Animal Sidekicks and Good Story Video Games?
Filed Under: My Writing
I’m looking for help to compile a couple of lists. First, memorable animal sidekicks in fantasy literature, and second, video games that tell a great story as well as being at least a decent game. Here’s what I have so far:
Animals (real animals, no talking people in the shape of animals)
1. Toto from Wizard of Oz
2. The dire wolves in George RR Martin’s series
3. The firelizards in Pern books
4. The evil monkey in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Video Games
1. Planescape Torment
2. Fallout
3. Half LIfe 2
4. Bioshock
Comments
11-10-2008
I’ve only read one of her books, but in Robin Hobbs’ two series about Fitz he has a wolf familiar/sidekick. If that jumped out at me so quickly, I’m sure he’s even more memorable for the many fans her books have.
The other that comes to mind is in Steven Brust’s Vlad Taltos books. Again I’ve only read a few of them, but in what I read at least, Vlad has a dragon-like familiar Loiosh who is quite entertaining.
11-10-2008
Video Games:
Grand Theft Auto IV (though maybe you’re looking for genre games only?)
I haven’t played it yet, but what about Mass Effect?
You might consider another side topic for video games regarding worldbuilding. If you were asking about that, I’d mention HALO (which doesn’t quite make the great story list, I don’t think).
Sidekicks:
Blood, from “A Boy and His Dog” — does he count, even though he’s telepathic? Or are you looking only for fantasy, not SF?
11-11-2008
Animals that come to mind from a quick scan of my own shelves:
1. Oy from the Dark Tower series
2. Hedwig from Harry Potter
3. Drizzt’s panther (can’t remember her name) from the old Forgotten Realms books
4. I’d put R2D2 on this list, but I’m not sure of your critera. He’s got limited communication ability and sub-human intelligence but he often seems wiser than those around him…?
Video games with plots I’ve enjoyed (don’t judge me!):
1. Marathon
2. Knights of the Old Republic (cheesy, yes. what did I say about judging me?)
3. I’d put all 3 Halo games on here.
4. Final Fantasy IX (I’m a sucker for the cheese.)
5. I enjoy the rich lore of World of Warcraft, but I wouldn’t say there’s a “plot” per se. Is great worldbuilding enough to make your list?
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