The power of friendship is a common trope in novels and movies, but it also has its place in video games. Cooperation-reliant multiplayer games aside, there are plenty of story-driven experiences that utilize their characters' relationships to tell heart-warming tales of how their friendships helped them get out of sticky situations.

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In some role-playing games, the power of friendship (sometimes under a different name) is a skill or character trait that players can embody and use to their advantage. Regardless of the way it was used, there is no denying that friendship is a powerful force, and some games depict that age-old truth in a truly spectacular manner.

10 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

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The relationship between Cal Kestis and BD-1 was meant to evoke the memories of Luke Skywalker and R2-D2's friendship, or the bond that Rey and BB-8 shared in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. The adorable droid also had some crucial gameplay functions -- players could use him to unlock doors, scan the environment, and get puzzle hints.

However, BD-1 was much more than just a useful, friendly droid. He developed a deep affection and care for Cal, which saved the young Jedi's life during his first encounter with Trilla, the Second Sister. The tiny robot activated a barrier that separated Cal from the imperial Inquisitor just as she was getting ready to deal the final blow, saving his friend from an early death.

9 Cyberpunk 2077

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In Cyberpunk 2077 the extent of Johnny Silverhand and V's friendship depended mostly on player choices, but it goes without saying that this relationship was at the heart of CD Projekt Red's epic open-world RPG. Throughout the course of Cyberpunk's main quest, players can choose whether to get friendlier with Johnny or take up a more hostile attitude towards him.

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These choices have a direct effect on the conclusion of the game. Fully developing the companionship between Johnny and V lets players unlock a secret ending. Friendships with other NPCs also matter in the context of how the final mission of the game plays out. Whatever people may say about the state at which it launched, there is no denying that friendship and trust are two of the key themes of Cyberpunk 2077.

8 Mass Effect 2

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It is possible to make a case that the entire Mass Effect trilogy is a story of how building friendships and alliances can lead to overcoming even the harshest of obstacles. This theme, however, is most obviously presented in Mass Effect 2 and the lead-up to its epic finale. Throughout the course of the game, Commander Shephard meets a whole cast of interesting individuals who get enlisted as crew members of the Normandy.

Players can choose to explore these characters in more detail by talking to them and completing side quests that reveal their backstories and motivations. The more time one invests in getting to know these crew members, the better their chances of surviving the "Suicide Mission", one of the most iconic moments of the entire trilogy, where the choices players have made throughout the entirety of Mass Effect 2 come together to affect the conclusion and set up the final part of the trilogy.

7 Neverwinter Nights 2

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Released in the heyday of Dungeons & Dragons-inspired PC role-playing games, Neverwinter Nights 2 is perhaps one of the most fondly-remembered titles of this era. This is likely because of how much time and effort the game's creators have put into writing believable, likable characters, and how well they've placed them in the overarching context of the plot.

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Towards the end of the game, Black Garius (the main antagonist) tries to cast a curse on one of the player's NPC companions, Neeshka. If the players' bond with her is strong enough, she'll refuse to attack, quite literally saving the day for the protagonist and making the final moments of Neverwinter Nights 2 much easier.

6 Grand Theft Auto 5

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The main storyline of GTA 5 may have been slightly pushed aside due to the unprecedented success of GTA Online, but it doesn't erase the fact that it remains one of the best Grand Theft Auto storylines in history. Much of its appeal lies in the three protagonists and their unlikely alliance.

As players progress through the story, Michael, Franklin, and Trevor go from being partners in crime to true friends. This culminated in GTA 5's very last mission. As Franklin, players can choose between killing Trevor, Michael, or opting to team up with the pair and defeat all of their enemies. The latter is the only happy one out of the GTA 5 endings, and it was confirmed as canon by the game's writers.

5 Undertale

Undertale

Unlike in some other titles on this list, the power of friendship in Undertale is a real thing that can be acted upon by the players all throughout the game. As they progress through Undertale, players can choose to either kill or befriend the monsters they encounter along the way.

Not only is it a great challenge to try and get through the entirety of the game without resorting to violence, but it also has an impact on the way events play out. Befriending every foe in the Underground is actually the only way to get the game's Golden Ending. This doesn't only entail simply not killing them, but also courting these characters through various hang-outs and dates.

4 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla

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The latest entry in the Assassin's Creed franchise was understandably criticized for its bloated storyline. Many people claimed that forcing players to seek out alliances across all of England was a way to artificially extend Valhalla's playtime. While it may be true that some of these subplots were quite uninspired, seeking alliances and making unlikely agreements for the sake of conquering a given region is actually a fairly realistic take on medieval diplomacy and warfare.

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All the friendships Eivor makes throughout the game come together during their final conquest at the end of the Hamtunscire arc. It pays off to get on every leader's good side (whenever possible), as it makes besieging the last castle in the game much easier, not to mention the heart-warming exchanges that come after completing this story arc.

3 Left 4 Dead

Left 4 Dead 2 Characters

Claiming that the power of friendship is a major force in the Left 4 Dead franchise might be a little tongue-in-cheek, but it does ring true on the surface. After all, these are team-based zombie shooters where players rely on each other's unique skills and class advantages to fend off ever-increasing hordes of zombies.

Anyone who's ever played Left 4 Dead with AI companions or random strangers will attest to the fact that having a tried and true team of friends to kill the undead with makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. Knowing one's combat companions and their play styles can truly save the day in a whole myriad of ways, not to mention the sheer amount of frustration that can be avoided!

2 Life Is Strange

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This adventure game captured many gamers' imaginations when it came out back in 2015, mainly thanks to its unique approach towards storytelling and the use of time travel mechanics in its gameplay. Life is Strange's focus on character interactions and NPC relationships serve as the perfect example of the power of friendship in gaming

As players guide Max on her quest to save Arcadia Bay from the seemingly unavoidable destruction, she needs to focus on developing and restoring the relationships with the town's residents after her five-year-long absence. Only by making the right decisions and courting the right characters can players save the town and achieve the game's best ending.

1 Kingdom Hearts

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The power of friendship is central to the Kingdom Hearts storyline. According to lore, Keyblades (the main weapons used in the game) are attracted to individuals with strong hearts and a large capacity for friendship - this is how Sora's Keyblade ended up with him.

Moreover, the game's multi-character combat system invokes the power of friendship mid-fight. The gameplay feature of tapping into the powers of other characters is explained by their strong bonds, so an argument can be made that in Kingdom Hearts, the power of friendship is the only way to unleash the most powerful attacks.

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