Most Divisive RPG Companions – Investment Policy

The strength of a role-playing game often depends on the group of players you team up with. While some excellent RPGs, like Elden Ring and other similar games, can be enjoyed on your own, a well-built party adds more than just ease of play. It’s the little interactions and shared moments during the adventure that truly make the experience special and memorable.

The most memorable RPGs often feature companions and party members who deeply affect players, even challenging their core beliefs. These games frequently present difficult choices involving rescue missions, romantic relationships, or heartbreaking sacrifices. The impact of these characters and moments is often significant, and fans are likely to debate their merits for years to come, as they can be quite controversial.

There will be spoilers.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Is Astarion Truly The Best?

Players of Baldur’s Gate 3 can choose from a variety of romantic interests within the game, and many fans are clearly falling for these characters in real life too – as you can see from the abundance of posts, videos, and fan art online, some of which is quite passionate! Astarion is currently the most popular choice, and many consider him one of the best companions in recent role-playing games, thanks to his compelling dialogue, intriguing backstory, and effectiveness in combat.

While Astarion is a popular companion, some players strongly prefer others, like Minthara. Recruiting her isn’t easy – you’ll need to knock her unconscious in the goblin camp and then free her from prison in Moonrise Towers. As a Drow Paladin with a complicated past, earning Minthara’s trust is a challenge, but many find the effort well worth it.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

The Best Gold Saucer Date

A long-running debate among fans of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and the original Final Fantasy 7 centers on the relationships with characters Tifa and Aerith. While Cloud, the protagonist, shared a childhood with Tifa and their connection rekindled throughout the game, some players felt his feelings might be rooted in a past obligation rather than genuine romantic interest.

Cloud met Aerith, a new character who was clearly attracted to him, and despite his distant personality, there was a connection between them. In both the original Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, players could build a romantic connection with either Tifa or Aerith, potentially leading to a date at the Gold Saucer amusement park, depending on their choices. Fans have long debated which woman was a better match for Cloud, and while Cloud could also go on dates with other teammates, those interactions were more frequent but less focused on romance, particularly compared to the storyline with Barret.

Hogwarts Legacy

Is Sebastian Just Or Evil?

In Hogwarts Legacy, players are sorted into one of the four school houses, but they can still build relationships and complete quests with friends from any house. One character who has sparked a lot of discussion is Sebastian, a Slytherin student dealing with family issues – his uncle is involved in a conflict surrounding his sister’s illness.

Players will face difficult choices as they help Sebastian find a cure, and his desperation might lead them down a dark path. They may even be forced to involve another student, Ominis, who possesses knowledge of the necessary, but dangerous, magic. The outcome of this quest can vary, potentially teaching players dark arts to use in battle. Ultimately, Sebastian’s storyline is likely the most complex and emotionally resonant in this Harry Potter game.

Kingdom Hearts

Donald And Goofy’s Best Transformations

In most Kingdom Hearts games, you play as Sora, with Donald and Goofy helping him along the way. Sometimes, while exploring Disney-themed worlds, you can switch out Donald or Goofy for other familiar Disney characters, such as Ariel. And to blend in, Sora and his friends often need to disguise themselves depending on the world they’re in.

Beneath the waves, Donald Duck transformed into a bizarre octopus-duck hybrid, and Goofy became a frightening dog-turtle. Players often argue about which of these two makes a better AI teammate, with Donald frequently criticized as being unhelpful, especially in the original game. They also enjoy discussing the different versions of Donald and Goofy, with their zombie outfits from the Nightmare Before Christmas world proving particularly successful.

Mass Effect

Who To Save?

The Mass Effect series is known for its memorable characters, and players often discuss who makes the best romantic partner throughout the original three games – some prefer Liara, while others choose Garrus. However, a big decision comes up early in the first game when you meet your first two human companions, Ashley and Kaiden.

Throughout the game, players will face tough choices about which characters live and die, and these decisions can be really impactful. Kaiden is consistently loyal and appreciative, but he’s not a very developed character. Ashley, while more opinionated and memorable, sometimes disregards Shepard’s commands over the course of the series.

Fallout 3

The Big Sacrifice

I really loved the companions you could pick up in Fallout 3, though the system felt a little basic – you’d see it refined in later Bethesda games. But the biggest thing for me was the ending! You had to make this huge decision about the reactor, and it wasn’t easy. There were a bunch of options, some heroic, some pretty grim. You could even send a companion to fix it, knowing they wouldn’t survive, or sacrifice your own character. Either way, someone had to pay the ultimate price.

However, getting Fawkes, a Super Mutant, can be difficult. If you do befriend him, you can send him into the radiation chamber without him dying, since he’s already mutated. Still, many players find it ethically questionable to ask someone to do that, and it often sparks debate.

The World Ends With You

The Best Partner

In The World Ends With You, the main character, Neku, finds himself in the afterlife and must compete against others for a week to become the champion. Winning grants the victor a wish. Throughout the game, Neku teams up with different partners each week. Shiki is a popular choice among fans – she’s the only female character and develops a close, potentially romantic, relationship with Neku. While she struggles with self-doubt and isn’t as powerful, Joshua, who joins Neku in the second week, is undeniably the strongest ally he has.

I’m really enjoying the characters so far, but I’m a little worried about Joshua. Finding out he’s been pulling the strings might make me see him differently as a fighter, honestly. Then there’s Beat – he’s Neku’s rival for most of the game, always causing trouble! It’s hilarious watching them clash, though he can get on your nerves sometimes. Honestly, they all have their good and bad points, which makes it tough to pick a favorite!

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

The Pros And Cons Of HK-47

Everyone who plays Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic will likely have a favorite companion or character combination. This could be based on how they look, what they’re good at, or simply how powerful they are – like Carth, who’s similar to Han Solo. A standout character is HK-47, a droid obsessed with destruction, and players will need to decide what to do with him.

Players face a choice: stick with the witty droid, known for its fantastic lines, or leave it on the sidelines. While HK-47 is a hilarious companion, it’s not very strong in battles because it lacks useful skills and can’t become proficient with weapons.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Is Yoshi Broken?

Many fans consider Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door to be the best Paper Mario game. Similar to other games in the series, Mario is assisted by a single partner in battles, and each partner has unique strengths and weaknesses.

Yoshi Kid is arguably the strongest character thanks to his impressive range and diverse abilities. His powerful moves, Gulp and Stampede, make him a valuable asset in battle alongside Mario. Players also enjoy collecting his different color variations, with some being more sought after than others, like green, orange, and white. Many also find his energetic personality and reactions in the game’s story quite charming.

Dragon Quest 5: Hand Of The Heavenly Bride

Your Bride To Be

Dragon Quest 5: Hand of the Heavenly Bride stands out in the Dragon Quest series for its innovative approach to party members – instead of humans, players could recruit monsters. The game also features a compelling story where players experience the hero’s life from childhood to adulthood, and even get to choose his future spouse, though this choice primarily affects the narrative.

The original Super Nintendo version of the game let players choose between two potential love interests: Nera, a sweet and dependable girl, and Bianca, a more adventurous and tomboyish childhood friend who felt like a natural fit for the story. The Nintendo DS version added a third option, Debora, a sassy and somewhat bossy character who, despite her rudeness, could be a lot of fun. While Dragon Quest fans might argue about which character is best, childhood friends are often the most popular choice in games and stories, much like the dynamic between Tifa and Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

2026-02-02 11:36