Summary

There’s something truly endearing aboutan unlikely friendshipthat really tugs at the heartstrings, and that holds especially true in the vast world of video games, where for years we’ve understood that monsters are the enemy, and we are the hero…but what if that didn’t have to be true?

What if, instead of defeating the monster, you could talk to them? Work with them? Befriend them? As unlikely as it might sound, these eight games challenge conventions by asking you not to kill the beast but to be kind to it instead.

Team Ico’s The Last Guardian was meant to be their magnum opus, but unfortunately, the game eventually became more famous for its numerous delays than for the impressive animation,beautiful storytelling, and giant, lovable monster.

While, in the end, The Last Guardian left critics divided, you could make a solid argument that the frustration of working with a giant monster is an important part of the game. Like a real friendship, you’ll need to put work into your relationship with Trico if you want to succeed. You’ll have your ups and downs together, but in the end, you’ll also have forged an unforgettable bond with an unforgettable beast.

6Majin And The Forsaken Kingdom

A Pact Will Be Forged For A Kingdom In Ruin

Majin And The Forsaken Kingdom is the story of a fallen kingdom overtaken by an entity known only as “Darkness.” In an attempt to save the kingdom from the decay that has befallen it, an unlikely hero makes an unlikely friendship. A pact, to be precise.

After finding and freeing the mythical Majin, it’s up to you to take the beast with you back to the decaying kingdom in a last-ditch effort to restore what was lost. If you enjoyed The Last Guardian and want more of that type of experience, look no further than Majin And The Forsaken Kingdom.

5Pokemon

They Are Pocket Monsters After All

Pokemon is, without question,thevideo game series about befriending monsters instead of fighting them. Though, admittedly, you do end up doing a little bit of both over the course of your Pokemon adventure, no matter which region you’re training in.

With over one thousand creatures to befriend, train, and grow together with, it’s no wonder Pokemon has become one of the most successful game franchises of all time, spawning an entire subgenre of game in its wake:the creature collector.Whether you’ve been catching ‘em all since Kanto or you’ve only just begun your journey, Pokemon has a monster friend for everyone.

4Monster Tale

A DS Hidden Gem

Monster Tale is the incredibly rare case of a game only getting released in North America, with no ports, re-releases, or anything of the sort making their way to modern platforms despite numerous promises from the game’s developers. As with anyregion-locked exclusive, this is a crying shame, as Monster Tale is one of the betterhidden gems the DS has to offer.

Starring a rambunctious little girl named Ellie and her unlikely friend, Chomp, Monster Tale is a deconstruction of the formula Pokemon perfected. Together, you’ll need to fight against the cruelty of a kid-controlled world and find a way to get Ellie back to the world she calls home.

While it can be hard to track down a copy today, Monster Tale is worth going into blind if you get the chance. The less you know about this fantastic game going into it, the better your experience will be.

Some ideas are simplytoo good to leave in the past.The original NES title, A Boy And His Blob: Trouble On Blobolonia, may very well be the first game about an unlikely friendship between human and monster ever made. (Unless you count E.T. on the Atari 2600, which…no.)

WayForwardreimagined that original idea in a stunning way with their 2009 puzzle platformer simply titled “A Boy And His Blob.” The game sees a young boy befriend an adorable little blob with a love for jelly beans, and together, the two embark on an imaginative quest that remains true to the NES original while flooding the idea with new life thanks to incredible art direction and engaging gameplay.

Much like A Boy And His Blob, Planet Of Lana is a beautifullyhandcrafted adventurethrough a remarkable world, led by a child and an adorable monster companion. In this case, rather than a young boy and a…well, a blob, Planet Of Lana is the story of a young girl and a tiny, trusted monster friend.

If you love games like Limbo, Inside, or Orphan, Planet Of Lana and its beautifully engaging world are sure to captivate and delight you in all new ways, and while we’re loathe to spoil the sights and sounds for you here, Planet Of Lana’s “Overwhelmingly Positive” status on Steam make it clear that this adventure is one worth taking.

When Toby Fox began development on an RPG that lets you resolve the conflict by talking to the monsters instead of forcing you to fight them, he never could have imagined that the world he created would become one of the most beloved indie games of all time.

Enter a world of monsters, where, as a human, you must choose the fates of those that live deep within this long-forgotten labyrinth. With iconic characters like Sans and Papyrus, a deeply moving story, and a downright incredible score, Undertale is a triumph of independent development. If you’ve never given this critically acclaimed game a try, you owe it to yourself to change that as soon as possible.