History TrueCompanions / VideoGames

* ''VideoGame/FatalFury'' has a few, which led into ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' series. First and foremost, the [[BadassFamily Bogard brothers]], [[GratuitousEnglish Terry]] and [[McNinja Andy]] Bogard, [[Creator/NobuyukiHiyama Joe]] [[HotBlooded Higashi]], and [[{{Stripperific}} Mai]] [[HighlyVisibleNinja Shiranui]]. We also have the Hero Team with [[KillItWithFire Kyo]] [[HotBlooded Kusanagi]], [[ShockAndAwe Benimaru]] [[MrFanservice Nikaido]], and [[MightyGlacier Goro]] [[DishingOutDirt Daimon]]. From the Ikari Team, [[ColonelBadass Colonel]] Heidern, [[BadassNormal Ralf]] [[GoodOldFisticuffs Jones]], [[CoolShades Clark]] [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower Still]], [[TheStoic Leona]] [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Heidern]] and [[WhipItGood Whip]]. And one evil example, The [[TheSyndicate Howard Connection]], Consisting of [[SNKBoss Geese]] Howard, [[TheDragon Billy]] [[SimpleStaff Kane]], [[LightningBruiser Raiden]], well [[HeelFaceRevolvingDoor sometimes]], and much later, Kain [[RedEyesTakeWarning Heinlein]].

** The ''StreetFighter'' series adds Rose. ([[FanPreferredCouple Though fandom would say otherwise.]])

* The ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' series, since its inception, has had a particular group who are DEFINED by their loyalty: the Warriors of Sunlight. The role of players belinging to this covenant revolves around [[MemeticMutation jolly cooperation]], helping any player who summons one of them with more energy and [[HeroicSacrifice self-sacrifice]] than any other group. The NPC that represents them, Solaire of Astora, is also widely loved as the most loyal ally you can find in any of the games, being able to be summoned in many difficult battles (including the final battle) and always treating the NPC with friendliness and enthusiasm to help. The Sunlight Covenant is the only covenant that has been available for membership in every game in the series, and [[FanNickname Sunbro]] players take their membership to the covenant seriously.

* Numerous ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'' characters have formed what are probably the most bizarre crews of true companions in existence, a combination of a regular dysfunctional family, disgruntled employees, and a BadassCrew that will brutalise anyone that ''dares'' harm any of their fellows. Let's analyze them one by one.

** Definitely with Gat. The Boss leaps into action as soon as they learn about his murder trial in ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'', and in The Trouble with Clones in ''VideoGame/Saints RowTheThird''. There's no question the Saints are going to go help Johnny Tag, even though he's a flawed clone of Gat and not actually him, and in ''VideoGame/SaintsRowIV, as soon as there's even a whiff of a chance that Gat is bouncing around inside the Zin Matrix, The Boss demands to go after him. So much so in fact, The Boss nearly beats Matt to a pulp just for questioning whether this was a good idea.

%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order.

* ''VideoGame/ExitFate'': To varying degrees, the Elysium Army -- particularily [[TheHero Daniel]], Ljusalf and [[BodyguardCrush Ayara]], who join together early on. At one point, when you've amassed many followers and generals, Ayara runs off, believing that you don't need her anymore, and you have to track her down and convince her that she's important too. And then there are Daniel's friends since childhood, Angel and Jovian - much of Daniel's grief stems from his fear that Jovian betrayed him due to their conflicting ideals. [[spoiler: He didn't. Jovian would never betray him. Ever.]]

** ''Videogame/FinalFantasyX''. Although Tidus functions as the narrator, the story as a whole is centered around the exploits of Yuna's guardians, as mismatched and misfit as they were, in their efforts to protect her and defeat Sin. It's carried on to a lesser extent in FFX-2, with Yuna as [[TheProtagonist the main protagonist]], though much of the original cast has disbanded and moved on. Tidus's sword is even named "Brotherhood," and powers up as he grows closer to the party.

