Everyone needs a helping hand from time to time. Sometimes the hero needs backup and shouldn't feel ashamed for asking for it. Especially if the backup comes in the form of any of these fine individuals.
I talked about him in the Watch Dogs 2 review because for me he was such an asset to the game as a whole. Possibly the best of all the DedSec kids was Wrench. He cracked wise. He built robots and modified your car with nitrous. He constantly wore a mask that displayed emoticons to show how he was feeling and rocked about in a studded leather coat. While this would make him seem like an antisocial douchebag, he is far from it. The tight-knit DedSec group is, at times, held together by his fierce loyalty and desire to work together to fight for what is right. He has your back in every fight and is willing to get roughed up by Federal agents at one point to protect your whereabouts.
There is one scene in the game where I think Wrench shines. You're meeting him at a cafe to start a mission. While talking to him it's apparent he is trying to get the waitresses attention while simultaneously not wanting to catch her eye. You, as Marcus, notice this and question him about it. He explains that he likes her but doesn't know if she keeps staring at him because she likes him back or if she thinks he's weird. You finish your conversation and are about to leave when you turn to the waitress and ask her if she thinks Wrench is weird. She says she does but is kind of into it. Wrench's reaction is priceless and as you leave they sit down together and start talking. I loved this exchange because it gave Wrench another side that hadn't been shown before that point. Despite his tough looking exterior and sometimes abrasive humour, he is just in need of a friend.
I thought it was a refreshing change from the one dimensional "tough guy" characters that seem to appear for us to be "wow, they so cool!". He felt like an actual person you would know and could relate to.
- Weighted Companion Cube - Portal
The Aperture Science labs can be hostile. (Which is a mild way to put it) You have no friends. The only voice you can hear is cold and analytical. You are alone. Then it happens. You enter a new Test Chamber and Weighted Companion Cube is sitting there, waiting for you. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a voice to express the joy of meeting you but it does have a big heart on each side so there's that I suppose.
Companion Cube comes to you at your most desperate hour. There is science in these chambers that one person alone can't solve. It is up to the two of you to form the strongest of bonds and depress some giant red buttons together. Only then will you discover the truest friendship in video gaming history. Portals and turrets and doors and switches are nothing compared to the righteous partnership of you and Weighted Companion Cube. Science is at your mercy. Now there's just one more door. One more switch. It's time to part ways. It's fine though, all you have to do is carry Cube over to the... eh... "Emergency Intelligence Incinerator". Without a second thought you drop WCC in, the hatch closes and the door opens. Congratulations.
You monster.
- Ashley Graham (Armoured) - Resident Evil 4
Wait wait. I know. She's a needy, whiney little shit for the most part. In need of constant saving from being carried off by villagers, cultists, spiky hell monsters, the list goes on. (Something that causes Game Over if not dealt with quickly enough) Every scene she's with you gets turned into an escort mission. (And we love them I know) So what is she doing on a list of companions that are invaluable?
Easy. When equipped with the armour that you can see to your right she not only becomes invincible, she can't be carried off by afore mentioned nasties. I know this is a hell of a caveat to get someone on this list, especially considering she is arguably one of gamings most annoying companions. (Hmm, new list idea right there) Also, the armour is an unlockable item so you can't just stick her in it from the get go. It is a massive game changer though, making later levels a lot more manageable on higher difficulties. You no longer have to desperately scan the room every time you hear "Help! LEON!" and catch a glimpse of her slung over a captors shoulder like a bag of blonde potatoes. Every enemy that tries to pick her up collapses under the weight of her, attacks bounce off her. She essentially becomes invaluable due to her new ability to be completely disregarded while you fight a room full of pitchfork wielding bumpkins.
Strangely enough, she was my inspiration for this entire list. I'm as confused as you.
- Miles "Tails" Prower - Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic, for the most part, can handle himself pretty well. He runs about jumping on springs and Badniks, collecting rings and beating Robotnik. Sounds like a simple enough life. Sometimes he needs a hand. That comes in the form of Tails, twin-tailed fox and pilot extraordinaire. While initially just a way for two people to play Sonic 2 at once, Tails piloting skills are invaluable in the Sky Chase Zone level where they fly towards Robotnik and his Wing Fortress.
Sonic 3 has Tails' ability to fly using his tails upgraded. This means when playing as him there are areas that only he can reach, containing bonus rings, lives and shields. If two player is enabled Sonic can jump and grab hold of Tails' hands, allowing him to reach these inaccessible areas too. (And who doesn't want more rings?) You don't see Daxter providing that kind of support to Jak. The other example of a sidekick being that useful is Clank from the Ratchet and Clank series.
Regardless of your opinion of Tails as a person (fox), it can't be denied that without him Sonic would have had a hard time fighting Robotnik in the early years of the franchise.
Issun is a lazy, pervy little travelling artist who mooches off the kindness and patience of Amaterasu, goddess of the sun in the form of a white wolf. Coming in at around an inch tall, he is by far the smallest companion on the list. Now what I've described so far isn't exactly what you would consider "best sidekick" material. For all of Issun's faults, however, he has a heart of gold and grows throughout the events of Okami (as a person, not in height) in a way that few have in anything I've played.
While Amaterasu (or "Ammy" as he calls her) is more than capable of defending herself (being a god and all), Issun provides much-needed support in the form of his Celestial Brush techniques. With these, he can put ink to paper and use it to slash enemies, revitalise dead trees (which is a bigger deal than you might imagine) and manipulate fire and water to help Ammy save the land of Nippon from the eight-headed dragon, Orochi, and his army of demons. He develops from a self-centered free-loader to someone who would lay down his life to save the world. (And the 60+ hour journey in between is pretty awesome too)
The closing act of the games shows a completely different Issun as the one you start with. Some of the events in Okami are the best I've played in a game and while the game itself is good enough to recommend to you, the inclusion of Issun makes it pretty unforgettable. (It's available for PS2, PS3 and the Wii. If you have an opportunity to play it please do)
When the majority of the world's population has been wiped out by a mysterious fungal infection that turns people into murderous mushroom zombies, life is going to become pretty tough. Now imagine you're immune to that infection. Happy days. Looks like everything is going to be alright for Ellie here. Or not. One group wants her to develop a cure and don't mind how violent they have to be to get her, another group act pretty much the same. Oh, then there are the bandits who would probably do worse for the sake of being aggressive arseholes and the aforementioned 'shroom zombos. Suddenly the world is back to being shit. Just as well you have Joel to look after you. A man who lost his daughter at the start of this outbreak. (In one of many scenes in this game that made me feel feelings) Of course, this is a list of how the companion is awesome, not the protagonist. (Sorry Joel)
Ellie is as tough as they come, having experienced her own share of heartbreak as a result of the outbreak. She doesn't take shit from anyone, is capable of taking down fully grown adults (when pushed) and adapts to the various fucked up situations she finds herself in quickly. My favourite part of the game is when you play as her when Joel is out of commission, leading to some of the best story relating to trust and companionship that is rarely dealt with so well in games. There are some beautiful scenes between Joel and Ellie and throughout the game, the relationship (which starts off as prickly as it can get) becomes very much a father/daughter dynamic. This culminates in one of the best endings I've ever seen and to this day, 4 years later, I haven't been blown away nearly as much as The Last of Us got me. (Again, I felt feelings)
Hopefully aside from displaying some of the best company you could hope for while you travel any given video game, this list has encouraged you to play some of the amazing games the characters are from. May you find a companion that helps you through the game of life. Kisses.
