In this article I will be taking a look at five of the best animals and animal-like characters from RPGs. Whether you’re a cat lover or just want a superior steed to make your escape on, there’s an animal for you in RPGs. Will your favourite make the top 5 list?
How much is that doggy in the window?
Being an adventurer can be a lonely business. Even worse, you might be stuck with an annoying companion who just won’t shut up. Why not have the best of both worlds - a loyal companion who won’t spout the same irritating catchphrase every minute or two? Here’s a look at some of the best animals featured in RPGs, starting with Boo fromBaldur’s Gate.
“Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend. No animal shall wear clothes. No animal shall sleep in a bed.” - Animal Farm
5) Boo, Baldur’s Gate series
Creeping onto this list virtually unseen is Boo, who depending on who you ask is either a miniature giant space hamster or just a normal hamster. Although not a party member himself, this beloved companion of party member Minsc is the ranger’s best friend and the centre of most of the funniest quotes in the game uttered by Minsc, such as “Go for the eyes, Boo. GO FOR THE EYES! RrraaaAAGHGHH!”
There have been many prominent dogs and cats in RPGs but there aren’t many notable hamsters. Boo’s uniqueness helped him to earn a spot on the list.
4) Prinny, Disgaea series
From hamsters to penguins - or prinnies, to be more precise. Prinnies have appeared in everyDisgaeagame and they also starred in their own spin-off game; “Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?”. These pouch-wearing penguins are actually the reincarnation of sinful humans.
Prinnies are usually one of the first recruitable monsters in the SRPG games. There have been some special recruitable character Prinnies. For instance, Kurtis was a villain in the original Disgaea. Despite seeing the error of his ways towards the end of the game, he was made a prinny inDisgaea 2to atone for his sins. He’s recruitable post-game inDisgaea 4.
They have a nasty habit of exploding if you throw them. you may even explode a chain of prinnies to wreak havoc on multiple enemy units. “Not cool, dood!”
3) Dogmeat, Fallout series
A dog named Dogmeat has so far appeared inFallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3andFallout 4. InFallout 3, he is a German Shepherd. This super loyal and affectionate companion makes the Wasteland seem that little bit less dreary. His original owner had recently been killed by raiders. Super loyal to the end, Dogmeat tracks his previous owner’s killers down.
InFallout 3, Dogmeat unfortunately could die quite easily. So long as you have the Broken Steel add-on installed, at level 22 you can get the Puppies! perk. If Dogmeat dies, a puppy appears at the main door of Vault 101. Which is nice but there’s only one Dogmeat. I reloaded the game countless times to keep him alive throughout my adventure. Dogmeat couldn’t die inFallout 4,which made life a lot simpler.
2) Mog, Final Fantasy VI
Moogles have appeared in most Final Fantasy titles and the Kingdom Hearts games. These lovable creatures first appeared inFinal Fantasy III. Sometimes they appear as toys or decorative items (such as Lulu’s Moogle necklace or the Moogle plush in Final Fantasy XV). Other times they are your postmen. Occasionally they are even powerful Summons.
It is their role as playable characters that I thought I’d highlight here though. A moogle was first a playable character inFinal Fantasy VI. Mog and his fellow moogles help Locke defend an unconscious Terra from the Narshe guards in the mines. As well as being the first moogle to join the party, he is also the first moogle to talk in aFinal Fantasygame. Mog is a missable character inFinal Fantasy VI. When he is captured by Lone Wolf, he breaks free but unluckily throws himself and Lone Wolf to the cliff’s edge in the process. You have a choice of saving Lone Wolf or saving Mog. If you save Lone Wolf, you’re given a Gold Hairpin. If you save Mog, he joins your party. Make the right choice.
Moogles named Mog also appeared in otherFinal Fantasytitles, such asMobius&Record Keeper. Another notable playable moogle is Montblanc, who joins your party inFinal Fantasy Tactics Advance. He also reappears inFinal Fantasy XII, as the leader of Clan Centurio. Unfortunately he wasn’t playable that time but he does give Vaan some Hunts.
1) Repede, Tales of Vesperia
Dogmeat may be loyal and the dog in Fable may be helpful for sniffing out treasure but can either of those mangy mutts carry a pipe in their mouth, steal items from enemies and wield daggers? No, I didn’t think so. Step up to the plate, Repede. This cool canine companion constantly carries a pipe in his mouth. The pipe was a memento of his previous owner, Niren Fedrock, who died during the events of the movie,Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike. As well as being one of the fastest characters in combat, he’s the only one capable of stealing items using the Thievery arte. That’s one talented dog!Tales of Vesperiais one of my favourite entries in the Tales series. It’s backwards compatible on the Xbox One and well worth purchasing.
Honourable mentions:
It was so difficult to only pick five animals/animal-like beings from RPGs. Other ones which I was tempted to pick were Red 13 fromFinal Fantasy VII, Shadowmere fromSkyrim, Barbas fromSkyrim,Dog fromDragon Age Originsand Dog fromFable 2.
What is your favourite animal from RPGs? Please comment below & let us know!
You may also be interested in theFallout 4 VRarticle or you could check out theFinal Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age Celebrates 1 million sales with Free Themearticle.
