Opinions on Game Companions? [NOT STAR WARS SPECIFIC]

[TheGangstarTY]

Hello all,

As stated, this is not Star Wars specific, however feel free to post companions from ANY game, whether it's Indie, AAA or MMO. After voting, the main question I want to ask is who/what is your favourite companion in a game of all time?

Main reason I'm asking this is I am deciding on a concept for a game and hoping to execute it further on in time. This would help decide what kind of game I go for. Why AI specific? I absolutely love AI, but a lot of it is a mystery to me so far so I'm curious on whether I'd be looking for clever AI companions in my concept or not. But I could just do some research, right? Correct, and I have done, however I wanted to know what other people think and why in more depth (don't feel like you can only respond in an equal level of detail I have, just a few lines would do).

My favourite AI companion of all time was hard to pick. It was a struggle between either Alyx Vance from Half-Life 2 or Elizabeth from BioShock Infinite. Fergus from Wolfenstein The New Order and Helena from Resident Evil was close too. I would certainly pick Elizabeth. If anyone's interested in why I considered Alyx Vance then feel free to ask.
First off, I have completed BioShock Infinite including ALL the DLC and I'm shortly going to replay the main story line again DONE . I absolutely loved it. I love how EVERYTHING throughout is reflecting on the ending. The story behind it was brilliant and took me a while to fully understand but I could vaguely tell what had happened through my first play through anyway.
So why Elizabeth? "Booker DeWitt might be the hero, but Elizabeth is the game's heart" is a good way to begin. Unlike most companions, Elizabeth has an incredibly large play in the story and without her, it's dead. I found it fantastic that throughout the story line, Booker and Elizabeth experience a load of different emotions; cheerful, sadness, depression, hate, fear and many more. I rarely find a game that can do well at this, Alyx and Gordon in Half-Life didn't provide as much. However Elizabeth is an extremely likable character that you see change due to certain events and whilst being a non-playable character she doesn't get annoying ONCE. When I was ever left in a scene without Elizabeth in BioShock, I felt adrenaline to find her ASAP. It's not the same.
What truly makes Elizabeth great has to be the game mechanics.

She actually runs at your speed, spouts relevant banter, and never gets in your way, despite the fact that she's with you most of the game. Irrational has eliminated the "annoying escort" trope altogether, and lets you empathize with Elizabeth that much more."

Critics have said a lot of positive things about Elizabeth but this quote in particular explains my opinion on the mechanics. "annoying escort" oh God is this so common with companions. I mean, Lydia get tf out of my way! (Skyrim Reference). Whereas Elizabeth never, not even once, got in my way. If I ran into cover and she was there she would immediately re position herself so that she's not going to get in the way. And if that wasn't good enough, she always threw the right thing at the right time. I only experienced one moment when she threw the wrong thing causing me to almost die. Yet I didn't because... I dunno I'm pro or something. Either way, it only happened once. Basically, what happened is I was a few hits away from dying for the first time in the entire game (completed it without dying) and I needed to take out a handy man and then instead of throwing health, Elizabeth shouts "Here, take this!" or something like that and flicks me a damn coin. Like hell Elizabeth I'll just go buy me some health then. Although it's partially my fault for not reading it properly. But every other time, when I felt like "oh God, this is it, my first downfall" she passes me whatever is needed. Having her to lock pick instead of you is also interest and I love the way that when you tell her to do something she immediately does it. Oh, not to mention how she points out possible loot locations that you haven't been in yet is epic.
All in all, it's extremely hard to find a reason to dislike Elizabeth and... well I would've said one but I can't actually think of one. So here's one from a critic.

Her role as the pair's lockbreaker, meanwhile, can sometimes pick at the illusion of her autonomy, since she instantaneously and cheerfully responds to DeWitt's beck and call.

Even the critics struggled, and this is legit the only good reason to dislike her. And it's barely even noticeable.

So what do you guys think? Do you share the same opinion as me? If so, do you have any different reasons to choose Elizabeth as the best companion? If not, who do you think is the best companion and what are your reasons for that choice? I look forward to hearing an answer.

Thanks and have a great day!
- TheGangstarTY

[Rayce]

It kinda depends on the game, but generally I love companions in games when they're done well. As far as my favorite companion goes, that's a tough one. I'm split between Delta Squad (Star Wars: Republic Commando), the companions from KotOR I and II, and the companions in Pirate101.

