Every now and then, a game comes along and gets you emotionally attached to one of your companions. They don’t necessarily have to be amazing fighters or the funniest, but gamers still love them. Ranging from man's best friend to aliens from across the galaxy, these faithful friends always have your back, even when your character decides to jump into stupid situations that could get you both killed.
HK-47 – Knights of the Old Republic
HK-47 is a Hunter-Killer droid and Jedi hunter created by Darth Revan, the Dark Lord of the Sith. HK-47 loves his job, which just so happens to be killing humans, which he refers to as 'meatbags.' He seems pretty harmless when you first purchase him; only after does he reveal how sadistic he truly is, relishing the though of having a master, but fully enjoying putting holes in “meatbags."
For a droid, he is extremely sociopathic, enjoying death and destruction with no regards for anyone innocent, and as his master you are the only safe thing in his path. Being an assassin droid, Hk-47 is efficient in stealth roles and open combat, using a large variety of weapons. At one point HK-47 tried to start a droid army and take over the humans--he was defeated however, but escaped destruction, thus leading back to serving masters throughout the galaxy.
Riley – Call of Duty: Ghosts
While it’s true, Call of Duty: Ghosts was one of the least favorite games in the first-person shooter franchise, one good thing did come about from the recent annual release. Riley, your trust canine companion, was at your side for numerous missions, taking down bad guys with ease (and a growl). Controlling Riley in key points early on was quite fun, sneaking through the grass and taking down terrorists with a bite to the throat.
I have taken to calling every single one of my multiplayer kill-streak dogs Riley. It always upsets me when another player kills her. Such is the lasting effect of a good companion in games.
Garrus Vakarian – Mass Effect Series
Garrus is a turian, whom used to work for C-Sec’s Investigation Division. Garrus started his military training at 15, eventually following in his father’s footsteps into C-Sec. Garrus joins your team, after his investigation into Saren gets shut down, to defeat Saren and take down the geth before they destroy the universe.
Depending on your choices in the end game, Garrus may die. If not, however, he will make a return in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. Excelling in sniper rifles and assault rifles, Garrus holds his own while in combat.
Clementine – The Walking Dead Season One
The darling Clementine is a no brainer to include on this list. She starts off weak and shy, fearing for her life and afraid of just about everything. But by the time we, as Lee, leave her, she has grown into a young adult, older than her age.
Clementine handles her own and loses much of the fear that had paralyzed her before. Not only that, but she draws that emotional connection to gamers like no other video game ever had.
1. Ellie – The Last of Us
Ellie is quite possibly my most favorite companion in gaming to date. Not only do you grow emotionally attached to her, but she can hold her own as well.
No more coddling and protecting your AI compatriot; instead give her a gun and a shank, and she will go to town on anyone with a threat level. The recent release of the Left Behind DLC gives us a little insight into her backstory and history, fleshing her out as a character and making us love her all the more.
