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Video games have the remarkable power to transport players to worlds beyond their wildest imagination. While immersive storytelling, breathtaking graphics, and challenging gameplay are integral components of an immersive gaming experience, one underrated element can exponentially improve the game and it may even be the difference between a lively and a barren wasteland of a game: the companion.
These companions are more than just characters on screen, they become friends, mentors, and even saviors as they accompany us on our journeys. Let’s take a look and celebrate some of the best video game companions that have left a mark on our hearts and the gaming world as a whole!
1. Ellie (The Last of Us)
The Last of Us, aside from being a great survival game with the perfect blend of a soundtrack, visuals, and gameplay mechanics, is also undoubtedly a masterpiece of storytelling, where Ellie, a young girl who joins our protagonist, Joel, takes center stage.
If you’ve already played the game, you know that Ellie’s transformation from a vulnerable child into a resilient and resourceful survivor is a sad story that unfolds gracefully throughout the game, and Ellie’s story was tackled even further with the Left Behind DLC.
So, what makes Ellie one of the best video game companions?
Ellie’s witty banter adds a layer of humanity and humor to the game’s usual desolate and challenging environment. Her striking thoughts and love for dad jokes not only provide moments of ease but also make us feel like we are actually bonding with her, creating a connection that goes beyond the screen.
Furthermore, at some point in the game, Ellie’s resourcefulness in combat makes her useful; she covers your back during dire moments and contributes to the overall strategy instead of being your usual damsel in distress. This give-and-take partnership with Ellie not only enhances the gameplay experience but also makes you feel like you’re part of the duo and not just the main hero carrying a vulnerable person. In some ways, Joel and Ellie’s vulnerabilities make them feel more human, and it makes perfect sense for the context of TLOU!
Overall, Ellie stands as a perfect example of a companion who leaves a mark in the hearts of players. But then again, despite all this, all she got was a sick lie told straight to her face (and a messed up sequel).
2. Elizabeth (Bioshock Infinite)
Remember her from BioShock Infinite? Well, she stands out as one of the best video game companions ever due to a combination of factors that enhance both gameplay and storytelling and is a benchmark as to what a good companion is!
Here’s the thing with Elizabeth: after being held captive in the floating city of Columbia, she starts out as a character that you have to rescue, more like a Rapunzel story type of deal.
As you travel with her, she becomes a companion throughout the game. She assists our main character by providing ammo, health, and even money. Plus, you also discover that she has this bizarre ability to open tears in space and time to access parallel universes. With this ability, she can get helpful items, seek cover, and access alternate versions of reality to help you in combat.
Other than being useful, Elizabeth is also very likable. While she comes across as naive at the beginning of the game, she turns out to have a kind and free-spirited personality that is unfurled throughout the whole story. But then again, she does have her mysteries that also get revealed as the game goes on.
So what made Elizabeth different from other companions? Well, I would say that she simply stands out, not just as the companion in this game. One could argue that she is actually the main character, but one thing’s for sure! There wouldn’t be a Bioshock Infinite without her. And it’s crazy to think that the devs were originally planning to scrap her due to how much work has to be done to create her; it’s a good thing they doubled down and invested so much more than what was originally planned, all to beat this next character.
3. Alyx Vance (Half-Life 2)
This list wouldn’t be complete without Alyx Vance from Half-Life 2! She is regarded by many as one of the best video game companions to ever get pixelized on our screens, and all for good reason! Like with a ton of characters we mentioned so far, Alyx feels deeply human; she has an authentic blend of strength, intelligence, and vulnerability.
Throughout Half-Life 2, players witness her undeniable bravery and prowess in combat, but also her genuine concern for her father, her playful and witty banter with Gordon Freeman, and her resilience in everything messed up with the in-game world. But what truly sets Alyx apart is Valve’s meticulous attention to detail in her animation and AI design: she interacts dynamically with the environment, responds to the player’s actions, and even conveys emotion without words, just through her facial expressions and gestures.
Overall, her blend of gameplay functionality and narrative depth elevates Alyx from a mere NPC to a genuine presence, making players feel they’re going through a messed-up world with a real, trusted friend by their side. All this safely set her as the standard of video game companions, at least until Bioshock Infinite’s Elizabeth!
4. Midna (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess)
If you played Twilight Princess, you know what I’m talking about!
Anyways, the whole Zelda franchise is no stranger when it comes to companions. You have Epona, Navi, Tatl, Ezlo, and a couple more here and there, and perhaps the best one out of all Zelda companions, and one of the best in general, is Midna!
