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*** AloofAlly Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' had little interest in the Phantom Thieves even after awakening to her [[FightingSpirit Persona]], and was more interested in furthering her gymnastics career than assisting their crusade against injustice. However she ultimately became the EleventhHourRanger during the events of the third trimester.
to:
*** AloofAlly Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' had initially has little interest in the Phantom Thieves Thieves, and even after awakening to her [[FightingSpirit Persona]], and she was still more interested in furthering her gymnastics career than assisting their crusade against injustice. However However, she ultimately became offers to join them prior to their confrontation with [[spoiler:Shido]] (which is [[RefusedByTheCall denied by the protagonist and Morgana due to the danger involved]]) and she ends up joining them for real as the EleventhHourRanger during the events of the third trimester.
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* Torbjörn Lindholm -- another former high-ranking member of Overwatch -- also personally declined to join, even after persuasion by his good friend Reinhardt, with the two teaming up to save Torbjörn's hometown of Gothenburg from Null Sector. Ultimately, Torbjörn decides that in his age, [[PassingTheTorch it's better for a younger generation to do the world-saving this time]] and instead commits his efforts to protecting his family and their hometown, but he's more than happy to see his daughter, Brigitte -- who had already been Reinhardt's squire for many years now -- as well as [[RobotBuddy Bastion]] to take his place.
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* The main plot of ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' is that years after the titular HeroesRUs was forcibly shut down, Winston -- [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight deciding that the world still needs saving against the ever-increasing threat of Talon]] -- makes the decision [[OrderReborn to recall its former agents and amass new heroes to continue fighting the good fight]]. Some agents did receive the message, but ended up choosing not to for various reasons (not just the fact that [[FallenHero some of them ended up joining Talon in the meantime]]):
** Jack Morrison -- the former leader of Overwatch, presently the dreaded VigilanteMan "Soldier: 76" -- [[TookALevelInCynic became completely disillusioned with Overwatch and its idealistic mission statement]], refusing to join it on principle, believing that it's simply going to collapse again.
** Ana Amari, another former head of Overwatch and Jack's continued present-day partner, also declined to join as she and Jack are conducting their own business in Cairo, although she does have much higher hopes for the team, sending former agent Cole Cassidy [[TheHerald to herald newcomers to Winston's recall]]. Ana's daughter, Pharah, was also reluctant to accept the call after being contacted by more eager former comrades -- both due to [[BrokenPedestal her own disillusionment with Overwatch]] and her commitments with Helix Security International, but following a meeting with Cassidy and her [[FakingTheDead previously-thought-to-be-dead]] mother, Pharah hops aboard the new team.
** Vivian "Sojourn" Chase -- another high-ranking captain, but one [[TheStoolPigeon whose testimonies before the UN largely led to Overwatch's illegalization]] -- also initially appears jaded by Overwatch, and when pressed by a government agent on the matter of Winston's recall, she says she declined. However, Sojourn [[VigilanteMan had been secretly doing vigilante work]] fighting against the brewing threat of [[KillerRobot Null Sector]] within her hometown of Toronto, and once Null Sector makes their full-scale attack on the city, [[JumpedAtTheCall she immediately springs into action]] and ends up joining the reborn Overwatch as they also get involved. They approach her to join them as their new [[TheCaptain captain]], and [[KnightInSourArmor while she still has reservations of the team's future]], she ultimately accepts.
* Torbjörn Lindholm -- another former high-ranking member of Overwatch -- also personally declined to join, even after persuasion by his good friend Reinhardt, with the two teaming up to save Torbjörn's hometown of Gothenburg from Null Sector. Ultimately, Torbjörn decides that in his age, [[PassingTheTorch it's better for a younger generation to do the world-saving this time]] and instead commits his efforts to protecting his family and their hometown, but he's more than happy to see his daughter, Brigitte -- who had already been Reinhardt's squire for many years now -- as well as [[RobotBuddy Bastion]] to take his place.
** Jack Morrison -- the former leader of Overwatch, presently the dreaded VigilanteMan "Soldier: 76" -- [[TookALevelInCynic became completely disillusioned with Overwatch and its idealistic mission statement]], refusing to join it on principle, believing that it's simply going to collapse again.
** Ana Amari, another former head of Overwatch and Jack's continued present-day partner, also declined to join as she and Jack are conducting their own business in Cairo, although she does have much higher hopes for the team, sending former agent Cole Cassidy [[TheHerald to herald newcomers to Winston's recall]]. Ana's daughter, Pharah, was also reluctant to accept the call after being contacted by more eager former comrades -- both due to [[BrokenPedestal her own disillusionment with Overwatch]] and her commitments with Helix Security International, but following a meeting with Cassidy and her [[FakingTheDead previously-thought-to-be-dead]] mother, Pharah hops aboard the new team.
** Vivian "Sojourn" Chase -- another high-ranking captain, but one [[TheStoolPigeon whose testimonies before the UN largely led to Overwatch's illegalization]] -- also initially appears jaded by Overwatch, and when pressed by a government agent on the matter of Winston's recall, she says she declined. However, Sojourn [[VigilanteMan had been secretly doing vigilante work]] fighting against the brewing threat of [[KillerRobot Null Sector]] within her hometown of Toronto, and once Null Sector makes their full-scale attack on the city, [[JumpedAtTheCall she immediately springs into action]] and ends up joining the reborn Overwatch as they also get involved. They approach her to join them as their new [[TheCaptain captain]], and [[KnightInSourArmor while she still has reservations of the team's future]], she ultimately accepts.
* Torbjörn Lindholm -- another former high-ranking member of Overwatch -- also personally declined to join, even after persuasion by his good friend Reinhardt, with the two teaming up to save Torbjörn's hometown of Gothenburg from Null Sector. Ultimately, Torbjörn decides that in his age, [[PassingTheTorch it's better for a younger generation to do the world-saving this time]] and instead commits his efforts to protecting his family and their hometown, but he's more than happy to see his daughter, Brigitte -- who had already been Reinhardt's squire for many years now -- as well as [[RobotBuddy Bastion]] to take his place.
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* When the First Flame is in danger of fading once again in ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', previous Lords of Cinder are resurrected so that they may sit upon their thrones in [[spoiler:Firelink Shrine]] and open the path to the Kiln so as to link the fire again, but, for various reasons, several Lords of Cinder refuse and abandon their thrones to carry out acts that they've done in the previous lives or to settle unfinished business; the Ashen One is ultimately sent to go and find them and bring them back to the [[spoiler:Shrine]].
to:
* When the First Flame is in danger of fading once again in ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', previous Lords of Cinder are resurrected so that they may sit upon their thrones in [[spoiler:Firelink Shrine]] Firelink Shrine and open the path to the Kiln so as to link the fire again, but, for various reasons, several Lords of Cinder refuse and abandon their thrones to carry out acts that they've done in the previous lives or to settle unfinished business; the Ashen One is ultimately sent to go and find them and bring them back to the [[spoiler:Shrine]].Shrine.
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Changed line(s) 17 (click to see context) from:
** And of course, the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Sorrow]]'' games are about OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Soma Cruz rejecting his destiny to [[spoiler: become the new Dracula]].
to:
** And of course, the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Sorrow]]'' games ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaAriaOfSorrow'' and ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaDawnOfSorrow'' are about OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Soma Cruz rejecting his destiny to [[spoiler: become the new Dracula]].
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Alphabeticized examples.
Changed line(s) 11,18 (click to see context) from:
* The title character of ''VideoGame/Jak3Wastelander'' is approached by Ashlin after he's been moving up the ladder in Spargus to go back to Haven City and help clean up the mess there. Jak responds that [[MisBlamed he was blamed]] for the fall of Haven City [[DudeWheresMyRespect despite saving it in the second game]], and left to die in the desert by the Grand Council. Naturally, he's in no mood to put his neck on the line for them anymore. [[spoiler:He eventually goes back anyway, because TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive.]]
* It's possible to avert ButThouMust in the beginning of ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' by refusing to go after the Pure Hearts. All this does, though, is get you a {{Press Start To|GameOver}} NonStandardGameOver.
* ''VideoGame/ThiefTheDarkProject''. Garrett.
-->'''Garrett''': Tell my friends that I don't need their secret book, or their glyph warnings, or their messengers. Tell them I'm through. Tell them it's over. Tell them Garrett is ''done''.
:: Of course, this is followed by[=:=]
--->'''Artemis''': ''[after Garrett departs]'' I will tell them this: [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive Nothing has changed. All is as written.]] [[SequelHook Beware the Metal Age.]]
* The story of the canceled Dreamcast game ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaResurrection'' had a Belmont named Victor run away from his duties of killing Dracula, although he's eventually forced to take up the whip regardless when he and his ancestor Sonia Belmont are ripped from their respective timelines to fight Dracula in year 1666.
** And of course, the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Sorrow]]'' games are about OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Soma Cruz rejecting his destiny to [[spoiler: become the new Dracula]].
* It's possible to avert ButThouMust in the beginning of ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' by refusing to go after the Pure Hearts. All this does, though, is get you a {{Press Start To|GameOver}} NonStandardGameOver.
* ''VideoGame/ThiefTheDarkProject''. Garrett.
-->'''Garrett''': Tell my friends that I don't need their secret book, or their glyph warnings, or their messengers. Tell them I'm through. Tell them it's over. Tell them Garrett is ''done''.
:: Of course, this is followed by[=:=]
--->'''Artemis''': ''[after Garrett departs]'' I will tell them this: [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive Nothing has changed. All is as written.]] [[SequelHook Beware the Metal Age.]]
