From The Witcher's Roach to Luigi: These are your 10 favourite gaming companions

Let's be frank for a second - any protagonist, no matter how big, or strong, or talented or well armed, could always use a hand. Even just to dish out a few quick quips whilst delving through some dull dungeon, a little bit of good company can go a long way. 

We're going to be ranking that company definitively as we count down our top 10 gaming companions.

10. Roach (The Witcher)

We bet no other gaming companion can do this (Picture: CD Projekt Red, The Gamer)

As we're sure many of you agree - animals are just better buddies than most humans. Geralt from the Witcher series would certainly attest to that statement, and he obviously thinks very highly of his trusty set of steeds all known as 'Roach'.

Take a break from the constant headache of Yennifer and Triss, the consistent will-they-won't-they that will exhaust even the most emotionally dampened Witcher.

Remember that there was always one character in the games that was always there for you no matter where you were in the world, and never sought to mess you around - even if she did have a habit of getting stuck on a building or two.

But we'll just call that one of Roach's endearing features.

9. Cortana (Halo)

We're still avoiding human's now as we look at one of Master Chief's partner in crime, the ever knowing AI system 'Cortana'.

For someone who most likely sees the world as a string of code, Cortana certainly has a sense of verisimilitude about her - and it's incredibly likeable.

Yes - she may turn around and betray us in Halo 5, but she's been so great to us up until that point that we're ready to throw up our hands and let bygones be bygones.

If you want to just forget about all that back-stabbing and go about your day with Cortana as your own personal assistant - you can totally do that in the wonderful modern world we live in.

With Microsoft naming their Windows companion after Cortana, you can always feel like that AI companionship is just a click away.

8. Arteus (God of War)

You'd think to have to bring your kid along on an epic journey to fight every imaginable beast Norse mythology has to offer would be a drain on Kratos - but this baby sitting romp to each and every plane of existence is far from a chore, as it turns out that Arteus is pretty darn useful.

He'll aid you in combat with his trusty bow, and help you navigate through cracks and crevices that are too confining for the bulky manliness of Kratos' huge pecks and rippling biceps. He's far from dead weight, and brings a real sense of depth to the story of God of War - making it not just an odyssey for the ages, but a heartwarming story about family and fatherhood. Good job, boy.

7. Dogmeat (Fallout)

Who's a good boy? (Picture: Bethesda)

Okay, time for another animal break - and the one companion that proved once and for all that dogs really are man's best friend. It's Dogmeat from Fallout.

Initially encountered as a stray in the first game, if the player feeds Dogmeat - and gives him some implied pets - this canine compadre will stick at your side as you fight for survival in a terrifying post apocalyptic world.

Dogmeat's legacy was secured in the second game as a cameo, and returned in full force in the third and forth games as a trusty sidekick once more, ready to help in anyway he can, or just get up to mischief.

Dogmeat's voice actor and likeness, a German Shepard named River even won a few awards for her work in the game - which is just heartwarming in every way.

6. Ellie (The Last of Us)

At the beginning of 'The Last of Us', Ellie displays every trope and quality of a gaming companion which we've come to know so far.

She can't swim, she's terrible in a fight, she gets spooked easily, and she's a little bit too excited about the outside world.

Over the course of the game the both of you will encounter a number of harsh realities and hard life lessons.

Due to these experiences, she goes from an excitable teenager under Joel's protection, to a fully fledged survivor who can more than happily hold her own in a firefight, or up close.

The development of the character is fantastically done and immerses the player in the notion that theirs is an experience that will change anyone, and makes the story arc between the two that much more poignant and heart wrenching - but we won't spoil anything.

5. Luigi (Super Mario)

Own it, Luigi. You deserve it (Picture: Nintendo)

Ah Luigi - the savior of little brothers and player twos everywhere. We know you've been overshadowed by your brother, and being named 'Luigi Mario' was the icing on that cake.

But don't worry, we still love you buddy, and we're adamant Mario wouldn't have got anywhere without you.

Whilst initially just being an identical swap of Mario with a different colour palette, Nintendo fleshed out Marios timid taller brother with each iteration, and over the years fans have come to adore him.

