The best NPCs

15 days ago, by Enzo

Heroes would be nothing without those around them. Be it merchants, allies, guides, companions, or simply inhabitants of the world, NPCs (or non-player characters) bring virtual worlds to life and make every adventure more believable. Some have become true icons thanks to their personalities, their dialogue, or their role in the story. Without further ado, here’s a selection of the best video game NPCs, the ones we’re always happy to run into… or the ones we’ll never get to forget.

The iconic mascot of Borderlands 2, Claptrap is a robot who’s as annoying as he is endearing. Always ready to help despite his legendary incompetence, he’s constantly spouting absurd one-liners and getting into comical situations. His unique sense of humor has made him one of the most recognizable NPCs of the past twenty years. Decapitated he may be, but still as talkative as ever, Mimir’s head accompanies Kratos and Atreus in God of War on their journey. He constantly gives more depth to the adventure with anecdotes about Norse mythology and valuable advice, and his sense humor contrasts perfectly with Kratos’s seriousness.

It’s impossible to talk about iconic NPCs without mentioning the mysterious Merchant from Resident Evil 4. With his famous line, "What are ya buyin’?", he accompanies Leon throughout his journey, offering weapons, upgrades, and essential items. His charisma, his unintentional humor, and his omnipresence make him one of the most famous merchants in video game history so far.

Speaking of Red Dead Redemption 2, Dutch’s gang members make up an exceptional cast of NPCs. Each has their own personality, habits, and arc throughout the story, making it feel like you’re living alongside real people. Few games manage to create such a believable and endearing group.

A faithful companion to the Master Chief in the Halo series, Cortana is much more than just an AI. She guides the player, provides a wealth of information about the universe, and develops a touching relationship with the main character. Her evolution throughout the series makes her one of the most memorable NPCs when it comes to the FPS genre.

Now let’s turn to the animals. Meatball, the faithful dog from Fallout 4, accompanies the player on their aventures all over the Commonwealth. He detects objects, attacks enemies, and always stays by the survivor’s side. His loyalty makes him one of the franchise’s most beloved companions. In Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Rocket constantly accompanies Star-Lord without being directly controllable. His biting humor, his constant bickering with the rest of the team, and his loyalty ultimately make him particularly endearing. He brings as much emotion as he does levity to the adventure.

In The Alters, the various alternate versions of Jan Dolski are all controlled by the AI and act as NPCs. Each has its own personality, regrets, and worldview, offering particularly deep dialogue and unusual situations to navigate. Their characterization contributes significantly to the game’s story.

The best NPCs do more than just hand out quests or sell equipment: they play a full role in shaping a game’s identity. Through their personalities, their dialogue, and the bonds they form with the hero, they make every adventure more believable and memorable. Whether they make you laugh, cry, or think, these characters prove that supporting roles can sometimes steal the spotlight from the protagonists themselves.