Many triple AAA titles shy away from starring only one character, featuring an ensemble cast ready to help or hinder the play character in their endeavors. More characters mean the player has more reasons to grow attached and remember the game for years to come after the credits roll.
All of them come fleshed out with their own personality and goals and in some games cases, the relationship they develop with the player character is left in the player's hands, whether it is a friendship, a familial bond, rivalry, or love. Certain companions have come to live in the hearts of players, earning more popularity than the main character and thus definitely deserving of their own title.
10 Victor Sullivan (Uncharted)
Victor Sullivan, more fondly known as Sully, is a staple character in the Uncharted series, acting as a mentor and paternal figure to Nate. Always ready to lend a hand in chasing gold and glory, Sully is as foul-mouthed and greedy as he is charming, adding an extra dimension to what could have easily been a flat, two-dimensional character.
With his history as a professional treasure-hunter and quick to boast his own successes, a standalone title featuring the elder thief and his exploits could be well worth exploring, as it's certain there are plenty more tales yet to be told.
9 Ada Wong (Resident Evil)
Though more of a fair-weather companion than a constant, Ada still has a way of appearing in Leon's titles to lend a hand while maintaining her cool demeanor and shroud of mystery. Often duplicitous and serving her own needs at the cost of others, her popularity cannot be denied, earning herself a short side story in Resident Evil 4 and as a survivor in Dead By Daylight.
With her own tangled web of subplots and the sizeable fanbase she earned herself, a full spin-off game would certainly be deserved and would give players a glimpse beneath the veil of mystery surrounding her.
8 Varric Tethras (Dragon Age)
The witty and boastful storyteller from the Dragon Age franchise earned himself a sizeable fanbase for his fun and larger-than-life personality, some even clamoring for him to be added as a romance option. Absolutely pivotal to the plot of Dragon Age 2, and appearing in every title since, having him star in his own game would give him a chance to spin tales with his own fantastic embellishments.
Varric has even transcended the games themselves, appearing in merchandise and having his own books from the series published, Hard In Hightown.
7 Cole Train (Gears Of War)
Larger and louder than life, Cole's entrance into Gears Of War was explosive. Though at first he can be written off as a typical macho-man with his loud mouth yelling expletives every other word, and only seeming too happy when there are things to kill, his character does develop as the series goes on.
Cole became a much-loved member of the brotherhood, becoming a fan favorite and showing he is more than just a comedic relief—he is deceptively smart and loyal in addition to being a badass. A Cole-exclusive Gears Of War could explore his character in more depth, and explore this other side of him.
6 Garrus Vakarian (Mass Effect)
It's no secret Garrus ranks as one of the most popular Mass Effect companions, a staple companion that is by Shepard's side from the first Mass Effect, all the way to the third installment and its bitter conclusion.
Like most of the Mass Effect companions, Garrus is a fleshed-out character that has his own story, goals, and personality completely separate from Shepard. Between the first and second games, he goes through his own arc, hardening from an eager cop to a vigilante striking fear in the hearts of Omega's gangs. This would be the perfect story to explore in a spin-off, giving a glimpse into the events that shaped Garrus's arc.
5 Solas (Dragon Age)
Solas, revealed to be the Dreadwolf in Dragon Age: Inquisition, has had a hand in one of the greatest events in Thedas's history and lore--creating the Veil to seal away the Fade and its magics, and now seeks to undo it.
As the Dreadwolf, Solas's life spans entire eras, and thus would have been privy to many past events that now reside between the pages of history books, and maybe even events that no longer have surviving records. Having a game surround events in a deity's life offers challenges and opportunities for developers and players alike, opening the doors to delve further into events only mentioned in Dragon Age titles.
4 Serana (Skyrim)
Though Serana does not appear in the main game, rather introduced in the Dawnguard expansion, she still remains one of the most iconic and favored companions among fans due to her more fully formed character, with more character and dialogue to offer than other followers.
A pureblood vampire and the daughter of Lord Harkon, Serana undoubtedly has interesting stories to share, and the medium of a spin-off title would be the perfect way to explore them.
3 Barret Wallace (Final Fantasy 7)
Though Cloud is undeniably the protagonist of Final Fantasy 7, Barret Wallace still assumes a role of leadership, heading the Avalanche environmentalist group. Even outside the protagonist's sphere of influence, Barret is a well-developed character in his own right, able to rally followers behind him in spite of his stereotypical tough-guy attitude.
Complete with a touch of tragedy in his backstory and a dedicated group of followers in his own right, Barret is definitely deserving of his own title to further explore his work as Avalanche's leader, and just how he achieved the title.
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Goro Akechi (Persona 5)
One of the more complex Persona companions complete with ambitions and motives completely separate from those of the rest of the Phantom Thieves, Akechi's popularity is unsurprising, and a game featuring him as the central character would be destined for success.
With his backstory as an amateur detective, there are certainly stories about his character yet to be told and opens the doors for some new game mechanics featuring investigations as he pieces together the scene of a crime. Even a direct spin-off game of Persona 5 would still open the doors to an exciting glimpse beneath the mask of Akechi, and a chance to relive events but through his perspective.
1 Princess Zelda (The Legend Of Zelda)
Even with her name in every title of the franchise, Zelda still has yet to step out of Links's shadow, appearing as a damsel in distress needing to be saved, or as the mysterious Shiek that appears to aid Link's quest after every dungeon in Ocarina Of Time.
Some Legend Of Zelda titles show a more capable Princess Zelda ready to offer aid to Link to protect Hyrule, such as Twilight Princess, Ocarina of Time, and even Breath of the Wild. These games prove Zelda could be a capable heroine and has the courage needed to stand up and fight.