** The Scions of the Seventh Dawn of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' are very close to one another, and are fully willing to lay down their lives for one another. The [[PlayerCharacter Warrior of Light]] forms especially strong bonds with Alisaie, Alphinaud, Y'shtola and Thancred across their journey through Eorzea.

** The main trio -- Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles - exhibit this, especially with the former two. Sonic and Tails' team in ''[[VideoGame/SonicAdvanceTrilogy Sonic Advance 3]]'' is even called "Unbreakable Bond".

* ''VideoGame/StarFox'' has this for both teams: the main team Star Fox are like family to each other, but on recent plot themes, they have then become disbanded or at least one of them would leave to fly solo. Ironically, [[TheRival Star Wolf]] experiences this in reverse - Star Wolf originally has Wolf, Leon, Pigma, and Andrew. The last two were kicked out because of the lack of loyalty and code of honor, and were replaced by Panther. Panther is then a permanent member, and the trio have become so closer than ever.

--> '''Vol'jin''': This world don't give us nothing, <player>. It be our lot to suffer... And our duty to fight back. This Horde be our family! We may not always see eye-to-eye. We come to blows before. But when we work together - ah - there's nothing this Horde can't do.

* Leonhardt and his true companions (Borgnine, Ellis, Vira-Lorr, Zerva, and Winfield) in ''VideoGame/AgarestSenki'' have a bond that is so strong, that they actually stick together with the descendants of Leo for ''four more generations.'' And this group is one of the few [[CombinationAttack Combination Attacks]] that are [[LimitBreak EX Combos]].

** The level of friendship you form with your team in ''VideoGame/Persona4'' is truly heartwarming; not surprising in a game where building [[LevelUpAtIntimacy5 social links]] increases your potential and efficiency in battle. Most of the storyline, apart from being a supernatural/murder mystery, is about the bonds you share with others. In the final battle of the game, [[spoiler: your teammates sacrifice themselves one by one to protect you; don't worry, they all live]].
** That goes for its predecessor ''VideoGame/Persona3'' as well, which was the game that first introduced the social link aspect. In regards to the actual storyline, the bond between the members of your team -- SEES -- grows stronger and stronger as you progress through the game. By the end, all the members of SEES have become True Companions. It's played with a bit compared to ''4'' and ''5'', as they become TrueCompanions on more of a professional level than as best friends. Most of the time, the Juniors and Seniors tend to keep to themselves in their social lives; by the end only Yukari and Mitsuru have truly become best friends. That said, as mentioned, professionally they trust each other with their lives.

*** Somewhat played with in that most of the party were already True Companions to Yuna ''before'' her pilgrimage: Rikku is her cousin, Kimahri and Auron knew her father, and Wakka and Lulu grew up with her on Besaid.

** The cast of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'' are pretty buddy buddy. The game's even been compared to taking a road trip with a bunch of friends from college.
--> '''Cid Sophiar''': Those ain't your bodyguards...they're your brothers.
** Class Zero, the heroes of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' are a class of fourteen teenagers [[TykeBomb who have been raised by their government as living weapons of war.]] Due to their life of constant military training they aren't able to make friends with other kids their age, so they form a surrogate family among each other. They're so close that [[spoiler: in the end they die together, and when the two surviving members find the others' bodies, they are all holding hands.]]

* ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' games have a very strong focus on family and on friends that are like family. It gets lampshaded in ''Dark Dawn'' when an NPC comments on the wide variety of friends you have with you from so many different backgrounds, and how close-knit you've become anyway, and draws a comparison to family.

