7 Times Video Game Companions Were Better Than Real Friends

1. DD - MGSV

You can’t have a list about best friends without mentioning man’s best friend. Virtual canine companions aren’t uncommon and are always some of the best. Whether it’s Vigilance from Skyrim, Dogmeat from Fallout or the aptly named ‘The Dog’ from Fable 2, I think it’s fair to say we would all gladly sacrifice as many townspeople as it takes to be reunited with our favourite family pet.

The winning canine however, is none other than Big Boss’ very own Diamond Dog. Venom Snake is a man of few words. He chooses to expresses himself through guns, explosives, and, erm, spontaneous rain dances? Seriously Kojima. What happened in the writer room that day?

Anyway, that is until DD, a lost puppy wandering the sandy cliffs of Afghanistan who, rescued by our near-silent anti-hero, grows to be a formidable, fierce and loyal companion, representing a huge turn in the fortunes of Venom and his Diamond Dogs.

Before DD reaches maturity, yours is an organisation struggling to recover from the devastation on the oil rig disaster at the end of Ground Zeroes. After DD reaches adulthood (and loses an eye for some reason, keeping alive the adage of pets looking like their owners), Outer Heaven is starting to regain its old strength. This is reflected in your missions: You don’t have to take on your enemies alone anymore. DD is there right beside you, a true protector.

If you need a little added teeth behind your attacks, DD will get stuck in, but will otherwise kick back and let you eliminate the enemies he sniffs out. He’s the perfect battle companion, vicious and cute in equal measure, and a furry metaphor of Venom’s fractured dream regaining and surpassing its former strength. Now, tell me, can any of your “real” friends do that?

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Let us know your own favourite companions in the comments below!