* The story of the canceled Dreamcast game ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaResurrection'' had a Belmont named Victor run away from his duties of killing Dracula, although he's eventually forced to take up the whip regardless when he and his ancestor Sonia Belmont are ripped from their respective timelines to fight Dracula in year 1666.
** And of course, the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Sorrow]]'' games are about OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Soma Cruz rejecting his destiny to [[spoiler: become the new Dracula]].
to:
* The title character of ''VideoGame/Jak3Wastelander'' is approached by Ashlin after he's been moving up the ladder Inverted in Spargus to go back to Haven City and help clean up the mess there. Jak responds that [[MisBlamed he was blamed]] ''VideoGame/TheBardsTale'' for the fall of Haven City [[DudeWheresMyRespect despite saving it in [=PS2=]. The Bard does answer the second game]], call, but he refuses to be called TheChosenOne, and left threatens anyone who even thinks to die in the desert by the Grand Council. Naturally, he's in no mood to put his neck on the line for them anymore. [[spoiler:He eventually goes back anyway, because TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive.]]
* It's possible to avert ButThouMust in the beginning of ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' by refusing to go after the Pure Hearts. All this does, though, is get you a {{Press Start To|GameOver}} NonStandardGameOver.
* ''VideoGame/ThiefTheDarkProject''. Garrett.
-->'''Garrett''': Tell my friends that I don't need their secret book, or their glyph warnings, or their messengers. Tell them I'm through. Tell them it's over. Tell them Garrett is ''done''.
:: Of course, this is followed by[=:=]
--->'''Artemis''': ''[after Garrett departs]'' I will tell them this: [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive Nothing has changed. All is as written.]] [[SequelHook Beware the Metal Age.]]
* The story of the canceled Dreamcast game ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaResurrection'' had a Belmont named Victor run away from his duties of killing Dracula, although he's eventually forced to take up the whip regardless when he and his ancestor Sonia Belmont are ripped from their respective timelines to fight Dracula in year 1666.
** And of course, the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Sorrow]]'' games are about OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Soma Cruz rejecting his destiny to [[spoiler: become the new Dracula]].call him that.
* It's possible to avert ButThouMust in the beginning of ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' by refusing to go after the Pure Hearts. All this does, though, is get you a {{Press Start To|GameOver}} NonStandardGameOver.
* ''VideoGame/ThiefTheDarkProject''. Garrett.
-->'''Garrett''': Tell my friends that I don't need their secret book, or their glyph warnings, or their messengers. Tell them I'm through. Tell them it's over. Tell them Garrett is ''done''.
:: Of course, this is followed by[=:=]
--->'''Artemis''': ''[after Garrett departs]'' I will tell them this: [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive Nothing has changed. All is as written.]] [[SequelHook Beware the Metal Age.]]
* The story of the canceled Dreamcast game ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaResurrection'' had a Belmont named Victor run away from his duties of killing Dracula, although he's eventually forced to take up the whip regardless when he and his ancestor Sonia Belmont are ripped from their respective timelines to fight Dracula in year 1666.
** And of course, the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Sorrow]]'' games are about OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Soma Cruz rejecting his destiny to [[spoiler: become the new Dracula]].
Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/LostOdyssey'''s Kaim doesn't actively refuse the call, but he recognizes that, as an immortal, he has all the time in the world, and so he takes his time. But when it comes to the call of adventure that his lost memories provide, he initially refuses due to the tremendous pain he knows they will bring if he can unlock them again.
to:
* ''VideoGame/LostOdyssey'''s Kaim Shrimp and Cornelia do this repeatedly in ''VideoGame/BoxxyQuestTheGatheringStorm''. They were both playable party members in the prequel, but this time they’re in the middle of a vacation and refuse to get involved with any of the world-saving heroics. [[spoiler:They finally get their acts together and rejoin the team in Chapter 8, but only after the Internet has already been almost totally wiped out and vacationing is simply no longer an option.]]
* In ''Cartographer'' Reuben refuses to become his late father's successor as Dragon Slayer because all he wants is to quietly run the inn he owns. Unfortunately, only someone of his heritage can become the Dragon Slayer and he happens to be an only child.
* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'':
** The story of the canceled Dreamcast game ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaResurrection'' had a Belmont named Victor run away from his duties of killing Dracula, although he's eventually forced to take up the whip regardless when he and his ancestor Sonia Belmont are ripped from their respective timelines to fight Dracula in year 1666.
** And of course, the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Sorrow]]'' games are about OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Soma Cruz rejecting his destiny to [[spoiler: become the new Dracula]].
* When the First Flame is in danger of fading once again in ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', previous Lords of Cinder are resurrected so that they may sit upon their thrones in [[spoiler:Firelink Shrine]] and open the path to the Kiln so as to link the fire again, but, for various reasons, several Lords of Cinder refuse and abandon their thrones to carry out acts that they've done in the previous lives or to settle unfinished business; the Ashen One is ultimately sent to go and find them and bring them back to the [[spoiler:Shrine]].
* In ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'', at a specific point in the game, instead of choosing to keep fighting, you can choose to abandon everything and just try to escape the HellOnEarth scenario you're in, [[spoiler: knowingly leaving thousands of innocent civilians to die and the city you're in to go insane and be completely destroyed]]. But making this choice will ''[[YouBastard cost]] [[NiceJobBreakingItHero/VideoGames you]] '''[[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive dearly]].''' ''[[spoiler:Demons begin spilling out en masse as the barrier between the human world and demon world weakens, and the demons prepare to ravage the human world en masse]]. ''[[UpdatedRerelease Overclocked]]'' shows you what happens if you take this choice, [[spoiler:as well as gives you the opportunity to fix it]].
* In ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}: Giga Zombie no Gyakushū'', Doraemon comes to the PlayerCharacter's home to ask them to help him rescue his crew and defeat the BigBad. The player is free to tell him "no", and [[WhatTheHellPlayer though he'll plead with you]], repeating it enough times will lead to Doraemon [[YouBastard walking off crying]], [[NonStandardGameOver ending the game]].
* ''Franchise/DragonAge'':
** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' it is possible to refuse the call to join the Grey Wardens in each of the six possible openings, even though in many of them you need to join the Wardens to save your character's life. It doesn'tactively refuse really change anything though, because Duncan will conscript your character [[ButThouMust regardless of whether you want to go or not]].
** In thecall, but he recognizes that, as an immortal, he has all the time in the world, and so he takes [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII second game]], Anders expresses his time. But when it comes to frustration at Mage Hawke for refusing the call to lead the [[LaResistance Mage Underground]], despite being the sort of adventure leader they've waited ''centuries'' for.
* In ''VideoGame/DragonsDogma'', Barroch is an Arisen who chose not to face the Dragon after his heart was taken, deciding that since he's now effectively immortal he'd rather spend hislost memories provide, he initially refuses due to time adventuring on his own terms.
* ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'': When Buzz-Buzz is telling Ness of thetremendous pain prophecy and what he knows they must do, Pokey thinks he's not one of the three boys and backs out from helping. [[spoiler:He ends up being involved anyways, but on the wrong side.]]
* In the Dragonborn DLC of ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'', if you defeated [[BigBad Alduin]] before confronting Miraak, he willbring if he can unlock state that when the ancient Nord heroes of old asked him to help them again.defeat Alduin he ignored them, claiming that while he could have taken him, he simply didn't care enough to.
* In ''Cartographer'' Reuben refuses to become his late father's successor as Dragon Slayer because all he wants is to quietly run the inn he owns. Unfortunately, only someone of his heritage can become the Dragon Slayer and he happens to be an only child.
* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'':
** The story of the canceled Dreamcast game ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaResurrection'' had a Belmont named Victor run away from his duties of killing Dracula, although he's eventually forced to take up the whip regardless when he and his ancestor Sonia Belmont are ripped from their respective timelines to fight Dracula in year 1666.
** And of course, the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Sorrow]]'' games are about OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Soma Cruz rejecting his destiny to [[spoiler: become the new Dracula]].
* When the First Flame is in danger of fading once again in ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', previous Lords of Cinder are resurrected so that they may sit upon their thrones in [[spoiler:Firelink Shrine]] and open the path to the Kiln so as to link the fire again, but, for various reasons, several Lords of Cinder refuse and abandon their thrones to carry out acts that they've done in the previous lives or to settle unfinished business; the Ashen One is ultimately sent to go and find them and bring them back to the [[spoiler:Shrine]].
* In ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'', at a specific point in the game, instead of choosing to keep fighting, you can choose to abandon everything and just try to escape the HellOnEarth scenario you're in, [[spoiler: knowingly leaving thousands of innocent civilians to die and the city you're in to go insane and be completely destroyed]]. But making this choice will ''[[YouBastard cost]] [[NiceJobBreakingItHero/VideoGames you]] '''[[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive dearly]].''' ''[[spoiler:Demons begin spilling out en masse as the barrier between the human world and demon world weakens, and the demons prepare to ravage the human world en masse]]. ''[[UpdatedRerelease Overclocked]]'' shows you what happens if you take this choice, [[spoiler:as well as gives you the opportunity to fix it]].
* In ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}: Giga Zombie no Gyakushū'', Doraemon comes to the PlayerCharacter's home to ask them to help him rescue his crew and defeat the BigBad. The player is free to tell him "no", and [[WhatTheHellPlayer though he'll plead with you]], repeating it enough times will lead to Doraemon [[YouBastard walking off crying]], [[NonStandardGameOver ending the game]].