** Shepard views turian squadmate Garrus Vakarian and quarian squadmate Tali'Zorah as such in terms of them watching their back when walking through hell, in which the two are the only playable squadmates who is with Shepard throughout the trilogy. Shepard also assures asari squadmate Liara that s/he considers her one when she goes through a little angst about not joining him/her in ''2'', especially since it was because of her that s/he was brought BackFromTheDead in the first place and her guilt is justified considering that she just gave Shepard's dead body to Cerberus. Dr. Chakwas, the Normandy's medical officer, considers Shepard, "the center of her galaxy," a true companion. Chakwas also considers Joker a true companion, in terms of helping Joker with his brittle bone disease when he needs her. Joker views Shepard as his true companion in terms of being on Shepard's side 100% despite [[SarcasticDevotee the occasional sass-laden conversations]]. Joker is in fact the only character in the trilogy who is completely guaranteed to be by Shepard's side for the whole thing. In-universe example: [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Krogan]] use the term "Krantt" for true companions that [[BandOfBrothers serve as battle-brothers]].

** Shepard views turian squadmate Garrus Vakarian and quarian squadmate Tali'Zorah as such in terms of them watching their back when walking through hell. Shepard also assures asari squadmate Liara that s/he considers her one when she goes through a little angst about not joining him/her in ''2'', especially since it was because of her that s/he was brought BackFromTheDead in the first place. Dr. Chakwas, the Normandy's medical officer, considers Shepard, "the center of her galaxy," a true companion. Chakwas also considers Joker a true companion, in terms of helping Joker with his brittle bone disease when he needs her. Joker views Shepard as his true companion in terms of being on Shepard's side 100% despite [[SarcasticDevotee the occasional sass-laden conversations]]. Joker is in fact the only character in the trilogy who is completely guaranteed to be by Shepard's side for the whole thing. In-universe example: [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Krogan]] use the term "Krantt" for true companions that [[BandOfBrothers serve as battle-brothers]].

* ''Videogame/FinalFantasyIX'' has a similarly strong message about the importance of true companions and how what you do and who you love is more important than where you come from. This is most strongly illustrated during the [[TropeNamer You Are Not]] [[YouAreNotAlone Alone]] sequence, when [[spoiler: Zidane's tendency to help people for no real reason other than it's the right thing to do pays off in spades. Broken in mind and spirit, he's in the middle of a HeroicBSOD when his friends risk life and limb to save him, because he'd have done it for them.]] It's absolutely beautiful.
* ''Videogame/FinalFantasyV''. The four Light Warriors hold together through failure, poisonings, and [[spoiler:the death of one of their own]] without fail. Galuf even calls a retreat when he's [[spoiler:attacking Castle Exdeath]] to go and rescue the other three, alone. And in the ending, [[spoiler:a lonely Krile is told by the other three that there's no way she's going to be alone when they're around.]]
* ''Videogame/FinalFantasyVI'' has the quintessential RagtagBunchOfMisfits that become True Companions. [[spoiler:Not even the end of the world can keep them apart]].
* ''Videogame/FinalFantasyVII'' and ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'' both stress the importance of having True Companions. Cloud needs his friends and comrades to be a complete and effectual person and in the ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'' movie, Cloud actually ''calls'' the other characters his family.
** It is revealed in ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'' that even Sephiroth had True Companions through Angeal and Genesis. Though that was not enough to stop Genesis and Angeal from leaving Sephiroth behind when they discovered their true origins and went rogue.
* ''Videogame/FinalFantasyX''. Although Tidus functions as the narrator, the story as a whole is centered around the exploits of Yuna's guardians, as mismatched and misfit as they were, in their efforts to protect her and defeat Sin. It's carried on to a lesser extent in FFX-2, with Yuna as [[TheProtagonist the main protagonist]], though much of the original cast has disbanded and moved on. Tidus' sword is even named "Brotherhood," and powers up as he grows closer to the party.
** Somewhat played with in that most of the party were already True Companions to Yuna ''before'' her pilgrimage: Rikku is her cousin, Kimahri and Auron knew her father, and Wakka and Lulu grew up with her on Besaid.
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'' we have a rare case where [[spoiler: the villains are this.]]
* The six main characters of ''Videogame/FinalFantasyXIII'' form a powerful bond thanks to the fact that [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman the entire world wants to kill them]]. Especially poignant with Fang and Vanille, who come from an egalitarian culture where everybody shared everything and took the same last name. At one point when Vanille's hit rock bottom, Fang encourages her by reminding her that they have a new family now.
* The cast of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'' are pretty buddy buddy. The game's even been compared to taking a road trip with a bunch of friends from college.