[Luna-old]

Well, in my opinion as long as companions have a story and can heal you whilst in battle. Then they're perfect, but if they're messed up like companions are in SWTOR. (Made by EA and Bioware)

Then I prefer to just keep one companion that can do everything.

[Rayce]

but if they're messed up like companions are in SWTOR.

Wait, wha? Messed up how? I see no problem with them. Also, they have a story and can heal you whilst in battle, so by your own definition, they're fine.

(Made by EA and Bioware)

What does that have to do with this, exactly?

[Luna-old]

Wait, wha? Messed up how? I see no problem with them. Also, they have a story and can heal you whilst in battle, so by your own definition, they're fine.

Last time I played SWTOR, they were super OP. You could literally solo world bosses whilst you sit back and relax and let your OP comp do it.

I'm not sure if they've fixed it or not yet.

[TheGangstarTY]

It kinda depends on the game, but generally I love companions in games when they're done well. As far as my favorite companion goes, that's a tough one. I'm split between Delta Squad (Star Wars: Republic Commando), the companions from KotOR I and II, and the companions in Pirate101.

I agree. What games would you prefer AI companions in; Action, Adventure, Strategy, Simulation? Horror? I personally prefer them in Horror games the most. Take Helena for example, even when they're somewhat annoying, the genre itself makes you immediately want them back by your side. Second would probably be a close one between Action and Adventure. This is where I feel like spending tons on a PlayStation 3 or 4 for The Last of Us. That looks like it'd be interested in regards to AI companions.
I forgot about Delta Squad actually, they were pretty good. Especially for such an old game. I'd have to say that I'd hate to have companions that aren't done well *cough Left 4 Dead 2 *cough
It's also bad having them be a burden too. There could not be a better example than literally ANY Skyrim companion ever. I'm not hating on Skyrim though, their poorly executed AI is pretty amusing so I do enjoy going back to it for a laugh.

Well, in my opinion as long as companions have a story and can heal you whilst in battle. Then they're perfect, but if they're messed up like companions are in SWTOR. (Made by EA and Bioware)

Then I prefer to just keep one companion that can do everything.

I agree. When the companion actually plays a huge part in the story, it's always great. But it also means they need to be made perfectly to fit it like Commander Awesome stated.
Having just one companion seems to make them more unique which is always good. For example, in Half-Life you get lots of different companions here and there but Alyx is there throughout the story, but you get times where you're placed on your own too.

That brings me to my next point when you're forced to care about those companions, like when Delta Squad splits up to plant or disarm bombs or something on... I think it was Geonosis, it immediately makes you feel somewhat lost without their help and telling yourself "When are we going to bump into each other again?" However when the AI are just plain annoying, I sometimes even think "God, I hope they've stepped on a landmine or something."

[Luna-old]

I agree. When the companion actually plays a huge part in the story, it's always great. But it also means they need to be made perfectly to fit it like Commander Awesome stated.
Having just one companion seems to make them more unique which is always good. For example, in Half-Life you get lots of different companions here and there but Alyx is there throughout the story, but you get times where you're placed on your own too.

That brings me to my next point when you're forced to care about those companions, like when Delta Squad splits up to plant or disarm bombs or something on... I think it was Geonosis, it immediately makes you feel somewhat lost without their help and telling yourself "When are we going to bump into each other again?" However when the AI are just plain annoying, I sometimes even think "God, I hope they've stepped on a landmine or something."

When the AI is just plain stupid then I hate the companions. Like when you're trying to run away from a mob and your comp stays there fighting it and then when your comp dies, it comes after you. This happens a lot in SWTOR.

[Rayce]

I agree. What games would you prefer AI companions in; Action, Adventure, Strategy, Simulation? Horror?

Most singleplayer story games, but especially RPGs.

I personally prefer them in Horror games the most. Take Helena for example, even when they're somewhat annoying, the genre itself makes you immediately want them back by your side. Second would probably be a close one between Action and Adventure. This is where I feel like spending tons on a PlayStation 3 or 4 for The Last of Us. That looks like it'd be interested in regards to AI companions.

I don't play horror games, but can see your point there.

Last time I played SWTOR, they were super OP. You could literally solo world bosses whilst you sit back and relax and let your OP comp do it.

I'm not sure if they've fixed it or not yet.

