Top 8 RPGs with Epic Companion Leveling

by

Summary

  • Leveling up companions is a defining feature of party-based RPGs, where each squadmate has their own unique personality and skill set.
  • BioWare’s RPGs, such as the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series, provide a more streamlined, action-oriented approach to companion leveling, particularly in later entries.
  • Larian Studios’ RPGs, like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin 2, grant full control over companions’ leveling while also allowing players to play the story from their perspectives.

Role-playing games (RPGs) featuring parties have been highly appreciated within the genre for their extensive customization possibilities. Instead of simply crafting a singular protagonist, players can gather a team from a pool of potential companions. These companions can then be leveled up and equipped with skills and abilities tailored to the player’s preferred gameplay style. Effectively, this allows you to manage not only one hero but a dynamic group of unique characters simultaneously.

In some instances, keeping track of numerous characters’ advancement might seem daunting, causing many contemporary Role-Playing Games (RPGs) to streamline this aspect by either eliminating companion leveling or providing an automatic leveling option for those not keen on intricate character customization. Here, we will delve into the top RPGs that let players manually upgrade companions, offering the freedom that even the most dedicated RPG enthusiasts would appreciate.

Honorable mentions:

In compiling this list, let’s zero in on contemporary Role-Playing Games (RPGs), however, it’s essential to highlight some old-time favorites and cherished CRPG series that offer an immersive role-playing adventure with customizable teammates for those craving a rich gaming experience.

  • Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
  • Icewind Dale
  • Neverwinter Nights
  • Baldur’s Gate
  • Planescape: Torment
  • Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

1. Baldur’s Gate 3

The New King Of Party-Based CRPGs With Customizable Companions

  • Total companions: 10
  • Max active companions: 3

Without a doubt, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game that speaks for itself, boasting a long-standing reputation as one of the most popular single-player RPGs and an enticing sequel to a legendary series. Sticking close to its origins, the game grants players complete autonomy over every detail, from leveling up their custom character to managing all ten companions. Players have the freedom to choose feats, spells, and subclasses for characters such as Shadowheart, Astarion, or Minthara, effortlessly incorporating them into their party’s overall strategy.

Additionally, similar to Divinity: Original Sin 2, Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a distinctive feature where players can embark on the entire adventure by assuming control of companions (referred to as origin characters). These characters can lead the party from the outset, with their individual quests becoming the main narrative threads.

2. Wasteland 3

A Flexible Party Blend Of Companions, Ranger Recruits, And Followers

  • Total companions: 8 (+17 Rangers)
  • Max active companions: 2

In the summit of its extended role-playing game series, Wasteland 3 showcases its prowess, expanding on the powerful elements from its renowned forerunners by inXile and Interplay. This timeless post-apocalyptic tactical RPG with a squad system presents a distinctive environment, intricate battle mechanics, versatile advancement, and an abundance of missions to conquer.

In the game “Wasteland 3”, players have the freedom to craft a unique protagonist from scratch and manage companion leveling, distributing perks and skill points as they see fit. The game accommodates a group of six members at once, though only two can be actively involved in battles. Among these potential allies are eight characters that can join your team, such as the raider warlord Fishlips, fan favorites like Pizepi Joren and Scotchmo, each boasting impressive combat skills and individual personalities. Furthermore, players may also enlist up to four Rangers to round out their party alongside these companions.

3. Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous

A Traditional CRPG Formula With Great Companion Diversity

  • Total companions: 12
  • Max active companions: 5

Just as I adored my previous adventure with Pathfinder: Kingmaker, diving into Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous feels like stepping back into a familiar yet thrilling world. It’s a testament to the refined party-based CRPG formula that’s won over countless gamers, and I couldn’t be happier! In this game, every choice I make matters, as it gives me the freedom to customize my companions’ development from scratch, assigning them feats, spells, and even delving into the intricate multi-classing options that mirror the tabletop Pathfinder rules. It’s like crafting my very own band of heroes!

In the game called Wrath of the Righteous, you’ll find 12 standard companions to choose from, excluding those exclusive to Lich mode or downloadable content. This gives players numerous chances to design their party lineups based on different strategies. You can customize the abilities and roles of any companion, such as ranger Arueshalae, oracle Daeran, or fighter Wenduag, resulting in a unique and strategic gameplay experience tailored to your preferences.

4. Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Freedom To Level Up Companions And Challenge Their Views

  • Total companions: 7 (+6 sidekicks)
  • Max active companions: 4

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but marvel at the resurgence of the CRPG genre with the arrival of “Pillars of Eternity.” This modern masterpiece echoes the spirit of timeless classics like “Icewind Dale” and “Neverwinter Nights,” offering an astonishing degree of customization that leaves fans awestruck. It’s not just about combat skills and dialogue options; players are given the unique opportunity to shape their character’s divine alignment.

