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 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

#8 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

#9 007 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

#10 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

#11 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

#12 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

#13 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

#14 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

#15 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