Friend Or Foe?
Not all NPCs are created equal. Some grate on your nerves with every word, while others leave you wishing for more screen time. Between those extremes, there's a blend of charm, frustration, and untapped potential. Let’s talk about the NPCs that had us rolling our eyes and those we felt deserved their own storylines.
1. Navi
"Hey! Listen!" It was more command than suggestion. Navi, Link's winged companion in Ocarina of Time, was meant to be helpful. But her repetitive dialogue and constant interruptions turned exploration into a chore. Players began to dread her voice.
The DISAPPEARANCE of Navi? (Zelda Theory) by NintendoBlackCrisis
2. Preston Garvey
Some heroes just don't know when to stop. Preston Garvey quickly became the poster child for repetition, asking players to save settlement after settlement without pause. You'd finish one mission only to hear about another. The concept had promise, but Fallout 4 pushed it way too far.
A Profile of Preston Garvey - Who is He Anyway? - Fallout 4 Lore by Oxhorn
3. Slippy Toad
Picture this: a space battle, lasers everywhere, your ship's nearly toast. Suddenly, a voice shrieks, "Help me!" again. That's Slippy. In Star Fox 64, this fragile guy was loud and needy. No wonder players sometimes intentionally let him go down.
Slippy Toad: The Most Useful & Important Star Fox Member by Good Old Days Gaming
4. Adoring Fan
In Oblivion, the Adoring Fan appeared once you became famous. He sprinted after you with the enthusiasm of a golden retriever. Except this wasn't cute. Clad in yellow and armed with endless praise, he followed your every move. You couldn't reason with him, only ignore him or push him off a cliff.
5. Lydia
“I am sworn to carry your burdens.” That line became infamous. In Skyrim, Lydia was assigned as a housecarl, but she often ended up getting in the way. Blocking doors and offering passive-aggressive remarks, she tested player patience. Meant to be loyal, she ended up being just plain frustrating.
"For 12 Years I Never Knew Lydia Has This Cute Dialogue!!!" by Salmagros
6. Mr. Resetti
"You didn't save, did you?" What followed was a verbal wall of text from a mole with a short fuse. His long-winded lectures were meant to teach responsibility, but they quickly became a chore. Players even started quitting just to trigger him again in Animal Crossing.
How Does Mr. Resetti Work? by Hunter R.
7. Fi
Cold logic rarely makes good company. In Skyward Sword, Fi lacked charm and flooded players with obvious, repetitive tips. Instead of feeling like a magical book, she came off like a malfunctioning GPS. The constant interruptions shattered immersion and left many longing for silence or at least a mute button.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD - All Fi Cutscenes by goodgamez
8. Claptrap
Borderlands introduced Claptrap as a one-wheeled robot with endless enthusiasm. His jokes and antics delighted some, but for others, the novelty wore thin fast, growing stale over time. Many muted him to escape the chatter, while some fans cherished his quirky charm.
Borderlands - Claptrap video, Episode 1 by 2K United Kingdom
9. Roman Belli
"Cousin! Let's go bowling!" It started as endearing. Then came the tenth call. And the eleventh. In Grand Theft Auto IV, Roman meant well, but his constant interruptions pulled players out of the action. Miss a call, and he'd get upset. Accept it, and you'll miss the chase.
Where's luxury condo? by Brezhnegeddon
10. Ashley Williams
You saved her life, but Ashley Williams returned with an attitude. Brave and outspoken, her rigid views on aliens in Mass Effect’s first game felt distant to some. Although she evolved in Mass Effect 3, softening her stance, some still found her out of place, despite fans who admired her grit.
MASS EFFECT 3 Legendary Edition | Ashley Williams (Romance) by DeadlyMaelstrom
Enough about the ones who overstayed their welcome. Let’s talk about the ones who barely got a chance. They had humor, mystery, warmth, and then suddenly, gone. These are the side characters who left a strong impact, making us frustrated that they weren’t around longer.
1. Solaire Of Astora
"Praise the sun!" wasn't just a meme. It was the battle cry of a knight who radiated hope in a world built on despair. In Dark Souls, Solaire's optimism felt rare and genuine. Players helped him, feared for him, and begged for more. He made you believe.
Dark Souls Story ► Solaire and the Sun by VaatiVidya
2. M'Aiq The Liar
M'aiq wandered through The Elder Scrolls, always dropping strange one-liners that blurred myth and commentary. He never stayed long. Players who found him often stood still just to hear his nonsense. He was a fan favorite with no quest line, just curiosity and a robe full of riddles.
M'aiq the Liar EXPOSED 20 Years Later... An Elder Scrolls Investigation by EpicNate
3. Mysterious Stranger
One shot, then he disappeared. The Mysterious Stranger moved like a question in motion, leaving players to wonder: Who was he? Why had he intervened? The mystery remained unsolved, keeping players on edge throughout Fallout.
Who is the Mysterious Stranger? | Fallout Lore by Synonymous
4. Isabela
In Dragon Age II, Isabela was unforgettable. She could flirt, fight, and hold her own in any room. But unless players chased her storyline, she slipped away too soon. Beneath the wit was depth that deserved more than a few cutscenes and a flirtatious grin.
Complete Isabela & Hawke Story | Dragon Age 2 by DanaDuchy
5. Kass
A song floated on the wind. That was often how players found Kass in Breath of the Wild. His accordion melodies told lost stories scattered across Hyrule. He wasn't a leader or a sidekick but something softer—a wandering bard with purpose.
Kass's Complete Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild by TheEmanos
6. Tali'Zorah
Beneath that mask was a depth far beyond mystery. Tali started quietly but became one of the most loyal, layered allies you could have. Her background, beliefs, and warmth set her apart. Yet her story always felt a bit unfinished, something fans still talk about in Mass Effect.
7. Dogmeat
Without a single word, he was always there. Dogmeat in Fallout was a constant through chaos. Faithful and loyal to the bone, he followed without question. Players adored him but always wished for more interaction. Even so, his presence was unforgettable.
FALLOUT 4: Dogmeat COMPANION Guide! (Everything You Need to Know About Dogmeat) by jayvee
8. Patches
You saw him and braced yourself. Not because of what he was, but because of what he always did. Patches was chaos wrapped in smugness. His betrayals were expected, yet still hilarious. Across FromSoftware's worlds, he became less of a man and more of a running joke we welcomed.
The Real Patches | Elden Ring Lore by Hawkshaw
9. Garrus Vakarian
If cool had a sniper rifle, it was Garrus. He was sharp and never far from a good one-liner. Whether calibrating gear or backing you in a fight, he always felt like family. Still, many players wished he had more moments outside the battlefield in Mass Effect.
Garrus and Wrex Being the Legolas and Gimli of Mass Effect for 3 Minutes by 211Shinobu
10. HK-47
"Meatbag" was never just an insult. Knights of the Old Republic introduced HK-47 as a homicidal droid with unmatched wit. His loyalty came wrapped in sarcasm and violence. Fans loved him for what he was: honest, brutal, and bizarrely charming.
