7 Games With Companion Characters Almost Good As Baldur’s Gate 3’s

By now, many of us can recognize the main companions from Baldur’s Gate 3 on sight, even if we’ve never played the game. Long before I created my first Tav, I knew and loved Astarion, Shadowheart, and the crew. Even with multiplayer crossplay available in Baldur’s Gate 3, many of us don’t want to lose the fun of adventuring with the game’s phenomenal cast of characters. But as much as BG3 perfects the party combat concept with truly memorable characters, it didn’t invent video game companions. In fact, there are plenty of games to turn to if you’re looking for more solid companion characters to know and love.

From the voice acting to the sheer number of potential storylines, not to mention the romance of it all, Baldur’s Gate 3 companions deliver something special. But video game side characters and companions have been stealing hearts for decades. If you’re looking for another game with a well-crafted and interesting cast of side characters, these 7 will deliver.

7. Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 earns a mention for its unique approach to companions. In this game, players create their own custom companion, known as a Pawn. The rest of the party is filled out by 2 additional Pawn characters pulled from other Dragon’s Dogma 2 players. Naturally, this adds a potential chaos component that many gamers appreciate.

These characters are unique, ethereal beings whose purpose is to serve the Arisen (you). In that regard, they aren’t exactly fully fledged personalities like the companions in Baldur’s Gate 3. But that’s by design, falling into part of the game’s lore, and your Pawns will be your loyal companions as you explore the game’s world. Plus, though they’re no Shadowheart or Lae’zel, they do have some entertaining commentary to throw in at times.

6. Hogwarts Legacy

No matter which house you’re sorted into, Hogwarts Legacy lets you encounter a variety of characters as you explore its open world. This game has several side characters who’ll offer nearly endless companion quests, letting you get to know them as you explore Hogwarts and beyond. They don’t quite stick with you to the end the way your core team in Baldur’s Gate 3 does, but those companion quests are still a great way to get to know your fellow Hogwarts students.

The game offers several interesting NPCs, but most major storylines are dedicated to a few key characters – Sebastian from Slytherin, Natsai from Gryffindor, Poppy from Hufflepuff, and Amit from Ravenclaw. Each character’s story links into the lore of their house, and you’ll uncover new magic as you complete their questlines. Alas, there’s no romance in Hogwarts Legacy, so there will be no falling for your fellow students, just befriending them.

5. Pillars of Eternity 

Much like Baldur’s Gate 3, Pillars of Eternity offers several companions across different class options. Unlike Baldur’s Gate 3, some of the game’s companion options are locked behind paid DLC. But even so, there are several interesting characters to round out your party in combat and help flesh out the game’s story in interesting ways.

Some party members are more integral to the story than others, and each has their own unique personality. In particular, this game’s companions have fun banter that’s similar to the random chatter players enjoy in BG3. A few favorites include Eder, Durance, and Hiravias, but it’s well worth spending a bit of time getting to know all of the game’s companions before settling on your party makeup. There’s no romance in the first Pillars of Eternity, but if you simply must be able to smooch your party members, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire adds the option to romance a few key characters.

4. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous walked so that Baldur’s Gate 3 could use the dash action. The game uses a similar party makeup and combat system, and your chosen companions will come with you through it all. Like BG3, the game offers more than enough companion options to fill out a full party. In total, there are 12 main companion characters in the game.

To craft a truly balanced party, you’ll want a mix of companions who can support you in combat. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t fan favorites with particularly entertaining personalities and backstories. Dearen, Regill, Woljiif, and Ember are particularly favorites for pure entertainment value. But whoever you choose, you’re getting a party makeup filled with interesting and nuanced characters who aren’t just filler for combat. And yes, you can romance some of the companions.

3. Final Fantasy 10

When I think of games with a compelling cast of side characters I wanted to get to know, it’s hard not to immediately jump to Final Fantasy 10. Tidas joins Yuna and her Guardians on their journey to Zanarkand, forming a party that’s inherently designed to stick together. You’ll choose three characters to form your fighting party, but you get to know every one of your travelling companions through the course of the game.

The entire crew in Final Fantasy 10 is well fleshed out and each has their own distinct personality and fighting style. They offer interesting options in battle and are the driving force behind the game’s story. In this story, you’re not a custom protagonist, so you can’t exactly control the love story here, but there are a few entanglements to appreciate as you travel.

2. Dragon Age: Inquisition

The Dragon Age franchise is known and beloved for its compelling side characters, and Inquisition is a solid example. The game features 9 different companion options to choose from, with varying degrees of significance to the overarching plot. Each character has their own personality and story, making this a great game to sink into getting to know your fellow heroes.

Players love to debate which companions are best both in battle and in terms of overall character development. However, Solas, Varric, Dorian, and Cassandra are particular favorites. The game does allow for romances, but your options will be somewhat limited based on the character you play, as each companion has specific preferences. Each dateable character has their own storyline that goes along with romance, and there are friendship stories to enjoy, as well.

1. Divinity: Original Sin 2

It’s no surprise that another Larian game offers some compelling companions akin to those in Baldur’s Gate 3. In Divinity: Original Sin 2, players will meet a total of six companions to choose from. You’ll only be able to keep three active companions at a time, and the game does eventually lock you into the selected party. Even so, each companion option is a well-written and compelling character you’ll want to get to know, making this a solid game for party mechanics.

Each potential party member has some impact on the plot, but a few are definitely more integral than others. There’sa always subsequent playthroughts for getting to experiene every story, but many players like Fane, Ifan, and Lohse for their connectinos to the main story and generally compelling personalities. Like Baldur’s Gate 3, the game doesn’t limit your romance options based on your character’s race or gender. Instead, you’ll simply woo your chosen companion via dialogue and choices along the way. In all, this companion experience will be most similar to Baldur’s Gate 3, espeically as the game is made by the same developer.