away any secrets about Suikoden II for those who haven’t experienced this remarkable game yet. The simple fact that you know Jowy is a temporary character should make you curious, and if you haven’t played it, I strongly advise you to drop what you’re doing and start playing Suikoden II immediately!

Before straying too far, I acknowledge the reasons Jowy can’t be a permanent member in our group of 108 party members, yet it doesn’t lessen my desire for his presence. It’s all thanks to him that Riou develops into the person he is, with both positive and negative traits.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but admire the impeccable crafting of Jowy’s character arc. It’s no surprise that Suikoden II is often hailed as one of the greatest JRPGs; a significant part of its acclaim lies in the intricate parallel development of Jowy alongside Riou’s growth.

There are specific reasons why I consistently strive for the genuine conclusion in Suikoden II, mainly because I wish to bypass making a particular decision at the game’s end. To be honest, after experiencing all the heart-wrenching events depicted in the story, what I craved was one more chance to unleash Riou and Jowy’s combined attack, affectionately known as “Buddy Attack.

5.
Shinjiro Aragaki

Persona 3

It’s not unexpected in Persona 3, given its central theme revolves around death, that a party member might meet their end permanently. However, I found myself mistakenly believing it was Shinjiro who would perish, despite the clear signs pointing to Akihiko instead.

Shinjiro’s demise seems to have served as a powerful motivator for Ken and Akihiko to seize life wholeheartedly, and it appears effective – which is unfortunate, since there are various character builds in the game that could potentially defeat bosses with a single hit if Shinjiro was still among us. This makes one wonder if Atlus intentionally took him out of the party.

Well, let me set the scene here: In the world of gaming, I’m talking about none other than the mighty Aigis, one of the most formidable combatants in both Persona 3 and Persona 3 Reincarnation. Unfortunately, she meets her untimely end, making her a temporary ally in our quest.

However, it seems I’ve struck a nerve with some folks out there. A commenter has chimed in to clarify that Aigis doesn’t meet the same fate in the female protagonist route of Persona 3 Portable. Guess they felt the need to weigh in despite my previous statement. Oh well, different strokes for different folks!

4.
Sue

Grandia

It appears that even role-playing games set in a fantasy world, such as Grandia, exhibit a level of common sense when it comes to characters who are too young for their roles. For instance, Sue, Justin’s friend, accompanies him throughout the game until halfway through, but her character suffers physically as the story progresses.

After falling ill and being confined to bed, Sue realizes that her adventurous lifestyle is no longer suitable for her health. Despite recovering physically, she chooses to abandon her adventures. Initially, she tries to conceal her emotions, but eventually, her suppressed feelings erupt, turning the farewell into a deeply emotional spectacle.

Sue’s departure significantly alters the party atmosphere as she introduced an endearing innocence to our journey. Furthermore, from a gameplay perspective, we lose an exceptional support character. However, it was crucial. Sue’s goodbye adds an extra layer of emotion to Grandia‘s epilogue and provides a fitting conclusion to Justin’s storyline.

3.
Beatrix

Final Fantasy IX

I don’t belong to the group who despise Steiner. I can appreciate his character archetype and grasp why he is so rigid with rules. However, if given a chance, I’d gladly choose Beatrix over Steiner in Final Fantasy IX. The tin man would turn into scrap metal instantly under such a swap.

In terms of combat skills, there’s little doubt that Beatrix outshines Steiner significantly. She possesses abilities much like Steiner’s with her Sword Arts, but she also has a repertoire of white magic spells at her disposal. This makes Beatrix exceptional in both providing support and delivering lethal blows.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, there’s nothing quite like a well-crafted badass female character to leave an impact. Steiner might have his moments, but he can’t hold a candle to her. However, when it comes to Beatrix, the developers seemed to enjoy a good cliffhanger. Even if I manage to bring her down, she always leaves my party on the brink of defeat before the battle concludes. It’s a thrilling ride, but I can’t help but wish for a more definitive ending!

2.
Teepo

Breath of Fire III

At the onset of “Breath of Fire III”, Rei rescues Ryu, a forest orphan. It seems he has a penchant for this act, as earlier, the Woren had also saved Teepo, another lost child. This event marks the informal formation of a band of brotherly thieves.

Eventually, they separate due to storyline reasons, and it’s only Mature Rei who rejoins the group later. At first, though, we command a young Teepo character. Compared to Rei, who is predominantly physical in combat, and Ryu who exhibits both physical and magical abilities, Teepo specializes in magic, causing significant trouble with spells, particularly his signature Simoon spell.

In the game Breath of Fire IV, certain factors prevented Teepo from remaining a permanent party member, and some of those same issues might have resurfaced in Fou-Lu. Nevertheless, it would be fascinating to have two characters possessing the ability to transform into dragons, each with their unique skills.

It seems that for quite some time, enthusiastic fans have been endeavoring to construct a mod for Breath of Fire III, which would narrate Teepo’s journey from childhood to the role of the Dragon Lord. Regrettably, it appears that they abandoned this project.

1.
Harle

Chrono Cross

Who could have guessed that a witty and mysterious jester who speaks a mix of French and English would turn out to be not only endearing but also crucial to a multidimensional, time-warping storyline? And that’s just the kind of unexpected twists you find in JRPGs and their endless capacity for creativity.

As a gamer, I’ve picked up on a sneaky workaround to keep Harle permanently in my squad, but I’m choosing not to use it. In an ordinary playthrough without New Game+, she’s only a temporary ally while we’re trapped within the Temporal Vortex, and that really irks me.

In the game Chrono Cross, there are numerous party members, which means it doesn’t significantly affect the gameplay if one is overlooked, particularly in combat. It seems like we often stick with a select few characters, such as Lenne for support roles and Glenn for dishing out physical damage to enemies.

I have a strong preference for making Harle a permanent character due to one key reason: To rescue her from her tragic end. She’s enigmatic, charming, heavily burdened by melancholy, and often misunderstood throughout the story. However, when we finally comprehend her situation, it’s already too late because she’s no longer with us.

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2025-05-27 20:41