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.
Most RPGs are built on the idea of preparing a party. A hero may start alone and then gain party members along the way; Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest are famous franchises known for this type of mechanic, along with the base RPG model, Dungeons & Dragons.
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Not every RPG fan likes a party in their experiences, though. They may prefer to go in it alone or, at best, gather temporary party members along the way. With that in mind, here are some unconventional RPGs where one character is at the core, aided by guest characters along the way that never permanently fight alongside the hero.
8 Parasite Eve 2
A Secret In The Desert
Parasite Eve 2
- Released
- September 12, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Action RPG
Parasite Eve 2 took a more action-focused approach to combat and was more like Resident Evil than ever before. Aya was still the star and had a variety of weapons and psychic abilities at her disposal, but everything took place in real-time.
Like the original, Aya investigates paranormal happenings mostly by herself, but she is occasionally aided by another agent named Kyle. Kyle isn’t much help since he’s just a normal agent, but as a distraction, he can help Aya get the jump on enemies.
7 Live A Live
An Episodic RPG
Live A Live
- Released
- April 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Live A Live was originally released for the SNES in 1994 in Japan only. Later, it received an HD-2D remake on Switch, which did come to North America. This was one of Squaresoft’s more experimental RPGs, and was episodic in nature.
In any order, players could tackle one of several character campaigns in a short adventure through time, including a futuristic setting in space or an old western. Most heroes were lone warriors, but some campaigns did have party members. The gameplay was turn-based, but there were tactical elements too, as characters could move around on their turn.
6 Pokemon X And Y
Teaming Up With Rivals
Pokemon X and Y
- Released
- October 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The Pokemon series has always been about building a party through the collection of Pokemon. Some games, though, have given the lead Pokemon Trainer temporary human party members, and their Pokemon rosters, as help. One example includes Pokemon X and Pokemon Y for the 3DS.
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Depending on the gender selected at the game’s start, rivals Calem or Serena can join up with players during the campaign. Also, there is the Battle Maison, which can have Shauna, Tierno, or Trevor join the fight, even though they don't stick around afterwards.
5 Diablo 3
Even Hell Needs A Favor
Diablo 3
- Released
- September 3, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Like all games in the franchise, Diablo 3 gave players an ample number of classes to choose from at the start. They could level up a Demon Hunter and attack enemies from afar or get up close and personal to pummel monsters with their bare fists as a Monk.
Players could team up with others online or locally depending on their chosen platform, so in that way, their party would fluctuate. Also, temporary party members would assist players in the story, like Leah or Tyrael, but overall, Diablo 3 could easily be completed alone.
4 Dynasty Warriors: Origins
A New Day For China
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
- Released
- January 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action, Hack and Slash
Dynasty Warriors: Origins was a brave new step for the series, and focused on one primary character, The Wanderer, instead of dozens. As The Wanderer, players would go on main or side missions, changing who they would fight alongside in the process.
Some missions even allowed players to temporarily control other heroes like Guan Yu or Zhou Yu, sort of like a power-up. After completing the game, the question of who can participate alongside The Wanderer in battle is opened up, even though it doesn't make sense story-wise for some missions.
3 Sword Of Mana
A Fantastical Adventure
Sword of Mana
- Released
- December 1, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e // Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Final Fantasy Adventure was a Game Boy game pitched as a Final Fantasy spinoff when, in fact, it was the start of a new franchise: the Mana series. This mistake was rectified in the GBA remake, Sword of Mana, which added a few things, like a male and female hero, both of whom remained unnamed.
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Whoever the player chose to play as, the opposite character would follow them around occasionally but later take off, replaced by one of the temporary party members from the original version. The game was remade again for mobile devices and the PS Vita as Adventures of Mana, a more simplified remake with only one lead character.
2 Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
Three Campaigns In One
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
- Released
- January 9, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Fighting, Action-Adventure
Kingdom Hearts gave its main character, Sora, a rotating cast of Disney character party members in the mainline games. They were always AI-controlled, but ever-present, from Donald to Ariel from The Little Mermaid.
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep was a prequel on the PSP about three Keyblade wielders: Aqua, Terra, and Ventus. Each campaign was unique, and all three must be completed to see the full story. While the three lead characters were friends and journeyed to various Disney worlds together, they did not get permanent party members like Sora does. However, sometimes NPCs would join them for limited fights.
1 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7
Prepare For Squats
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- March 24, 2008
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
The Final Fantasy series has some of the most memorable parties and party systems in RPGs. However, there have been some titles that offered more solo experiences, like Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7. This prequel, also on PSP, is about Zack Fair, the SOLDIER, who Cloud would later go on to mimic.
Zack runs into familiar characters during his campaign, like a young Cloud and Yuffie, but Zack has to fight alone in fast-paced action combat. Zack proves he doesn't need a party to help him, even though he values his friendship with the game’s many NPCs.
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