So, if you are one of the unfortunate people who haven’t met her yet, Midna is a mysterious and impish character who assumes a central role in the story of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Midna has this unique personality when you meet her in the game. She is secretive, mysterious, and manipulative. I kind of hated her when I first played Twilight Princess, but then again, this proved to add a touch of intrigue and charm to the game.
She often has this unusual, playful, and sassy attitude that proves to be a solid factor that makes your interaction with her even more memorable.
In terms of gameplay, Midna plays a crucial role in helping Link navigate Hyrule and even the Twilight Realm. She can warp you around portals, and she controls the ability to turn Link between his human and wolf forms. Now, her ability to change and warp Link proved to be another factor that sets her aside from the rest. Don’t believe me? Who would be your next pick for the best Zelda companion? Mine would be Ezlo and The King of Red Lions, both of which had abilities that you use throughout the game, making them more memorable than the rest.
But what truly sets Midna apart is her character development, and the deep emotional connection players form with her due to it. As her backstory is unveiled, players become invested in her journey and the bond she shares with Link, making her one of the standout companions in the entire Zelda series.
And, of course, if you saw the ending of Twilight Princess, you know the bittersweet feeling you get with what Midna did at the end of the game. I know I got that feeling from when I first beat the game over a decade ago, and I still have that feeling now!
Overall, her surprising character development and constant companionship and assistance through the whole Twilight Princess game cements her as one of the best companions in video game history, and I even think she’s the best in all Zelda games.
Do you wish for her to come back in another Zelda game someday?
5. Atreus (God of War 2018)
Boy! The son of the bloody ghost of Sparta! Loki? Well, he’s known by many names, but one thing is for sure: he’s one of the best video game companions for me.
Some people consider Mimir to be the main companion in GOW since he’s always with you as Kratos, but I think it’s the other way around. Mimir can only provide information and even witty jokes, and aside from having the Bifrost, Atreus can do all that and more, especially when it comes to combat, all while Mimir watches from Kratos’ waist, no hate for him, though, I love the character!
The game starts with Kratos and Atreus being introduced (remember how much of a surprise that was back then?), then we soon find out that Atreus’ mother and Kratos’ wife passed away, and they were tasked to scatter her ashes on the highest peak in all of the realms.
This whole adventure also became a way for Atreus to prove himself to Kratos, who was very hesitant about bringing him along, thinking that he wasn’t ready for the challenges ahead.
Well, we all know what happened with Baldur’s visit, and so the father and son duo were forced to move on.
As with any good companion, Atreus has some abilities of his own, he can shoot light and shock arrows to attack enemies, activate light bridges, and detonate World Tree sap. Other than that, he can also summon runic animals that can either attack or stun enemies or get Healthstones or Ragestones from the ground.
Throughout the game, Atreus turns from an innocent child to a capable warrior. plus, he also turns out to be a smart, confident, and mature young man, even after that part when he momentarily becomes arrogant when he discovers that he’s actually a god.
Overall, Atreus made our journey through the Norse realm much more enjoyable, not only in God of War but also in the sequel, God of War: Ragnarok. It genuinely felt like seeing a kid grow into an adult.
6. Quiet (Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain)
Now, Quiet is a controversial character to talk about due to her outfit, which barely covers a square inch of her skin, which caused a ton of people to think she was designed to be overly sexualized and is thought to be regarded as one of the best companions out there only due to her appearance.
Now, sexualization aside, Quiet is still one of the most memorable and most useful companions out there.
Here’s the thing with Quiet: She starts off as an enemy as she was tasked to kill Venom Snake, our main character. Eventually, you’ll encounter and get in a fight with her. Once you have her incapacitated, you can either kill her or take her back to Mother Base.
Before getting back to Mother Base, she’ll uncuff herself and pretend to have escaped only to reveal herself later on to save Venom, I think as her way of saying thanks for not killing her.
Now, after a bit, you can choose to take her on missions as a buddy. The way that MGSV works is there are 4 buddies in the game that you can take as the companion: D-Horse, D-Dog, D-Walker, and Quiet. Personally, I found Quiet to be the best companion out of the four of them. Not only is she extremely useful, but the more you bond with her, the more of her story will be known to you, and man, is it an interesting story, to say the least.
How useful is she? Well, she is a very capable sniper; you can either command her to take out enemies, or she’ll take out alerted enemies automatically. She also scouts the area, marking any threat she finds, and of course, she can also cover or draw fire away from you when things get a bit hairy.
Overall, Quiet is a cool companion, often having this shroud of mystery, and while she can incapacitate or kill almost anything she sees in the game, she does have her vulnerable moments that make her one of the most emotionally complex companions out there. And lastly, doesn’t matter what your reason is, whether it’s her appearance, or if you’re intrigued about her, or if you found her useful on the battlefield, she’s definitely one of the most memorable companions out there!
