One of the most precious things in life are friends: good friends, the kind that stick around for life, no matter what. Some friendships are a little complicated, but others are just sweet, straightforward, and wholesome. A welcome oasis of calm in the chaos. There are some incredible friendships in video games that depict this perfectly.
There may be some obvious examples missing from this list - the classic Sonic and Tails, for example - but these slightly lesser-known friendships are super wholesome and just as lovely to witness. From a nervous mage and a swashbuckling thief to a pair of mischief-making robots, here are some sweet video game friendships to celebrate.
5 Harry & Kim, Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium is a vast game with complex themes, which players can choose to dive into, or not. At the heart of it, though, there is a lost and lonely man looking for connection, and a person willing to put up with his nonsense in return. Harry is a cop with no memory: he can't remember who he is, how he ended up in a trashed hotel room, and what he's supposed to be doing.
Launched into the role of a police officer, it's his job to investigate a murder, while also trying to keep a lid on his own existential crisis. As Harry discovers who he really is - which rarely makes him feel good, as he's not always the most likable character - he relies on his new partner Kim Kitsuragi. Kim has a dry wit and is initially (probably rightly) suspicious of Harry, but the two slowly become friends over the course of the game, and they have some incredibly wholesome moments together.
4 Zidane & Vivi, Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy IX introduces us to a gorgeous, fantastical world in which a thief named Zidane goes on a mission to kidnap a princess. It's a fun story with some strong friendships forged over time, and one of the most wholesome examples of this is Zidane's relationship with a black mage, Vivi.
Shy and nervous, Vivi is initially withdrawn. He's one of the most wholesome characters, but he's vulnerable to hurt, and he has a long journey of self-discovery ahead of him. Zidane stands alongside him, almost like a big brother, helping Vivi to feel a little more confident in himself. Vivi's sensitivity and Zidane's zest for life make for an interesting, and very sweet, friendship.
3 Alex & Ethan, Life Is Strange: True Colors
While there is a big age gap between them, one of the most lovely friendships in Life Is Strange: True Colors has to be Alex and Ethan. They meet early on in the game, and Alex has to make a tricky decision that will impact what happens to Ethan afterward. Without giving away too much, Alex would have reason to be at least a little upset with Ethan. However, she cares about him so much that she throws herself into making him feel better, with an entire chapter dedicated to LARPing with him (organized by the similarly excellent Steph).
Alex's willingness to be silly with Ethan in this chapter, along with many of the other characters, shows how much she loves him and gives him a vital friendship he was otherwise lacking in the face of immense sadness and grief. Ethan is overwhelmed with joy to LARP with Alex, and it's a wholesome chapter in a game that deals with some heavy and difficult themes.
2 Stella & Atul, Spiritfarer
This one is kind of a cheat entry, but it deserves a spot here. Stella is the captain of a ship with a difference: it's her job, as the Spiritfarer, to sail across the world, collecting spirits in order to grant their last wishes. Once they've ticked off every last wish, the spirit can safely cross the Everdoor into the afterlife. It's an incredibly sweet, touching game about life, death, and what comes after.
Atul was actually Stella's long-lost uncle, and Stella never knew what happened to him when he was alive. So yes, their relationship is a little more than just a standard friendship. However, Stella and Atul grow close over the course of the game, with each taking care of the other in equal measure: Atul keeps himself busy on the ship and gives great hugs, while Stella goes on a quest to make his favorite fried chicken. Atul annoys some of the other characters with his constant ship repairs and relentless optimism. However, Stella has the opportunity to develop a true friendship with him, something she was denied before. It's a lovely friendship in an incredibly moving game.
1 Atlas & P-Body, Portal 2
Atlas and P-Body have to be one of the best pairs of robots ever (up there with Wall-E and Eve, surely). Admittedly their friendship is a bit complicated sometimes - how often do friends purposefully send each other sailing into the abyss? - but still, they're pretty forgiving of each other.
The co-op mode in Portal 2 is one of the most fun and frustrating games to play with a friend, as the players, controlling Atlas and P-Body, try to navigate each other through a series of increasingly complicated puzzles. The opportunity for practical jokes is way too huge to take advantage of, obviously. But both robots show a surprising amount of personality, and gestures, slowly unlocked as the game progresses, allow players to wave, high-five, hug, and even play rock-paper-scissors together. Adorable.