Tifa – Final Fantasy VII
This first RPG party member may be a pretty controversial pick for some especially if you’re #teamAerith. However, I think we can all agree that Tifa is an absolute sweetheart with a heart of gold.
She’s caring, loving, and she can pack a crazy punch when she needs to. Having her in your party in Final Fantasy VII is a joy both in gameplay and in general because she’s that encouraging little light everyone needs.
With Final Fantasy VII Remake’s release, we’ve been given more Tifa content and we’re happy to say that she’s still just as sweet and endearing as in the original game.
Garrus Vakarian – Mass Effect Series
Whether he’s your space boyfriend and/or best friend, Garrus has your back. He’s once of the few squad members within the entire Mass Effect series that continually sticks with Shepard with absolutely no hesitation.
Garrus is the literal definition of a ride or die friend and it’s been great to see his growth from a by the books police officer to an angry, disgruntled vigilante who loves to make snarky jokes.
He always has the best commentary when he’s in your party especially since he’s just a big pile of sarcastic and sassy remarks. Additionally, he’s a very useful and versatile team member throughout the series so you’re getting a package deal whenever you pick him for your team.
He’s also the best space boyfriend out there. Don’t @ me.
Ignis, Gladio, and Prompto – Final Fantasy XV
Okay, technically we’ve smushed three people into one entry but in Final Fantasy XV, you can’t talk about Noctis without mentioning all of the boys. Unlike a lot of other games, these are party members you can’t move add and remove whenever you like. They are a package deal.
Though, honestly there’s not much you’d want to change about them. Noctis’ ride or dies each have their unique personalities, skill sets, and commentary that alone make them individually great.
However, one of the best things Final Fantasy XV has done is create a truly authentic and realistic camaraderie between the four of them. When they’re all together, the game really does feel like a peaceful road trip among best friends.
Personally, Ignis is my absolute favorite but having all three of these guys together in your party creates a very unique and warm atmosphere that Final Fantasy XV has somehow perfected.
Riku – Kingdom Hearts Series
One of the main protagonists of Kingdom Hearts, Riku is a character that has gone through some wild character development. Granted, everyone in Kingdom Hearts has gone through some crazy character development at some point but Riku’s personal growth is incredibly admirable.
His slow climb from his fall to darkness has been an emotional roller coaster that many of us have followed from the very beginning. Even then, Riku has always been a passionate and headstrong person that you can’t help but fall in love with.
Especially in Kingdom Hearts 3, having him as a party member is always a wonderful experience because his skillset and combat style is such a contrast to Sora’s.
Riku’s one of the core characters within Kingdom Hearts and we can’t wait to see what the series has in store for him next.
Carth Onasi – Knights of the Old Republic
Knights of the Old Republic is among the all-time great RPGs. Among other great things within the game, we are allowed to meet Carth Onasi, a colorful character that’s hard to not love.
He’s passionate, sassy, snarky, and he always has something to say. He’s that party member that says what he’s thinking and the type that doesn’t apologize for anything.
Even though Carth is the definition of intense, he’s also incredibly loyal, heroic, and caring. He’s a bit rough around the edges but that is all a part of his charm.
Dogmeat(s) – Fallout Series
The next RPG party member entry belongs to none other than the goodest boys of Fallout. All the Dogmeats (and Rex) are equally adorable, mischievous, and dangerous. In this post-apocalyptic world, it’s not easy for a dog to survive, or anyone really, so it says a lot about these dogs when we find them doing relatively alright for themselves.
Without fail and without hesitation, these dogs will tag along with you and treat you like they’ve known you their whole lives. They’re fiercely loyal, protective, smart, and they don’t need words to tell you how much they love you.
And, just like real life dogs, they understand you in a way that humans just can’t. Protectiveness goes both ways and there’s no doubt you’d throw hands with someone John Wick style if they hurt your boy.