* Class Zero, the heroes of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' are a class of fourteen teenagers [[TykeBomb who have been raised by their government as living weapons of war.]] Due to their life of constant military training they aren't able to make friends with other kids their age, so they form a surrogate family among each other. They're so close that [[spoiler: in the end they die together, and when the two surviving members find the others' bodies, they are all holding hands.]]

* The ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' series, since its inception, has had a particular group who are DEFINED by their loyalty: the Warriors of Sunlight. The role of players belinging to this covenant revolves around [[MemeticMutation jolly cooperation]], helping any player who summons one of them with more energy and [[HeroicSacrifice self-sacrifice]] than any other group. The NPC that represents them, Solaire of Astora, is also widely loved as the most loyal ally you can find in any of the games, being able to be summoned in many difficult battles (including the final battle) and always treating the NPC with friendliness and enthusiasm to help. The Sunlight Covenant is the only covenant that has been available for membership in every game in the series, and [[FanNickname Sunbro]] players take their membership to the covenant seriously.

%%* In the ''VideoGame/JakAndDaxter'' series, we start with [[TheHero Jak]], [[WeaselMascot Daxter]], [[WrenchWench Keira]] and [[TeamDad Samos]]. After the second game, [[RebelLeader Torn]], [[ActionGirl Ashelin]] and [[HunterOfMonsters Sig]] join and the seven of them form the "official" party, as seen in ''Jak X''. [[WrenchWench Tess]] is usually included in the roster by fans because of her status as Daxter's LoveInterest. Sometimes [[PollyWantsAMicrophone Pecker]] and [[BlindSeer Onin]] are thrown in the mix as well.

* A central aspect of the ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' series:
** The level of friendship you form with your team in ''VideoGame/Persona4'' is truly heartwarming; not surprising in a game where building [[LevelUpAtIntimacy5 social links]] increases your potential and efficiency in battle. Most of the storyline, apart from being a supernatural/murder mystery, is about the bonds you share with others. In the final battle of the game, [[spoiler: your teammates sacrifice themselves one by one to protect you; don't worry, they all live]].
** That goes for its predecessor ''VideoGame/Persona3'' as well, which was the game that first introduced the social link aspect. In regards to the actual storyline, the bond between the members of your team -- SEES -- grows stronger and stronger as you progress through the game. By the end, all the members of SEES have become True Companions. It's played with a bit compared to ''4'' and ''5'', as they become TrueCompanions on more of a professional level than as best friends. Most of the time, the Juniors and Seniors tend to keep to themselves in their social lives; by the end only Yukari and Mitsuru have truly become best friends. That said, as mentioned, professionally they trust each other with their lives.
** The party in ''VideoGame/Persona2: Innocent Sin'' become incredibly close by the end of their adventures, partly because [[spoiler:they already knew each other when they were children]]. Sadly, the game ends with them having to [[spoiler:completely erase their memories of each other in order to save the world]]. Even then, [[spoiler:Tatsuya's refusal to forget about his friends]] is what jump-starts the plot of ''Eternal Punishment''.
** The main team in ''Persona 2: Eternal Punishment'' are troubled adults who initially have trouble getting along with each other, but their shared tribulations eventually forge strong bonds of friendship/respect between all of them.
** Like its predecessors, the bond the Phantom Thieves share in ''VideoGame/Persona5'' is incredibly tight-knit, in large part because all of them are victims of abusive authority figures, hence why their modus operandi is to reform said authority figures by 'stealing their hearts'.

