What makes a video game companion good?

What makes a video game companion good?
What endear you to them

*endears
Fuck

If they're a competent healer or tank

Gameplay wise, they help you (but not too much)

Story wise, you actually WANT to protect them

good writing

If they make you care about them without some really contrived, heavy handed bullshit. If they're nice to have around through dialogue or ability, or both.

What games got too heavy handed with it?

Resident Evil 4

>Good characterisation
>Good dialogue

I need to actually give a shit about their well being, I'm willing to protect a character who I actually care about.

being bro tier

Memorable dialogue, as if it was somebody I could've enjoyed listening to

>he wants to babysit
get that escort-mission bullshit out of here

...

What if the game lacks voice acting?

What are some vidya characters that put bros before hoes?

Gears of War 1 and 2

you tell me

It's nice if there is more to the game than just the companion. It kind of worked out in RE4 in my opinion because you go a decent way into the game before you have to start protecting Ashley and there are still parts after that where you split up. RE5 you are stuck with a mentally handicapped partner the whole way through and it BLOWS.

When they actually help and you don't need to act like some kind of bodyguard because the A.I is retarded and they can't defend themselves.

...

Closet fags

Somebody who's amusing and doesn't get in the way of gameplay while still providing support. As much of a step down from previous games in the series as it is, Bioshock Infinite does implement Elizabeth well into the gameplay. She never gets in the way and provides the player with ammo and healthkits when needed. This does, however, cause the game to be significantly easier as a result, but Infinite is already a very casual iteration in the series so it doesn't make much of a difference.

And you could actually put Ashley into a trash can and clean the zone of enemies before getting her out.
And she also did this cute thing where she cheered on Leon when he killed zombies.

Well I was supossed to post this gif

Anyone else wish Farah was a constant companion in Two Thrones like she was in Sands of Time? It always felt like bullshit you only saw her in cutscenes or behind some gate and she didn't actually ever travel with you. At least the conversations with her were still good.

...

>What endear you to them
Effectiveness in combat

Outside of gameplay, they undergo character development with and without the protagonist there to push them along. They act as a balancing force to the protag. Generally written to be relatable and someone people would be glad to see on screen more often than not.

During gameplay, they are helpful or at least not a huge burden. Having to protect a companion can work as a mechanic, but when this is paired with stupid AI or a ridiculous amount of threats that it turns into babysitting it all falls apart.

When they are powerful as you

It would have been nice, but it wouldn't have made Two Thrones much better. The QTE pretty much ruined it.

At least in SoT Farah had respectable health and could stun enemies reliably if they got too close to her, giving you a chance to get over and finish them off. It was a little bit annoying if she ever accidentally hit you with an arrow though.

I actually liked the QTE in TT. Granted it's the first and really only game I've played with it, but I still think it's a cool gimmick, especially when you're doing these really complex stealth multi-kills.

If they make me laugh.

It's why I'll always try my best to keep marines alive in Halo 1-3.

Not being useless is a good start.

Intelligent, nihilistic and with a wicked sense of humor.

This, but for EDF. Besides, singing's better when you have a small army singing with you.

The companion can stand on their own and doesn't need to rely on the protagonist for every little thing.