6 JRPGs Where You Can Reject Party Members

Key Takeaways

• Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor offers many routes with different outcomes.
• Shining Force allows players to reject party members in this classic RPG.
• Suikoden lets players avoid recruiting all 108 Stars of Destiny in the liberation-focused story.

JRPGs are probably one of the most versatile genres out there as they present players with branching storylines, likable characters and interesting plots that often kick off multi-title franchises. One of the key aspects of a JRPG is companionship and the relationships that players can build along the way with valuable party members.

However, in some titles, players don’t have to recruit every single individual they come across. Instead, they can opt to leave a few of them out and only focus on those they’re interested in. Here are some of the best JRPGs where players can reject party members.

6 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor

Many Routes With Different Outcomes

• Different routes unlock different endings
• Players must defend Tokyo from demon invaders

The story of Shin Megami Tensei focuses on the protagonist and his two best friends, Atsuro and Yuzu, who find a device referred to as COMP, through which they accidentally summon demons that start invading and taking over Tokyo.

Like many other JRPGs, this title has many different routes that players will either lock or unlock, depending on their decisions and actions. Some characters are strictly linked to certain decisions, which means that some of them will result in not being able to join players’ parties.

5 Shining Force

A Classic That Allows Players To Swipe Left On Some Party Members

• Players must stop the evil Kane
• It’s possible to skip recruiting party members

Set in the kingdom of Guardiana in the land of Rune, Shining Force follows the story of Max, who has been tasked with stopping the evil Kane. The antagonist wishes to open the Shining Path and liberate the Dark Dragon, which would bring all sorts of calamities to the world.

Throughout the story, players will have the chance to either take in or skip several potential party members, each with their own abilities, traits, and powers. All in all, Shining Force is a timeless classic that many players from around the world who were around at the time probably remember for how fun it was to play.

4 Suikoden

Players Can Avoid Some Stars of Destiny

• A tale of liberation from the Scarlet Moon Empire
• Players can skip some Stars of Destiny

Suikoden is a timeless classic that tells a tale of liberation and finding oneself in the middle of everyone else’s expectations. The story focuses on Tir McDohl, the son of a famous general of the Scarlet Moon Empire, who was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps but chose to liberate the oppressed instead.

Tir will take it upon himself to look for the 108 Stars of Destiny to end the Scarlet Moon Empire’s hold over the war-torn land and restore peace. The game allows players to complete it without having to recruit all 108 Warriors. And while some people might argue that missing out on a few characters isn’t the same as rejecting them, it’s arguable that choosing not to find them deliberately makes this game fit the list.

3 Final Fantasy Tactics

Party Customization Is Well-crafted

• There are many different jobs for players to choose from
• Players can reject some potential party members

Final Fantasy Tactics is regarded by many to be the greatest installment in the franchise. This title gives players exciting boss fights and a lot of freedom regarding how they want to play, the jobs they want to assign to their characters, and who they want to recruit.

As they explore the world and go on multiple adventures, players will have the chance to either accept or refuse certain characters into their parties. Final Fantasy Tactics might not be as sophisticated as more recent installments of the franchise, but what’s undeniable about it is that it always delivers a wonderful experience.

2 Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Not Everyone Must Be Recruited

• A mercenary-turned-professor trains students in an academy
• It’s possible to skip members of certain houses

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is arguably the best instrument in the franchise so far. The story follows Byleth, a former mercenary turned professor, who has been tasked with instructing aspiring students in a military academy.

As players progress through the game, they will have the option to ask other houses to join their cause. Alternatively, they can choose to ignore them and prevent the recruitment of certain characters that belong to them. While this might not be an all-out rejection in every sense of the word, being able to decide which party members can travel with Byleth gives players a ton of control.

1 Chrono Trigger

An Exciting Story Involving Time Travel

• A trip through time that’s really exciting
• Players can reject Magus

Players who love plotlines covering various time jumps will most definitely love the premise behind Chrono Trigger. The game can go as far back as the year 65,000,000 B.C. and go as much into the future as the year 2300 A.D., which presents a post-apocalyptic version of Earth.

As they progress through the game, players will have the option to either accept a character named Magus or reject him as a companion. It’s a matter of personal choice, but most players think that the more, the merrier.