The Best Action JRPGs That Let You Swap Characters In The Middle Of Combat

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The Best Action JRPGs That Let You Swap Characters In The Middle Of Combat

Highlights

  • Some JRPGs restrict mid-battle character swapping, impacting the outcome; others encourage it for more dynamic combat strategies.
  • Games like
    Chained Echoes
    allow swapping without penalties, adding complexity.
  • Titles like
    Tales of Arise
    and
    Final Fantasy 10
    offer seamless character swapping, enhancing gameplay.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the art of character swapping in games has always been one of my favorite aspects. It’s not just about having a diverse team to tackle different challenges, but also about experiencing each character’s unique abilities and growth throughout the game.

Playing JRPGs is always an engaging experience, but sometimes I find myself longing for more freedom in the gameplay. The strict rules and mechanics can make the gameplay feel overly structured at times, lacking the flexibility I crave. One aspect that often frustrates me is the lack of character switching during combat. In some games, even attempting to switch characters mid-fight can lead to penalties, which can significantly affect the outcome of the battle.

In many Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), characters can’t be switched during battles, which might lead to delays or missed attack chances. Contrarily, certain highly regarded games within the industry not only permit switching characters mid-battle but also promote it. This feature enhances player involvement and introduces a dynamic aspect to combat, providing multiple strategic choices.

6 Chained Echoes

A Four-Character Party

The Best Action JRPGs That Let You Swap Characters In The Middle Of Combat

In the gaming realm, I’ve stumbled upon a game that’s quite unlike any other – Chained Echoes. This unique story-driven pixel art RPG has mechs and fantasy anime written all over it. It’s like stepping into a world where dragons and mecha warriors coexist, creating an exciting blend of adorable and epic.

In “Chained Echoes,” you’ll find a turn-based JRPG that will feel familiar to JRPG enthusiasts, but with an unexpected twist. The game introduces a mechanism where your party’s combat is affected by a bar that moves characters into either a ‘red zone’ or a ‘green zone.’ Unlike many other games, character swapping—a distinctive feature in itself—occurs without any drawbacks or TP (Technical Points) consumption. You can swap characters at will during battle, as long as they haven’t been knocked out due to low health. Each fight allows up to four party members to engage.

5 Breath Of Fire 4

A Six-Character Party With Three Reserves

The Best Action JRPGs That Let You Swap Characters In The Middle Of Combat
  • Platforms: PlayStation, Windows
  • Released: 2000
  • Developers: Capcom Development Studio 3

In this article, we’ll be discussing the fourth part of the beloved “Breath of Fire” series, another isometric turn-based JRPG that skillfully employs the mid-battle swap mechanic. This game offers a delightful fusion of 2D and 3D graphics, allowing 2D character sprites to traverse a three-dimensional environment. The story revolves around Ryu, our enduring main character, who embarks on an adventure to stop an evil emperor who has been resurrected with the intent of destroying the world for pure power.

Due to being an older game on the list (released in 2000), Breath of Fire 4 retains classic mechanics that fit well with its content. The player can control a total of six characters, three of which are active in the front row while the other three serve as backups if any of the active characters get injured. During battles, front-row characters can switch positions among themselves and even swap with backup characters, although this can only be done between rounds, not during battle. This mechanic continues until the round ends or the entire party is defeated.

4 Star Ocean: Till The End Of Time

Three-Character Party With Two Controlled By AI

The Best Action JRPGs That Let You Swap Characters In The Middle Of Combat

Star Ocean: Till the End of Time, which is the third game in Square Enix’s beloved Star Ocean series, has become one of the most well-liked titles within the franchise. Although all games share a similar combat system, it is the earlier installments (especially this specific title) that effectively embody the essence of the JRPG genre. This game combines elements of fantasy and science fiction, with the action taking place on a planet called Hyda 4. The main character, Fayt, initially leads an idle life as a college student, but his world is flipped upside down after a massive global event compels him to abandon his laid-back lifestyle.

Instead of the turn-based battles found in most games on this list, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time offers real-time combat for a more action-packed and immersive experience. The player commands a single character while AI handles the other two party members. This setup enables mid-combat swaps of AI-controlled characters, making it easier to execute strategic maneuvers against the enemy team.

3 Tales Of Arise

Six Swappable Characters Mid-Battle

The Best Action JRPGs That Let You Swap Characters In The Middle Of Combat

2021’s “Tales of Arise” is a highly-praised action RPG and the most recent installment in the Tales series, renowned for its dynamic real-time battle system. This game, specifically, has breathed new life into the franchise, even challenging the popularity of its critically-acclaimed predecessor, “Tales of Symphonia.” The game’s impressive combat mechanics, combined with its stunning visuals and narrative, have made it one of the top Japanese role-playing games released in recent times. The story centers around a man suffering from amnesia who teams up with a band of freedom fighters, called the Crimson Crows, to free their city from the oppressive rule of the Renan kingdom.

In the heat of battle within the game Tales of Arise, a unique feature is the ability to swap characters, adding an extra layer of excitement. This title boasts an enhanced dodge mechanic and provides players with a wide variety of skills that each character can utilize. The party can consist of four to six characters, with any of them capable of taking the lead in combat. Moreover, players have the freedom to assign their preferred or necessary Arte to any character they’re controlling, without it necessarily being that character’s exclusive skill.

2 Mana Khemia: Alchemists Of Al-Revis

Three Active Characters, And Three As Reserves

The Best Action JRPGs That Let You Swap Characters In The Middle Of Combat
  • Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
  • Released: 2007
  • Developers: Gust Co. Ltd.

In 2007, the game titled “Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis” was published by Gust, marking its place as the ninth addition to the Atelier series. This turn-based game promotes and even enables swapping characters during combat. The narrative follows a less combative storyline, focusing on Vayne Aurelius, a boy invited to the Al-Revis Academy to study alchemy. Vayne soon makes friends and adjusts to academic life, but normalcy is disrupted when sinister and anomalous forces begin endangering the students of Al-Revis.

Although it receives a mix of opinions, the turn-based combat system in Alchemists of Al-Revis is often praised as exceptional within the Atelier franchise. Players are able to field six characters in total, with three active and three on standby. However, all characters are essential and seldom idle. Beyond regular swapping, backup characters can be deployed for decisive strikes. The tactical deployment of each character’s defensive and offensive skills encourages players to adjust their party during battles as the battlefield dynamics shift.

1 Final Fantasy 10

A Quintessential Character-Swapping Game With Three Main Characters

The Best Action JRPGs That Let You Swap Characters In The Middle Of Combat

In a skillful demonstration of mid-battle character switching, “Final Fantasy X” stands out as an exceptional case. This role-playing game, while among the earlier ones to incorporate this feature, is also one of the finest in executing it effectively. The combat system provides players with various advantages, enhancing their perspective and decision-making during battle sequences.

In Final Fantasy 10, the combat system is meticulously designed, providing a smooth and non-punitive experience for players, even in case of mistakes. The CTB (Command Turn Battle) system regulates the pace of battles by pausing during the player’s turn, allowing them ample time to strategize their moves. Players can command up to three characters simultaneously in battle and switch between them and their reserves freely. This versatility is ideal for players who prefer to grow and utilize all their characters, not just the main hero.

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2024-08-04 04:33