Following in the footsteps of other legendary RPGs, “Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire” builds upon the rich tapestry of deep companion progression and interaction. The game introduces seven main companions, including familiar faces like Aloth, Pallegina, and Edér, as well as newcomers such as Serafen and Xoti. In addition, six sidekicks are available, serving as a bridge between full companions and hired adventurers. These sidekicks offer flexible leveling and class options, ensuring each one is tailored to your playstyle.

For individuals yearning for a more vibrant perspective on the realm of Eora, the game Avowed certainly offers an exciting twist. Though it boasts a smaller group of companions, comprising just four characters (Kai, Marius, Giatta, and Yatzli), two of whom can accompany the player at any given time, their varied skill sets introduce distinct combat advantages. These abilities can be enhanced and tailored to suit players’ preferences as they see fit.

5. Divinity: Original Sin 2

A Former Benchmark Of Modern CRPGs With Unique Origin Companions

  • Total companions: 7
  • Max active companions: 3

Previously, Larian Studios’ “Divinity” series was renowned for offering rich and versatile RPG experiences, with “Divinity: Original Sin 2” frequently listed among the top CRPGs of the last ten years. The game, specifically the “Definitive Edition” of “Divinity: Original Sin 2,” offers a vast, epic journey marked by strategic combat, customizable character and companion progression systems, and the distinctive ability to choose any companion as your starting point from the very beginning.

The game presents seven distinct character backgrounds (or origins) to choose from, ranging from the resurrected sorcerer Fane to the noble Red Prince, each of which can be tailored and enhanced by players according to their preferred gaming approach. Furthermore, this game introduces a hiring system for mercenaries, enabling players to recruit pre-designed characters like a mage, survivor, or warrior. However, these hired mercenaries offer fewer possibilities for skill personalization.

6. Mass Effect: Andromeda

Fast-Paced Combat With Companions Acting As Extra Skills

  • Total companions: 6
  • Max active companions: 2

In the Mass Effect series, players have consistently been granted the freedom to enhance their characters, select gear, and modify their companions’ abilities. Compared to conventional RPGs, character advancement in these games isn’t as adaptable, but players can still mold each companion to be tougher, more combat-effective, or skilled with particular weapon categories.

In the game, Mass Effect: Andromeda, you’ll encounter an advanced and fluid combat system, the best in the series, while keeping the traditional three-member team setup. With a roster of six customizable companions, each with unique skills, there’s a strategic depth to the gameplay, even on this dynamic battlefield. Although crafting a unique, unlimited Ryder build provides more freedom than enhancing characters like Cora Harper, Nakmor Drack, or Vetra Nyx, you retain complete control over their development, making them effective combatants in battles.

7. Tyranny

Memorable Companions From Conflicting Factions

  • Total companions: 6
  • Max active companions: 3

In a similar vein to Obsidian Entertainment’s “Pillars of Eternity” series, the game “Tyranny” employs comparable RPG mechanics but offers a new environment and an innovative approach to morality. Known for its intricate world-building and compelling characters, “Tyranny” presents fewer companions (only six in total) compared to the “Pillars of Eternity” games, yet it gives players ample opportunity to tailor their skills and influence their perspectives and relationships through choices in dialogue and actions.

In the game, characters like Verse, Barik, and Sirin aren’t just well-developed individually, but they also have connections to multiple factions with opposing interests. This makes their interactions more intricate and gives significant importance to the player’s key choices in the narrative.

8. Dragon Age: The Veilguard

A More Dynamic, Combat-Focused RPG With Companion Leveling

  • Total companions: 7
  • Max active companions: 2

Similar to the “Mass Effect” series, each installment in the “Dragon Age” franchise provides opportunities for character advancement and companion customization, with varying levels of complexity. “Origins” comes closest to a Computer Role-Playing Game (CRPG) in terms of character classes and progression, but later games like “Inquisition” adopted a more simplified method. However, the decisions regarding a companion’s skills and traits have consistently been left to the players’ discretion.

In the game titled “Dragon Age: The Veilguard“, the studio innovatively designs distinct advancement paths for each of the seven characters, ranging from scout Harding to the haunted assassin Lucanis. Compared to its predecessors, this game leans more towards action but still allows players to customize their companions’ equipment, choose their passive skills, and determine which Primer and Detonator abilities to utilize in battle.

Read More

2025-03-20 06:07