* ''Franchise/DragonAge'':
** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' it is possible to refuse the call to join the Grey Wardens in each of the six possible openings, even though in many of them you need to join the Wardens to save your character's life. It doesn't
** In the
* In ''VideoGame/DragonsDogma'', Barroch is an Arisen who chose not to face the Dragon after his heart was taken, deciding that since he's now effectively immortal he'd rather spend his
* ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'': When Buzz-Buzz is telling Ness of the
* In the Dragonborn DLC of ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'', if you defeated [[BigBad Alduin]] before confronting Miraak, he will
Changed line(s) 22,29 (click to see context) from:
* In ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'', at a specific point in the game, instead of choosing to keep fighting, you can choose to abandon everything and just try to escape the HellOnEarth scenario you're in, [[spoiler: knowingly leaving thousands of innocent civilians to die and the city you're in to go insane and be completely destroyed]]. But making this choice will ''[[YouBastard cost]] [[NiceJobBreakingItHero/VideoGames you]] '''[[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive dearly]].''' ''[[spoiler: Demons begin spilling out en masse as the barrier between the human world and demon world weakens, and the demons prepare to ravage the human world en masse]]. ''[[UpdatedRerelease Overclocked]]'' shows you what happens if you take this choice, [[spoiler:as well as gives you the opportunity to fix it]].
* In ''VideoGame/WarioLandII'', if you stay asleep long enough at the beginning, you get kicked out of your castle and get to play through an alternate storyline.
* Inverted in ''VideoGame/TheBardsTale'' for the [=PS2=]. The Bard does answer the call, but he refuses to be called TheChosenOne, and threatens anyone who even thinks to call him that.
* ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'': When Buzz-Buzz is telling Ness of the prophecy and what he must do, Pokey thinks he's not one of the three boys and backs out from helping. [[spoiler:He ends up being involved anyways, but on the wrong side]].
* In ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarIV'', when presented with the genesis story of the Algo solar system, some time after Rune has chosen him as Algo's champion, Chaz finds the Great Light to be an extremely hypocritical [[NeglectfulPrecursors absent god figure]] and consciously rejects his "destiny" to fight the Profound Darkness. Once he's calmed down, he asks Rune if BlindObedience to the Great Light's intentions would make them any different from the villains who serve the Profound Darkness. He eventually does come around, but chooses to fight to protect the people of Algo who would be harmed if the Profound Darkness wins, rather than just [[BecauseDestinySaysSo because the Great Light says so]].
* Reid Hershel from ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'' initially refused to have anything to do with stopping the [[EarthShatteringKaboom Grand Fall]], but was dragged along by his childhood friend Farah, who JumpedAtTheCall. He's content to let the military of his home world take care of things, but eventually he's [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive forced to do it himself]] as TheChosenOne when the ''other'' Chosen One [[HeroicSacrifice dies saving his life.]]
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', General Leo Christophe was the only soldier for The Empire who refused to be infused with Magitek powers, as Celes and Kefka were. Given his sheer strength and abilities alone, it's quite obvious it didn't phase him one bit.
* In the initial ''A Realm Reborn'' quest arc of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', it's possible to abandon the main questline entirely after learning the basics. Even within the questline itself, the leader of your local Adventurer's Guild will offer you the choice to back away when the Scions of the Seventh Dawn offer you to join them. Of course, not answering the call will lock you out of most of the game's content, including all the expansions as they can only be accessed by progressing the story.
* In ''VideoGame/WarioLandII'', if you stay asleep long enough at the beginning, you get kicked out of your castle and get to play through an alternate storyline.
* Inverted in ''VideoGame/TheBardsTale'' for the [=PS2=]. The Bard does answer the call, but he refuses to be called TheChosenOne, and threatens anyone who even thinks to call him that.
* ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'': When Buzz-Buzz is telling Ness of the prophecy and what he must do, Pokey thinks he's not one of the three boys and backs out from helping. [[spoiler:He ends up being involved anyways, but on the wrong side]].
* In ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarIV'', when presented with the genesis story of the Algo solar system, some time after Rune has chosen him as Algo's champion, Chaz finds the Great Light to be an extremely hypocritical [[NeglectfulPrecursors absent god figure]] and consciously rejects his "destiny" to fight the Profound Darkness. Once he's calmed down, he asks Rune if BlindObedience to the Great Light's intentions would make them any different from the villains who serve the Profound Darkness. He eventually does come around, but chooses to fight to protect the people of Algo who would be harmed if the Profound Darkness wins, rather than just [[BecauseDestinySaysSo because the Great Light says so]].
* Reid Hershel from ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'' initially refused to have anything to do with stopping the [[EarthShatteringKaboom Grand Fall]], but was dragged along by his childhood friend Farah, who JumpedAtTheCall. He's content to let the military of his home world take care of things, but eventually he's [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive forced to do it himself]] as TheChosenOne when the ''other'' Chosen One [[HeroicSacrifice dies saving his life.]]
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', General Leo Christophe was the only soldier for The Empire who refused to be infused with Magitek powers, as Celes and Kefka were. Given his sheer strength and abilities alone, it's quite obvious it didn't phase him one bit.
* In the initial ''A Realm Reborn'' quest arc of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', it's possible to abandon the main questline entirely after learning the basics. Even within the questline itself, the leader of your local Adventurer's Guild will offer you the choice to back away when the Scions of the Seventh Dawn offer you to join them. Of course, not answering the call will lock you out of most of the game's content, including all the expansions as they can only be accessed by progressing the story.
to:
* In ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'', at a specific point in the game, instead of choosing to keep fighting, you can choose to abandon everything and just try to escape the HellOnEarth scenario you're in, [[spoiler: knowingly leaving thousands of innocent civilians to die and the city you're in to go insane and be completely destroyed]]. But making this choice will ''[[YouBastard cost]] [[NiceJobBreakingItHero/VideoGames you]] '''[[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive dearly]].''' ''[[spoiler: Demons begin spilling out en masse as the barrier between the human world and demon world weakens, and the demons prepare to ravage the human world en masse]]. ''[[UpdatedRerelease Overclocked]]'' shows you what happens if you take this choice, [[spoiler:as well as gives you the opportunity to fix it]].
* In ''VideoGame/WarioLandII'', if you stay asleep long enough at the beginning, you get kicked out of your castle and get to play through an alternate storyline.
* Inverted in ''VideoGame/TheBardsTale'' for the [=PS2=]. The Bard does answer the call, but he refuses to be called TheChosenOne, and threatens anyone who even thinks to call him that.
* ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'': When Buzz-Buzz is telling Ness of the prophecy and what he must do, Pokey thinks he's not one of the three boys and backs out from helping. [[spoiler:He ends up being involved anyways, but on the wrong side]].
* In ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarIV'', when presented with the genesis story of the Algo solar system, some time after Rune has chosen him as Algo's champion, Chaz finds the Great Light to be an extremely hypocritical [[NeglectfulPrecursors absent god figure]] and consciously rejects his "destiny" to fight the Profound Darkness. Once he's calmed down, he asks Rune if BlindObedience to the Great Light's intentions would make them any different from the villains who serve the Profound Darkness. He eventually does come around, but chooses to fight to protect the people of Algo who would be harmed if the Profound Darkness wins, rather than just [[BecauseDestinySaysSo because the Great Light says so]].
* Reid Hershel from ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'' initially refused to have anything to do with stopping the [[EarthShatteringKaboom Grand Fall]], but was dragged along by his childhood friend Farah, who JumpedAtTheCall. He's content to let the military of his home world take care of things, but eventually he's [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive forced to do it himself]] as TheChosenOne when the ''other'' Chosen One [[HeroicSacrifice dies saving his life.]]
*''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', General Leo Christophe was the only soldier for The Empire who refused to be infused with Magitek powers, as Celes and Kefka were. Given his sheer strength and abilities alone, it's quite obvious it didn't phase him one bit.
* ** In the initial ''A Realm Reborn'' quest arc of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', it's possible to abandon the main questline entirely after learning the basics. Even within the questline itself, the leader of your local Adventurer's Guild will offer you the choice to back away when the Scions of the Seventh Dawn offer you to join them. Of course, not answering the call will lock you out of most of the game's content, including all the expansions as they can only be accessed by progressing the story.story.
* In ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'', it's possible to refuse to chase after Saturos and Menardi. This leads to a NonStandardGameOver revealing the world drifted towards its destruction [[spoiler:and a bit of FridgeBrilliance, when you realize the destruction wasn't the lighthouses being lit, but the world withering away without Alchemy (or possibly elemental imbalance, given some dialogue in the second game)]].
* In ''VideoGame/WarioLandII'', if you stay asleep long enough at the beginning, you get kicked out of your castle and get to play through an alternate storyline.
* Inverted in ''VideoGame/TheBardsTale'' for the [=PS2=]. The Bard does answer the call, but he refuses to be called TheChosenOne, and threatens anyone who even thinks to call him that.
* ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'': When Buzz-Buzz is telling Ness of the prophecy and what he must do, Pokey thinks he's not one of the three boys and backs out from helping. [[spoiler:He ends up being involved anyways, but on the wrong side]].
* In ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarIV'', when presented with the genesis story of the Algo solar system, some time after Rune has chosen him as Algo's champion, Chaz finds the Great Light to be an extremely hypocritical [[NeglectfulPrecursors absent god figure]] and consciously rejects his "destiny" to fight the Profound Darkness. Once he's calmed down, he asks Rune if BlindObedience to the Great Light's intentions would make them any different from the villains who serve the Profound Darkness. He eventually does come around, but chooses to fight to protect the people of Algo who would be harmed if the Profound Darkness wins, rather than just [[BecauseDestinySaysSo because the Great Light says so]].
