Summary
JRPGs have established themselves not only for their epic narratives but also forcharacters that transcend the role of mere combatants. Party members with charisma breathe life into the journey, balancing battle power with memorable dialogues and emotional development. These interactions - filled with humor, drama, or vulnerability - transform them into unforgettable companions, immortalizing titles in players' imaginations.
When it comes to thebest temporary party members in JRPGs, the criteria go beyond screen time. These ephemeral characters leave a legacy through iconic moments: heroic sacrifices, impactful revelations, or decisive participation in narrative arcs. Their brevity does not limit them; on the contrary, it condenses their essence into scenes that resonate long after their departure.
Spoiler Alert: This text delves into the destinies of various characters in the games. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.
Octopath Traveler 2features unique storytelling methods, allowing players to choose the order in which theyfollow different characters' narratives. One such character is Temeno, a Cleric whose main storyline involves investigating the mysteries related to Pontiff Jörg’s death, during which he meets Crick.
Despite being a temporary party member in Temeno’s journey through this JRPG, staying alongside the protagonist only during the first chapter, Crick manages to be memorable for many players. Not due to his utility in battles, as he has relatively weak attributes, but because of the charisma he brings to dialogues, providing engaging conversations during his short journey.
Introduced early inMetaphor: ReFantazio, Grius is a member of the resistance supporting the Prince. During the game’s initial hours, he temporarily joins the protagonist and Strohl, offering players a deeper insight into his personality and his relationship with his daughter, Maria. His presence highlights the sacrifices he makes to ensure a better future for the girl, making him a character with significant emotional impact.
Despite his narrative potential, Grius is only a temporaryparty member in this JRPG, meeting a tragic fate by sacrificing himself in an attempt to eliminate Louis. However, his effort is unsuccessful, and his loss becomes an emotional turning point in the story. His legacy not only drives the protagonists to move forward but also directly influences Maria’s development, being frequently referenced throughout the plot.
Teepo begins his journey inBreath of Fire 3as one of the three orphans forming the game’s initial party. Alongside Rei and Ryu, he lives by petty thefts, balancing insolence with fraternal loyalty. His irreverent chemistry andmagical abilities stand outin early battles. However, after a traumatic confrontation with Balio and Sunder’s gang, Teepo disappears, leaving a void that echoes throughout the narrative.
Years later, the reunion with Teepo in Eden reveals his destiny as a member of the Brood, the dragon clan central to the story. Now an antagonist, he confronts Ryu with a moral dilemma: accept eternal exile or challenge the goddess Myria. His death, laden with emotion, reinforces themes of sacrifice and identity, solidifying him as a key figure in the game’s mythology - a legacy that transcends his brief party participation.
Lavitz Slambert represents true honor inThe Legend of Dragoon. Captain of the Basilian Guard, he joins Dart in the fight against Sandora, being astrong party member during his time in this JRPG. His charisma, marked by sincere dialogues and unwavering commitment, makes him a great character throughout the journey, showcasing his potential.
Even with a temporary role in the group, Lavitz leaves an unforgettable mark on players. His tragic death, struck by Lloyd’s Dragon Buster, drives Dart’s quest for revenge and motivates Albert, his successor as the Jade Dragoon. His spirit reappears in Mayfil, freeing itself from possession to help friends. Thus, even with limited time on the journey, Lavitz manages to be memorable.
Characters who join the group temporarily are a tradition in Atlus’s many games, includingPersona 3. In this game, the last character to join, Shinjiro Aragaki, presented as a more reserved and distant individual, does not stay with SEES for long, as he is killed while protecting Ken Amada from an enemy.
Persona 3deeply explores mortality and the meaning of life, so Shinjiro’s death reinforces these themes and also serves to develop other group characters. Additionally, players can feel his loss due to thesignificant damage he could inflict in battles, making him one of the best party members in the JRPG.
Delita Hyral is one of the most intriguing characters ever created in theFinal Fantasyfranchise. Initially one of Ramza Beoulve’s best friends, the protagonist, their friendship is heavily explored during the early chapters ofFinal Fantasy Tactics, where players are introduced to theworld of Ivalice and its intricacies.
However, Delita Hyral is only a temporary party member in this JRPG, as his and Ramza’s paths gradually diverge drastically, especially after the death of his sister, Tietra. This loss turns Delita into a pragmatic individual willing to manipulate anything necessary to achieve his goals, yet he remains such a complex character that it’s impossible to determine if he is the true villain ofFinal Fantasy Tactics.
The initial scenes ofPersona 5reveal a traitor among the Phantom Thieves, with Goro Akechilater being uncovered as the infiltrator- a major plot twist in the game. Introduced as a brilliant young detective, he joins the group under dubious pretenses, where his true intentions and relationship with the protagonist remain mysterious.
However, in the expanded content ofPersona 5 Royal, Akechi returns under new circumstances, allowing players to explore more of his psychological complexity. Although he ceases to be a temporary party member in this new version of Atlus’s JRPG, his role remains fundamental as one of the most important characters for the Phantom Thieves.
Although temporary party members are common in theFinal Fantasyseries, few have left a mark on players like Aerith inFinal Fantasy 7. Initially introduced as a flower seller, it doesn’t take long for her to become one of the group’s essential companions, mainly due to her diverse potential as group support.
However, in one ofFinal Fantasy’ssaddest scenes, Aerith Gainsborough is assassinated by Sephiroth at the end of the game’s first disc, with the villain stabbing her from behind with the Masamune. This results in a poignant moment, as the entire game’s narrative up to that point had been building towards her reunion with the rest of the group, which was abruptly halted moments before it could happen.
