Every video game needs a strong protagonist, but something that’s easily overlooked is the power of a good companion. A well-written or interesting sidekick can make or break a game. Letting others join you in your adventure has always been a defining feature of video games, but it’s become a staple of modern story-driven RPGs.
From hyper-intelligent aliens to near-omnipotent AI, there have been a multitude of sidekicks in the history of video games. Some are so popular that they end up running their own games. Which ones really have the biggest impact on their respective games?
10/10 Companion Cube – Portal 2
It’s hard to talk about the best sidekicks in video games without mentioning the companion cube from the Portal franchise. Its name is Companion Cube. Portal can be a lonely game, and while there aren’t many lines of dialogue for this seemingly sentient cube, there can be a sense of peace in having a helpful friend to carry you through some of the game’s more difficult levels.
Portal 2 notably introduces some potentially disturbing lore about the contents of the Companion Cubes, suggesting they may be filled with real people. See the article : 13 Funny Moments In Video Games we had to share. Overlooking this fact, one can build a real bond with the Companion Cubes during Portal games if needed.
9/10 Sully – Uncharted
Calling Sully a pal might be a bit off-putting. Maybe “mentor” would be more appropriate? Anyway, Sully has been by Nathan Drake’s side for years and is a well-loved member of the characters in the Uncharted franchise. Sharing Nathan’s love of treasure hunting and a talent for getting into trouble, the two make a perfect couple.
Sully has his own interests first, but he genuinely cares about Nathan. Read also : Video game giants had a miserable second quarter as the pandemic gaming boom hit a wall. As you play through the Uncharted franchise, you’ll truly love Sully for who he is and what he brings to the table.
8/10 Daxter – Jak & Daxter
Daxter has an interesting if not tragic backstory. He doesn’t let that stop him from being an invaluable member of the Jak and Daxter duo. See the article : Fire and Remember: 23 Awesome Unorthodox Weapons in Video Games. Daxter, a human-turned-ottsel, is one of the catalysts of Jak’s journey in the original game and continues to advance the story throughout the franchise.
Daxter serves as heavy comedic relief in the Jak and Daxter series, a role especially needed with the darker themes of Jak II and Jak III. While Daxter has directed his own spinoff game, his role is still primarily to support Jak on his journey. Jak’s personality and role in the Jak and Daxter series has changed a lot, but throughout it all, Daxter remains a constant source of laughs and sass.
7/10 Elizabeth – BioShock: Infinite
The BioShock franchise is known for its twists and turns and surprises, and BioShock: Infinite doesn’t deviate from that path. Elizabeth Comstock plays a central role in the game’s story and becomes a playable character herself in the game’s DLC, Burial at Sea.
She is a great sidekick to Booker DeWitt, the main character of the game. Elizabeth can be a thorn in Booker’s side throughout the game, but her growth and camaraderie ultimately make the game what it is. You get to know her character and in return she helps unravel the complicated past that Booker has also lived through.
6/10 Garrus Vakarian – Mass Effect
Mass Effect games are full of companions and sidekicks, and it can be difficult to narrow down which one is the best, but Garrus is the strongest case. Garrus appears in all three main Mass Effect games, leaving a lasting impression on both player and protagonist.
Very few of the supporting characters in the franchise are as strong supporters of Shepard and her actions as Garrus. A skilled fighter and intelligent member of the turian species, Garrus is not only one of their best buddies, but also one of their coolest.
5/10 Yoshi – Super Mario
There are a number of sidekicks from the Mario series alone that would have made the list of Best Video Game Sidekicks, but none are as integral to Mario’s journey as Yoshi. From Mario Party to Mario Kart – along with his own titles – Yoshi has become a major player in the Mario franchise.
Others have played the role of Mario’s sidekick, but Yoshi is the one who has stood the test of time and has appeared in many mainline Mario games. What other character is willing to regularly sacrifice themselves to further Mario’s journey?
4/10 Clank – Ratchet & Clank
Ratchet and Clank are among the original PlayStation mascots and are still around and going strong to this day. The latest entry in the Ratchet and Clank series, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart has received critical acclaim for being one of the first games to really showcase the graphical capabilities of the PlayStation 5.
Clank has appeared alongside Ratchet in almost every main Ratchet and Clank game and is as recognizable as the main character himself. Clank’s intelligence and skill often save the day, making him the staunchest ally of the famous Lombax.
3/10 Tails – Sonic
Sonic has a real sidekick, and that’s Tails. Named for its useful aerodynamic tail, Tails can hold its own when needed but really shines when supporting Sonic. There are many allies in Sonic’s long presence in video game history, but Tails is virtually synonymous with the Blue Hedgehog.
The two go together like peanut butter and jelly. Tails has appeared in video games, movies, and TV shows, always supporting his sidekick Sonic. Reliable as they are and interesting in their own right, Tails lays the foundation for a good video game sidekick.
2/10 Atreus – God Of War
Atreus is a relatively new addition to the long-running God of War franchise, but what it lacks in experience it makes up for in narrative impact. The events of God of War’s 2018 soft reboot revolve around Kratos filling his new fatherly role and learning to become a more sympathetic and caring character.
Atreus earns his spot on the best sidekicks list because his presence is the most powerful catalyst for Kratos’ personality shift, transforming him from a tough and tough fighter into a complex and emotional character.
1/10 Cortana – Halo
There aren’t many sidekicks that are as synonymous with a video game franchise as Cortana is with Halo. Cortana served as the Master Chief’s navigator, strategist, and friend. Cortana was even the driving force behind Master Chief’s disregard for direct orders, leading to the event of Halo 5’s controversial story.
Cortana was both friend and foe of humanity, and with a long and complicated history in Halo’s lore, Cortana became a mysterious figure in the future of the series. It is not known if we saw the last AI, but time will tell.
