20 Games With The Cutest Companion Animals

Looking for games where an animal buddy actually matters in moment to moment play is easier than you might think because lots of titles build quests, traversal, and combat around faithful four legged friends. This list rounds up twenty games where the companion is part of the mechanics, whether that means scouting enemies, fetching loot, or just sticking by your side while you explore. You will find dogs that mark targets, cats that co op as a second player, horses that grow more responsive, and even fantasy critters that unlock unique traversal. Each pick explains what the animal does in game and how to bring them along so you can jump in and meet your new favorite sidekick.

Monster Hunter: World

Your Palico is a customizable feline partner that fights alongside you, places traps, and heals with gadgets you unlock through research. You recruit a Palico at the start and expand its toolkit by leveling it and crafting specialized equipment. On expeditions it can befriend Grimalkynes to learn new support skills that change how it helps. In Iceborne it gains additional gadget upgrades that improve crowd control and survivability.

Fallout 4

Dogmeat is available early and can be commanded to fetch items, track scents, and hold enemies for easy shots. He does not count against your companion limit so you can pair him with human followers using certain perks. Assign commands through the companion interface to search containers or point out hidden stashes. He can also wear armor pieces for extra protection during firefights.

Fable II

The dog joins you at the beginning and evolves with your moral choices and playstyle. Teach it tricks by collecting training books and it will dig up treasure, sniff out keys, and help locate hidden chests. Combat upgrades let it knock enemies down and finish weakened targets. Its appearance changes as your renown and morality shift, reflecting your path through Albion.

Torchlight II

You choose a starter pet such as a dog, cat, or ferret and send it back to town to sell loot while you keep fighting. Pets equip spells and fish based transformations that grant temporary forms with powerful abilities. They can carry gear and use scrolls, acting as a mobile stash and utility caster. The system lets you maintain dungeon momentum without frequent vendor trips.

Stardew Valley

You adopt a dog or cat that lives on your farm and raises your farm’s total pet friendship over time. Petting and watering the bowl daily increase that friendship, which contributes to your evaluation at the end of the second year. With farm buildings and decor, the pet wanders the homestead and interacts with placed items. Mods and later updates add breed options and small behaviors that personalize the companion.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Horses serve as true partners with a bonding level that unlocks rearing, drifting, and calming during gunfights. You stable multiple breeds and equip saddles, stirrups, and saddlebags to tune stamina and speed. Whistling calls your active horse within range and the animal stores long guns and pelts. Grooming and feeding keep cores healthy for long rides between towns and missions.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Roach is your persistent horse that you can summon on most roads for faster travel and mounted combat. Saddles and blinders upgrade stamina and fear resistance so you can fight while galloping. Races and quests reward tack that improves handling across swamps, fields, and mountain paths. The horse panic system encourages managing distance during monster encounters.

The Last Guardian

Trico is a large creature that you guide with voice commands and pointing, creating a puzzle solving partnership. Feeding barrels restores its energy and strengthens trust so it follows more complex instructions. You climb onto Trico to reach platforms, glide across gaps, and trigger environmental mechanisms. The relationship deepens mechanically as new behaviors unlock through repeated cooperation.

Shadow of the Colossus

Agro is essential for traversing the open world quickly and provides stability during certain colossus battles. Mastering acceleration, turning, and standing on the saddle allows precise positioning around towering foes. Whistles and directional inputs cue Agro to ride along cliffs, through bridges, and across plains. The horse also serves as a mobile platform for bow shots at speed.

Spiritfarer

Daffodil the cat mirrors Stella’s movement and enables local co op where a second player controls the cat. Daffodil helps with platforming by using glides and jumps to keep pace during ship upgrades and island visits. The cat interacts with passengers and participates in hugs that affect mood systems on board. Progress never locks behind the second character so co op remains drop in friendly.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Scratch the dog can be recruited in Act 1 and later visits your camp where he fetches items and joins in certain scenes. You can also befriend an owlbear cub that appears at camp and interacts with party members. These companions trigger events, deliver small gifts, and offer unique camp cutscenes tied to your choices. Neither replaces a combat party slot, keeping them as story rich sidekicks.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

D Dog is a trained wolf that marks enemies and resources automatically as he scouts ahead. Equip him with a sneaking suit or attack gear to tailor stealth or combat roles. You unlock him by rescuing a pup and then completing missions until he is mission ready. Commands let him hold targets, distract guards, or deliver non lethal takedowns.

Far Cry 5

You can recruit animal Guns for Hire including Boomer the dog, Cheeseburger the bear, and Peaches the cougar. Each partner has a distinct perk set such as tagging enemies, reviving the player, or silent takedowns. They respond to simple commands to move, attack, and stay, which helps synchronize assaults. Upgrades come through completing companion specific quests in each region.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

Monsties are rideable creatures hatched from eggs that fight with you using turn based tactics. Gene channeling lets you combine abilities and build custom skill grids for each companion. Out in the field, different Monsties unlock traversal like swimming, climbing, or breaking rocks. Stable management and expedition parties help gather eggs and materials while you progress the story.

World of Warcraft

Hunters tame beasts across many zones to gain pets with unique families and abilities. Pet talent trees and specialization let you assign roles such as tanking, damage, or support in group content. The game also includes vanity battle pets that you collect, train, and pit against others in turn based pet battles. Stable masters manage multiple pets so you can swap companions for different activities.

The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs

This expansion adds cats and dogs with needs, traits, and behaviors that integrate into household routines. You can open a veterinary clinic to diagnose illnesses and perform treatments using a progression system. Create A Pet provides detailed coat painting and shape sliders for highly specific breeds. Pets form relationships with sims and influence social events around the home.

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!

Your partner Pikachu or Eevee rides with you and learns exclusive moves through in game tutors. Motion controls and handheld play support petting, feeding, and dressing the partner with cosmetic outfits. A second player can drop in to control a support Pokémon for easier catching and battles. Walking Pokémon follow in the overworld and can find hidden items along routes.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Missile the dog appears early and gains the key ability to swap the core of two objects. His powers help solve environmental puzzles by moving large items you cannot reach alone. Dialogue with Missile reveals clues and triggers new perspectives at crime scenes. The dog continues to feature across chapters, unlocking new applications of his swap mechanic.

Dragon Age: Origins

The mabari war hound is a full party member with equipment slots and talent trees. You recruit it through an early quest and can enhance it with runes, collars, and warpaint. The dog tracks scents, knocks enemies prone, and benefits from strength boosting gear. Unique dialogue and campsite interactions tie its presence to several story beats.

Far Cry Primal

Beast Master skills let you tame wolves, bears, sabertooths, and owls for scouting and combat. Each animal type has stealth, speed, or durability strengths that suit different missions. You issue commands to attack, stay, or revive, and you craft bait to attract new species. The owl serves as an aerial companion that tags enemies and drops bombs during assaults.

Share your favorite animal companions and the moments they helped you most in the comments.