I agree. When the companion actually plays a huge part in the story, it's always great. But it also means they need to be made perfectly to fit it like Commander Awesome stated.
Having just one companion seems to make them more unique which is always good. For example, in Half-Life you get lots of different companions here and there but Alyx is there throughout the story, but you get times where you're placed on your own too.

That brings me to my next point when you're forced to care about those companions, like when Delta Squad splits up to plant or disarm bombs or something on... I think it was Geonosis, it immediately makes you feel somewhat lost without their help and telling yourself "When are we going to bump into each other again?" However when the AI are just plain annoying, I sometimes even think "God, I hope they've stepped on a landmine or something."

When the AI is just plain stupid then I hate the companions. Like when you're trying to run away from a mob and your comp stays there fighting it and then when your comp dies, it comes after you. This happens a lot in SWTOR.

Ok, you guys do have a point here. They are OP. I set my companion to heal and we become immortal. I walk away from nearly every boss fight with full health. And then there's when I don't want to engage the enemy...

The companions in Star Trek Online are similar, except they can heal you AND do a ton of damage, and there's a whole squad of them, and science officers can revive you if you die.

[Luna-old]

Commander Awesome, it was worse when they first released patch 4.0.

People could literally solo 4 man heroics with their companion on heal and they'd only die once or twice.

[Rayce]

Commander Awesome, it was worse when they first released patch 4.0.

People could literally solo 4 man heroics with their companion on heal and they'd only die once or twice.

Oh I know. They only times i've ever died since that update are when i'm fighting enemies a few levels above me.

[Luna-old]

Oh I know. They only times i've ever died since that update are when i'm fighting enemies a few levels above me.

And, I've also gotten bored of the game. I've got legendary status and have done everything physically possible. xD

I might return for the KoTeT if reviews say it is good.

[Dark_Phantom]

As opposed to some opinions, I much enjoyed most of the companions from both Dragon Age and Mass Effect, and even going back to KoTOR 1 and 2 (EA/Bioware strikes back, but Obsidian snuck in at the end).  I liked the witty banter in all of the games between the companions and interaction with me.  A lot of the time I didn't even care if they could fight (until I started struggling in the middle of these games because I have two spellcasters and a rogue in Dragon Age, or in Mass Effect when you have two biotics and an engineer or something and just get completely smashed by a Krogan Warlord).  Honestly, if I had to go with most character development over three games, Garrus and Tali from Mass Effect take the cake, and they became my two favorite characters, possibly across any game.  I could talk more but I'll spare you the pain, unless you want more ranting.

[{PLA}gdh92]

Same for me - any companions from kotor or mass effect.

Also not so much a companion as a main character but I liked Jackie Ma from sleeping dogs. And of course the obvious lydia from skyrim.

[TheGangstarTY]

As opposed to some opinions, I much enjoyed most of the companions from both Dragon Age and Mass Effect, and even going back to KoTOR 1 and 2 (EA/Bioware strikes back, but Obsidian snuck in at the end).  I liked the witty banter in all of the games between the companions and interaction with me.  A lot of the time I didn't even care if they could fight (until I started struggling in the middle of these games because I have two spellcasters and a rogue in Dragon Age, or in Mass Effect when you have two biotics and an engineer or something and just get completely smashed by a Krogan Warlord).  Honestly, if I had to go with most character development over three games, Garrus and Tali from Mass Effect take the cake, and they became my two favorite characters, possibly across any game.  I could talk more but I'll spare you the pain, unless you want more ranting.

The whole idea of companions with their banter is pretty awesome. One reason why I enjoy some parts of Left 4 Dead.
What is the reason Garrus and Tali were your favourite? I've never played Mass Effect, but I plan on it at some point.

Same for me - any companions from kotor or mass effect.

Also not so much a companion as a main character but I liked Jackie Ma from sleeping dogs. And of course the obvious lydia from skyrim.

I have heard a lot about Mass Effect and the people in it. As I mentioned, I hope to try it out at some point. What were your two favourite characters from Mass Effect?

It's been ages since I played Sleeping Dogs, and I never played it with the DLC, but I found it focusing more on characters than trying to follow GTA's path. I liked that a lot. Not to mention that it has a better melee system than GTA will ever have

[{PLA}gdh92]

I've only just started playing mass effect and I just got number 3. By the way if you're planning on getting the games the third one is only on origin so it's cheaper to buy the trilogy on origin as I found out too late.

So far I prefer Tali and Thane for their stories.