History Main / NonPlayerCompanion

* Navi the fairy to Link in ''TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime''.
** A staple of the series, with Tatl in ''TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'', the King of Red Lions in ''TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', Midna in ''TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', Zelda in ''TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'' and Fi in ''TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword''

* ''VideoGame/StarWarsRepublicCommando'' has not one, but three stable AI companions, each with a unique specialization and abilities (demolitions, sniper, and hacker).

[[folder:Puzzle]]
* Wheatley takes this role at several points during the first half of ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'', and [[spoiler:[=GLaDOS=], in the form of a potato battery]] takes this place for almost all of the second half.

A NonPlayerCharacter who sticks with the PlayerCharacter throughout the game and usually has complementary skills (e.g. if you [[ActionHero handle all the fighting]], they may be a StealthExpert or a ScienceHero) and a [[{{Foil}} contrasting personality]] to the player character.

[[folder:Action-Adventure]]

* In the original campaign of ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' 1 you can hire a companion from a selection representing every base class in the game. In fact it can be advantageous to hire them all in turn, if you can spare the gold, since each one has a quest for a ''PlotToken'' which will earn you a useful magic item if you find the item and give it to your companion. You can only have one companion at a time but you can re-hire a former companion for no further cost.

[[folder:First-Person Shooter]]

* Issun from ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}. Mostly, he acts as [[SilentProtagonist your]] voice and PluckyComicRelief, but you can also get him to [[KleptomaniacHero steal stuff off of enemies]] after gaining a certain ability.

* ''VideoGame/DiabloII'' series introduced the henchmen system, which allows you to hire a companion in all but one towns, though only one can follow you at any time. The companion can LevelUp and be equipped with better gear, but does not replace the PlayerParty, which consists of other players' characters online.

* ''VideoGame/CallOfJuarezBoundInBlood'' plays with this trope by allowing you to choose whether to play as [[GlassCannon Thomas]] or [[MightyGlacier Ray]] before each level, while the other brother is controlled by the AI. Both are equally important to the plot.

* The second installment of the ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}} II'' series introduced the henchmen system, which allows you to hire a companion in all but one towns, though only one can follow you at any time. The companion can LevelUp and be equipped with better gear, but does not replace the PlayerParty, which consists of other players' characters online.

* Similarly, ''VideoGame/SpecOpsTheLine'' has two AI companions following the player, one specializing in explosive ordnance and one, in marksmanship.

A NonPlayerCharacter who sticks with the PlayerCharacter throughout the game and usually has complementary skills (e.g. if you [[ActionHero handle all the fighting]], they may be a StealthExpert or a ScienceHero) and a [[{{Foil}} contrasting personality]] to the player character.

* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'' has five unique companions in each class-specific storyline. Although they are discovered and recruited akin to a PlayerParty in single-player games, you can only bring one along at any time.

* Miles "Tails" Prower to Sonic in VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2.
* Yamato the dog to Joe Musashi in VideoGame/ShadowDancer.
* Navi the fairy to Link in TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime.

* Yamato the dog to Joe Musashi in VideoGame/Shadowdancer.

* ''VideoGame/CallOfJuarez: Bound in Blood'' plays with this trope by allowing you to choose whether to play as [[GlassCannon Thomas]] or [[MightyGlacier Ray]] before each level, while the other brother is controlled by the AI. Both are equally important to the plot.

* Rui in ''PokemonColosseum'', who tags along with Wes to alert him to Shadow Pokemon.

A NonPlayerCharacter who sticks with the PlayerCharacter throughout the game and usually has complementary skills (e.g. if you [[ActionHero handle all the fighting]], they may be a StealthExpert or a ScienceHero) and a [[{{Foil}} contrasting personality]] to the player character.

[[AC:Action-Adventure]]

[[AC:First-Person Shooter]]

[[AC:Simulation Game]]

[[AC:Role-Playing Game]]
* ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}} II'' introduced the henchmen system, which allows you to hire a companion in all but one towns, though only one can follow you at any time. The companion can LevelUp and be equipped with better gear, but does not replace the PlayerParty, which consists of other players' characters online.

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SuperTrope to ManualLeaderAIParty (found in many [=RPGs=]) and AssistCharacter (found mainly in FightingGames). See CompanionCube for when the "companion" is an inanimate object (and hence has little AI) and AttackDrone for when the AI ally lacks personality and only has combat functions.

SuperTrope to ManualLeaderAIParty. See CompanionCube for when the "companion" is an inanimate object (and hence has little AI) and AttackDrone for when the AI ally lacks personality and only has combat functions.