So much so that in 2013, Nintendo announced the 'Year of Luigi', where we'd see a slew of games featuring our favourite companion in the starring role; with games such as Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, Dr. Luigi, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, and New Super Luigi U.

It's great to see that he's finally getting the recognition he deserves.

4. Claptrap

With a game setting populated with some of the most interesting and individual characters in any FPS, it's impressive to stick out from amongst the crowd in 'Borderlands'.

Amidst the maniacs, the bandits, the vigilantes and the villains there stands one endearingly annoying robot - Claptrap.

In many respects, you have to feel for the little guy - being programmed to be enthusiastic when he's so crushingly alone, and often being the chew toy and plaything of bullymongs and bad guys across Pandora.

But this fourth wall breaking, bossy, wonderfully irreverent character is definitely our favourite bucket of bolts, so we dub you, Claptrap P. Claptrappington our fourth favourite gaming companion. Yes, that's actually his real name - pretty great right?

3. Wheatley/Potato (Portal 2)

Why settle with one trusty companion, when you can have two?

That's exactly what Portal 2 provided, and whilst the power dynamic may shift and each have their own tendencies to exterminate all humans, in certain lights both Wheatley and Potato GLaDOS have their undeniable charms.

With the excitable, ignorant Wheatley we get a friendly face with the makings of a respectable English robot butler. Sure, he'll get on our nerves, but he was trying his best to help us.

Or as it turns out, use us so he can gain ultimate power and destroy us.

And on the topic of destroying unsuspecting Aperture Facilities testing staff, we see the series' best character GLaDOS return to complete her character arc and turn out to be a pretty great gal.

Granted, she's lost her immense power and is being kept sentient via a potato, but let's admit it - that just adds to the charm. Who'd have thought a potato could have so much personality?

2. Elizabeth (BioShock)

A female's role in a video game used to be, lets face it, pretty backwards. Either a love interest, or someone to be rescued, or simply something to move the plot forward.

Thankfully, those times have changed, and those of you who may still think it a burden to have a woman accompanying your manly, no-nonsense protagonist have clearly never met Elizabeth from Bioshock Infinite.

We can think of no more apt description of her than one lyric from Dan Bull's Bioshock rap; 'I'm telling ya, Elizabeth isn't a damsel in distress, she's the damn best wingman to ever don a dress'.

And what a wingman she is. She's certainly got her own talents - mainly tearing holes in time and space itself to turn any battle in your favour. 

However, if you find yourself in the heat of battle and things aren't going your way, just rely on Elizabeth who'll throw you a shotgun and tell you to get back in the fray. She does not mess around.

Whilst Booker DeWitt is an undeniably formidable character who can stand up to pretty much anything Columbia can throw at him, thinking he can manage Elizabeth is wishful thinking.

Whether she's knocking DeWitt out with a wrench and stealing his air ship, or acting as the deadly femme fatale in the DLC, she is definitely one companion who can stand their own, and we feel lucky that she's decided to join us on our journey.

1. Varric (Dragon Age)

Varric is the hero we need but don't deserve (Picture: BioWare)

Whilst everyone on this list has provided us with countless great memories as they've accompanied us on countless quests, Varric transcended that.

Through his appearances in the Dragon Age series, he became the closest thing we ever found to a friend in a video game. Yes, we know how sad that sounds, but it's true!

It's evident that he truly cares for Hawke and will constantly put himself at danger to preserve him.

He'll put his own morals on hold to do right by you, and he'll develop from a selfish, sarcastic, grouchy Dwarf who's only goal is to live a luxurious life at minimal effort, into an altruistic, friendly, morally upstanding companion who'll follow you to hell and back.

Not to say he still won't fire out with plenty of clever quips, call you out on your nonsense or straight up make fun of you.

In an adventure with Varric, nothing is ever boring, that's for sure, and we're still waiting for a game to bring a character just to life as much as Bioware did with him.

And there we have 10 companions, plus a few more for good measure, who've been fantastic partners in crime, and a joy to adventure alongside.