Summary
TheFinal Fantasyseries has always been known for creating some of themost memorable characters in JRPGs, featuring incredible heroes and several villains regarded among the best in the genre. Each new game usually introduces a fresh cast with complex faces and personalities, helping the protagonist along the journey or sometimes complicating it.
Even those who join the party for a short time often leave a strong impression. For that reason, thebest temporary party members inFinal Fantasyare characters who, even when not present throughout the entire game, have memorable scenes and personalities that make players wish they stayed for the entire adventure.
Even though he’s not the main villain ofFinal Fantasy 8, Seifer is one of the franchise’s most intriguing antagonists, and he even serves as a temporary party member during the early hours of the game. He joins Squall on a SeeD mission in Dollet, but doesn’t bring distinct gameplay mechanics since his skills are similar to those of the protagonist.
However, it’s clear that hisimpatient personality and disregard for superiorsshape many of Seifer’s conflicts throughout the story. This allows players to see him change from Squall’s rival - a central theme of the plot - into a manipulable antagonist under Edea’s influence, making him one of the best temporary party members in the series, despite spending so little time in the party.
Introduced as an experienced veteran warrior, Galuf played a vital role in the past by helping seal Exdeath, the main villain ofFinal Fantasy 5. During the story, he joins the heroes and seems like a permanent party member. However, despite his charisma and development throughout the narrative, fate sets him on a path of sacrifice.
During the fight against Exdeath in the Great Forest of Moore, Galuf bravely withstands the enemy’sspells and devastating attacks, fighting to protect both his granddaughter, Krile, and his allies. In one of the game’s most striking moments, even after his HP hits zero, he remains standing, driven by unyielding resolve. Though he dies, his legacy lives on as he transfers his powers to his granddaughter.
Even though he doesn’t stay in the party for long, General Leo is one of the mostinteresting characters inFinal Fantasy 6. Despite being a high-ranking soldier of the Gestahlian Empire, he’s not necessarily a villain. As an honorable man who prefers to resolve problems peacefully instead of resorting to conflict, he earns the respect of allies, enemies, and players alike.
However, despite his interesting personality and well-developed arc, including a conversation with Terra about emotions, General Leo eventually dies at the hands of Kefka, who emerges as the game’s main villain. Players get a small chance to control him in Thamasa during this fight, which makes his role brief yet enough to rank among the best temporary party members inFinal Fantasy.
Similar to what happens in the original game, inFinal Fantasy 7: Rebirthplayers also see how Cloud onceworked alongside Sephiroththrough a series of flashbacks. In this remake, these events occur during the first chapter, and it’s possible to actually control the villain in battle, offering a glimpse of his immense power.
Though this only lasts for a few moments in the game’s introduction, Sephiroth’s high damage and stats compared to Cloud underscore how challenging he will be to defeat later on. Plus, it’s fun to control one of the most iconic characters in the game and get a taste of what it would be like to have him as a companion for longer.
Another villain who briefly assists the party inFinal Fantasygames is Seymour Guado. However, before emerging as one of thestory’s major antagonists, he helps Tidus and the rest of the group in a tough fight against Sinspawn Gui. When he joins the party, he wields superior abilities and attacks compared to the rest of the group.
This makes the battle against that boss easier, while also revealing some of the strength and danger Seymour represents inFinal Fantasy 10. Later, he shows his twisted desire to save Spira through death, wiping out all life in the world to free everyone from the burden of existence.
Final Fantasy 12isfilled with guest memberswho temporarily join the group at certain story points and then depart. One standout is Larsa, who initially introduces himself as Lamont. He is an interesting figure and a key character in the plot.
However, Larsa’s biggest highlight, at least in the original version of the game, is the support he offers the team, especially during the Lhusu Mines segment. In that version ofFinal Fantasy 12, he has an infinite stock of potions, allowing the group to survive indefinitely, which was unfortunately changed in later releases, likeFinal Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age.
Although she doesn’t play a major role in the main story, Aranea Highwind managed to earn a spot among the best party members inFinal Fantasythanks to her strong presence in the game. Introduced as a mercenary, she confronts the group at one point in the story but later decides to help Noctis for a few segments.
In addition to being a powerful fighter, with moves and armor reminiscent of the traditionalDragoons from theFinal Fantasyseries, Aranea also undergoes notable development. Initially aligned with the enemy army, she begins to question the empire’s actions until choosing her own path, protecting the innocent with her combat skills.
Several games in the franchise often feature bosses as temporary party members, either to showcase their power or to further the plot. One example is Beatrix, one of the top generals of Alexandria’s Army, the military force the group faces for a good portion of the game. She appears as a boss multiple times.
However, after several battles, Beatrix recognizes many of her mistakes and redeems herself by supporting the heroes at a pivotal point, becoming one of the best temporary party members inFinal Fantasy. Her redemption arc is well executed, as she helps protect Garnet and assists the party’s escape from Alexandria.
Initially introduced as a friend to Ramza Beoulve, Delita Heyral stands by the protagonist throughout the first chapter, helping fight the Corpse Brigade, a group of rebels angered by the nobility. However, everything changes at the end of that arc, when he witnesses his sister, Tietra, dying in the chaos of the battle at Fort Ziekden.
That loss pushes Delita Heyral to change entirely. At first, Ramza believes he died in the explosion, but later it’s revealed he survived and became a calculating figure, influencing Ivalice from the shadows to gain power and overthrow the nobility, making him one of the franchise’s most complex characters and one of thebest temporary party members in JRPGs.
What makes Aerith so memorable and one of the best temporary party members inFinal Fantasyis her overall character growth, which leads to one of the franchise’s most shocking deaths at the time. Introduced as a kind-hearted young woman, she plays a crucial role in the game story not only through her bond with Cloud and Zack Fair, but also due to her connection to the Lifestream.
Yet, her time in the game is tragically short, leaving the group relatively soon. Near the end of Disc 1, Sephiroth delivers one of gaming’s most shocking moments, killing Aerith before she can fulfill her destiny. Her loss is not only an emotional gut punch but also a gameplay challenge, as players must adjust to life without one of their strongest allies.
