NPCs are the icing on the cake of any good video game. They populate otherwise empty worlds, provide unforgettable moments and sometimes even grow on us more than the actual main characters.
A few years ago we asked our community which NPCs they would go to the end of the game world for. Some names kept coming up back then. Since then, the gaming world has produced a lot of new legends. Time for an update: These 15 NPCs have secured a permanent place in the hearts of players.
15th place: Mud (Gothic)
Anyone who has played Gothic will definitely remember Mud. And not necessarily for the right reasons.
The chatty camp resident literally stuck to the heels of the nameless hero and brought numerous players to the brink of madness. Nevertheless, this is exactly what ensured that Mud enjoys cult status to this day.
Hardly any other NPC has managed to become so immortal simply through being annoying. Even decades after its release, his name regularly comes up when legendary German role-playing games are discussed. Sometimes just one particularly intrusive character is enough to make gaming history.
Mud is of course also in the remake of Gothic. Yes, you can get rid of him too. We’ll be happy to explain to you how to get rid of Mud or even kill him.
14th place: The Butler (Tomb Raider)
Before gaming memes took over social networks, there was already the butler from Tomb Raider.
The older gentleman was actually just part of the backdrop of Lara’s estate. Nevertheless, it quickly developed into a very special mini-game of luring him through the corridors and then locking him in the cold storage. Generation after generation of gamers did exactly the same thing.
The butler has hardly any dialogue, no spectacular backstory and yet almost every Tomb Raider fan knows him. You have to do that first.
13th place: The Dealer (Resident Evil 4)
“What are ya buyin’?”
You don’t really need anything more.
The mysterious dealer from Resident Evil 4 always appears exactly when players urgently need a breather. Between monsters, boss fights and constant stress, his little corner suddenly becomes the safest place in the game world. Add to that his unmistakable look and his iconic voice. To this day, the dealer is one of the most popular characters in the series – even though we actually know almost nothing about him.
12th place: Claptrap (Borderlands)
Claptrap is the best proof that an NPC can be annoying and endearing at the same time. The little robot chatters incessantly, regularly overestimates itself and constantly causes chaos. But that’s exactly why he stays in the memory.
While many companions want to appear as cool or competent as possible, Borderlands consciously takes the opposite approach. In the end, you’re still happy every time Claptrap shows up again. Even if you may be reluctant to admit it.
11th place: Lily Bowen (Fallout: New Vegas)
At first glance, Lily Bowen seems intimidating. After all, she is a super mutant with a huge hammer. However, if you get to know her better, you will discover one of the warmest companions in Fallout: New Vegas.
Her conversations about her family and her fading memories in particular give her a tragic depth that many players have not forgotten to this day. Lily combines humor, warmth and melancholy in a way that few NPCs achieve.
10th place: Issun (Okami)
Issun has a big mouth and comments on everything that comes his way. Despite this – or perhaps because of this – the tiny traveling artist is loved by many players.
During the trip, the initial community of convenience develops into a real friendship. Issun provides humor, lightens up serious moments and accompanies Amaterasu until the end. However, towards the end of the game at the latest, he shows that there is much more to his sayings than one initially suspects.
9th place: Solaire by Astora (Dark Souls)
The world of Dark Souls is dark, hopeless and full of danger.
And that’s exactly why Solaire from Astora stands out so much.
While many characters follow their own interests or fall into madness, Solaire treats you with genuine kindness. His famous “Praise the Sun” has long been part of gaming culture. When players summon him for a boss fight, it often feels like a friend is actually coming to help. Hardly any Souls character has earned a similarly legendary reputation.
8th place: Alexander (Elden Ring)
A giant living jug doesn’t initially sound like a figure that players will grow fond of.
Then you meet Alexander.
The self-proclaimed warrior pitcher will accompany you through some of Elden Ring’s most important moments, always treating you with respect and enthusiasm. His dream of becoming a great warrior seems both sympathetic and admirable.
7th place: Elizabeth (BioShock Infinite)
Many games have attempted to create a compelling companion. Elizabeth showed how it can work.
Instead of constantly getting in the way, she actively supports you, throws ammunition and reacts believably to the events around her. At the same time, as the story progresses, she develops into one of the most exciting characters in the game.
The relationship between Booker and Elizabeth carries a large part of the plot. So it’s no wonder that she is still considered one of the best companions in video game history.
6th place: Paarthurnax (Skyrim)
Dragons are usually a problem in Skyrim. Paarthurnax is one of the few exceptions.
The ancient dragon becomes the Dragonborn’s mentor and asks questions that will keep many players busy long after the credits roll. Can someone atone for their past actions? Can even a monster change?
Many fans still remember the decision surrounding Paarthurnax to this day. And quite a few have consciously gone against the Blades’ wishes to protect him.
5th place: Charles Smith (Red Dead Redemption 2)
In a gang full of fraudsters, egotists and hotheads, Charles Smith stands out. He is loyal, level-headed and stays by Arthur’s side even when the situation has spiraled out of control.
While other members of the Van der Linde gang continue to cause new problems, Charles is one of the few people you can truly trust. That’s precisely why many players consider him to be one of the strongest characters in the entire game. If you had to choose someone for a long ride through the Wild West, Charles would be many people’s first choice.
4th place: Mimir (God of War)
Who would have thought that a talking head would be one of the best companions in recent years?
Mimir spends much of God of War literally at Kratos’s hip and yet never gets bored. With his stories, comments and dry humor he accompanies every journey through Nordic mythology.
He not only provides valuable information, but also develops into a real friend of the small group. After a few hours, Mimir feels less like an NPC and more like a traveling companion.
3rd place: Karlach (Baldur’s Gate 3)
Karlach enters the stage with a huge ax and an engine instead of a heart.
Nevertheless, she is one of the warmest characters in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Her joy for life is infectious, even if her own story is overshadowed by a tragic truth. Many players therefore really wanted to help her and give her the happy ending she deserves – including hugs that don’t turn Karlach’s counterpart into a fried chicken.
2nd place: Garrus Vakarian (Mass Effect)
When it comes to loyalty in video games, the same name almost always comes up: Garrus Vakarian. The turian accompanies Commander Shepard through the galaxy’s greatest crises and stands by his side even when all seems lost.
Over the years, Garrus develops from a talented sniper to one of the closest confidants in the entire series. Many players consider him not just a team member, but a best friend. Anyone who has ever traveled with Garrus will immediately understand why he regularly ends up on such lists. His romance is also one of the most popular in Mass Effect – understandable.
1st place: Dogmeat (Fallout)
It could actually only be one.
Dogmeat has accompanied Fallout players for decades and has long since earned his place as perhaps the most popular NPC in role-playing history. The loyal dog requires no big decisions, no complicated dialogues and no romance. He’s just there when you need him.
That’s exactly what makes him so special. Many players still remember situations in which they were more afraid for Dogmeat than for their own character. And if an NPC triggers such feelings, then he more than deserves first place.