Summary
- Dogs are considered intelligent and trustworthy animals that play major roles in video games today.
- Many open-world games feature dogs as companions for comfort, help, and companionship on travels.
- Iconic games like Fallout 4 and Metal Gear Solid 5 include beloved dog companions with unique abilities and interactions.
Dogs have been companions to humans since wolves were first domesticated tens and thousands of years ago. Dubbed our “best friends”, they are now beloved pets associated with loyalty and unconditional love, as well as hard workers in some cases. Out of all tamed animals, dogs remain one of the most intelligent and trustworthy, as such earning them major roles in video games.
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Pets make for great companions in games, especially in open-world settings where players can venture out with them. Here are the best games for that.
Open-world games can be daunting, especially when faced with a huge map and given little to no direction. As such, it can be a great comfort (and help) for players to have a companion keeping them company on their travels. This list compiles some of the best open-world games where players get a dog, from vicious protectors to comforting pets.
This list does not include MMOs or semi-open-world games with dog companions (for example, Fable and Dragon Age: Origins). Wolves have been considered alongside dogs.
10
Kenshi
Unique Canine Friends In A Harsh Landscape
- Released
-
December 6, 2018
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
Kenshi is a sandbox survival and roleplaying game. Players have the opportunity to be anything they choose, from farmer to warlord, but must always bear in mind that the dynamic environments can be harsh and unforgiving, and not everyone is friendly. Despite the dangers and quirks of this unique world, there are still some unlikely furry friends to be made.
The Bonedogs are Kenshi’s version of our canines. While mostly wild and territorial, some Bonedogs are domesticated, being particularly associated with the Rebel Farmers. Players can buy a Bonedog who will act as their companion, fighting on their behalf with fast and powerful jaws.
9
Skyrim
Find A Battle Companion Or Stay-At-Home Pet
- Released
-
November 11, 2011
- Developer(s)
-
Bethesda Game Studios
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
Skyrim still holds up as a pillar of open-world RPGs, with players creating all kinds of builds to crack down on the main quests, explore the land, or roleplay. Whether warrior, mage, or merchant, there is no character that couldn’t benefit from a dog to keep them company.
While there a various quest-related dog companions, they can more easily be brought from Markarth stables. Equally, saving a stray dog from being attacked will earn players its loyalty. Keeping a dog as a follower means it will attack the player’s enemies (albeit occasionally to the detriment of a stealth plan). Alternatively, with the Hearthfire DLC dogs can be kept at the player’s house, safe and sound.
8
Stranded: Alien Dawn
Survive An Alien Planet With Some Familiar Species
- Released
-
April 25, 2023
- Developer(s)
-
Haemimont Games
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
Stranded: Alien Dawn is an open-world sandbox survival sim (although it is worth noting that, like Skyrim, there are loading screens between some areas). The game has players managing a group of four survivors that have been marooned on an extraterrestrial planet, ensuring their survival. It’s a refreshing take on the genre, with interesting environments and life-forms to encounter.
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While being dropped into a strange new world full of unknown dangers can be daunting, there are a few earthly comforts in the game; there are a number of familiar dog breeds that can be tamed, including Weimaraners and Boxers. While they can be trained for combat, players should take into account that they must be taken care of in the same way as the other survivors.
7
Far Cry 5
Save The County With Help From A Retired Hunter
- Released
-
March 27, 2018
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
The fifth game in the franchise’s main series, Far Cry 5 is set in the fictional Hope County of Montana. The player controls a customizable deputy in an attempt to free the region from the Eden’s Gate Cult. With a beautiful map, immersive gunplay, and range of vehicles made this entry a favorite for many.
After completing “Man’s Best Friend”, a dog, Boomer, can be recruited as a companion. In Far Cry 5, Boomer has two abilities; Pointer (can find and tag enemies), and Retriever (can fetch items from bodies). Beyond being a very helpful teammate when it comes to recon, Boomer is incredibly cute, and being able to pet him is one of the game’s best features.
Boomer also appears in Far Cry 6, along with the Dachshund ‘Chorizo’ and robot Pitbull ‘K-9000’.
6
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Beautiful Settings, Exciting Battles, & Majestic Companions
- Released
-
November 10, 2020
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is the twelfth entry in the franchise, showing off just how much the games have improved. Set during the Viking age, players are dropped into Norway’s beautiful fjords and mountains, once again amidst a feud between the Templars and the Brotherhood. Due to the setting, Valhalla had the opportunity to explore Norse folklore and took it with both hands.
