As some of the most loyal companions around, dogs can make everything better, including video games. Whether they’re following a game’s protagonist through battle or their daily lives, there’s nothing like earning a dog’s companionship and affection over time. However, it can be especially rewarding when games allow players to pet the dog.
Many virtual pet games feature dogs and encourage players to pet them, but games outside the genre may not always include this adorable feature. Luckily, some fantastic role-playing games, simulators, and fantasy worlds recognize that their story and gameplay can only be enhanced by letting players pet their dog companions.
1 Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
When Assassin’s Creed Odyssey came out, it impressed players by letting them experience the historic battles and conflicts of the Peloponnesian War while choosing between two protagonists. Though not quite as exciting, the game also allows players to interact with a wide range of animals.
Whether players prefer to play as Alexios or Kassandra, both heroes have the opportunity to tame wolves, lions, bears, and other wild animals using the Beast Master perk. Tamed animals in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey may be optional, temporary companions, but praising a tamed wolf for its skill in battle adds a fitting and rewarding touch to the game.
2 The Last Guardian
The Last Guardian tells the story of a lost boy and his friendship with a mythological creature called Trico. As the boy searches for his home, he encourages the dog-like animal to follow him through the ruins, uncertain of whether it will be able to find its way out alone.
In exchange for the boy’s patience and guidance, Trico uses its tail to open new paths forward and protects the boy from other beasts. Although petting Trico can be most helpful to calm it down after an overwhelming battle, The Last Guardian highlights the boy’s bond with Trico by letting him pet the creature at nearly any point in the story.
3 Pokemon X & Y
After trainers receive their starter in Pokemon X & Y, they can pet their Pokemon, feed them treats, or play games together using Pokemon-Amie. Although many trainers don’t necessarily need a reason to praise their adorable team of hardworking Pokemon, Pokemon-Amie encourages trainers to pet their Pokemon to raise their affection and make them more reliable in battle.
Thanks to its popularity in Pokemon X & Y, features similar to Pokemon-Amie were added to other games in the series, showing how much players appreciate pampering their Pokemon. With all of the Pokemon that are based on canines available throughout the series, players really are spoiled for choice when it to petting the dog in Pokemon games.
4 Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
In Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Venom Snake can find a small puppy with a missing eye in the field and send it to Mother Base to grow up safely. As he grows, D-Dog, often called DD, will wait for Snake to return after every mission to ask for attention and show off the results of his training.
Although DD only becomes a field ally partway through Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, he can distract enemies, detect mines, and Fulton people back to base while sneaking beside his owner. Petting DD for his hard work and determination seems like the only fitting reward.
5 Dragon Age: Origins
Before the Battle of Ostagar in Dragon Age: Origins, players can come across a sick mabari war hound at camp. Should they choose to heal the weak pup, the dog will find the Warden before entering Lothering and ask to be part of the team. Although the dog is an optional party member, he can detect hidden Darkspawn before battle, find items, and encourage some of the toughest characters to open up
When players pet the mabari, he often rolls around on the ground, showing how excited he is to receive genuine attention after being trained for battle. With the mabari’s charming personality and winning smile, Dragon Age: Origins highlighted the joys of having a dog companion in ways that other games in the series often overlook.
6 Far Cry 5
Among Far Cry 5’s many companions, players can recruit a lovable dog named Boomer. This loveable canine can then help them on their mission to arrest the religious cult leader Joseph Seed while limiting the cult’s influence and gathering support around Hope County, Montana.
After being freed from a cage at Rae-Rae’s Pumpkin Farm, Boomer proves his worth as one of Far Cry 5’s best companions by growling at enemies, scouting areas, and looting bodies for items that the player cannot find on their own. However, on top of being skilled in battle, it is hard to ignore that he is also an adorable and affectionate animal who responds to being petted by licking the player.
7 Undertale
From the Annoying Dog to the Greater and Lesser Dogs of the Royal Guard, Undertale includes many canine characters in its memorable cast for players to meet on their journey back home. While dog characters may occasionally initiate battle out of a sense of duty, attacking them seems heartless no matter what route players are trying to complete.
Undertale’s captivating story already emphasizes the importance of choosing mercy. However, by letting players pet dogs during battle, it also reminds them that choosing kindness can be easy, rewarding, and at times, even natural.
8 Stardew Valley
As one of the most comforting farming simulators in the world, Stardew Valley would feel incomplete without a dog or cat running around the farm during the day. Luckily, once players earn 1,000 gold by selling crops, fish, or other items, they can welcome the pet of their choice to the farm.
Although the farmer’s pet doesn’t serve a particular role, it is one of the simplest animals to care for in Stardew Valley. Petting them each day makes a heart appear above their head, and once per playthrough, a rewarding and heartfelt message will appear at the bottom of the screen to say that they love the farmer.
9 The Sims
Enriched by a devoted modding community and dozens of innovative expansion packs, The Sims franchise is one of the most extensive, creative, and compelling life simulators of all time. Given how big a part pets can play in a person's day-to-day life, it seems only natural that they'd play an important role in EA's popular life sim games as well.
Although dog lovers have to purchase content to add their dream pet to any of The Sims games, downloading animal expansion packs gives them the freedom to train, pet, and play with virtually any dog while customizing it to their Sims’ tastes. The possibilities of pet ownership are endless in The Sims, ensuring players have the most fulfilling experience possible.
10 Fallout 4
After they exit Vault 111 to find their missing son, Dogmeat is one of the Sole Survivor’s first and best companions in Fallout 4. Traveling through the Commonwealth together, the dog helps the player fight, find items, and rebuild Sanctuary while carefully and eagerly awaiting commands to earn the player’s affection.
As one of Fallout 4’s truly neutral allies, Dogmeat’s admiration and loyalty don’t depend on the Sole Survivor’s choices, even as their actions shape the dog-eat-dog world around them. In exchange for his unwavering support, comfort, and reliability, Dogmeat deserves the best and most pet-filled life the Sole Survivor can afford.