RPGs With Companions That Feel Like Real People

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Role-playing games often feature exceptionally well-written stories, making their characters feel incredibly real and easy to connect with. These characters are sometimes based on people we know – a sibling, a neighbor, or even just someone we’ve briefly encountered. You might even recognize bits of real life in the characters you meet in these games.

Whether it’s a critically acclaimed modern role-playing game or one that struggled from the start, the characters in these games feel remarkably human, despite fitting into familiar fantasy archetypes.

Baldur’s Gate 3

There’s Something Really Deep In The Characters Of This Title

Despite being a vampire with attitude, a troubled tiefling, a disgraced aristocrat, a snarky half-elf, someone with a dangerous secret, or an out-of-place alien, these characters are surprisingly relatable in this role-playing game. Players will likely connect with any character except ‘The Dark Urge,’ who is often destined for failure.

The companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 are exceptionally well-written – arguably the best in any Dungeons & Dragons game. Each character has compelling motivations and struggles with their own humanity (even Astarion). If you enjoy companions who demonstrate vulnerability and depth, this is a game you shouldn’t miss.

Fallout 4

Has Some Of The Most Human Characters in The Series

Despite being the sole survivor of his unit, a man guides innocent people to safety. Meanwhile, a determined reporter relentlessly pursues the truth, and a robot strives to become human, hoping to advance medical science.

Each companion in Fallout 4 has a unique and compelling backstory. These stories of struggle, loss, and resilience highlight their humanity, even for those who turn out to be synths. Unless you strongly support the Brotherhood of Steel, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Ultimately, the characters in Fallout 4 feel incredibly relatable – they could easily be people we know in real life.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Has Some Of The Most Underrated Companions

Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) is a multiplayer online game created by BioWare and Obsidian. What sets it apart from many other Star Wars games is its cast of compelling and relatable companions. Vette, for example, is a Twi’Lek who starts as a slave but becomes a skilled pilot and a key companion to the player’s Sith Warrior, and she’s considered one of the game’s best-developed characters.

I’m seriously blown away by how deeply the game explores what it means to be a person – even if that person is a Twi’Lek! The writing is so good that it can genuinely change your character’s path; I’ve seen even the most hardened Sith Lords start to consider the Light Side because of her. And it’s not just her – characters like Shae Vizla, Kira Carsen, and Mako feel so real. They aren’t perfect; they stumble, they learn, and they grow, no matter what life throws at them. It’s like the developers based them on actual people, flaws and all, and it makes the whole experience so much more impactful.

Final Fantasy 9

All The Misfits Banding Together Against Evil

What truly sets Final Fantasy IX apart from other games in the series is its characters. They feel incredibly human, with relatable struggles despite being fantastical beings with amazing abilities. For example, Steiner wrestles with his sense of duty and his desire to do what’s right, Vivi and Zidane both explore deep questions about existence, Garnet rebels against those in power, and Eiko deals with feelings of loneliness and being left behind.

Final Fantasy IX features relatable characters who come together to overcome huge challenges, even when things seem hopeless. It’s a story about what it means to be human in a flawed world, and it’s something every gamer should experience at least once.

Neverwinter Nights 2

Every Companion Could Be Your Best Friend

Even though it relies on familiar fantasy elements and isn’t widely remembered today, Neverwinter Nights 2 is a true gem created by Obsidian Entertainment. The game centers around a simple idea: anyone can rise to become a hero if fate allows. This is perfectly illustrated by the character Bevil, who starts as a seemingly foolish villager but becomes one of the most valuable and memorable companions in the adventure.

Casavir is a great example of this – a person who gives up personal commitments and principles to protect ordinary people. Though their backgrounds are different, both he and others like him ultimately become heroes, carrying the weight of the story while remaining true to themselves. This is what makes them feel so real, so understandable, and so human.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

The Fate Of The World Is At Stake: But The Banters Are The Best

The characters in Dragon Age: Inquisition are among the most compelling and realistic in the series – they feel like people you could actually know. Sera, despite being a bit chaotic and strange, has understandable motivations. Cassandra, though she presents a stern and rigid exterior, is secretly a hopeless romantic. And Iron Bull, a powerful warrior, is essentially a fun-loving man-child who enjoys fighting, but is also a thoughtful and great companion.

Everyone fighting to save people in Thedas has a personality trait that makes them feel real and understandable. Except for Solas, who was always aloof for reasons we’re all aware of.

Mass Effect: Andromeda

Hate It All You Want: It Has Two Of The Best Characters In The Franchise

Even though Mass Effect: Andromeda received a lot of criticism when it was released, some fans still really enjoy it. A big reason for this is the relatable characters. For instance, Cora isn’t trying to save the galaxy – she simply wants a peaceful life, like owning a house by a lake and gardening. It’s a simple dream many people can connect with.

Jaal embodies the fear of rejection. He was raised in a society ruled by women, which made him desperately seek approval and acceptance – this is what motivates his actions. Interestingly, despite his background, Jaal feels incredibly authentic as a character. His story is something many players can connect with. In fact, Jaal and his counterpart are strong reasons to revisit Mass Effect: Andromeda.

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2026-01-27 22:08