The 5 Best Companions in Video Games
- Ben Stembridge
- Oct 10, 2016
- 5 min read
Friends are important for any experience, video games included. Friends can be a shining light in the impending darkness, the Chewbacas to our Han Solos. Games need companions and fellow travelers to lighten the load and to share in the experience. Game Chop has composed a list of who we think are the five best companions in video game history. Take a look at our list, and then let us know how your own personal list stacks up to ours.
1. Ellie
What can we say? We're predictable. As is expected, Ellie, co-star and companion of the 2013 masterpiece The Last of Us, takes our top seat in strides. We put her here for two fulfilling two criteria: one being character, and the other being function. She passes these with flying colors and then some. If you've played The Last of Us, then you know it as one of the greatest games ever made. Its expert combination of narrative and gameplay is without a doubt the most hauntingly beautiful and memorable releases of the past several decades. Ellie is a significant factor in the game's monumental success. The spunky 14 year-old was born into a world beset by a fungal infection that reduces people to zombie-like monsters, yet provides unwavering resolve and support. While the main character Joel escorts the teen across a ravaged United States, Ellie cultivates one of the most fascinating video game relationships to date. Her conversations and interactions with Joel are a thing of beauty, a real champion of the written word as her voice actress, Ashley Johnson, vibrantly brings her to life. But what of our second criteria? Her function and utility throughout the game is scarcely matched (with the notable exception of Elizabeth from BioShock Infinite). Naughty Dog Studios sincerely brought a 14 year-old survivor to the fray with Ellie's actions - while Joel is in a firefight Ellie will pass him ammunition, medical supplies or even a brick (hell yeah). On the contrary, if Joel is just meandering around searching the ruins of a ruined world, Ellie will point out supplies or collectibles. She is the best of the best, for these reasons and more.
2. Dogmeat
The real star of the Fallout Series, this ferocious furball spans over a decade of games. Dogmeat is a German Shepard with plenty of bite to his bark. He wanders the Wasteland of post-apocalyptic America, from the original 1997 Fallout and last year's smash hit Fallout 4. While Dogmeat is simply the assumed name of each of the canine companions, the pup is consistent in his loyalty, relentlessness and sweetness. Dogmeat is prominently featured in Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 as the primary companion, and he became immensely popular for those roles. Being a game that allows you to pick and choose which companions you have at certain times, Fallout even makes it hard to tell that adorable bad ass to scram. And why would you want to? He can scavenge for you, carry weapons and gear for you and even take out bad guys for you! Quite honestly, the hound epitomizes this classic companion characteristic. Dogmeat takes the second spot on our list.
3. Yoshi
You stumble across a large white spotted with bright greens circles. It's bouncing around, and really distracting you from your important job as a plumber. What is it? Some sort of weird plant? Someone's cartoon-style breakfast gone oddly wrong. The egg cracks, a green reptilian figure emerges completely aware of its surroundings. "Who are you?" you mutter through your thick Italian mustache in an equally thick Italian accent. It's Yoshi from the Mario series, you dumb dumb! Took you long enough. This adorable dinosaur-like creature has been famed Mario's trusty steed since Super Mario World in 1990. His character is a little one-sided, but his function is out of this world - while he rarely speaks or provides any insight into Mario's wacky adventures, he allows him to pass so many different obstacles. Yoshi's dexterity allows Mario to ride and jump to insane heights, as well as levitate for brief moments (for some reason). Ingesting different fruits can also grant Yoshi powerful juices that he can spray to destroy gooey obstacles, as featured in the masterpiece Super Mario Sunshine. They've been here since the beginnings folks, and Yoshi and Mario have been putting in real work. It's our pleasure to place Yoshi at number three.
4. Clank
Who else could rival so many accomplished companions from our favorite games, but the one has been on both ends of the hero/sidekick spectrum? Clank from Ratchet & Clank series has our number four spot. This lovable and well-spoken robot accompanies his best friend and intergalactic hero Ratchet across his adventures. Players have often seen Clank as a sidekick, but throughout many entries in the series since 2002, Clank has taken the spotlight, and the controls. In terms of our qualifications for making the list, Clank's function is second to none, but it never outshines his impeccable character. While he can hack computers, access small areas and provide Ratchet with jetpacks and other cool gadgets, his friendship is his best resource. Ratchet and Clank have been together since the beginning, and their personalities complete each other. Ratchet, a young alien mechanic with a lot of braun is wonderfully matched by Clank, a sentient bot with a brilliant and resourceful mind. Welcome to the party, Clank. Good to have you.
5. The UNSC Marines
Our number last-but-not-least spot goes to everyone's favorite space soldiers - the trusty Marines of the United Nations Space Command, featured in the Halo series. What can we say about these daring men and women? They're simply the best at being somewhat useless, but damn do they do it in style. These space marines may be as durable as a spent balloon, but they're so full of heart and humor that hey'll make you laugh then cry when they are inevitably shot, burned, crushed or tripped by unrelenting alien zealots. It's tough watching a gravity hammer send them flying into walls like mom's spaghetti when you realize you're in the mood for Mexican. That's the primary reason for their inclusion on this list - we love them! Sure, their kill rate on the alien Covenant is small, but damn do they make the epic journey of Halo's many campaigns fun and less lonely. While their function is timid, that doesn't that mean putting them in the back of a Warthog with a damn mini-gun won't yield destructive results. They're got spirit, they've got spunk and they've got our eternal respect and admiration. Personally, we wouldn't take on the endless bad guys of Halo with anyone else.
Ben leads the reviews and news coverage for Game Chop. He also offers opinions on games and the industry, covering a wide range of genres and platforms. Ben especially enjoys discussions on game narratives, design styles, and independent titles.
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