* Every party in the ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'' series consists of four friends. There are three total, and all are fine examples of this trope.

* The Eight Companions of the [[PlayerCharacter Avatar]], who accompanied him on the quest to Avatarhood, are this throughout the ''VideoGame/{{Ultima}}'' series, especially games [[VideoGame/UltimaIV four]] through [[VideoGame/UltimaVII seven]].

** The main trio - Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles - exhibit this, especially with the former two. Sonic and Tails' team in ''[[VideoGame/SonicAdvanceTrilogy Sonic Advance 3]]'' is even called "Unbreakable Bond".

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', Tetra and her pirate crew are true companions, with Link added during the course of the game.
** The Adventurer's Guild ("the Group") from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' is indicated to be something like this, an idea frequently expanded on in {{fanon}}.
* [[TheMcCoy Sora]] of ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' has a very large true companionship group, though the most obvious central examples are the [[TheMcCoy Sora]]-Riku-Kairi and [[TheMcCoy Sora]]-[[WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck Donald]]-WesternAnimation/{{Goofy}} trios. Also [[WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse Mickey]]-[[WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck Donald]]-WesternAnimation/{{Goofy}}, Axel-Roxas-Xion, and Terra-Aqua-Ven.
* In ''VideoGame/TheReconstruction'', though your guild doesn't start off like this, it eventually ends up this way by the end.

* Leonhardt and his true companions (Borgnine, Ellis, Vira-Lorr, Zerva, and Winfield) in ''VideoGame/AgarestSenki'' have a bond that is so strong, that they actually stick together with the descendants of Leo for ''four more generations.'' And this group is one of the few [[CombinationAttack Combination Attacks]] that are [[LimitBreak EX Combos]].

* In ''VideoGame/TelepathTactics'', Scarlet, Harynx, Zimmer, and Harriet all pledge their loyalty to Emma in the ending, as does Lakshmi if [[RelationshipValues you talked to her in the camp scene]]. [[spoiler:Averted for the rest of the group, who, being a RagtagBunchOfMisfits, all go their separate ways without a greater cause to bind them together.]]
* The title organization of ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' is indicated to have operated like this. The ''Archives'' events show both the Strike Team and Blackwatch (as well as the command team of Morrison and Ana) to be incredibly close, cracking jokes and offering support when needed, and the comics show this as well. In the "Are You With Us?" teaser, Winston says that "they tore our family apart" in reference to Overwatch's disbandment. And when he activates the Recall, many former agents, including [=McCree=], Genji, Reinhardt (and his squire Brigitte), Mei, and Tracer, accept the call back to the organization, with Tracer going as far to respond within ''seconds''.
* VideoGame/{{Shantae}} and her three best friends, [[DumbMuscle Bolo]], [[TheBeastMaster Sky]], and [[AttractiveZombie Rottytops]] are close as can be. Whenever Shantae starts getting down herself, the other three will be there to get her spirits back up. For her part, Shantae will do anything to help the others. Best shown in the ''Friends to the End'' DLC, in which Bolo, Sky and Rottytops go through a lot to bring Shantae back after she is [[spoiler:corrupted by dark magic]].

* A central aspect of the ''[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona]]'' series:

* ''Videogame/WorldOfWarcraft'''s two big factions the Horde and the Alliance both exemplify this trope, though it's arguably much more prominent in the Horde's storyline. Always a theme between the Orcs, Trolls, and Tauren of Kalimdor, it became a universal Horde theme after the Siege of Orgrimmar event.

** King Varian Wrynn and his companions Valeera Sanguinar and Broll Bearmantle. Unfortunately, their interactions are mostly restricted to comics and novels, with barely anything referencing it in game. At least Valeera and Varian can team up in ''VideoGame/HeroesOfTheStorm''.

