Uncover the Top RPGs You Can Play Without Permanent Party Members

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Summary

  • RPGs can feature unconventional mechanics with one core character aided by temporary party members.
  • Examples like Parasite Eve 2 and Live A Live showcase lone heroes with intermittent assistance.
  • Games like Diablo 3 and Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep allow completion without a dedicated party.

Generally speaking, many Role-Playing Games (RPGs) revolve around assembling a team. Initially, a protagonist might embark on their journey solo, but they’ll often acquire companions throughout the course of the game; titles like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and even the classic RPG model, Dungeons & Dragons, are renowned for employing this team-building mechanic.

While many Role-Playing Game (RPG) enthusiasts enjoy having a party to adventure with, there are those who prefer a more solitary journey or temporarily joining forces with others. With this in mind, here are some less common RPGs where one character takes center stage, assisted by temporary characters who don’t always fight alongside the main hero permanently.

Some RPGs have a solo protagonist who teams up with other characters for parts of their journey, but these companions don’t stick around to battle together all the time.

8. Parasite Eve 2

A Secret In The Desert

In a new twist, Parasite Eve 2 significantly emphasized action during combat, bearing a striking resemblance to the style seen in Resident Evil. Despite this change, Aya remained the central character, equipped with an array of weapons and psychic powers. However, unlike its predecessor, all actions unfolded in real-time.

In a similar vein, Aya predominantly delves into unexplained events alone, yet she sometimes receives assistance from an associate named Kyle. However, Kyle’s abilities are rather ordinary, but his presence can divert adversaries, allowing Aya to gain the upper hand more easily.

7. Live A Live

An Episodic RPG

Originally, the game titled “Live A Live” was exclusively launched for SNES in Japan back in 1994. Subsequently, it underwent an upgraded HD-2D makeover on Switch, which indeed made its way to North America. This particular role-playing game from SquareSoft can be considered as one of their more unconventional experiments, as it was structured in an episodic format.

Players can choose to embark on various character-driven campaigns, each offering a brief journey through different eras, such as a futuristic space expedition or an old western setting. Often, these heroes operated solo, but certain campaigns featured companions. The gameplay was a blend of turns and tactics, allowing characters to maneuver during their turn.

6. Pokemon X And Y

Teaming Up With Rivals

As a dedicated fan, I’ve always found the essence of the Pokémon series lies in assembling a diverse team by capturing various Pokémon. However, certain games have introduced temporary human companions for our Trainer character, who also bring their own Pokémon squads to aid us in our journey. A prime example of this is the duo, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, which graced the Nintendo 3DS system.

Based on the character chosen at the beginning of the game, either Calem or Serena may team up with the player during the campaign. Additionally, the Battle Maison features characters like Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor who can engage in combat, although they won’t remain with the player afterwards.

5. Diablo 3

Even Hell Needs A Favor

In Diablo 3, similar to other games in the series, players were presented with multiple character classes right off the bat. They could opt for ranged combat with a Demon Hunter or engage enemies at close range with brutal melee attacks as a Monk.

In Diablo 3, players can join forces with others either online or locally, which means the size of their party might vary based on their selected platform. Additionally, characters such as Leah or Tyrael may temporarily join the player in the story to help out, but it’s still possible to finish the game solo.

4. Dynasty Warriors: Origins

A New Day For China

In a fresh direction for the franchise, Dynasty Warriors: Origins centered around a single protagonist, The Wanderer, rather than a multitude. As The Wanderer, players embark on both main and side quests, altering their companions in battle along the way.

In certain levels, players were given the ability to momentarily command other characters such as Guan Yu or Zhou Yu, functioning like a special power-up. Upon finishing the game, there’s an ambiguity regarding which characters can join The Wanderer in combat, although it doesn’t align with the story for some missions.

3. Sword Of Mana

A Fantastical Adventure

Originally marketed as a spin-off from the popular “Final Fantasy” series for Game Boy, “Final Fantasy Adventure” was actually the beginning of a separate franchise known as the “Mana” series. This misconception was corrected in the Game Boy Advance remake titled “Sword of Mana“, which introduced several new features, such as having both a male and female protagonist who remained nameless throughout the game.

In whatever character the player selected, that character would occasionally trail them but then depart, to be replaced by temporary party members from the original game. The game was later re-imagined for mobile devices and PS Vita as “Adventures of Mana“, a streamlined remake featuring a single main character.

2. Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep

Three Campaigns In One

In the main Kingdom Hearts series, the protagonist, Sora, is regularly accompanied by a diverse group of Disney characters as companions. These characters, such as Donald and Ariel from The Little Mermaid, are artificially intelligent and always join him in the gameplay, regardless of who they may be.

As a devoted fan, I’d say I thoroughly enjoyed the prequel, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, which was a gripping tale on the PSP starring three Keyblade bearers – Aqua, Terra, and Ventus. Each of their journeys was distinct, and to uncover the entire storyline, you’ve got to complete all three campaigns. Unlike our beloved protagonist Sora, these friends didn’t amass a permanent party; instead, they occasionally had NPC allies for limited battles during their Disney world adventures.

1. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7

Prepare For Squats

In role-playing games (RPGs), the Final Fantasy series is renowned for its unforgettable teams and party mechanics. Yet, certain games in this series emphasize more on solo adventures, such as Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7. This prequel, available on PSP, centers around Zack Fair, a SOLDIER who later served as Cloud’s inspiration.

During his campaign, Zack encounters old acquaintances such as a youthful Cloud and Yuffie, but he must engage in intense, rapid-fire battle sequences on his own. Despite cherishing the friendships he shares with numerous non-player characters within the game, Zack demonstrates that he can handle situations independently.

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2025-05-26 02:09