8 Best Open-World Games If You Like Companion-Driven Stories, Ranked

Summary

Companions in open-world games enhance the player’s experience, offering friendship, unique abilities and quests.
Open-world games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen excel in companion design and character development.
Select open-world games integrate companions seamlessly, like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds, providing depth and narrative impact.

Exploring a new location is fun, but it is best enjoyed with a friend or loved one. The same can be said of open-world games, which generally give players the freedom to explore a vast map filled with surprises, interesting activities, and fraught with dangers. On these journeys, it’s advisable to take a trusted companion along for the adventure.

Sadly, many games suffer with poorly implemented AI when it comes to the player’s allies, who show no personality or even act as a hindrance during combat, constantly requiring player intervention to keep them alive. However, the following open-world games make no such mistakes, allowing companions to show some character development and advance the narrative. These excellent titles are ranked based on the companions’ overall impact on the quality of the games.

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8

Mafia 3

Keeping The Underbosses Happy

Released: October 7, 2016
ESRB: M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
OpenCritic Rating: Fair

Some players struggle with the slightly repetitive gameplay loop in Mafia 3, but many find it enjoyable with enough meat on the bone to keep things fresh elsewhere. During Lincoln Clay’s mission to take control of the city from the mob, exacting revenge on those who wronged him, three underbosses will be his allies — or enemies, if Lincoln annoys them.

Completing side missions for Cassandra, Thomas, and Vito will build loyalty, as will giving them control of the many criminal enterprises and districts in New Bordeaux. In some cases, these three or their associates will join Lincoln on jobs, adding to the drama of a situation or allowing for humorous moments to break the tension.

7

Hogwarts Legacy

Five Companions With Their Own Interests And Personal Quests

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy Tag Page Cover Art

Released: February 10, 2023
ESRB: T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

As expected in a game set in the wider Harry Potter universe, companionship is important in Hogwarts Legacy, just as it is for Harry, Ron and Hermione. The player can meet companions from each of the four houses, who will join in varying quests and hold their own in conflict thanks to their unique abilities. Plus, Professor Fig is vital for much of the main questline.

These five friends are not always available throughout the game’s runtime, but it’s encouraged that players take advantage of them whenever possible. None of their character-specific quests are missable, but incorrect dialogue choices with Slytherin’s Sebastian Sallow can result in the player missing some Dark Arts spells.

6

Fallout: New Vegas

Eight Permanent Companions, Plus Tons Of Temporary Followers

Released: October 19, 2010
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

One thing that Obsidian did better in Fallout: New Vegas than any other entry in the franchise is companions. The innovative Companion Wheel gives the Courier full control over the actions of one of the eight permanent companions, instructing them to be more aggressive, change their inventory, or use a stimpak, to name a few examples.

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The eight companions have different requirements when it comes to recruitment, but have their own associated quests, which give more depth to their personalities. They may abandon the player if they disagree with their actions. There are also many temporary followers who will assist the protagonist during specific missions or throughout the course of DLC campaigns.

5

The Outer Worlds

Six Companions Offer Unique Perks And Side Quests

The Outer Worlds video game cover art tag

Released: October 25, 2019
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

One aspect of The Outer Worlds that Obsidian did even better than in New Vegas is companion design. There are six in total to discover and recruit, all of whom will embark on the Stranger’s ship as part of its crew, with each possessing individual strengths, perks, and abilities. Some, like Parvati and Nyoka, offer great combat bonuses, while Ellie and Felix add some brevity to proceedings.

Each character has a well-fleshed-out personality, and their motivations are discovered through character-specific side quests. They will offer thoughts and opinions on situations occurring in the Stranger’s vicinity, and may even interject in conversations or abandon the cause entirely if the player does something they find egregious.

4

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Five Sages Give Link Crucial Powers

Systems

Released: May 12, 2023
ESRB: Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
Developer(s): Nintendo
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Though the five main companions in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom only show up in specific quests, they are pivotal in Link’s quest to find Zelda and stop Ganondorf. The five Sages aid Link in essential quests to save their regions on the map, and also give Link the ability to summon their new powers at any time.

Some powers are more useful than others, with Tulin’s gusts of wind being particularly useful for blasting enemies backwards or propelling Link forward while he is gliding. Of course, other companions that spend considerable time with Link are his trusted steeds and the spirit of Rauru dwelling within his right arm.

3

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Some Of The Best Companion Quests In Gaming

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Tag Page Cover Art

Released: May 19, 2015
ESRB: M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Once again, companions cannot be recruited at Geralt’s behest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but many do accompany him on specific quests. Still, they are among the best that can be found in all gaming. Their characters develop over time to reveal the motivations behind their actions, and they can certainly handle themselves in combat.

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Some quests stand out more than others, such as Wandering in the Dark with Keira Metz, Where the Cat and Wolf Play with Gaetan, and Beyond Hill and Dale with Syanna. Most companion quests involve important ethical and personal choices, with many players debating which is the best course of action. Plus, the other major companion in Geralt’s adventure is his beloved horse, Roach.

2

Final Fantasy 15

Four Friends On An Adventure

Released: November 9, 2016
ESRB: T for Teen: Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity, Violence
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

The vast majority of players and critics loved Final Fantasy 15, but even those aiming criticism at story and gameplay elements could not fault the four main characters and their companionship. Traveling around the game’s open world in the Regalia, engaging in combat as a team, and enjoying a nice meal while camping out for the night, all make for an enjoyable experience.

Cutscenes and little snippets of dialogue during the gameplay highlight the bonds between Noctis, Ignis, Gladiolus, and Prompto, and their personalities are gradually fleshed out throughout the lengthy runtime. Only Noctis is playable in the main game, but DLC adds more depth to the rest of the party and allows players to take control of them.

1

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Pawns Exist To Serve The Arisen

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen Tag Page Cover Art

Released: April 23, 2013
ESRB: M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Violence
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Pawns are created by the Arisen and serve them throughout Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen. Despite supposedly being emotionless husks without any desires or personal emotions, they show a surprising amount of personality throughout the game, even more so than regular companions in most other games.

Players create their own personal pawn to accompany them on the adventure, and can recruit others either in the Rift or wandering the roads of Gransys. At times, pawns will offer insights into the goings-on or even express opinions about things like clothing and haircuts, though it’s usually the same as the Arisen’s. Players should definitely experience the ending themselves too, and feel the emotions related to their pawn’s fate.