* Reid Hershel from ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'' initially refused to have anything to do with stopping the [[EarthShatteringKaboom Grand Fall]], but was dragged along by his childhood friend Farah, who JumpedAtTheCall. He's content to let the military of his home world take care of things, but eventually he's [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive forced to do it himself]] as TheChosenOne when the ''other'' Chosen One [[HeroicSacrifice dies saving his life.]]
*
** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', General Leo Christophe was the only soldier for The Empire who refused to be infused with Magitek powers, as Celes and Kefka were. Given his sheer strength and abilities alone, it's quite obvious it didn't phase him one bit.
* In ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'', it's possible to refuse to chase after Saturos and Menardi. This leads to a NonStandardGameOver revealing the world drifted towards its destruction [[spoiler:and a bit of FridgeBrilliance, when you realize the destruction wasn't the lighthouses being lit, but the world withering away without Alchemy (or possibly elemental imbalance, given some dialogue in the second game)]].
Changed line(s) 31,33 (click to see context) from:
* In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' it is possible to refuse the call to join the Grey Wardens in each of the six possible openings, even though in many of them you need to join the Wardens to save your character's life. It doesn't really change anything though, because Duncan will conscript your character [[ButThouMust regardless of whether you want to go or not]].
** In the [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII second game]], Anders expresses his frustration at Mage Hawke for refusing the call to lead the [[LaResistance Mage Underground]], despite being the sort of leader they've waited ''centuries'' for.
* In ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'', it's possible to refuse to chase after Saturos and Menardi. This leads to a NonStandardGameOver revealing the world drifted towards its destruction [[spoiler: and a bit of FridgeBrilliance, when you realize the destruction wasn't the lighthouses being lit, but the world withering away without Alchemy (or possibly elemental imbalance, given some dialogue in the second game).]]
** In the [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII second game]], Anders expresses his frustration at Mage Hawke for refusing the call to lead the [[LaResistance Mage Underground]], despite being the sort of leader they've waited ''centuries'' for.
* In ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'', it's possible to refuse to chase after Saturos and Menardi. This leads to a NonStandardGameOver revealing the world drifted towards its destruction [[spoiler: and a bit of FridgeBrilliance, when you realize the destruction wasn't the lighthouses being lit, but the world withering away without Alchemy (or possibly elemental imbalance, given some dialogue in the second game).]]
to:
* In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' it is possible to refuse the call to join the Grey Wardens in each of the six possible openings, even though in many of them you need to join the Wardens to save your character's life. It doesn't really change anything though, because Duncan will conscript your The title character [[ButThouMust regardless of whether you want ''VideoGame/Jak3Wastelander'' is approached by Ashlin after he's been moving up the ladder in Spargus to go or not]].
** Inback to Haven City and help clean up the [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII mess there. Jak responds that [[MisBlamed he was blamed]] for the fall of Haven City [[DudeWheresMyRespect despite saving it in the second game]], Anders expresses and left to die in the desert by the Grand Council. Naturally, he's in no mood to put his frustration at Mage Hawke neck on the line for refusing them anymore. [[spoiler:He eventually goes back anyway, because TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive.]]
* ''VideoGame/LostOdyssey'''s Kaim doesn't actively refuse the call, but he recognizes that, as an immortal, he has all the time in the world, and so he takes his time. But when it comes to the call of adventure that his lost memories provide, he initially refuses due tolead the [[LaResistance Mage Underground]], despite being the sort of leader they've waited ''centuries'' for.
tremendous pain he knows they will bring if he can unlock them again.
*In ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'', it's possible to refuse to chase after Saturos and Menardi. This leads to a NonStandardGameOver revealing the world drifted towards its destruction [[spoiler: and a bit of FridgeBrilliance, when you realize the destruction wasn't the lighthouses being lit, but the world withering away without Alchemy (or possibly elemental imbalance, given some dialogue in ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda:'' Avitus Rix, the second game).]]in-line for the position of turian Pathfinder, [[spoiler:will do this at the end of the turian Ark quest if the decision to take the job is left to him. He'll wind up a miserable drunk, disheartened over the loser of his lover and predecessor, instead]].
** In
* ''VideoGame/LostOdyssey'''s Kaim doesn't actively refuse the call, but he recognizes that, as an immortal, he has all the time in the world, and so he takes his time. But when it comes to the call of adventure that his lost memories provide, he initially refuses due to
*
* ''VideoGame/NiNoKuni'': Oliver initially refuses to travel to Mr. Drippy's world to fight the Dark Djinn, as he's still mourning his mother's death. Mr. Drippy then realises that in his world, Oliver's mother is a powerful sage who was trapped in crystal by the Dark Djinn, and rescuing her may bring back the version of her in Oliver's world too. Oliver thus accepts the call, but to save his mother rather than to save Mr. Drippy's world.
* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
** ''VideoGame/Persona3'': Shinjiro Aragaki was a founding member of [=SEES=], but an undisclosed incident made him decide to quit. Akihiko spends most of the game trying to convince him to come back, and the plot thickening has no bearing on his eventual acceptance. No, he only agrees to return because [[spoiler:Ken Amada]] joins SEES of his own volition. The significance? The incident that led him to abandon [=SEES=] was [[spoiler:losing control of his Persona and accidentally killing Ken's mother]].
** ''VideoGame/Persona5'':
*** [[PlayerCharacter Joker]] attempts to delete the [[MentalWorld Metaverse]] Navigator app that kicks off the rest of the plot for a good three days before actually using it to willingly enter the AdventureFriendlyWorld of the Palace, with the first time being by accident. He can also try to encourage [[TheLancer Ryuji]] to do the same.
*** AloofAlly Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' had little interest in the Phantom Thieves even after awakening to her [[FightingSpirit Persona]], and was more interested in furthering her gymnastics career than assisting their crusade against injustice. However she ultimately became the EleventhHourRanger during the events of the third trimester.
* In ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarIV'', when presented with the genesis story of the Algo solar system, some time after Rune has chosen him as Algo's champion, Chaz finds the Great Light to be an extremely hypocritical [[NeglectfulPrecursors absent god figure]] and consciously rejects his "destiny" to fight the Profound Darkness. Once he's calmed down, he asks Rune if BlindObedience to the Great Light's intentions would make them any different from the villains who serve the Profound Darkness. He eventually does come around, but chooses to fight to protect the people of Algo who would be harmed if the Profound Darkness wins, rather than just [[BecauseDestinySaysSo because the Great Light says so]].
** ''VideoGame/Persona3'': Shinjiro Aragaki was a founding member of [=SEES=], but an undisclosed incident made him decide to quit. Akihiko spends most of the game trying to convince him to come back, and the plot thickening has no bearing on his eventual acceptance. No, he only agrees to return because [[spoiler:Ken Amada]] joins SEES of his own volition. The significance? The incident that led him to abandon [=SEES=] was [[spoiler:losing control of his Persona and accidentally killing Ken's mother]].
** ''VideoGame/Persona5'':
*** [[PlayerCharacter Joker]] attempts to delete the [[MentalWorld Metaverse]] Navigator app that kicks off the rest of the plot for a good three days before actually using it to willingly enter the AdventureFriendlyWorld of the Palace, with the first time being by accident. He can also try to encourage [[TheLancer Ryuji]] to do the same.
*** AloofAlly Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' had little interest in the Phantom Thieves even after awakening to her [[FightingSpirit Persona]], and was more interested in furthering her gymnastics career than assisting their crusade against injustice. However she ultimately became the EleventhHourRanger during the events of the third trimester.
* In ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarIV'', when presented with the genesis story of the Algo solar system, some time after Rune has chosen him as Algo's champion, Chaz finds the Great Light to be an extremely hypocritical [[NeglectfulPrecursors absent god figure]] and consciously rejects his "destiny" to fight the Profound Darkness. Once he's calmed down, he asks Rune if BlindObedience to the Great Light's intentions would make them any different from the villains who serve the Profound Darkness. He eventually does come around, but chooses to fight to protect the people of Algo who would be harmed if the Profound Darkness wins, rather than just [[BecauseDestinySaysSo because the Great Light says so]].
* ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'': The "Coward/Reluctance" ending is gotten by [[PressStartToGameOver having Stanley interact with his office door to close it again]], whereupon the Narrator describes how Stanley decided to stay in his office and wait for further instructions instead of leaving and investigating the mysterious disappearance of his co-workers.
* It's possible to avert ButThouMust in the beginning of ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' by refusing to go after the Pure Hearts. All this does, though, is get you a {{Press Start To|GameOver}} NonStandardGameOver.
* Reid Hershel from ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'' initially refused to have anything to do with stopping the [[EarthShatteringKaboom Grand Fall]], but was dragged along by his childhood friend Farah, who JumpedAtTheCall. He's content to let the military of his home world take care of things, but eventually he's [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive forced to do it himself]] as TheChosenOne when the ''other'' Chosen One [[HeroicSacrifice dies saving his life]].
* Reid Hershel from ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'' initially refused to have anything to do with stopping the [[EarthShatteringKaboom Grand Fall]], but was dragged along by his childhood friend Farah, who JumpedAtTheCall. He's content to let the military of his home world take care of things, but eventually he's [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive forced to do it himself]] as TheChosenOne when the ''other'' Chosen One [[HeroicSacrifice dies saving his life]].
Changed line(s) 40,49 (click to see context) from:
* In the Dragonborn DLC of ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'', if you defeated [[BigBad Alduin]] before confronting Miraak, he will state that when the ancient Nord heroes of old asked him to help them defeat Alduin he ignored them, claiming that while he could have taken him, he simply didn't care enough to.
* In ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}: Giga Zombie no Gyakushū'', Doraemon comes to the PlayerCharacter's home to ask them to help him rescue his crew and defeat the BigBad. The player is free to tell him "no", and [[WhatTheHellPlayer though he'll plead with you]], repeating it enough times will lead to Doraemon [[YouBastard walking off crying]], [[NonStandardGameOver ending the game]].
