Best 2026 Video Games for side character depth

#1 Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
4.5

Side-character depth is promising, with Jim Gordon specifically praised as unexpectedly impressive.

Pros: pacing, core gameplay loop

Cons: companion AI, map and navigation design

#2 Pragmata
4.5

Diana’s side-character appeal is strong, with reviewers repeatedly describing her as charming, heartfelt, and central to the game’s appeal.

Pros: bug frequency, user interface design

Cons: HUD clarity, mission design

#4 Cabernet
4.5

Side characters were repeatedly praised as well-written, complex, rounded, and enjoyable to interact with, though one reviewer found some contemporaries merely personable rather than deeply developed.

Pros: accessibility options, protagonist appeal

Cons: frame rate stability, polish

#5 Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
4.4

Side character depth is strongly praised through new officers, personal questlines, expanded arcs, and more character connection.

Pros: core gameplay loop, visual effects quality

Cons: monetization fairness, microtransaction impact

#6 Gears of War: E-Day
4.3

The new squadmates are viewed as potentially meaningful because their different temperaments and motivations can shape the campaign.

Pros: emotional impact, art direction

Cons: value for money, platform-specific feature support

#7 Zero Parades: For Dead Spies
4.1

The supporting cast is frequently funny, tragic, strange, and deeply humane. The expanding plot occasionally sidelines important figures, but the strongest character stories are among the game’s highlights.

Pros: level design, world interactivity

Cons: performance optimization, menu usability

#8 Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
4.0

Companion side stories were usually liked for adding personality and backstory, though some reviewers found their structure limited.

Pros: art direction, environmental detail

Cons: multiplayer design, accessibility options

#9 Crimson Desert
4.0

Reviewer evidence is positive: side character depth was generally praised, though some notes were more qualified across 2 review(s).

Pros: level design, replay value

Cons: stealth mechanics, save system reliability

#10 007 First Light
4.0

Side character depth has limited positive evidence, focused on Greenway adding a new mentor dynamic to Bond lore.

Pros: level design, user interface design

Cons: AI behavior, facial animations

#11 BlazBlue Entropy Effect X
4.0

Side character depth improves in X, with researchers described as having clearer characterization and individual struggles.

Pros: movement feel, skill tree depth

Cons: menu usability, HUD clarity

#12 Marvel's Wolverine
4.0

Side character depth received modest positive support through Logan and Jean’s apparently comfortable working relationship.

Pros: environmental detail, graphics quality

Cons: gameplay mechanics, emotional impact

#13 Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad
4.0

Side characters were described as charming and good company, though preview time limited deeper assessment.

Pros: environmental detail, art direction

Cons: world interactivity, loot system

#14 Saros
2.5

Side character depth was a common weakness, with reviewers describing the supporting cast as shallow, disposable, or stock.

Pros: value for money, fun factor

Cons: map and navigation design, side character depth

#15 The Rogue Prince of Persia
2.4

Side character depth was mixed-to-negative: one review liked distinct personalities, but several called the cast shallow or generic.

Pros: crash stability, HUD clarity

Cons: character development, visual effects quality

#16 Directive 8020
2.4

Side character depth was a concern in limited demo time, with reviewers noting little crew reaction or emotional attachment.

Pros: user interface design, graphics quality

Cons: combat system, animation quality