This is something I'm glad they did. This is one of those times where gameplay is more important than canon, lore, etc. Permanently removing something like that for something you may not even be aware will lead to that removal isn't cool. I'm glad they said fuck it and let you get him back.
Now they just need to add an optional grinding minigame, where failure results in definite grinding loss but success results in a higher chance of success...Something, anything that adds player skill and control to the mix.
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