* ''VideoGame/NiNoKuni'': Oliver initially refuses to travel to Mr. Drippy's world to fight the Dark Djinn, as he's still mourning his mother's death. Mr. Drippy then realises that in his world, Oliver's mother is a powerful sage who was trapped in crystal by the Dark Djinn, and rescuing her may bring back the version of her in Oliver's world too. Oliver thus accepts the call, but to save his mother rather than to save Mr. Drippy's world.
* In ''Cartographer'' Reuben refuses to become his late father's successor as Dragon Slayer because all he wants is to quietly run the inn he owns. Unfortunately, only someone of his heritage can become the Dragon Slayer and he happens to be an only child.
* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
** ''VideoGame/Persona3'': Shinjiro Aragaki was a founding member of [=SEES=], but an undisclosed incident made him decide to quit. Akihiko spends most of the game trying to convince him to come back, and the plot thickening has no bearing on his eventual acceptance. No, he only agrees to return because [[spoiler:Ken Amada]] joins SEES of his own volition. The significance? The incident that led him to abandon [=SEES=] was [[spoiler:losing control of his Persona and accidentally killing Ken's mother]].
** ''VideoGame/Persona5'':
*** [[PlayerCharacter Joker]] attempts to delete the [[MentalWorld Metaverse]] Navigator app that kicks off the rest of the plot for a good three days before actually using it to willingly enter the AdventureFriendlyWorld of the Palace, with the first time being by accident. He can also try to encourage [[TheLancer Ryuji]] to do the same.
*** AloofAlly Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' had little interest in the Phantom Thieves even after awakening to her [[FightingSpirit Persona]], and was more interested in furthering her gymnastics career than assisting their crusade against injustice. However she ultimately became the EleventhHourRanger during the events of the third trimester.
* ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'': The "Coward/Reluctance" ending is gotten by [[PressStartToGameOver having Stanley interact with his office door to close it again]], whereupon the Narrator describes how Stanley decided to stay in his office and wait for further instructions instead of leaving and investigating the mysterious disappearance of his co-workers.
* In ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}: Giga Zombie no Gyakushū'', Doraemon comes to the PlayerCharacter's home to ask them to help him rescue his crew and defeat the BigBad. The player is free to tell him "no", and [[WhatTheHellPlayer though he'll plead with you]], repeating it enough times will lead to Doraemon [[YouBastard walking off crying]], [[NonStandardGameOver ending the game]].
* ''VideoGame/NiNoKuni'': Oliver initially refuses to travel to Mr. Drippy's world to fight the Dark Djinn, as he's still mourning his mother's death. Mr. Drippy then realises that in his world, Oliver's mother is a powerful sage who was trapped in crystal by the Dark Djinn, and rescuing her may bring back the version of her in Oliver's world too. Oliver thus accepts the call, but to save his mother rather than to save Mr. Drippy's world.
* In ''Cartographer'' Reuben refuses to become his late father's successor as Dragon Slayer because all he wants is to quietly run the inn he owns. Unfortunately, only someone of his heritage can become the Dragon Slayer and he happens to be an only child.
* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
** ''VideoGame/Persona3'': Shinjiro Aragaki was a founding member of [=SEES=], but an undisclosed incident made him decide to quit. Akihiko spends most of the game trying to convince him to come back, and the plot thickening has no bearing on his eventual acceptance. No, he only agrees to return because [[spoiler:Ken Amada]] joins SEES of his own volition. The significance? The incident that led him to abandon [=SEES=] was [[spoiler:losing control of his Persona and accidentally killing Ken's mother]].
** ''VideoGame/Persona5'':
*** [[PlayerCharacter Joker]] attempts to delete the [[MentalWorld Metaverse]] Navigator app that kicks off the rest of the plot for a good three days before actually using it to willingly enter the AdventureFriendlyWorld of the Palace, with the first time being by accident. He can also try to encourage [[TheLancer Ryuji]] to do the same.
*** AloofAlly Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' had little interest in the Phantom Thieves even after awakening to her [[FightingSpirit Persona]], and was more interested in furthering her gymnastics career than assisting their crusade against injustice. However she ultimately became the EleventhHourRanger during the events of the third trimester.
* ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'': The "Coward/Reluctance" ending is gotten by [[PressStartToGameOver having Stanley interact with his office door to close it again]], whereupon the Narrator describes how Stanley decided to stay in his office and wait for further instructions instead of leaving and investigating the mysterious disappearance of his co-workers.
to:
* ''VideoGame/ThiefTheDarkProject''. Garrett.
-->'''Garrett''': Tell my friends that I don't need their secret book, or their glyph warnings, or their messengers. Tell them I'm through. Tell them it's over. Tell them Garrett is ''done''.
:: Of course, this is followed by[=:=]
--->'''Artemis''': ''[after Garrett departs]'' I will tell them this: [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive Nothing has changed. All is as written.]] [[SequelHook Beware the Metal Age.]]
* Inthe Dragonborn DLC of ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'', ''VideoGame/WarioLandII'', if you defeated [[BigBad Alduin]] before confronting Miraak, he will state that when the ancient Nord heroes of old asked him to help them defeat Alduin he ignored them, claiming that while he could have taken him, he simply didn't care stay asleep long enough to.
* In ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}: Giga Zombie no Gyakushū'', Doraemon comes toat the PlayerCharacter's home to ask them to help him rescue his crew beginning, you get kicked out of your castle and defeat the BigBad. The player is free get to tell him "no", and [[WhatTheHellPlayer though he'll plead with you]], repeating it enough times will lead to Doraemon [[YouBastard walking off crying]], [[NonStandardGameOver ending the game]].
* ''VideoGame/NiNoKuni'': Oliver initially refuses to travel to Mr. Drippy's world to fight the Dark Djinn, as he's still mourning his mother's death. Mr. Drippy then realises that in his world, Oliver's mother is a powerful sage who was trapped in crystal by the Dark Djinn, and rescuing her may bring back the version of her in Oliver's world too. Oliver thus accepts the call, but to save his mother rather than to save Mr. Drippy's world.
* In ''Cartographer'' Reuben refuses to become his late father's successor as Dragon Slayer because all he wants is to quietly run the inn he owns. Unfortunately, only someone of his heritage can become the Dragon Slayer and he happens to beplay through an only child.
* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
** ''VideoGame/Persona3'': Shinjiro Aragaki was a founding member of [=SEES=], but an undisclosed incident made him decide to quit. Akihiko spends most of the game trying to convince him to come back, and the plot thickening has no bearing on his eventual acceptance. No, he only agrees to return because [[spoiler:Ken Amada]] joins SEES of his own volition. The significance? The incident that led him to abandon [=SEES=] was [[spoiler:losing control of his Persona and accidentally killing Ken's mother]].
** ''VideoGame/Persona5'':
*** [[PlayerCharacter Joker]] attempts to delete the [[MentalWorld Metaverse]] Navigator app that kicks off the rest of the plot for a good three days before actually using it to willingly enter the AdventureFriendlyWorld of the Palace, with the first time being by accident. He can also try to encourage [[TheLancer Ryuji]] to do the same.
*** AloofAlly Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' had little interest in the Phantom Thieves even after awakening to her [[FightingSpirit Persona]], and was more interested in furthering her gymnastics career than assisting their crusade against injustice. However she ultimately became the EleventhHourRanger during the events of the third trimester.
* ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'': The "Coward/Reluctance" ending is gotten by [[PressStartToGameOver having Stanley interact with his office door to close it again]], whereupon the Narrator describes how Stanley decided to stay in his office and wait for further instructions instead of leaving and investigating the mysterious disappearance of his co-workers.alternate storyline.
-->'''Garrett''': Tell my friends that I don't need their secret book, or their glyph warnings, or their messengers. Tell them I'm through. Tell them it's over. Tell them Garrett is ''done''.
:: Of course, this is followed by[=:=]
--->'''Artemis''': ''[after Garrett departs]'' I will tell them this: [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive Nothing has changed. All is as written.]] [[SequelHook Beware the Metal Age.]]
* In
* In ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}: Giga Zombie no Gyakushū'', Doraemon comes to
* ''VideoGame/NiNoKuni'': Oliver initially refuses to travel to Mr. Drippy's world to fight the Dark Djinn, as he's still mourning his mother's death. Mr. Drippy then realises that in his world, Oliver's mother is a powerful sage who was trapped in crystal by the Dark Djinn, and rescuing her may bring back the version of her in Oliver's world too. Oliver thus accepts the call, but to save his mother rather than to save Mr. Drippy's world.
* In ''Cartographer'' Reuben refuses to become his late father's successor as Dragon Slayer because all he wants is to quietly run the inn he owns. Unfortunately, only someone of his heritage can become the Dragon Slayer and he happens to be
* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
** ''VideoGame/Persona3'': Shinjiro Aragaki was a founding member of [=SEES=], but an undisclosed incident made him decide to quit. Akihiko spends most of the game trying to convince him to come back, and the plot thickening has no bearing on his eventual acceptance. No, he only agrees to return because [[spoiler:Ken Amada]] joins SEES of his own volition. The significance? The incident that led him to abandon [=SEES=] was [[spoiler:losing control of his Persona and accidentally killing Ken's mother]].
** ''VideoGame/Persona5'':
*** [[PlayerCharacter Joker]] attempts to delete the [[MentalWorld Metaverse]] Navigator app that kicks off the rest of the plot for a good three days before actually using it to willingly enter the AdventureFriendlyWorld of the Palace, with the first time being by accident. He can also try to encourage [[TheLancer Ryuji]] to do the same.
