RPGamer最喜爱的搭档角色

While the main protagonists are always crucial parts of RPGs; in many cases, they wouldn’t be able to achieve their goals without support. In this feature we spend time highlighting some of our favourite characters who have filled supporting roles and act as one of their sidekicks. Sidekicks can come in all sorts of flavours: some actively back up and fight alongside the hero in combat, while others focus more on technical, morale, or knowledge support, with many offering some combination of the above.

We asked the staff to pick out their favourite sidekicks from across the RPG universe. Our definition of “sidekick” is fairly lax; the character need simply be anyone who travels alongside the “main hero”, though any animal sidekicks need to be able to talk in a human language as there’s more than enough animal friends to fill out their own feature. We hope you enjoy reading about our selections and, as always, invite our readers to share their own!

Agrias Oaks (Final Fantasy Tactics)

Sometimes, a sidekick is interesting for a variety of different reasons, and Final Fantasy Tactics’s Agrias Oaks is a great one because of the nuance she represents in Ivalician society, as well as the personal qualities she exhibits in contrast to much of the cast, who comprise Ivalice’s elite society. Despite originally being of a noble house, Agrias lacks much of the pomp and haughtiness expressed by other nobility, being quite down-to-earth and deeply compassionate. She is incredibly loyal and devoted to Princess Ovelia, yet along with her undying fealty, she retains a moral compass and keenness for justice that is rare in the civil war that rages across Ivalice. While Tactics centers on Ramza Beoulve and his exploits, Agrias is not his close friend, nor are they even familiar; rather, she is entirely an ally of circumstance. Despite their separate origins, though, they share a flagrant disregard for their noble backgrounds, and she fits into the company perfectly.

To boot, she is an incredibly powerful ally, being an invaluable unit in Ramza’s company. Her Holy Sword technique absolutely shreds enemies, devastating the battlefield with ease. Agrias’s bark is entirely backed up by her bite, and with proper investment, she remains a strong ally throughout the entirety of Tactics. Beyond her fealty and refreshing moral compass in a world laden with corruption, she just kicks ass, and sometimes, that’s what’s really needed out of a great sidekick. — Jordan McClain

Batholomew Fatima (Xenogears)

Of all the video game sidekicks I could think of, few seemed to be more loyal or cool than Batholomew Fatima, the “young master” himself. Bart joins Fei’s party early in Xenogears, and in addition to being a rock-steady ally to Fei for most of the game, Bart also plays a central role in the game’s satisfying early plot arc.

Xenogears is not a game known for its brevity, and it takes a long time for Fei Fong Wong’s grander story to get cooking, especially in those early hours of the game where Fei’s identity crisis plotline is really just starting to develop. While Xenogears starts laying its copious lore and heady themes on the player, Bart’s early presence is vital to delivering some essential narrative focus. The “young master” is a regular ol’ desert pirate captain with an eye patch, chain whip, and badass sandship. In contrast to Fei, he’s paradoxically more collected AND hotheaded, with absolutely no threshold for the game’s tendency toward plot convolution. Bart also boasts an immediate, tangible personal mission. That mission — regaining his kingdom from its usurpers — is something we can easily follow and root for while most of what develops in the background feels difficult to parse. His relationships with his best friend Sigurd and his cousin, the adorable Margie, also come to represent moments of refreshing, human-focused simplicity against the game’s more dire moments. — Joseph Tingle

Donald and Goofy (Kingdom Hearts)

It’s a bit of a ridiculous notion to make classic cartoon characters cool, right? “Hype moments and aura” feels like an oxymoronic thing to apply to a character like Mickey Mouse, and yet somehow Square Enix managed to pull it off in Kingdom Hearts. Nowhere is this more apparent than with Sora’s travelling companions, Donald Duck and Goofy, taking the traditional RPG roles of Black Mage and Defender respectively. Both characters have a lot of cool abilities, with Goofy able to act as a defensive tank and use his body to deal massive damage to enemies, and Donald being able to summon damaging fireworks and even cast Zettaflare, one of the strongest spells in the Final Fantasy series.

I think what makes both of them so strong is their characterization throughout the series. Donald is, appropriately, a bit of a jerk the entire time. As the series continues, the ways he and Sora are similar are frequently highlighted, such as how they are both susceptible to a trick or how their impulsiveness can get them into trouble. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, it falls on Goofy to be the cool cucumber of the group, though this mostly manifests as him having more common sense than his companions and a more affable demeanor. While the two might not have the biggest role in the series’ lore, especially as the scope continues to balloon, they serve as excellent anchors to the Disney adventure that the series has always been at the core. — Ezra Kinnell

Garrus Vakarian (Mass Effect)

While Shepard is obviously the main hero of the Mass Effect series, they wouldn’t be so without their loyal crewmates and allies, and none is more loyal than Garrus Vakarian. A Turian originally working for Citadel Security but worn down by its bureaucratic elements, he finds his place working alongside Shepard and the freedom to act that Shepard’s position as a Spectre affords. His combat abilities soon lead to him being an indispensable partner to Shepard, with that partnership also helping to rein in Garrus’s frustrations, evidenced by his brief vigilante career before Shepard finds him again in Mass Effect 2.