But beyond the Gods and monsters are more familiar, down-to-earth creatures. Once the Ravensthorpe settlement is established, players can unlock the “Man’s Best Friend” ability, which has them become pals with a wolf. While it doesn’t follow the player, it does hang around the settlement and can be summoned for a helping paw in battle.
There is also a Hati Wolf mount in Valhalla that can be obtained via the Animus store or the merchants after completing the Glowecestrescire quests. It’s also possible to tame animals in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
5
Fallout 4
Travel With Everyone’s Favorite German Shepherd
- Released
-
November 10, 2015
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Dogmeat has a reputation as one of the most iconic video game dogs of all time – somewhat of a mascot for the Fallout games. In Fallout 4, Dogmeat returns once again as a companion to the player after completing the quest “greet the dog” at Red Rocket. He loyally follows the Sole Survivor on their journey to find their missing son in the politically fractured post-apocalyptic America.
Related
Dogs are animals with a ton of symbolic meaning. They stand for loyalty and friendship, which often makes them valued video game sidekicks.
There are a number of reasons why Dogmeat makes a great pet. Not only can the player retain the Lone Wolf perk with him as a companion, Dogmeat can defend them, fetch and search for items, and triple the player’s objective points. Beyond the practical attributes, he is also customizable, with a range of apparel being available, which is simply adorable.
4
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
Henry’s High-Maintenance Friend Returns
RPG
Action-Adventure
Open-World
- Released
-
February 4, 2025
- Developer(s)
-
Warhorse Studios
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 was highly anticipated and became an overnight success upon its release. Many immediately fell in love with the in-depth, immersive RPG elements, the open-world, and, of course, the charismatic cast. Taking notes from disappointed players of the first game, Warhorse Studios gave protagonist Henry’s dog Mutt a more significant role in the main story.
Compared to some other video game dogs, Mutt is much more interactive, with players being able to feed, praise and command him – the former two increasing his obedience. Mutt can fight, hunt, keep Henry warm, and even improve his charisma. Full of personality, taking care of this canine is challenging at times, but certainly entertaining for dog lovers.
3
Minecraft
A Sandbox Survival With Diverse Wildlife
- Platform(s)
-
3DS, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360
- Released
-
November 18, 2011
- Multiplayer
-
Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Minecraft is one of the best-selling video games of all time, remaining a popular title over a decade after its initial release. One of the most influential games in terms of open-world sandboxes, Minecraft has expanded into a franchise complete with books, spin-offs, and a film. One of the main appeals is its spectrum of biomes, and the wildlife that resides within them.
There are a number of tamable animals in the game, including wolves, which can be fed bones in exchange for their loyalty. Over the course of Minecraft’s life, the wolves have had cosmetic updates (their fur changing according to their respective biomes), and plans to add personality variations are in the works. If not commanded to sit, wolves will follow the player, fighting anything they attack.
2
Grand Theft Auto 5
Introduces A Four-Legged Partner In Crime
- Released
-
September 17, 2013
- Developer(s)
-
Rockstar North
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Another bestseller, Grand Theft Auto 5 is the biggest game in the franchise. The title follows three protagonists – Trevor, Franklin, and Michael – each with a criminal background, as their lives intersect in a series of heists. Despite the nature of the games, GTA5 excels in cinematic storytelling and character writing, as well as gameplay. Many players’ favorite part, however, is Chop.
4:37
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Chop is a Rottweiler that spawns in Franklin’s safehouse after completing the “Chop” mission. Beyond his appearance in numerous quests throughout the game, he also functions as any normal pet would; players can pet him, play fetch, and take him for a walk. Chop will also become vicious if Franklin is attacked. There’s something special about having the love of a protective hound.
A Lot Of Player Freedom & A Range Of Possible Playstyles
- Released
-
September 1, 2015
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is a massive game, both in terms of its open-world and content. The attention to detail is incredibly immersive, with factors like weather and time of day having an actual impact on the gameplay. Genre-wise, The Phantom Pain offers a comparatively huge amount of freedom when approaching missions, and while there is an underlying plot of revenge and war, the player largely shapes their own story.
D-Dog is a puppy that can be found a few missions into the story or in free roam and, once rescued and grown, can accompany Snake on his travels. Trained by soldier Ocelot, D-Dog is a very smart and capable companion; he can spot animals, useful plants, and dangers such as enemies and landmines, as well as attacking if commanded to do so. When players max their bond with D-Dog they also unlock the ability to customize him. Whether D-Dog is a wolf or dog is widely debated – perhaps he is even a combination of both – but one thing is for certain: players love him.
3:50
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