*** AloofAlly Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' had little interest in the Phantom Thieves even after awakening to her [[FightingSpirit Persona]], and was more interested in furthering her gymnastics career than assisting their crusade against injustice. However she ultimately became the EleventhHourRanger during the events of the third trimester.
* ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'': The "Coward/Reluctance" ending is gotten by [[PressStartToGameOver having Stanley interact with his office door to close it again]], whereupon the Narrator describes how Stanley decided to stay in his office and wait for further instructions instead of leaving and investigating the mysterious disappearance of his co-workers.
Changed line(s) 51,54 (click to see context) from:
* Shrimp and Cornelia do this repeatedly in ''VideoGame/BoxxyQuestTheGatheringStorm''. They were both playable party members in the prequel, but this time they’re in the middle of a vacation and refuse to get involved with any of the world-saving heroics. [[spoiler:They finally get their acts together and rejoin the team in Chapter 8, but only after the Internet has already been almost totally wiped out and vacationing is simply no longer an option]].
* ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda:'' Avitus Rix, the second in-line for the position of turian Pathfinder, [[spoiler:will do this at the end of the turian Ark quest if the decision to take the job is left to him. He'll wind up a miserable drunk, disheartened over the loser of his lover and predecessor, instead.]]
* When the First Flame is in danger of fading once again in ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', previous Lords of Cinder are resurrected so that they may sit upon their thrones in [[spoiler:Firelink Shrine]] and open the path to the Kiln so as to link the fire again, but, for various reasons, several Lords of Cinder refuse and abandon their thrones to carry out acts that they've done in the previous lives or to settle unfinished business; the Ashen One is ultimately sent to go and find them and bring them back to the [[spoiler:Shrine]].
* In ''VideoGame/DragonsDogma'', Barroch is an Arisen who chose not to face the Dragon after his heart was taken, deciding that since he's now effectively immortal he'd rather spend his time adventuring on his own terms.
* ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda:'' Avitus Rix, the second in-line for the position of turian Pathfinder, [[spoiler:will do this at the end of the turian Ark quest if the decision to take the job is left to him. He'll wind up a miserable drunk, disheartened over the loser of his lover and predecessor, instead.]]
* When the First Flame is in danger of fading once again in ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', previous Lords of Cinder are resurrected so that they may sit upon their thrones in [[spoiler:Firelink Shrine]] and open the path to the Kiln so as to link the fire again, but, for various reasons, several Lords of Cinder refuse and abandon their thrones to carry out acts that they've done in the previous lives or to settle unfinished business; the Ashen One is ultimately sent to go and find them and bring them back to the [[spoiler:Shrine]].
* In ''VideoGame/DragonsDogma'', Barroch is an Arisen who chose not to face the Dragon after his heart was taken, deciding that since he's now effectively immortal he'd rather spend his time adventuring on his own terms.
to:
* ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda:'' Avitus Rix, the second in-line for the position of turian Pathfinder, [[spoiler:will do this at the end of the turian Ark quest if the decision to take the job is left to him. He'll wind up a miserable drunk, disheartened over the loser of his lover and predecessor, instead.]]
* When the First Flame is in danger of fading once again in ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', previous Lords of Cinder are resurrected so that they may sit upon their thrones in [[spoiler:Firelink Shrine]] and open the path to the Kiln so as to link the fire again, but, for various reasons, several Lords of Cinder refuse and abandon their thrones to carry out acts that they've done in the previous lives or to settle unfinished business; the Ashen One is ultimately sent to go and find them and bring them back to the [[spoiler:Shrine]].
* In ''VideoGame/DragonsDogma'', Barroch is an Arisen who chose not to face the Dragon after his heart was taken, deciding that since he's now effectively immortal he'd rather spend his time adventuring on his own terms.
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Times where somebody [[RefusalOfTheCall refuses the call]] in VideoGames.
----
* In ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII'' Ezio initially insists he only wants to protect his family from the main villains, preferably by getting the hell out of the country, but after seeing his uncle fight them he is shamed into helping and joining the cause.
* The title character of ''VideoGame/Jak3Wastelander'' is approached by Ashlin after he's been moving up the ladder in Spargus to go back to Haven City and help clean up the mess there. Jak responds that [[MisBlamed he was blamed]] for the fall of Haven City [[DudeWheresMyRespect despite saving it in the second game]], and left to die in the desert by the Grand Council. Naturally, he's in no mood to put his neck on the line for them anymore. [[spoiler:He eventually goes back anyway, because TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive.]]
* It's possible to avert ButThouMust in the beginning of ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' by refusing to go after the Pure Hearts. All this does, though, is get you a {{Press Start To|GameOver}} NonStandardGameOver.
* ''VideoGame/ThiefTheDarkProject''. Garrett.
-->'''Garrett''': Tell my friends that I don't need their secret book, or their glyph warnings, or their messengers. Tell them I'm through. Tell them it's over. Tell them Garrett is ''done''.
:: Of course, this is followed by[=:=]
--->'''Artemis''': ''[after Garrett departs]'' I will tell them this: [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive Nothing has changed. All is as written.]] [[SequelHook Beware the Metal Age.]]
* The story of the canceled Dreamcast game ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaResurrection'' had a Belmont named Victor run away from his duties of killing Dracula, although he's eventually forced to take up the whip regardless when he and his ancestor Sonia Belmont are ripped from their respective timelines to fight Dracula in year 1666.
** And of course, the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Sorrow]]'' games are about OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Soma Cruz rejecting his destiny to [[spoiler: become the new Dracula]].
* In ''VideoGame/BetrayalAtKrondor'', Owyn is the only one who isn't compelled by duty or has a truly personal stake in stopping the moredhel schemes. He tries to go his separate way again after helping an injured Locklear who stumbles into his camp with a chained Gorath in tow. When they realize afterwards that he could talk to the wrong person and get them all killed if they just let him go, Locklear says he's either coming along with them or getting his throat slit, which would be undesirable for both of them. Later, however, when that part of the mission is done and it's assumed he'll be going home, he [[JumpedAtTheCall goes out of his way]] to stay with them.
* ''VideoGame/LostOdyssey'''s Kaim doesn't actively refuse the call, but he recognizes that, as an immortal, he has all the time in the world, and so he takes his time. But when it comes to the call of adventure that his lost memories provide, he initially refuses due to the tremendous pain he knows they will bring if he can unlock them again.
* In ''VideoGame/FairyFencerF'', after picking up the Fury and listening to Eryn's InfoDump on what a Fencer is, Fang abruptly refuses to collect more Furies and walks away with the sword.
* In ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'', at a specific point in the game, instead of choosing to keep fighting, you can choose to abandon everything and just try to escape the HellOnEarth scenario you're in, [[spoiler: knowingly leaving thousands of innocent civilians to die and the city you're in to go insane and be completely destroyed]]. But making this choice will ''[[YouBastard cost]] [[NiceJobBreakingItHero/VideoGames you]] '''[[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive dearly]].''' ''[[spoiler: Demons begin spilling out en masse as the barrier between the human world and demon world weakens, and the demons prepare to ravage the human world en masse]]. ''[[UpdatedRerelease Overclocked]]'' shows you what happens if you take this choice, [[spoiler:as well as gives you the opportunity to fix it]].
* In ''VideoGame/WarioLandII'', if you stay asleep long enough at the beginning, you get kicked out of your castle and get to play through an alternate storyline.
* Inverted in ''VideoGame/TheBardsTale'' for the [=PS2=]. The Bard does answer the call, but he refuses to be called TheChosenOne, and threatens anyone who even thinks to call him that.
* ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'': When Buzz-Buzz is telling Ness of the prophecy and what he must do, Pokey thinks he's not one of the three boys and backs out from helping. [[spoiler:He ends up being involved anyways, but on the wrong side]].
* In ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarIV'', when presented with the genesis story of the Algo solar system, some time after Rune has chosen him as Algo's champion, Chaz finds the Great Light to be an extremely hypocritical [[NeglectfulPrecursors absent god figure]] and consciously rejects his "destiny" to fight the Profound Darkness. Once he's calmed down, he asks Rune if BlindObedience to the Great Light's intentions would make them any different from the villains who serve the Profound Darkness. He eventually does come around, but chooses to fight to protect the people of Algo who would be harmed if the Profound Darkness wins, rather than just [[BecauseDestinySaysSo because the Great Light says so]].
* Reid Hershel from ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'' initially refused to have anything to do with stopping the [[EarthShatteringKaboom Grand Fall]], but was dragged along by his childhood friend Farah, who JumpedAtTheCall. He's content to let the military of his home world take care of things, but eventually he's [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive forced to do it himself]] as TheChosenOne when the ''other'' Chosen One [[HeroicSacrifice dies saving his life.]]
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', General Leo Christophe was the only soldier for The Empire who refused to be infused with Magitek powers, as Celes and Kefka were. Given his sheer strength and abilities alone, it's quite obvious it didn't phase him one bit.
* In the initial ''A Realm Reborn'' quest arc of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', it's possible to abandon the main questline entirely after learning the basics. Even within the questline itself, the leader of your local Adventurer's Guild will offer you the choice to back away when the Scions of the Seventh Dawn offer you to join them. Of course, not answering the call will lock you out of most of the game's content, including all the expansions as they can only be accessed by progressing the story.
* In some ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' games it is possible to refuse to take over the farm. This usually results in a NonStandardGameOver.
* In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' it is possible to refuse the call to join the Grey Wardens in each of the six possible openings, even though in many of them you need to join the Wardens to save your character's life. It doesn't really change anything though, because Duncan will conscript your character [[ButThouMust regardless of whether you want to go or not]].