His loyalty to and partnership with Shepard is shown by how he readily signs up to join Shepard in Mass Effect 2 despite their dubious current employer, and Garrus’s strengths and appeal quickly see him added to the ranks of romance options for a female Shepard. It ultimately gets to a point where Garrus’s role as Shepard’s sidekick hinders him from reaching his true potential, but he is swiftly able to rise the ranks and gain similar respect by the third game, effectively becoming the Turians’ equivalent. Nevertheless, as Shepard themselves states: “There’s no Shepard without Vakarian.” — Alex Fuller

Goombella (Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door)

Goombella, as her name implies, is a Goomba and the first of Mario’s many partners. While she may be blonde and speak a little like a Valley Girl, this Goomba is anything but dumb. She studies archeology at the University of Goom, so she’s quite intelligent. She uses her knowledge, as well as a large book, to Tattle on enemies, making it possible to see enemy HP, look up their stat, and read some additional flavor text. She’s also quite sassy and a bit sarcastic, such as when she Tattles on Bowser and sarcastically tells Mario that he’s only fought him about a bazillion times. While she starts out weak at first, by powering her up and having her learn the Multibonk attack, she can deal some serious damage.

Although one can argue that all of Mario’s partners can be considered sidekicks, Goombella suits the role the best out of all of them, and not just because she joins Mario first. By telling Mario about the Crystal Stars and the titular Thousand Year Door, she introduces him to the game’s main quest as well as his best hope of rescuing Princess Peach from the X-Nauts. She will also very likely be the partner Mario uses the most in and out of battle, as she can give information on locations as well as on NPCs. Her Tattles are not only informative, they are also quite amusing to read. Thus, she is often by Mario’s side. Goombella is even the one to write Mario a letter at the end of the game, serving as an epilogue. She’s perky, friendly (when not being sassy), smart, and unfailingly loyal, all good traits in a sidekick. — Cassandra Ramos

Lune (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)

The cast of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 face a perilous, daunting threat at the beginning of the game: an annihilationist Paintress looms large over the city of Lumière, threatening what remains of humanity. Every year, she wipes out a portion of its denizens of a certain age in an event known as the gommage, with the age gradually decreasing every year. After all of the 33-year-olds are wiped out at the beginning of the game, a group of select 32-year-olds all set out together as Expedition 33, using their remaining year to defeat this existentialist nightmare before humanity bottlenecks into extinction. Countering this menace requires supreme conviction and tenacity, and no member of the expedition represents grit and mettle more than Lune.

As the daughter of researchers who were stolen away by a previous gommage, Lune’s greatest weapon is her knowledge and, paired with her undying commitment to the tenets of the expedition and its mission, she is by far Expedition 33’s most ardent soldier. During some of the party’s lowest moments, Lune is there to remind them: “When one falls, we continue. When one falls. Not if. When.” She is supremely analytical, sometimes to a fault, but her rigid adherence to the expedition’s sworn oaths is what makes her so admirable. Even when the deck seems supremely stacked and doom seems nigh, Lune puts Lumière and its citizens above even her own life, holding fast to the credo “for those who come after” by preparing records for potential future expeditions. Nobody is more devoted to the mission than Lune; she is as ride-or-die as it gets, and for that, she is one of the most admirable sidekicks in recent RPG memory. — Jordan McClain

Nall (Lunar: Silver Star Story)

Nall is the plucky, flying, cat-like creature who grew up in Burg with Alex and Luna. He is always following Alex around on his little adventures. When the day comes that Alex leaves the village to become a dragon master, Nall joins without delay. The two are practically inseparable throughout the adventure, and he is always there to encourage the party.

While Nall doesn’t actively fight in battles, he can randomly revive downed characters, which gives him a special utility outside of being a mascot and cheerleader. When in dire straits, Nall pulls of a miracle, saving the whole team from certain death by activating the white dragon wings and teleporting everyone out of the dungeon.

