Summary
- RPGs like Pillars of Eternity 2 allow players to be awful to companions, leading to exits or even death.
- In games like The Outer Worlds, going against companions or factions can have lasting consequences.
- Titles like Tyranny and Baldur's Gate 3 offer players the option to be rude to companions for unique experiences.
Most role-playing games let players interact with a bunch of lovable companions who aid them in their adventures. For the most part, players will love being nice and cordial with their allies, winning their trust and securing a long-lasting friendship in the process.
However, some RPGs allow players to be completely horrid to their companions. This can breed enmity, lead to exits from the party, or can even result in a character's demise if the player doesn't try to help them out. For some gamers, though, this can be an interesting roleplaying challenge. Here are some great games that let players explore the consquences of being awful to NPCs.
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Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire
Some Companions Will Leave If Players Go Against Their Faction
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
- Released
- May 8, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Pillars of Eternity 2 is a great CRPG that takes players on a seafaring adventure. Players explore the Deadfire Archipelago and meet several interesting characters during their travels. This includes a bunch of companions, both returning characters from the previous game and new faces that players will love to interact with. However, if players ignore their companions, fuel animosity, or go against the faction they're aligned with, it can lead to permanent exits and some unhappy companions that won't be okay with what the Watcher did.
The Outer Worlds
Helping The Board Will Anger Everyone
The Outer Worlds
- Released
- October 25, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- RPG
While The Outer Worlds is a short game, the depth of role-playing options encourages players to clock in multiple playthroughs and see the different ways they can tackle the adventure. If players were nice to their party members in one playthrough, then there's nothing stopping them from being rude to them in another one.
Parvati's romance can be stopped, and Vicar Max can be forced into his regimented ways. Ellie will never get the closure from her parents that she deserves, Nyoka will never give a proper sendoff to her fallen comrades, and Felix will forever be deluded about his mentor. To make things worse, players can side with the Board near the end of the game. This will alienate almost every companion and cause them to leave unless players pass a hefty Inspiration check.
Tyranny
It's Almost Impressive How Rude The Protagonist Can Be
Tyranny
- Released
- November 10, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Players who want to be as evil as they possibly can in an RPG without being forced into a less satisfying path will love what Tyranny brings to the table. In a way, making companions fear the protagonist is actually encouraged, especially since it allows players access to unique dialogue options and team moves in combat.
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This is just one of the many reasons why Tyranny is such a unique gem of an RPG that more people need to check out. Even if players are rude to their companions from time to time, they can still help them out and not lose out on their services, which is not something that most other RPGs allow.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
In The Quest To Become A God, Players Can Shelve Other Characters
Divinity: Original Sin 2
- Released
- September 14, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Larian Studios are masters of the modern role-playing genre, and Divinity: Original Sin 2 shows this expertise and then some. The RPG mechanics are expanded quite a bit from the first game.
Players can alienate companions with their actions if they wish. To make matters worse, the Godwoken can fight against each other to the death in the race to attain divinity. It's a brutal plot twist that can only be avoided by specific choices and high approvals for each party member, and meeting those conditions is easier said than done.
Dragon Age: Origins
The Protagonist's Behavior Can Lead To Low Approval Ratings
Dragon Age: Origins
- Released
- November 3, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content
- Genre(s)
- RPG
To this day, many people feel that BioWare is still chasing the lightning they captured with Dragon Age: Origins. The multiple origin stories, amazing role-playing options, and captivating narrative ensured that players would have a blast playing this title.
The future Hero of Ferelden is joined by many companions on their travels, with their Approval meter being tracked throughout the game. As one would expect, this makes it more than viable to be a total jerk to these characters, although they will leave the party if their Approval is too low.
Baldur's Gate 3
Role-Playing Options Include Ways To Berate Allies
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the greatest RPGs of all time, with companion interactions being just one of the many avenues where this title excels. Players will love exploring this amazing title and uncovering a story for the ages with their allies.
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All the companions in Baldur's Gate 3 have unique stories of their own that players will love to uncover, but players don't need to pursue these quests. If players wish, they can outright ignore them and deride their companions if they want, although this will lead to some companions prematurely exiting the party.
Mass Effect 2
Loyalties Can Be Earned, Lost, And Forever Broken
Mass Effect 2
- Released
- January 26, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Third-Person Shooter
Mass Effect 2 expanded the Companion system quite a bit from its predecessor. Each ally that Shepard recruited had a Loyalty trigger that could be enabled by completing their side quests.
However, these loyalties can be broken during arguments if players can't be efficient mediators, or just want to be rude to a particular companion. Players can also accumulate Renegade points by being total jerks to their companions and other people in the world, although this may come back to bite them during the Suicide Mission.
Fallout: New Vegas
Players Can Sell A Companion That Trusts Them To Caesar's Legion
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Fallout: New Vegas is one of the best RPGs of all time, giving players a ton of options to mold the Courier into whatever image they see fit. During their adventures to reach New Vegas, players will find several companions with unique stories of their own. If players want, they can uncover all these stories and help their friends find closure...or they can sell their companions to Caesar's Legion for a tidy sum. This is just one of the many ways players can be total jerks to their companions and make them meet a grisly fate.
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