As a gamer who primarily enjoys single-player experiences, my preference leans towards campaigns where I can progress at my own speed. While I don’t have an aversion to multiplayer games, I often find the joy of thriving through rich narratives. However, there are instances when the journey demands assistance—this is where AI-controlled companions, allies, and sidekicks emerge to enhance your gaming experience. Despite their lack of human touch, these digital partners fight alongside you, provide vital resources, and sometimes even manage to draw enemy fire when your health is low.
That said, the realm of AI companions is not without its flaws. Many games feature AI allies that struggle due to poor prioritization or ineffective skills. Yet, on this journey, we also uncover several noteworthy AI companions that genuinely contribute to your adventure. Below, I present a selection of titles with commendable AI companions, presented without ranking.
10 Final Fantasy 7 Remake
The Party’s Ready For You
While the original Final Fantasy 7 featured traditional turn-based mechanics, the remake transitions to a more dynamic real-time action RPG style. Although you control one character actively, the presence of AI to manage the rest of your team becomes essential. The AI is fairly competent—it may not unleash elaborate strategies, but it effectively keeps character health in check and sustains combat readiness.
What enhances this experience is the ability to issue commands even when not directly controlling a character—whether it’s instructing an ally to use a specific ability or healing item. Though it thrives on teamwork, this system encourages you to leverage the entire party without leaving them vulnerable.
9 Left 4 Dead 2
Surprisingly Competent For A Stand-In
Left 4 Dead 2 is primarily designed around cooperative play, though it acknowledges that not everyone can join in simultaneously, especially during its launch period when internet capabilities varied. What sets it apart is the inclusion of AI-controlled Survivors—essentially giving players a lifeline when friends are unavailable.
Though not as polished as human players, these AI companions perform admirably, focusing on aiding players by targeting special infected foes and facilitating rescues. Their strategic targeting and quick weapon swaps provide a surprisingly satisfying experience, making them valuable partners in surviving the zombie apocalypse.
8 BioShock Infinite
“Booker, Catch!”
Initially, the concept of an AI companion in BioShock Infinite raised concerns, especially in light of the historically disliked escort missions in gaming. However, once players encounter Elizabeth, it quickly becomes clear that she’s designed to assist rather than hinder.
During combat, Elizabeth stays out of harm’s way while scavenging for supplies. She skillfully provides ammunition, health, and special abilities at timely moments, ensuring you remain well-equipped to handle the challenges ahead. The absence of a traditional health bar for her is a noteworthy advantage, underscoring her utility and independence during tense moments.
7 Metal Gear Solid 5
Quiet Sniper, Fierce Doggo
In Metal Gear Solid 5, you can gradually unlock a team of AI companions, some of which enhance your tactical options significantly. Notably, D-Dog and Quiet stand out as indispensable allies during missions.
D-Dog’s senses are sharp, allowing him to locate enemies and resources, while he can disrupt enemy actions as needed. On the other hand, Quiet excels as a sniper, proving essential in combat by eliminating threats covertly. Both characters operate with a level of autonomy that alleviates players from micromanaging their actions.
6 Fallout: New Vegas
Gear ‘Em Up And They’re Ready For Action
One significant attraction of Fallout: New Vegas compared to its predecessor is the depth of control players have over their companions. The introduction of a radial menu enables players to dictate specific combat tactics and behaviors, creating a more streamlined experience.
This degree of control allows for specialized strategies in action, with each companion possessing unique combat traits to navigate diverse challenges effectively. Having capable allies on your journey enhances the appeal of exploration across the post-apocalyptic landscape.
5 NieR Replicant
Friends Forever
In NieR Replicant, the protagonist builds lasting friendships with Kaine and Emil, who accompany him throughout his adventures. Interestingly, this action-RPG opts for the inclusion of party members without conventional mechanics, redefining how companions can function in gameplay.
Both companions demonstrate formidable capabilities, with Kaine’s resilience ensuring she contributes significantly without needing protection, while Emil’s unique abilities enable him to control battle engagements effectively. Their synergy allows players to enjoy the gameplay without the stress of constant management.
4 Tales of Vesperia
They’re Receptive To Input
The Tales series is known for placing players in charge of one character while others act on AI commands, an approach that typically leads to varying results across different RPGs. However, my experience with Tales of Vesperia has demonstrated consistent effectiveness in its companion AI.
By employing a strategic mix of frontline fighters and supportive roles, my gameplay experience benefited from AI companions that healed, assisted with spellcasting, and complemented combat styles without excessive prompting. Adjustments to their combat settings enable tailored performance for any encounter.
3 Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy
It’s All About Teamwork
Teamwork serves as a core theme in both the Guardians of the Galaxy franchises and their gaming adaptations. In this particular game, players primarily control Quill while witnessing the other Guardians actively engaging enemies.
The AI companions, each with unique abilities, actively participate in battles, providing necessary support and damage dealing. The game encourages player interaction with the Huddle mechanic, where thoughtful dialogue choices can lead to team-wide benefits, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in overcoming challenges.
2 Kingdom Hearts
More Valuable Than You Think
For devoted fans of the Kingdom Hearts series, there’s a well-known critique surrounding the reliability of AI-controlled teammates. Yet, the effectiveness of characters like Donald and Goofy often shines brighter, especially in the original title where players heavily relied on them during early game phases.
Donald serves as a vital support character with healing capabilities, while Goofy effectively deals damage, especially against agile foes. Together, they become critical assets during challenging segments, reinforcing the importance of team dynamics in combat scenarios.
1 Fire Ring
The Spirits Have Your Back
In the realm of Souls-like games, NPC summoning usually occurs during pivotal boss battles, often leaving players feeling uncertain about the reliability of their assistance.Elden Ring breaks this mold by incorporating the innovative Spirit Ash mechanic.
Spirit Ashes allow players to summon various allies, granting flexibility in combat encounters outside of traditional boss fights. These summons range from humanoid characters to other unconventional creatures that distract or inflict damage on foes. The flexibility afforded by these summons enhances the player experience immensely, contributing to creativity in tackling challenges throughout the game.
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