Animal companionship in video gamesis a popular trope that reflects the bond that so many people share with their pets. It’s no surprise that tons of video games incorporate animals as pets in some way so that these bonds can become part of players' in-game lives too.
Pets can be found in a vast range of video game genres, such as simulation and role-playing games. However, there are also plenty of open-world games that incorporate pets in interesting and unique ways. With this in mind, we’re going to be looking at ten particularly noteworthy games and franchises that have established interesting pet systems, so that players looking to forge bonds and build relationships with pets can do so in an open-world setting.
Protagonist Franklin takes Chop the Rottweiler in as a pet inGrand Theft Auto 5and when the player switches to Franklin after completing the mission “Chop”, they can interact with Chop, play fetch with him, or take him for walks. He can be killed by gunfire, drowning, or being hit by cars, but this isn’t permanent as he’ll spawn back at Franklin’s house (though he will be unhappy).
Unfortunately, players can no longer teach Chop tricks or maintain his happiness, as the iFruit App that was used to control this game mechanic shut down in 2022. However, he can still be a helpful and fun companion to have around when playing as Franklin.
Scratch and the Owlbear Cub fromBaldur’s Gate 3are quite possibly the cutest duo of animal companions, though the player can miss both of them entirely. They make a huge difference to the atmosphere of the camp, with the two becoming fast friends and chasing one another.
Not only are these interactions wholesome, but Scratch and Owlbear Cub can be used practically in the game too. If the player summons Scratch, he can be used as a distraction in battle without the fear of him taking real damage. Owlbear Cub can stand by the player’s side in the final fight as a huge, armored Owlbear (thanks to a special potion given to him to make him grow). However, both pets can die if the player isn’t careful, which is more than a little devastating.
The first game in theDragon Ageseriesintroduced a Mabari Hound as a companion, but he was more than just a cute pup to have by your side. The Mabari is a breed of war dog in theDragon Ageuniverse, and inOrigins, players could use him as they would any other party member.
The Mabari has its own skill tree and gains attribute points when leveled up that the player can assign to him. If utilized well, the Mabari Hound can become an incredibly strong party member and a true force to be reckoned with. Players could also name their pet Mabari as well, adding an extra layer of personalization.
Horses are a crucial element ofRed Dead Redemption 2, as they are the fastest and most effective method of transportation. Players have to build bonds with their horse if they want them to become more reliable and less likely to freak out in a dangerous situation.
Relationships with horses inRDR2are formed by grooming, petting, feeding, and riding them. This can improve their abilities and make them less likely to buck Arthur off when facing off against predators or stick in the middle of a gunfight. Horses can also die, so players will need to be careful. If a strong bond is built with a horse who dies, they will need to start all over again. The pet system with horses inRed Dead Redemption 2is simple yet effective and encourages players to form strong bonds with their horses (and weep if they die).
Dogmeat has been a staple of theFalloutseries since the very first game released in 1997, even appearing in the 2024 television show. Dogmeat isn’t just one dog though. Instead, it is a name used for the various dog companions throughout the series. Even the beloved spin-off game-Fallout: New Vegas- featured a dog companion, though this was a half-robot half-dog called Rex rather than a new Dogmeat.
Gameplay-wise, Dogmeat’s core skills include attacking enemies, finding loot, and generally being the best boy/girl. Players can customizeDogmeat inFallout 4by equipping them with cute collars, bandannas, body armor, or goggles. you’re able to even give them a teddy bear that they will play with when idle. Dogmeat and Rex might be the only proper pets in theFalloutseries (other than the mobile gameFallout Shelter), but the way they are utilized makes for a great pet system in an open-world game series.
Two of the buddies that players can have inMetal Gear Solid 5are D-Dog and D-Horse, both of which can be treated as pets as well as companions to help with gameplay. D-Dog, a wolf pup that becomes a buddy when he is fully grown, can be missed, but D-Horse is unlocked immediately after the prologue.
D-Dog and D-Horse have their own skill sets. D-Horse can be ridden to travel long distances quickly and distract enemies, and D-Dog can attack, sense mines, extract people, and stealthily distract the enemy. D-Dog can also be visited at the Diamond Dogs base, with unique cutscenes when players go see him and plenty ofopportunities for pets. D-Horse can also be pet, but he also causes certain vehicles to slip if they drive in his poop, which is probably the most unique pet ability on this list. These two pets are great companions and friends, as well as allies in battle, making them particularly noteworthy open-world game pets.
Various animals can be tamed by the player inAssassin’s Creed Odyssey, all of which can become loyal pets and powerful allies. Players can only do this if they unlock the tier three Beast Master Hunter Ability, available at level ten. Players have to fight the animals until their health is low and then knock them out. When this is done, the animals can be approached and recruited.
The variety of animals that can join you on your journey, and the ways that players can show them affection and treat them as pets, make the pet system inAssassin’s Creed Odysseyone of the best in open-world games. Nothing beats the feeling of having a bear or lion accompany you into a battle, after all.
FromFar Cry Primalonward, theFar Cryvideo games included ananimal companion mechanicwherein players could recruit animals and use them as allies throughout the game.Far Cry Primalhas the most options, as the plot revolves around the protagonist’s abilities as a skilled animal tamer.Far Cry 5andFar Cry 6developed the pet system, with pets that had names, backstories, and personalities.
All the animal companions in the series have unique skills, from stealth attacks to distractions, locating weapons, brute force, and more. For players that want a unique animal companion in an open-world game, such as a sabertooth tiger, a crocodile, a bear, or even a wiener dog, theFar Cryseries and especiallyPrimalare a must.
Palwordis something of aPokemonclone, with a tongue-in-cheek nature that plays on the unanswered questions of thePokemonseries, such as whether humans can be captured.Palworldis undoubtedly a fun game, and it is similar toPokemonin that players can form bonds with their Pals and use them in a range of ways.
The main difference betweenPalworldandPokemonis the building system, which allowsPalworldplayers to build bases with resources collected throughout the game. To collect resources as effectively as possible, players will enlist their captured Pals to help them. Pals can engage in a range of work depending on their abilities. It’s fun to see how the different Pals go about their assigned jobs. The moral implications are a little concerning (and pretty funny), especially when it becomes clear that the player can also capture humans in Pal Spheres and put them to work in their camp.
Pokemonis a behemoth of a series that grew from a Game Boy game released in 1996 to become a huge franchise. There are currently more than 100 games including main titles, side games, and spin-offs, with more than 1,000 Pokemon in total.
Across these games, players take on the role of wannabe Pokemon trainers and capturevarious Pokemon—most of which have designs based on real animals—to battle them. As the games continued, more elements were introduced that established more of a pet and owner dynamic, such as cooking, playing fetch, or dressing them up (depending on the game).
Although battling is usually the main element, there is no denying that the relationship between the Pokemon and the player is an important aspect of the franchise and makes for a great open-world pet system.