The biggest and probably most notable miracle that Nall does is turn into a full-on white dragon and flies the party off to the last dungeon and the showdown with the Magic Emperor. He spends the whole game talking about how he is absolutely not a cat with wings and in the final act he proves it. Nall is a big reason that the quest ever even succeeds at all. — Robert Sinclair

Olivier Lenheim (The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky)

If there is one thing that many Japanese RPGs excel at, it’s creating exotic, nonchalant characters who manage to steal the spotlight just by being in the scene. That is certainly the case for Olivier Lenheim, the traveling musician from Erebonia. While his character proves to be much more than it initially appears in the Trails in the Sky games, this account sticks to his time in Liberl, without mentioning his later role and influences across the broader narrative.

From the very first moment Olivier makes his presence felt, singing and crooning ballads to appease the tempers of Bracers and military men alike, you know he’s going to be a memorable character. Granted, there are a few red flags here and there, but overall, he brings a lot to the table whenever he deems to join in, whether through unusual, comedic dialogue or surprisingly sharp sagacity and unexpected depth. What lies behind this façade?

Comic relief characters are a common staple, but one who not only brings smiles and giggles while also leaving us thoughtful, introspective, and more curious than ever about his backstory is rare. Ironically, Olivier is the kind of character who both enriches and diminishes the gameplay experience, because anyone setting off on an adventure through Trails lives in constant hope of seeing him again. And the longer it takes for him to show up, the sadder we get. — Murillo Zerbinatto

Reyn (Xenoblade Chronicles)

Shulk’s best friend at Colony 6, Xenoblade Chronicles’s Reyn fills the stereotypical sidekick role with aplomb. His first contribution to the story demonstrates his impulsiveness by picking up and being unable to control the plot-driving sword known as the Monado. His lack of book smarts also allows him to act in the audience surrogate role and help introduce players to some of the ins and outs of the setting.

He may not always have a deep understanding of events, but is passionate and supportive in equal measure. He doesn’t hesitate to join Shulk when he embarks on his quest to seek revenge for the attack on Colony 6. However, while being impulsive himself, he is often the one to stop others getting carried away with their emotions, and ultimately acts as the glue that holds the party together in many ways, including being the butt of jokes.

Reyn is definitely not the most important character in the game, but his contributions ensure that those who are able to fulfill their roles and come out intact. His fierce loyalty is what nets him his character development as he goes from being impulsive to a strong guardian that his friends can always rely on to protect them as well as he can. And if nothing else, with Reyn around, one can be sure of what time it is. — Alex Fuller

Sylvando (Dragon Quest XI)

If there is one person in Dragon Quest XI who can bring a smile to the face of even the most miserable person in Erdrea, it is Sylvando. A travelling performer with the training of a knight, Sylvando joins the Luminary’s journey because he wants to make people happy while helping defeat the forces threatening the world. His infectious optimism makes him one of the party’s biggest personalities, but there is considerably more to him than meets the eye. Sylvando is fiercely loyal to his friends and has a strong desire to help people, even when doing so has nothing to do with the party’s immediate goal.

Much of Sylvando’s character revolves around his relationship with his father, Don Rodrigo, a legendary knight who always expected his son to follow in his footsteps. Sylvando instead chose a life as an entertainer after discovering his passion for making people smile, creating a conflict between the two. His determination to follow his own path gives his character more depth than his cheerful exterior might suggest, especially as he continues to prove that being a performer does not make him any less courageous or compassionate. Sylvando’s kindness and loyalty always come across as genuine, and his relationship with his father adds a more grounded side to his character.

What makes Sylvando such a good sidekick is the way he brings something completely different to the Luminary’s journey. He is often the person keeping spirits high when things become difficult, but he is never reduced to comic relief. His compassion and willingness to help others make him one of the emotional anchors of the party, while his own struggles give that optimism a foundation. Sylvando may be flamboyant, but beneath all of that is someone the party can always count on. A good sidekick should make the hero’s journey better simply by being there, and Sylvando accomplishes exactly that. — Imani Jones

Tenebrae (Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World)

Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World’s Tenebrae is the Centurion of Darkness, one of the elemental animalesque servants of the Summon Spirit Ratatosk. As Ratatosk’s most faithful retainer, Tenebrae guides Emil and Marta on their journey to reawaken the Summon Spirit in order to restore the balance of mana and return the irregular climate back to normal. Tenebrae is very important to the story, forming a trio with Emil and Marta while the cast of the first Tales of Symphonia join and leave the party as the story progresses. Despite this importance, he is not a main character. While he would likely scoff at the idea of being the dual protagonists’ sidekick, he fits the bill to a T. Tenebrae is a non-combatant and usually serves as the party’s source of exposition. He did make a pact with Emil to turn him into a Knight of Ratatosk, and he does provide advice, sometimes even good advice. What he loves to do, though, is to tease people (mainly Emil) and make bad puns.

