NPC's (as partners): Do we really need them?

[DEAD34345]

When done right, it can help make you care about specific characters (Bioware), and when done wrong you at least still get another target for your enemies to attack (Bethesda). Unfortunately, when done very wrong it tends to lead to murderous rampages and the throwing of game discs out of windows (any escort quest ever).

Some games really couldn't do without them though, so it's wrong to say we would be better off getting rid of them altogether. It would be boring if you were an unstoppable one man army capable of accomplishing anything without assistance in every game.

 

[BeeGeenie]

I usually prefer ridin' solo. You should never trust a companion AI. They will get in your way or get themselves killed. I don't want their deaths on my conscience, so best they just stay where they are.

 

[bigfatcarp93]

Fawkes and Alyx are pretty great...

Captcha: WHAT DOES A GREAT WHITE SHARK EAT?

Correct Answer: Anything it Wants.

Awesome.

 

[chadachada123]

The vast majority of games with co-op AI completely fail at it.

As already noted, Resident Evil is probably the biggest offender in my eyes.

I would much rather be a loner than deal with Sheva's bullshit.

On the other hand, I've yet to see a military shooter where your allies have similar aim and strength to you but that don't also play the game for you. I'd be interested in seeing whether that would be doable.

 

[lacktheknack]

Generally, I don't take NPCs along with me because I don't need them and I feel... bad?... for them. They usually end up standing by while I have OCD fits, talk to irrelevant people, and generally do things they didn't sign up for.

The AI is pretty dodgy, too.

Now, if they died easily, were in a linear game, had decent AI and the PC could barely survive alone, then they'd have good use.

 

[King of Asgaard]

I always played through Fallout 3 and Skyrim solo if I could, because NPCs would just get in the way. In Fallout, they would just die for no reason, and if you were using them as portable chests, that's a big chunk of loot lost to the Wasteland. In Skyrim, they constantly get in your line of fire, either taking a fireball/ice storm/chain lightning in the back or the hit detection for melee would be ever so slightly off, just enough for you to accidentally killing your follower.
Then there's Dragon's Dogma, where the AI is clever enough to be a help in battle.
That is, until you learn of a skill which buffs your stats exponentially when travelling alone, so your pawns go straight out the window.
The most egregious would have to be your AI partner in RE5. Playing co-op is awesome in that game. Playing solo, especially on harder difficulty levels, because apparently it nerfs how good the AI is, is a painful experience. Your ally is stupid to the point of being a hindrance.
In conclusion, I guess I prefer going solo when NPCs want to help, but will gladly accept human help.

 

[SeatedSkeleton]

i dont like using them at all. i hate it when games give you an extra obligation, particularly ones like skyrim that are otherwise about my total freedom (i realise that i'm contradicting myself because i am free to take them or not if i want). also on my list are relationships in games, which are the opposite of why i want to play a game and COD style companions that are useless but come with a friendly 'follow me' sign above their heads while they wade right into the thick of the fire. in a linear game i dont need much help knowing that the direction i must go is forward.

 

[Pearwood]

Depends how much control you have over them, how entertaining their dialogue is, if they offer a skill you're lacking in like a mage follower to your warrior in Skyrim.

 

[unstabLized]

Depends. If they're good for anything really. Bullet shields, yeah. If they can hold stuff for you, even better. If they actually entertain you with interesting dialogue, story, etc etc. then bonus points. Overall, I don't mind having one.

 

[Bostur]

No we don't need partners in games like Skyrim. I think it's a relic from old tactical RPGs where we controlled a full party.

I would love to see more of the old style RPGs, but in games like Skyrim, Fallout 3/NV and to a lesser extent Mass Effect companions are just in the way. These games have more in common with shooters than RPGs in my opinion, at least in terms of gameplay.

Companions that only provide extra cargo space or firepower is pointless. They have to add something extra. Extra dialogue, tactical positioning, or individial behaviour are good reasons to include companions.

 

[Mirroga]

It pretty much depends on how the gameplay works and how the story should be conveyed. A simple exploration game? It's better without a companion since you want to feel the weight of the travel without any weights. Unless the game wanted to convey the hardships of travelling with victims needing your aid.

A horror/survival game? Hands down no need for NPC partners. As for the emphasis on partnership and cooperation, AI NPC partners or player coops are the best way.

So in other words, it all depends on the story and gameplay being conveyed. I've seen tons of games fail at this.

 

[targren]

So long as they aren't actively getting in my way, I don't mind them.

I quite like the company, actually.

I used to feel that way. Bethesda's companions could screw right off, since they did seem to love eating bullets/arrows/spells that were intended for the bad guys. I used to think of the others, though, as though they were your Wingmen in TIE Fighter.

Then my buddy made me sit down with him and play Dragon's Dogma.

I am now an avowed soloist. Dear gods, they're worse than Navi...

 

[Mithcha]

I like stealthy characters, 9 and a half times out of ten those walking fuck-ups mess up my ambushes, NPC companions can go burn.

 

[Karoshi]

Alyx from Half-life was the best NPC companion I ever had. She was helpful without being overpowered, could take some hits and generally tried to stay out of harms way. She is unique though, most NPCs are pretty useless.

In F3 and F:NV most companions are way too powerful, but I liked it that way. I have especially grown fond of my New Vegas crew.

 

[MBurdock]

Big open-world games without NPC partners feel lonely to me after a few hours. That happened with Morrowind in particular (minus the occasional escort quest). On the other hand, being forced to play a game with blithering idiot NPCs is much worse.

Either have occasional NPC interaction (RDR quests, parts of Half-life), or idiots that I can command (Freedom fighters). The idiocy of Bethesda companions drives me nuts (though it is compensated by them being overpowered).

And even with all that said, I still want to get Dragon's Dogma.

 

[GenericAmerican]

Remember, Teamwork is essential, it gives the enemy more things to shoot at.

 

[Laurents van Cauwenberghe]

I think in most RPGs (like fallout) they just break immersion because they just make the combat too easy
but in an FPS I don't think it would be harmful... if they have proper AI atleast