** In the [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII second game]], Anders expresses his frustration at Mage Hawke for refusing the call to lead the [[LaResistance Mage Underground]], despite being the sort of leader they've waited ''centuries'' for.
* In ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'', it's possible to refuse to chase after Saturos and Menardi. This leads to a NonStandardGameOver revealing the world drifted towards its destruction [[spoiler: and a bit of FridgeBrilliance, when you realize the destruction wasn't the lighthouses being lit, but the world withering away without Alchemy (or possibly elemental imbalance, given some dialogue in the second game).]]
* In ''VideoGame/TheMatrixPathOfNeo'', it is possible to take the Blue Pill, resulting in a NonStandardGameOver where Morpheus expresses his disappointment at the decision.
* In the second installment of ''VideoGame/PennyArcadeAdventures'', you have the option to refuse to join Gabe and Tycho after Fruit Fucker Prime destroys your tent. [[ButThouMust They'll just come back the next day and ask again until you accept.]] If you refuse enough days in a row, you get an achievement called "The Reluctant Hero."
* In ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'', refusal of the call just makes Ford Cruller [[DopeSlap slap Raz upside the head]] and ask angrily "How about now?"
* [[spoiler:The cause of the entire plot]] in ''VideoGame/RadiantHistoria''. [[spoiler:Heiss was so angry that [[TheCaligula his incompetent brother]] got to be king while he was supposed to [[HeroicSacrifice die to save the world]] that he didn't just ditch his duty, he outright sabotaged it]].
* ''VideoGame/SuperActionAdventure'': Having already saved the world twice with no benefits, Bear opts not to take part in Heroes until he is able to ensure he gets compensated for it. Until then, he stays out of the fight to talk with the government about money. Most of the other heroes in Heroes don't join the fight right away either, but only Bear and Grim provide their reasons for not joining right away.
* In ''VideoGame/TearsToTiara2'': [[TheHero Hamil]] [[ObfuscatingStupidity plays dumb to prevent a rebellion]], and was willing to let the [[KnightTemplar Zaras]] kill him and the entire [[TheResistance Barcid Party]] and enslave all the people of Hispania if it meant preventing the death and destruction of war. Seeing Tart about to be burnt at the stake that changes his mind.
* In the Dragonborn DLC of ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'', if you defeated [[BigBad Alduin]] before confronting Miraak, he will state that when the ancient Nord heroes of old asked him to help them defeat Alduin he ignored them, claiming that while he could have taken him, he simply didn't care enough to.
* In ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}: Giga Zombie no Gyakushū'', Doraemon comes to the PlayerCharacter's home to ask them to help him rescue his crew and defeat the BigBad. The player is free to tell him "no", and [[WhatTheHellPlayer though he'll plead with you]], repeating it enough times will lead to Doraemon [[YouBastard walking off crying]], [[NonStandardGameOver ending the game]].
* ''VideoGame/NiNoKuni'': Oliver initially refuses to travel to Mr. Drippy's world to fight the Dark Djinn, as he's still mourning his mother's death. Mr. Drippy then realises that in his world, Oliver's mother is a powerful sage who was trapped in crystal by the Dark Djinn, and rescuing her may bring back the version of her in Oliver's world too. Oliver thus accepts the call, but to save his mother rather than to save Mr. Drippy's world.
* In ''Cartographer'' Reuben refuses to become his late father's successor as Dragon Slayer because all he wants is to quietly run the inn he owns. Unfortunately, only someone of his heritage can become the Dragon Slayer and he happens to be an only child.
* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
** ''VideoGame/Persona3'': Shinjiro Aragaki was a founding member of [=SEES=], but an undisclosed incident made him decide to quit. Akihiko spends most of the game trying to convince him to come back, and the plot thickening has no bearing on his eventual acceptance. No, he only agrees to return because [[spoiler:Ken Amada]] joins SEES of his own volition. The significance? The incident that led him to abandon [=SEES=] was [[spoiler:losing control of his Persona and accidentally killing Ken's mother]].
** ''VideoGame/Persona5'':
*** [[PlayerCharacter Joker]] attempts to delete the [[MentalWorld Metaverse]] Navigator app that kicks off the rest of the plot for a good three days before actually using it to willingly enter the AdventureFriendlyWorld of the Palace, with the first time being by accident. He can also try to encourage [[TheLancer Ryuji]] to do the same.
*** AloofAlly Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' had little interest in the Phantom Thieves even after awakening to her [[FightingSpirit Persona]], and was more interested in furthering her gymnastics career than assisting their crusade against injustice. However she ultimately became the EleventhHourRanger during the events of the third trimester.
* ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'': The "Coward/Reluctance" ending is gotten by [[PressStartToGameOver having Stanley interact with his office door to close it again]], whereupon the Narrator describes how Stanley decided to stay in his office and wait for further instructions instead of leaving and investigating the mysterious disappearance of his co-workers.
* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': Numerous blood elves wish to go to Dalaran to aid in the war against the Scourge, enough that the blood elven rulers feel the need to send an official leader of the group to coordinate with Dalaran's own leadership. Grand Magister Rommath is the perfect choice for this duty, as he is a powerful mage with experience in Dalaran politics and an ironclad loyalty to the blood elven people. The problem is, he ''loathes'' Dalaran and will have nothing to do with it, requiring the much less capable Aethas Sunreaver to take the reins instead.
* Shrimp and Cornelia do this repeatedly in ''VideoGame/BoxxyQuestTheGatheringStorm''. They were both playable party members in the prequel, but this time they’re in the middle of a vacation and refuse to get involved with any of the world-saving heroics. [[spoiler:They finally get their acts together and rejoin the team in Chapter 8, but only after the Internet has already been almost totally wiped out and vacationing is simply no longer an option]].
* ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda:'' Avitus Rix, the second in-line for the position of turian Pathfinder, [[spoiler:will do this at the end of the turian Ark quest if the decision to take the job is left to him. He'll wind up a miserable drunk, disheartened over the loser of his lover and predecessor, instead.]]
* When the First Flame is in danger of fading once again in ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', previous Lords of Cinder are resurrected so that they may sit upon their thrones in [[spoiler:Firelink Shrine]] and open the path to the Kiln so as to link the fire again, but, for various reasons, several Lords of Cinder refuse and abandon their thrones to carry out acts that they've done in the previous lives or to settle unfinished business; the Ashen One is ultimately sent to go and find them and bring them back to the [[spoiler:Shrine]].
* In ''VideoGame/DragonsDogma'', Barroch is an Arisen who chose not to face the Dragon after his heart was taken, deciding that since he's now effectively immortal he'd rather spend his time adventuring on his own terms.
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%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order. Thanks!
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Times where somebody [[RefusalOfTheCall refuses the call]] in VideoGames.
----
* In ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII'' Ezio initially insists he only wants to protect his family from the main villains, preferably by getting the hell out of the country, but after seeing his uncle fight them he is shamed into helping and joining the cause.
* The title character of ''VideoGame/Jak3Wastelander'' is approached by Ashlin after he's been moving up the ladder in Spargus to go back to Haven City and help clean up the mess there. Jak responds that [[MisBlamed he was blamed]] for the fall of Haven City [[DudeWheresMyRespect despite saving it in the second game]], and left to die in the desert by the Grand Council. Naturally, he's in no mood to put his neck on the line for them anymore. [[spoiler:He eventually goes back anyway, because TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive.]]
* It's possible to avert ButThouMust in the beginning of ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' by refusing to go after the Pure Hearts. All this does, though, is get you a {{Press Start To|GameOver}} NonStandardGameOver.
* ''VideoGame/ThiefTheDarkProject''. Garrett.
-->'''Garrett''': Tell my friends that I don't need their secret book, or their glyph warnings, or their messengers. Tell them I'm through. Tell them it's over. Tell them Garrett is ''done''.
:: Of course, this is followed by[=:=]
--->'''Artemis''': ''[after Garrett departs]'' I will tell them this: [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive Nothing has changed. All is as written.]] [[SequelHook Beware the Metal Age.]]
* The story of the canceled Dreamcast game ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaResurrection'' had a Belmont named Victor run away from his duties of killing Dracula, although he's eventually forced to take up the whip regardless when he and his ancestor Sonia Belmont are ripped from their respective timelines to fight Dracula in year 1666.
** And of course, the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Sorrow]]'' games are about OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Soma Cruz rejecting his destiny to [[spoiler: become the new Dracula]].
* In ''VideoGame/BetrayalAtKrondor'', Owyn is the only one who isn't compelled by duty or has a truly personal stake in stopping the moredhel schemes. He tries to go his separate way again after helping an injured Locklear who stumbles into his camp with a chained Gorath in tow. When they realize afterwards that he could talk to the wrong person and get them all killed if they just let him go, Locklear says he's either coming along with them or getting his throat slit, which would be undesirable for both of them. Later, however, when that part of the mission is done and it's assumed he'll be going home, he [[JumpedAtTheCall goes out of his way]] to stay with them.
* ''VideoGame/LostOdyssey'''s Kaim doesn't actively refuse the call, but he recognizes that, as an immortal, he has all the time in the world, and so he takes his time. But when it comes to the call of adventure that his lost memories provide, he initially refuses due to the tremendous pain he knows they will bring if he can unlock them again.
* In ''VideoGame/FairyFencerF'', after picking up the Fury and listening to Eryn's InfoDump on what a Fencer is, Fang abruptly refuses to collect more Furies and walks away with the sword.
