History Main / AllInARow

A {{video game}} trope common to [=RPGs=] but also found in other genres, where the player controls a [[PlayerParty group of characters]] by moving only the group's leader while the rest of the group follows obediently in a line like ducklings after their mother. This is also known as caterpillaring.

** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII-2'', Noel will follow Serah around (or vice versa if you're controlling Noel), and Mog hovers around both of them. Your {{Mons}} stay hidden outside of battle, though.

* This is how young children are instructed to walk when navigating a school or anywhere else as a group, in order for their teacher or other authority figures to ensure that no one is missing or can just run off without being noticed.

** Likewise the Flickies in ''VideoGame/Sonic3DBlast'' follow Sonic to the letter. Having the chain of Flickies get hit would cause them to separate, as would having Sonic get hit, though you don't lose rings if a Flicky takes a hit. This was based on the game ''VideoGame/{{Flicky}}'', which had the same principle, albeit in 2D, and you played as a mother bluebird named Flicky[[hottip:*:yes, before becoming a species in ''SonicTheHedgehog'', it was merely the name of an individual]], not Sonic.

* ''VideoGame/PennyArcadeAdventures''.

* In ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'', followers and escorts do this starting with the [[VideoGame3DLeap 3D Leap]] in ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]''. They'll spread out when engaged in combat, but will return to follow you immediately after. ''[[ArtificialStupidity Hopefully]]''.

A {{video game}} trope common to RPGs but also found in other genres, where the player controls a [[PlayerParty group of characters]] by moving only the group's leader while the rest of the group follows obediently in a line like ducklings after their mother. This is also known as caterpillaring.

* ''Franchise/{{Ultima}}''

This is when the player controls a [[PlayerParty party of walking characters]] in a {{video game}} by controlling only one of them, usually the main hero. The rest of the party follows obediently in a line like ducklings after their mother. This is also known as caterpillaring.

Almost always, the leader is able to walk right through his/her allies, as otherwise the player could be confronted with the most pathetic UnWinnable situation ever, making this an AcceptableBreakFromReality. You can't talk to them like you could an NPC, though. Again, partly to keep a party member in your way from blocking you from doing something else occupied on the same space/in the same area.

Contrast PartyInMyPocket. Not to be confused with FollowTheLeader, which is about similar works emerging after a successful groundbreaking one.

* Also played straight in ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'', especially when you happen to have multiple followers at once. Quite fitting, since they also tend to have the brains and common knowledge of ducklings.

* ''Subterranean Starfield'' has the non-rubberband variety.

* ''KQ'' (the obscure Franchise/{{Lufia}}-inspired game, not ''VideoGame/KingsQuest'') has the rubber band variant of this trope, complete with companions that are capable of passing through stone walls if they fall far enough behind.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Overlord}}'', your minions, when not attacking, being swept, or otherwise busy, will follow the Overlord anywhere and everywhere (except water if they are not Blue minions.)

* The ''Franchise/{{Lunar}}'' games generally follow this rule, unless the game in question uses PrexistingEncounters. In that case the designated hero alone represents the whole party while in hostile areas.

* All three ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'' games, which isn't surprising since other elements of their gameplay are similar to that of ''VideoGame/DragonQuest''[[note]]with one noticeable exception being that the ''Mother'' series dropped RandomEncounters before ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' did the same with [[VideoGame/DragonQuestIX the same game as the one that brought back the trope on this page]][[/note]]. ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' mixes the two variants. OnlyMostlyDead characters become a weird mix of angels and ghosts (except in ''VideoGame/{{Mother 3}}'', where they just slouch and drag their feet). It's kinda strange really, you can give them a revival item to bring them back, but if you revive them through the hospital, the doctors act as if they've been rushed to the hospital a while ago. [[SchrodingersGun No matter which one you go to.]] This also applies in the fangames ''[[VideoGame/CognitiveDissonance Mother: Cognitive Dissonance]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/{{Mother4}} Mother 4]]''. Cognitive Dissonance follows the ''VideoGame/EarthBoundBeginnings'' and ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' trend of floating ghost angels for defeated party members while ''MOTHER 4'' has fallen party members dragged behind the group.

* In the excellent oldie ''Hard Nova'', the entire party walks single-file... though of course when flying only the spaceship is shown. In this case, the party even fights in the same single file, and creative backstepping to change party order is crucial to distribute damage optimally.

* The ''VideoGame/{{Lunar}}'' games generally follow this rule, although the 32-bit remakes changed it to where the support characters were "swallowed up" into Alex or Hiro's bodies in hostile areas.

Almost always, the leader is able to walk right through his/her allies, as otherwise the player could be confronted with the most pathetic UnWinnable situation ever, leading this to an AcceptableBreakFromReality. You can't talk to them like you could an NPC, though. Again, partly to keep a party member in your way from blocking you from doing something else occupied on the same space/in the same area.

!!Examples

* While not always using this trope, ''VideoGame/RuneScape'' has an option to follow another player. Overuse of this may result in a line of twenty people following each other. If two players try to follow each other, they will either dosey-do back and forth, or sidestep while facing each other like they're about to have a duel of some kind.

* While not always using this trope, ''VideoGame/RuneScape'' is also a noteworthy All-in-a-row user. In-game, there is an option to follow another player. Overuse of this may result in a line of twenty people following each other. This case follows the rule of "Drop behind and spring back like rubber."
** But it became funny when two players followed each other. They would either dosey-do back nad forth, or sidestep while facing each other like they were about to have a duel of some kind.

* In ''Star Jacker'' (a 1983 ArcadeGame by Creator/{{Sega}}), the player controls a fleet of ships that fly in a straight formation. Only the lead ship gets an open line of fire unless it starts moving to the side.

** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'': [[ThePresidentsDaughter Ashley Graham]] will trail behind Leon wherever he goes when in follow mode. To keep her out of danger you often have to stash her somewhere secluded, like up a tower, in a dumpster, or on the opposite end of a choke point, and give her the wait command.

* ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana'' and ''VideoGame/SeikenDensetsu3'' use the rubber band version in its single player mode. The game won't allow anyone to be scrolled off the screen, however, meaning you can find yourself unable to move further if they get distracted by an enemy and get trapped between a wall and the edges of the screen.

* All three ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'' games, which isn't surprising since other elements of their gameplay are similar to that of ''VideoGame/DragonQuest''[[note]]with one noticeable exception being that the ''Mother'' series dropped RandomEncounters before ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' did with [[VideoGame/DragonQuestIX the same game as the one that brought back the trope on this page]][[/note]]. ''VideoGame/{{Earthbound}}'' mixes the two variants. OnlyMostlyDead characters become a weird mix of angels and ghosts (except in ''VideoGame/{{Mother 3}}'', where they just slouch and drag their feet). It's kinda strange really, you can give them a revival item to bring them back, but if you revive them through the hospital the doctor's act as if they've been rushed to the hospital a while ago. [[SchrodingersGun No matter which one you go to.]] This also applies in the fangames ''[[VideoGame/CognitiveDissonance Mother: Cognitive Dissonance]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/{{Mother4}} Mother 4]]''. Cognitive Dissonance follows the ''VideoGame/EarthBoundBeginnings'' and ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' trend of floating ghost angels for defeated party members while ''MOTHER 4'' has fallen party members dragged behind the group.

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon''.