Sylvando – Dragon Quest XI
The Dragon Quest series has been around for a really long time. Because of that, players have encountered many different party members. Most recently in Dragon Quest XI, Sylvando has become an iconic character.
He’s energetic, ridiculously intense, funny, sassy, and weirdly a charmer. Sylvando seems like the type of person you can only handle in bursts and short amounts but he’s actually strangely likable even though he’s always cranked to a volume of 100.
He always has something to say and you know it’s going to be something memorable.
Sylvando also looks like he’s perpetually judging everyone he ever looks at and I’m here for it.
Frog – Chrono Trigger
You can encounter different versions and types of frogs all over video games but you probably don’t often see a frog knight. Chrono Trigger has plenty of colorful characters but nothing compares to Frog.
Honestly, his name says it all. He’s a frog and he’s a knight. Granted, he’s not actually a frog and this is more his cursed form but it is still a rather memorable appearance.
Other than being an amphibian, Frog is a rather complex character who is both incredibly chivalrous and easily frightened. Throughout the game, he struggles with his past and personal problems so when we finally see him come to terms with the traumatic events he’s experienced, it’s very satisfying.
Dorian Pavus – Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition has a lot going on for it, but I think we can all agree that one of the more positive aspects of the game is its inclusion of so many diverse and interesting party members. They’re all incredibly unique with their own lore and story but there’s just something about Dorian Pavus that makes him so memorable.
He’s intellectual, snarky, overly confident, and he loves to push people’s buttons. He’s that person that just flourishes at a party or that type that has everyone’s eyes on them the moment they step into a room.
Whether it’s a positive or negative one, Dorian leaves an impression on people. He also has a killer mustache that doesn’t budge an inch.
Dragon Age 4 better include a lot more of Dorian or we’re rioting.
Kanji – Persona 4
The Persona series has a lot of unique and interesting characters and party members. That’s one of the best things about it. In particular, Kanji from Persona 4 is one of those RPG party members that you can’t ever forget.
Seemingly like your stereotypical high school anime delinquent, Kanji is actually a complex character that intentionally maintains a macho facade to hide his true feelings and demeanor. He has insecurities about his masculinity, anxieties, and fears of not being accepted by society.
There’s a depth to Kanji that you don’t often find in other video game characters and you can’t help but root for him on his journey towards accepting himself.
Even then, Kanji is also passionate, impulsive, and a sweetheart at times. Having him in your party is just an absolute blast.
Tear Grants – Tales of the Abyss
Love it or hate it, Tales of the Abyss is defined by the characters you can play as and have in your party. One of these characters happens to be Tear Grants, the initially aloof and emotionally distant fonist with the voice of an angel.
Like nearly all of the characters in the game, Tear has a past that has affected who she is when we encounter her in the game. Her reserved and cold attitude is a result of adopting the mannerisms of her mentor.
Hidden behind that exterior is a sweet and caring girl who loves cute things and protecting her friends. This kind of double identity is one of the reasons a lot of us find her endearing.
Tear is also unique in the fact that her fighting technique and spells are all styled around singing and hymns. So, whenever she’s in the party, your gameplay experience will include some pleasing sounds.
9S – Nier: Automata
Our final RPG party member is 9S, the bubbly and passionate sidekick to the cool and collected 2B. Despite being incredibly dense with lots of lore and story, Nier: Automata only has a handful of characters you get to know. However, these characters are beautifully written and you’ll end up quickly loving them as you play through the game.
9S is the bright and sweet counterpart to the main protagonist and he’s that type of person that just lights up. In a world that’s starkly depressing and broken, he stays kind, curious, and loving. He’s that kind of person that blinds you with his smile.
Granted, as the story progresses, he loses himself and starts to act unlike the sweet boy we know and love but this is a twisted result of all the love and kindness he has in his heart for 2B.
Regardless, having him in the party is always welcome. He lightens the moods, brings smiles to people’s faces, and he’s just downright adorable.
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