Summary
- Games like A Way Out, Titanfall 2, and Persona 4 masterfully integrate themes of friendship into gameplay and storytelling.
- The emotional depth of friendships in games like Danganronpa and Mass Effect 2 enhances the narrative and player experience.
- Titles such as Undertale and Pyre offer unique gameplay experiences that emphasize forming bonds with characters for compelling storytelling.
Character-driven storylines have taken over gaming, with players appreciating how fleshed-out the protagonist and their friends are in well-written games. These games will use the friendships developed in these titles to serve as the motivation for various conflicts as players try their hardest to keep these bonds intact.
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The best video games around know how to use the themes of friendship to augment both gameplay and storytelling, turning these titles into must-plays in the eyes of many. If players want to enjoy a great and impactful bond in their games, then these titles will be right up their alley.
Games will be ranked based on how important themes of friendship are to the core experience.
8 A Way Out
The Bond Between The Characters Plays A Huge Role In The Gameplay
A Way Out
- Released
- March 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Co-op gaming is a great way to either test or strengthen the bonds of friendship, and nowhere is this more apparent than in A Way Out. Players take on the role of two convicts who decide to team up and escape a prison, leading to a fun, action-packed adventure full of numerous engaging set pieces.
A Way Out has its issues, what with the hamfisted storytelling and some unimaginative gameplay segments, but the themes of friendship are handled brilliantly here. All of this leads to a shocking final act, where the bonds of friendship between both the characters and the players are tested in a bombastic finale.
7 Titanfall 2
Jack And BT's Bond Is Surprisingly Strong And Emotional
Titanfall 2
- Released
- October 28, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Respawn Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Most people would scoff at the idea of befriending a machine, which is what makes Titanfall 2's campaign so special. The game is a massive improvement over its predecessor, with Respawn Entertainment showing just how strong their writing talent is.
The bond between Jack and BT grows organically, becoming the beating heart of this amazing campaign. Fans can't help but shed tears at the emotional climax, making it clear why so many players hate the fact that this game will never receive a sequel.
6 Persona 4
Even For A JRPG, The Themes Of Friendship Run Rampant In This Game
Persona 4
- Released
- July 10, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Atlus
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- PS2, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Switch, PS Vita
Almost every JRPG focuses on themes of friendship, but it's the realistic writing and engrossing dungeon design of Persona 4 that makes it such a blast to play through. Players explore various labyrinths in the TV World that are formed from the deepest insecurities of would-be victims who eventually join the party.
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It helps that the Social Links, coupled with some strong writing, ensure that the bonds in Persona 4 feel stronger than ever. As one would expect, the protagonist is on the verge of defeat against the final boss, only to recall the bonds he shares with the people of Inaba as he manages to neutralize the threat of Izanami and remove the fog from Inaba once and for all.
5 Undertale
Players Are Encouraged To Form Friendships With Monsters And Embark On The Pacifist Route
Undertale
- Released
- September 15, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Undertale is one of the most charming indie games ever made, in no small part because of its imaginative gameplay and excellent writing. Interactions with other characters are both hilarious and endearing, making fans feel emotional at the end of an unforgettable experience.
This is especially true in the Pacifist Ending, where players must befriend every enemy and boss they encounter to unlock this ending path. The final fight sees players befriending an enemy who is consumed by hate, with Asriel Dreemurr eventually calming down as he realizes that he doesn't need to be alone anymore.
4 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
The Friendly Bonds Between Characters Make The Eventual Betrayals More Emotional
DanganRonpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
- Released
- November 25, 2010
- ESRB
- m // Blood, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Spike
Danganronpa is one of the best murder-mystery games players can get their hands on, in no small part because of the emotional stakes involved. A group of high schoolers are forced into a killing game where they must figure out the killer in a Class Trial or die trying, causing friendships to fracture as people start accusing each other.
To avoid this mass panic, Makoto must solve the case and uncover crucial information to eventually figure out the culprit. Despite this twisted premise, there are genuinely heartfelt moments in this title, with players having the time to spend their Free Time with other students to deepen their bond too.
3 Pyre
The Narrator Becomes Friends With Exiles, Forcing Them To Make Hard Decisions
Pyre
- Released
- July 25, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Tobacco Reference, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Pyre's novel concept makes it both a boon and a curse to bond with the Exiles stuck in purgatory. While these characters end up being valuable in the Rites, players will also sympathize with their need to return to the surface world after a point.
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This can make it harrowing for players to send away their favorite characters since that will make future Rites harder to deal with. It's this unique twist on the idea of friendship that makes Pyre a blast to play through.
2 Mass Effect 2
Without Forming Friendships And Gaining A Squadmate's Loyalty, Their Life Will Be In Jeopardy At The End
Mass Effect 2
- Released
- January 26, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
Mass Effect 2 is one of the greatest video games ever made, with a reconstructed Commander Shepard being tasked with gathering a squad to deal with the Collectors. Each squadmate has a personal story that players can get invested in, compelling them to complete certain side quests to deepen their friendship.
This is a necessity if players don't want to lose their allies during the Suicide Mission since a lack of loyalty will cause certain squadmates to fall in combat. It's a nerve-wracking finale that tests the bonds between Shepard and his squadmates, leading to arguably the most emotional finale in the series.
1 Final Fantasy 15
The Bond Between The Main Cast Serves As The Heart Of This Flawed Yet Lovable Title
Final Fantasy 15
- Released
- November 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
As unfinished and puzzling as Final Fantasy 15 may be, the game boasts a ton of heart and has become a fan-favorite in the eyes of many. The biggest reason why fans love Final Fantasy 15 stems from the bond shared between the main cast, with every piece of banter cementing their relationship in the eyes of players.
Noctis, Ignis, Gladio, and Prompto are four of the closest friends in Final Fantasy history, with these characters going to hell and back together. The strength of this bond is why fans can't help but weep openly at the end of a memorable experience, flawed as it may be.
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