Roleplaying games are, at their core, about characters. Whetherthey’re text heavy, classic RPGs or slick action shooters, a roleplaying game needs characters that the player can relate to and identify with, and it needs a protagonist that players can shape to be their own in some way. To this end, many RPGs use a relationship mechanic of some kind as a gauge for players to see how well - or poorly - they’re doing at getting along with a character.
Some games,such asDragon Age 2,take this mechanic in interesting directions, where a rivalry is almost as beneficial as a strong friendship. Most games, in more recent years at least, give players the option to take these budding relationships to a romantic place. Now, this is a zero judgement website, what players do with their video game characters is between them and their god, but for players who want to explore deepening relationships without the expectation or obligation for romance to come up, these games all have great relationship mechanics - but no romance attached to them.
Every named NPC inMorrowindcan have an explicit and specific level of affection towards the player, based on a whole variety of metrics. Faction alliance, dialogue choices, attributes, and even innate things like the race of the protagonist can impact how they’re perceived by every NPC.
While few characters in the game are as fleshed out as the fantastic villain, every character has some degree of nuance based on how they see the player character, and this can be influenced through bribes and magic.
Companions are an integral part of thePillars of Eternityexperience, and withAvowedset to release next year, players looking to get familiar with Eora before the game’s debut would have a great time exploring this land with their companions in both games.
Companions inPillars of Eternitycan still develop stronger (platonic) feelings towards the player mostly through how their personal quests are solved, with many endings to the quest that can change how they behave.
Wasteland 3is an opus among roleplaying games with heavy, visceral combat and an engaging story that doesn’t pull any punches with either its difficulty or its plot beats. This is a great game for any RPG fan, and the companions are as in-depth as the story.
The companions also have their own thoughts and feelings about the various actions the Rangers take - in short, they have their own agendas. Even characters who can be guided and shaped by the Ranger have certain lines they won’t cross, and will immediately leave the party if the Rangers force their hand.
The companions inNew Vegasare as witty and nuanced as the entire setting for the game, and it shows in every unique line of dialogue they have. While there’s no romance to pursue in this title, players can still form long-lasting bonds with every companion.
While navigatingthe politics of the wasteland, players' choices will be appraised by their companions, who will have something to say. Impress them, and they become more useful, and have personal quests that are long and enjoyable. Disappoint them (in short - join the Legion) and they will quickly leave your side.
For games of this style, the isometric CRPG genre, there aren’t many companions inShadowrun: Dragonfall, but that only brings the focus more intimately on all of them, and they are each incredibly well-written characters.
Their conversations with the player during and between missions will shape how the see the protagonist, and how loyal they are to the protagonist overall, and while romance isn’t on the table, the game does an excellent job at showcasing the palpable closeness between companions and players who are of a same mind.
Players would be hard-pressed to find companions quite like theones inThe Outer Worlds.They’re each so individual, each so perfectly imperfect, it’s easy to forget they’re characters altogether and not people you know.
Each companion has approval and disapproval of you, as in most RPG with companions. The personal quests for every companion are all incredible, and each tell a unique story that showcases the character in a certain way, and lets the player shape their overall fate in the story.
In a bold move from Atlus,Metaphor: ReFantaziofocuses on the development of relationships - but in a completely different paradigm to the romance that players have come to expect from series such asPersona.
This is a great move to showcase Atlus' versatility as writers, keeping the focus on companion affection and bonding but in a completely different light to their other titles, and it’s also a great way to differentiateMetaphorfrom their other larger series like the aforementionedPersona.