* In ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'', at a specific point in the game, instead of choosing to keep fighting, you can choose to abandon everything and just try to escape the HellOnEarth scenario you're in, [[spoiler: knowingly leaving thousands of innocent civilians to die and the city you're in to go insane and be completely destroyed]]. But making this choice will ''[[YouBastard cost]] [[NiceJobBreakingItHero/VideoGames you]] '''[[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive dearly]].''' ''[[spoiler: Demons begin spilling out en masse as the barrier between the human world and demon world weakens, and the demons prepare to ravage the human world en masse]]. ''[[UpdatedRerelease Overclocked]]'' shows you what happens if you take this choice, [[spoiler:as well as gives you the opportunity to fix it]].
* In ''VideoGame/WarioLandII'', if you stay asleep long enough at the beginning, you get kicked out of your castle and get to play through an alternate storyline.
* Inverted in ''VideoGame/TheBardsTale'' for the [=PS2=]. The Bard does answer the call, but he refuses to be called TheChosenOne, and threatens anyone who even thinks to call him that.
* ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994'': When Buzz-Buzz is telling Ness of the prophecy and what he must do, Pokey thinks he's not one of the three boys and backs out from helping. [[spoiler:He ends up being involved anyways, but on the wrong side]].
* In ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarIV'', when presented with the genesis story of the Algo solar system, some time after Rune has chosen him as Algo's champion, Chaz finds the Great Light to be an extremely hypocritical [[NeglectfulPrecursors absent god figure]] and consciously rejects his "destiny" to fight the Profound Darkness. Once he's calmed down, he asks Rune if BlindObedience to the Great Light's intentions would make them any different from the villains who serve the Profound Darkness. He eventually does come around, but chooses to fight to protect the people of Algo who would be harmed if the Profound Darkness wins, rather than just [[BecauseDestinySaysSo because the Great Light says so]].
* Reid Hershel from ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'' initially refused to have anything to do with stopping the [[EarthShatteringKaboom Grand Fall]], but was dragged along by his childhood friend Farah, who JumpedAtTheCall. He's content to let the military of his home world take care of things, but eventually he's [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive forced to do it himself]] as TheChosenOne when the ''other'' Chosen One [[HeroicSacrifice dies saving his life.]]
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', General Leo Christophe was the only soldier for The Empire who refused to be infused with Magitek powers, as Celes and Kefka were. Given his sheer strength and abilities alone, it's quite obvious it didn't phase him one bit.
* In the initial ''A Realm Reborn'' quest arc of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', it's possible to abandon the main questline entirely after learning the basics. Even within the questline itself, the leader of your local Adventurer's Guild will offer you the choice to back away when the Scions of the Seventh Dawn offer you to join them. Of course, not answering the call will lock you out of most of the game's content, including all the expansions as they can only be accessed by progressing the story.
* In some ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' games it is possible to refuse to take over the farm. This usually results in a NonStandardGameOver.
* In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' it is possible to refuse the call to join the Grey Wardens in each of the six possible openings, even though in many of them you need to join the Wardens to save your character's life. It doesn't really change anything though, because Duncan will conscript your character [[ButThouMust regardless of whether you want to go or not]].
** In the [[VideoGame/DragonAgeII second game]], Anders expresses his frustration at Mage Hawke for refusing the call to lead the [[LaResistance Mage Underground]], despite being the sort of leader they've waited ''centuries'' for.
* In ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'', it's possible to refuse to chase after Saturos and Menardi. This leads to a NonStandardGameOver revealing the world drifted towards its destruction [[spoiler: and a bit of FridgeBrilliance, when you realize the destruction wasn't the lighthouses being lit, but the world withering away without Alchemy (or possibly elemental imbalance, given some dialogue in the second game).]]
* In ''VideoGame/TheMatrixPathOfNeo'', it is possible to take the Blue Pill, resulting in a NonStandardGameOver where Morpheus expresses his disappointment at the decision.
* In the second installment of ''VideoGame/PennyArcadeAdventures'', you have the option to refuse to join Gabe and Tycho after Fruit Fucker Prime destroys your tent. [[ButThouMust They'll just come back the next day and ask again until you accept.]] If you refuse enough days in a row, you get an achievement called "The Reluctant Hero."
* In ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'', refusal of the call just makes Ford Cruller [[DopeSlap slap Raz upside the head]] and ask angrily "How about now?"
* [[spoiler:The cause of the entire plot]] in ''VideoGame/RadiantHistoria''. [[spoiler:Heiss was so angry that [[TheCaligula his incompetent brother]] got to be king while he was supposed to [[HeroicSacrifice die to save the world]] that he didn't just ditch his duty, he outright sabotaged it]].
* ''VideoGame/SuperActionAdventure'': Having already saved the world twice with no benefits, Bear opts not to take part in Heroes until he is able to ensure he gets compensated for it. Until then, he stays out of the fight to talk with the government about money. Most of the other heroes in Heroes don't join the fight right away either, but only Bear and Grim provide their reasons for not joining right away.
* In ''VideoGame/TearsToTiara2'': [[TheHero Hamil]] [[ObfuscatingStupidity plays dumb to prevent a rebellion]], and was willing to let the [[KnightTemplar Zaras]] kill him and the entire [[TheResistance Barcid Party]] and enslave all the people of Hispania if it meant preventing the death and destruction of war. Seeing Tart about to be burnt at the stake that changes his mind.
* In the Dragonborn DLC of ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'', if you defeated [[BigBad Alduin]] before confronting Miraak, he will state that when the ancient Nord heroes of old asked him to help them defeat Alduin he ignored them, claiming that while he could have taken him, he simply didn't care enough to.
* In ''Manga/{{Doraemon}}: Giga Zombie no Gyakushū'', Doraemon comes to the PlayerCharacter's home to ask them to help him rescue his crew and defeat the BigBad. The player is free to tell him "no", and [[WhatTheHellPlayer though he'll plead with you]], repeating it enough times will lead to Doraemon [[YouBastard walking off crying]], [[NonStandardGameOver ending the game]].
* ''VideoGame/NiNoKuni'': Oliver initially refuses to travel to Mr. Drippy's world to fight the Dark Djinn, as he's still mourning his mother's death. Mr. Drippy then realises that in his world, Oliver's mother is a powerful sage who was trapped in crystal by the Dark Djinn, and rescuing her may bring back the version of her in Oliver's world too. Oliver thus accepts the call, but to save his mother rather than to save Mr. Drippy's world.
* In ''Cartographer'' Reuben refuses to become his late father's successor as Dragon Slayer because all he wants is to quietly run the inn he owns. Unfortunately, only someone of his heritage can become the Dragon Slayer and he happens to be an only child.
* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
** ''VideoGame/Persona3'': Shinjiro Aragaki was a founding member of [=SEES=], but an undisclosed incident made him decide to quit. Akihiko spends most of the game trying to convince him to come back, and the plot thickening has no bearing on his eventual acceptance. No, he only agrees to return because [[spoiler:Ken Amada]] joins SEES of his own volition. The significance? The incident that led him to abandon [=SEES=] was [[spoiler:losing control of his Persona and accidentally killing Ken's mother]].
** ''VideoGame/Persona5'':
*** [[PlayerCharacter Joker]] attempts to delete the [[MentalWorld Metaverse]] Navigator app that kicks off the rest of the plot for a good three days before actually using it to willingly enter the AdventureFriendlyWorld of the Palace, with the first time being by accident. He can also try to encourage [[TheLancer Ryuji]] to do the same.
*** AloofAlly Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' had little interest in the Phantom Thieves even after awakening to her [[FightingSpirit Persona]], and was more interested in furthering her gymnastics career than assisting their crusade against injustice. However she ultimately became the EleventhHourRanger during the events of the third trimester.
* ''VideoGame/TheStanleyParable'': The "Coward/Reluctance" ending is gotten by [[PressStartToGameOver having Stanley interact with his office door to close it again]], whereupon the Narrator describes how Stanley decided to stay in his office and wait for further instructions instead of leaving and investigating the mysterious disappearance of his co-workers.
* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': Numerous blood elves wish to go to Dalaran to aid in the war against the Scourge, enough that the blood elven rulers feel the need to send an official leader of the group to coordinate with Dalaran's own leadership. Grand Magister Rommath is the perfect choice for this duty, as he is a powerful mage with experience in Dalaran politics and an ironclad loyalty to the blood elven people. The problem is, he ''loathes'' Dalaran and will have nothing to do with it, requiring the much less capable Aethas Sunreaver to take the reins instead.
* Shrimp and Cornelia do this repeatedly in ''VideoGame/BoxxyQuestTheGatheringStorm''. They were both playable party members in the prequel, but this time they’re in the middle of a vacation and refuse to get involved with any of the world-saving heroics. [[spoiler:They finally get their acts together and rejoin the team in Chapter 8, but only after the Internet has already been almost totally wiped out and vacationing is simply no longer an option]].
* ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda:'' Avitus Rix, the second in-line for the position of turian Pathfinder, [[spoiler:will do this at the end of the turian Ark quest if the decision to take the job is left to him. He'll wind up a miserable drunk, disheartened over the loser of his lover and predecessor, instead.]]
* When the First Flame is in danger of fading once again in ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'', previous Lords of Cinder are resurrected so that they may sit upon their thrones in [[spoiler:Firelink Shrine]] and open the path to the Kiln so as to link the fire again, but, for various reasons, several Lords of Cinder refuse and abandon their thrones to carry out acts that they've done in the previous lives or to settle unfinished business; the Ashen One is ultimately sent to go and find them and bring them back to the [[spoiler:Shrine]].
* In ''VideoGame/DragonsDogma'', Barroch is an Arisen who chose not to face the Dragon after his heart was taken, deciding that since he's now effectively immortal he'd rather spend his time adventuring on his own terms.
