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

As fun and immersive as JRPGs are, they often follow set rules and mechanics that make the gameplay feel rigid and inflexible. A common issue is the inability to switch characters during combat. Some games even penalize players for attempting to switch mid-fight and it usually ends up having a pretty consequential impact on the overall outcome of the battle.

Many JRPGs impose this restriction, and sometimes make it worse with added delays or missed attacking opportunities. However, there are some very prominent games in the industry that not only allow mid-battle character switching, but actively encourage it. This feature keeps players more engaged and adds a dynamic element to combat, offering a variety of strategic options.

6 Chained Echoes

A Four-Character Party

Chained Echoes is a very unconventional story-based pixel art RPG that essentially gives off mecha and fantasy anime vibes. It's set in a world that combines those two elements and turns the game into a fun and adorable amalgam. Chained Echoes plays out in an isometric perspective and follows a group of heroes on their journey as they traverse their world and bring peace to its war-stricken kingdoms. Imagine an isekai anime but with dragons and characters in massive mechanical suits of armor.

Chained Echoes is a turn-based JRPG with a familiar combat system to JRPG fans, but with a twist. It has this mechanic where the player's party has its combat influenced by a little bar that puts the characters into the red zone, or the green zone. Additionally, the character swap — which in itself is another unique feature — comes without any penalties or TP consumption. Players can freely swap characters in and out during combat, as long as they're not incapacitated due to low health. Each battle allows up to four characters in the party.

5 Breath Of Fire 4

A Six-Character Party With Three Reserves

• Platforms: PlayStation, Windows
• Released: 2000
• Developers: Capcom Development Studio 3

The fourth installment in the Breath of Fire series is another isometric turn-based JRPG that utilizes the mid-battle swap mechanic well. The game features a charming blend of 2D and 3D graphics, with 2D character sprites navigating a 3D environment. The game follows the adventures of the long-standing main character, Ryu, who has to go after a resurrected malevolent emperor bent on world destruction solely for power.

Because the game is one of the older ones on this list (released in 2000), Breath of Fire 4 does have similar old-timey mechanics that work perfectly for what it offers. The player party is allowed to have six characters in total, out of which three are in the 'front row' and the remaining three are in the back as stand-ins, in case one of the characters becomes incapacitated. During combat, the front-row characters can swap positions with each other as needed and can even swap with reserve characters (but not mid-battle). This system continues until either the round is complete or the entire party is defeated.

4 Star Ocean: Till The End Of Time

Three-Character Party With Two Controlled By AI

Star Ocean: Till the End of Time, the third installment in Square Enix's acclaimed Star Ocean series, stands out as one of the most popular games in the franchise. The entire series has a similar combat system, but it's the older games (particularly this one title) that do a great job of staying true to the JRPG genre. The game is a mix between fantasy and sci-fi and is set on a planet known as Hyda 4. The main character, Fayt, is a college student who has his life turned upside down after a cataclysmic global event forces him to abandon his lazy ways.

Unlike other entries on this list, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time features real-time combat instead of turn-based battles, giving it a more dynamic and intense feel. Players control one character directly, while the other two party members are AI-controlled. This setup allows for mid-battle swaps of AI-controlled characters, which is perfect for strategic plays against the enemy team.

3 Tales Of Arise

Six Swappable Characters Mid-Battle

Tales of Arise is a 2021 action RPG and the latest addition to the Tales series, a franchise known for its real-time combat system. Arise, itself, is the game that revitalized the series and even almost topped the series' previous critically-acclaimed title, Tales of Symphonia. The game's powerful combat system, in addition to its gorgeous art and story, make it one of the standout JRPGs released in recent years. The story revolves around an amnesiac man who joins a group of freedom fighters, known as Crimson Crows, to liberate their city from the oppressive rule of the Renan kingdom.

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The mid-battle character swapping in Tales of Arise's combat is simply one of the many fun aspects of the game. Arise features a distinctly improved dodge mechanic and allows players to utilize a vast array of skills that each character possesses. A party can have four to six characters, with any of them taking the front line. Players can even equip their preferred or required Arte on the character they're playing, without it having to be that certain character's special skill.

2 Mana Khemia: Alchemists Of Al-Revis

Three Active Characters, And Three As Reserves

• Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
• Released: 2007
• Developers: Gust Co. Ltd.

Mana Khemia: Alchemists Of Al-Revis, released in 2007 by Gust, is the ninth installment of the Atelier series. It's a turn-based game that not only allows mid-combat character swapping but actively encourages it. The game follows a relatively 'non-confrontational' storyline, and follows a boy called Vayne Aurelius, who is invited to the Al-Revis Academy to learn alchemy. Vayne quickly makes friends and settles into a mundane school life, until something dark and unnatural starts threatening the lives of the students at Al-Revis.

Despite mixed reviews, the turn-based combat system of Alchemists of Al-Revis is widely regarded as one of the best in the Atelier series. Players can have three active characters in their party and three in reserve, but none of them will go unused. In addition to normal swapping, reserve characters can be brought in to deliver finishing blows. The strategic use of different characters' defensive and offensive abilities prompts players to swap characters mid-battle based on the evolving needs of combat.

1 Final Fantasy 10

A Quintessential Character-Swapping Game With Three Main Characters

Final Fantasy 10 is a classic example of mid-battle character swapping done right. It is not only one of the earlier JRPGs to feature this mechanic, but is also one of the best to do so. The game’s combat system offers numerous perks to the player that allow them to have a better outlook and make better choices in a fight sequence. The game revolves around Tidus, a Blitzball athlete who's forced into a difficult position by being chosen to fight against a monster bound to destroy their realm, Spira. Tidus, and his adventurer friends, embark on a journey to fight against this monster, restore peace to their land, and achieve personal growth along the way.

Final Fantasy 10 offers a very methodical and streamlined combat system and doesn't exactly 'punish' players for a misplay. The CTB system slows down battle pacing during the player’s turn, giving them unlimited time to make decisions. Players can control up to three characters in battle and swap them with reserve characters at any time. This flexibility is perfect for those who want to develop all their characters and not just the main protagonist.

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By  Robbie Mitchell