** Shepard views turian squadmate Garrus Vakarian and quarian squadmate Tali'Zorah as such in terms of them watching their back when walking through hell. Shepard also assures asari squadmate Liara that s/he considers her one when she goes through a little angst about not joining him/her in ''2'', especially since it was because of her that s/he was brought BackFromTheDead in the first place. Dr. Chakwas, the Normandy's medical officer, considers Shepard, "the center of her galaxy," a true companion. Chakwas also considers Joker a true companion, in terms of helping Joker with his brittle bone disease when he needs her. Joker views Shepard as his true companion in terms of being on Shepard's side 100% despite [[SarcasticDevotee the occasional sass-laden conversations]]. In-universe example: [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Krogan]] use the term "Krantt" for true companions that [[BandOfBrothers serve as battle-brothers]].

* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':

* [[TheMcCoy Sora]] of ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' has a very large true companionship group, though the most obvious central examples are the [[TheMcCoy Sora]]-Riku-Kairi and [[TheMcCoy Sora]]-[[WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck Donald]]-WesternAnimation/{{Goofy}} trios. Also [[WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse Mickey]]-[[WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck Donald]]-WesternAnimation/{{Goofy}}, and Axel-Roxas-Xion (at least it looks that way). The most close-knit trio, though, is Terra-Aqua-Ven, who are like siblings or two parents and a child, depending on the situation.

* The title organization of ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' is indicated to have operated like this. The ''Archives'' events show both the Strike Team and Blackwatch (as well as the command team of Morrison and Ana) to be incredibly close, cracking jokes and offering support when needed, and the comics show this as well. In the "Are You With Us?" teaser, Winston says that "they tore our family apart" in reference to Overwatch's disbandment. And when he activates the Recall, many former agents, including [=McCree=], Genji, Reinhardt (and his squire Brigitte), and Tracer, accept the call back to the organization, with Tracer going as far to respond within ''seconds''.

* The main characters of ''VideoGame/BravelyDefault'' eventually feel this way toward each other even [[spoiler:giving up opportunities to reunite with their actual families and live ideal lives.]] Their reasoning? [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming The are already with the people they want to stand by.]]

** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaAriaOfSorrow'' has a [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming great scene]]. Soma, about to challenge [[GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere Chaos]], worries about [[TomatoInTheMirror that thing]], only for ''everyone he's befriended throughout the game'' banding together to telepathically contact him and say, "Okay, [[spoiler: you're Dracula]]... so what? You're our friend, and we think you can do this, and we're here for you." Once he wins, they all congratulate him, and they all return in ''Dawn of Sorrow'' to cheer him on and help him out again.

* ''Videogame/FinalFantasyIX'' has a similarly strong message about the importance of true companions and how what you do and who you love is more important than where you come from. This is most strongly illustrated during the [[TropeNamer You]] [[TearJerker Are]] [[CrowningMomentofHeartwarming Not]] [[YouAreNotAlone Alone]] sequence, when [[spoiler: Zidane's tendency to help people for no real reason other than it's the right thing to do pays off in spades. Broken in mind and spirit, he's in the middle of a HeroicBSOD when his friends risk life and limb to save him, because he'd have done it for them.]] It's absolutely beautiful.

** ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' takes it further, especially considering that of your possible 7 squadmates, [[PuttingTheBandBackTogether 4 of them are your original crew]], plus Joker, Chakwas and EDI. The final conversations you have with them [[spoiler: before the final assault on Earth]] are [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming especially memorable]].

** That goes for its predecessor ''VideoGame/Persona3'' as well, which was the game that first introduced the social link aspect. In regards to the actual storyline, the bond between the members of your team -- SEES -- grows stronger and stronger as you progress through the game. By the end, all the members of SEES have become True Companions.

* ''Franchise/ProfessorLayton'': The Professor's true-companion group consists of a pair of children -- his apprentice, Luke, and his ward, Flora.