When it comes to video games, there is a plethora of great companions to accompany you on your adventures. But when it comes down to it, who is the best of the best? The ones that stay with you long after the credits roll? Here are my picks for the best video game companions!
1. Serana (Elder Scrolls V Skyrim)
If you never played the DLCs for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, you may have never come across this fantastic companion. Serana by far is one of the best NPCs in Elder Scrolls history, with the friendly vampire joining your side during the Dawnguard DLC. She is closed off at first, but as the Dragonborn helps her with her quest, she opens up and you learn the tragic story of her life and family. Serana also possesses a way better A.I. than other companions in the game, interacting with her surroundings when the Dragonborn is stationary as well as actually reacting to the world around her. She is 100% the best companion in Skyrim and honestly, it’s a tragedy every day that you cannot marry her in game.
2. Alistair (Dragon Age)
Even if you aren’t into the lads, how can you hate this adorable human Labrador? Alistair is the first companion you meet in the Dragon Age series and is by far one of the best. His funny quips and hilarious banter with fellow companion Morrigan are one of the most stand out moments of the first game. His personal story also interweaves well into the main quest of the game, and your decisions can really impact his future for the better or worse. If you aren’t dragging this adorable man with you through every quest in Origins, are you really playing Dragon Age?
3. Alyx Vance (Half Life 2)
When it comes to video game companions, it’s hard to beat Alyx Vance from Half Life 2. Not only is she incredibly well voiced and animated for the time, she is just incredibly useful. She doesn’t get in the way during engagements, she actually fights and is competent in battle, and despite Gordon’s less than vocal responses, you really begin to feel like Alyx is your friend throughout the games. It’s no wonder this companion got her own VR game years later due to just how much adoration she received from the player base. So, if you somehow still haven’t played the original Half Life 2 games, this is most certainly your wake-up call to do so, if only to meet by far one the best video game companions of all time.
4. Elizabeth (Bioshock: Infinite)
Considering Elizabeth was created with Alyx Vance as a bit of an inspiration, it’s no surprise she’s on my list. Elizabeth was by far one of the stand outs of 2013’s Bioshock: Infinite, with her amazing presence making every scene without her just not the same. While Elizabeth doesn’t use a weapon like Alyx does, she finds other great ways to help out in combat. She can open tears in the environment which can bring things like auto turrets, boxes with health or salts, or even sky hooks that allow Booker to get to previously inaccessible areas. On top of this, Elizabeth’s story is so interwoven through the main story that it’s hard not to grow to love her by the end of the game, which just ends up hurting you really due to eventual somewhat sad ending.
5. Sully (Uncharted)
If you played Uncharted for even a minute, you would know why Sully makes this list. As Nate’s constant companion throughout all the Uncharted games, the dulcet tones of Victor Sullivan really make the experience for me. Sully is intelligent, loyal and always has Nate and his friends’ backs. There is nobody you would want by your side in a tough situation than Sully, and has saved Nate’s neck many times. And also, absolutely rocks a Hawaiian shirt! Like, what more could you want in a companion than that!
6. Cortana (Halo)
Imagine being such a great companion your parent company LITERALLY names their A.I. after you? Cortana is one of the OG best in game companions, and anyone who doesn’t think so has clearly no taste. Cortana is the holographic A.I. companion of the iconic Master Chief in the Halo franchise. She’s incredibly intelligent, but also really kind and compassionate, with a great personality to boot. She grows to matter so much to Master Chief that he recuses her multiple times, and their relationships really is one of the core elements of the whole series. Cortana has very much cemented herself as one of the most iconic gaming characters of all time, and for a darn good reason!
7. Clank (Ratchet and Clank)
OK, I admit I was a bit of a late comer to the Ratchet and Clank series. The first game I actually played in it was the 2016 remake, but I actually had a great time with it and one of the biggest parts of that enjoyment was Clank. Ratchet’s robot buddy Clank is such an important part of the series, with his knowledge and ability to communicate with machines incredibly useful. He also is a god foil to Ratchet’s personality, being more muted and logical. He’s also handy in a pinch, able to help Ratchet both in battle and navigating the environment, able to help Ratchet get to different locations with his heli-pack. You just can’t have Ratchet without Clank, and that’s why this best robot boy is on the list!
8. Ellie (The Last of Us)
It’s hard not to grow to love Ellie in the first Last of Us game. She is headstrong, kind and a great moral compass for Joel, whose hardened personality makes him initially push Ellie way. Despite being just a kid in the first game, Ellie absolutely holds her own in battle (and out), and the section in winter when you play as her really cements her as a complete badass, protecting a very injured Joel for months all alone. If you somehow finished the first Last of Us game and didn’t want to protect Ellie with your whole being, then I can’t help but question your morality.
9. Garrus (Mass Effect)
This was a tough one as there are some great companions in the Mass Effect series. It was a toss up in the end between Liara, Tali and Garrus each for their own reasons. But in the end Garrus came up on top for me. Whether you romance him or just stay his friend, Garrus proves to be one of Shepard’s most loyal crew mates. Garrus is great in a battle and a perfect all round crew mate to bring along on your adventures. His banter with other crew mates is iconic and his vocal performance is by far one of the best of the series. And as Garrus himself says, “There’s no Shepard, without Vakarian.” Now please excuse me while I go watch the FemShep and Garrus dance scene from ME3 for the hundredth time and weep at how adorable they are…
10. Dogmeat (Fall Out)
I had to include at least one very good boy, and Fallout’s trademark hound Dogmeat is my winner! Dogmeat is present throughout the entire series as your fiercely loyal dog companion. While he doesn’t exactly have much to say, he will fight by your side and even in the toughest encounters, he can very much hold his own. In the later games in the series, you can even pet and interact with him a little which is just adorable. Honestly, you can’t go past this incredibly good boy as your perfect wasteland wandering buddy.
So, those were my picks for the best video game companions!
Who are the best video game companions in your opinion? Share them below! Also, feel free to check out some of our other gaming blog posts here, or check out some of our other content over on our YouTube Channel.