Tenebrae is the very definition of a deadpan snarker, so much so that fellow Centurion Aqua calls him “Spiteful Tenebrae”. He especially finds Marta’s infatuation with Emil hilarious and pretends to be shocked that they’ve already held hands. When Marta undergoes major character development and Emil starts falling for her in return, Tenebrae teases him more by saying that he misses Marta’s constant declarations of “I love you” and wants her to be more cuddly. He also has no qualms about making other characters mad at Emil by putting words in his mouth. Tenebrae does get his comeuppance sometimes, such as when he made a pun about sighing so bad that Genis and Raine attacked him with Prism Stars.

For all of his trolling and punning, though, Tenebrae is a good friend to Emil and Marta. Early in the game, when Emil is too afraid to confront the Vanguard and Marta goes by herself, Tenebrae tells him that he sent her to her death, spurring him on. There are other instances late in the game when he consoles both Marta and Emil. He even saves Emil’s life by taking away a self-destructing monster, allowing himself to blow up instead of the boy. Fortunately, Tenebrae just had to be reawakened at his altar in the Temple of Darkness. He may be spiteful at times, but Tenebrae is the best sidekick Emil and Marta could have asked for. — Cassandra Ramos

Vivi (Final Fantasy IX)

Final Fantasy IX’s Vivi is perhaps the series’ most quintessential sidekick. Even before meeting the other main characters, his first actions in the game see him becoming Puck’s sidekick in his attempt to see the opening play being put on by Tantalus at Alexandria. Events conspire to bring him into the events revolving around the main protagonist, Zidane, where he soon becomes a key supportive player to many of the game’s characters, while his innocence and shyness help act as a balance to the party, encouraging their protectiveness and morality.

That’s not to say he isn’t a strong character in his own right. He receives more than his fair share of character development as he learns more about himself and his fellow Black Mages and has to deal with the revelations. But despite all the tribulations he goes through, he is always doing his best and supporting his comrades, acting in stark contrast to the game’s main villain. His supportive role is shown not just in the story, but in the game’s combat mechanics, where he is able to work in tandem with Steiner to apply magical effects to the knight’s sword attacks. As sidekicks go, Vivi is easily among the most endearing. — Alex Fuller

Wakka (Final Fantasy X)

When Tidus first washes ashore on Besaid Island at the beginning of Final Fantasy X, Wakka is the first person he meets. Having lived on Besaid Island his entire life, Wakka has a very narrow view of the world, but his understanding of local Spiran customs and religion is what helps Tidus gradually understand the new world he finds himself in. As a strict adherent of Yevon, the dominant religion of Spira, he is closed-minded and skeptical of anything Yevon declares forbidden.

What makes Wakka such a good sidekick is how complex and real he is, even if some elements of his character are often extremely distasteful early on. Due to his younger brother, Chappu, being killed by machina, Wakka dislikes technology and harbors a grievance against the mechanically adept Al Bhed, which frequently manifests in outright racism. Part of Wakka’s initial fondness for Tidus stems from his resemblance to Chappu, and much of his character growth centers on grappling with the anguish of his brother’s death. Wakka is also fiercely loyal to his childhood friend, Yuna, the summoner deuteragonist of the game, and because of his steadfast loyalty as a guardian and genuinely large heart, he eventually overcomes his biases as he sees more of the world and wholeheartedly apologizes for his behavior later in the pilgrimage.

Unfortunate as it may be, grief often consumes people, and prejudice and hatred can easily form, especially when adhering to dogmatism. Nevertheless, Wakka is a testament to how leaving a bubble, experiencing the world, and retaining both compassion and personal loyalty can lead to overcoming humanity’s worst aspects. — Jordan McClain

Yangus (Dragon Quest VIII)

It’s a right thing, innit, guv? If any one character could claim to be the heart and soul of Dragon Quest VIII, it would be Yangus. Squat, bulky, and irascible, the man couldn’t be more down-to-earth if he were actual dirt. But his place in the party and in the narrative is essential, because he speaks where the protagonist cannot. Dragon Quest has always stood by the Silent Hero paradigm, but like any good sidekick, Yangus just won’t shut up when things need saying. He’s always at the hero’s side, except when he’s watching his back, and he remains a sure and certain presence throughout the run of the game.

Like most everyone else in Dragon Quest VIII, he’s also been localized into a very British accent, in this case sort-of-Cockney. It matches well with his lowbrow, almost thuggish Japanese accent characterization while providing the perfect way to address the hero without worrying about whatever name the player gave him. Oy, guv. We done fair well, din’t we? — Michael Baker

Once again, we hope you enjoyed reading about our favourite RPG sidekicks. Please us know let your picks on social media and in the comments!

The post RPGamer’s Favourite Sidekicks appeared first on RPGamer.