NPCs Who Deserved Better: Side Characters That Stole Our Hearts

From Dogmeat to Cortana: A Tribute to Gaming's Best NPCs

Okay, let’s talk about NPCs—the non-playable characters who live in the background of our favorite games. They’re the shopkeepers, quest-givers, or random townsfolk who make the world feel alive. Most of the time, we breeze past them on our way to fight bosses or save kingdoms, but every now and then, an NPC will sneak into your heart and refuse to leave.

These are the unsung heroes of gaming—the ones with surprisingly deep stories, quirky personalities, or vibes that just hit different. And let’s be real, some of them deserved way more attention (or better fates) than the games gave them. I’m here to shine a spotlight on the side characters we secretly loved. They might not be the “Chosen One,” but they’re unforgettable.

1. Tali Zorah (Mass Effect Series)

Alright, I know Tali is technically a squadmate, but c’mon—she was treated like an NPC half the time. Tali’s story is chef’s kiss. She’s a Quarian, which means her people live in exile on a fleet of ships, and she has to wear a suit to survive outside their sterile environments. It’s already a tough life, but then you find out she’s a tech genius, a loyal friend, and has this emotional depth that hits like a Biotic Slam.

But did BioWare give her the spotlight she deserved? Nah, they had her stuck as the "tech expert" in the background while Shepard got all the glory. I mean, her loyalty mission? Heartbreaking. Her romance arc? Underrated. If you didn’t feel something for Tali after her trial or her vulnerable moments, you might not have a soul.

2. Delphine (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)

Remember Delphine? The bad*ss Blade who helps you figure out you’re the Dragonborn? She’s a ride-or-die ally who risks everything to take down Alduin, the world-eater dragon. Yet, for some reason, players either love her or find her annoying, and I’ll never understand the hate.

Here’s a woman who lost her whole order, lives undercover in a backwater inn, and still manages to be more capable than half the people in Skyrim. Sure, she’s pushy about you killing Paarthurnax (justice for the chill dragon), but her story is tragic. Delphine deserved more closure and maybe a better arc that didn’t involve hiding in a basement forever.

3. Cabbage Merchant (Avatar: The Last Airbender - Video Game)

Yes, I’m bringing up the Cabbage Merchant. He’s iconic, okay? His “MY CABBAGES!” line in the TV show became a meme, but in the video game adaptations, he was even more ridiculous. This poor man just wanted to sell his cabbages, but the universe kept dunking on him.

Every time you interacted with him, his stuff got wrecked. Like, can we get this man a business loan or a security detail? He was hilarious but also low-key relatable because, let’s face it, we’ve all felt like the universe is out to get us sometimes. Justice for the Cabbage Merchant and his leafy empire.

4. Zoltan Chivay (The Witcher Series)

Zoltan is Geralt’s dwarf BFF, and let me tell you, he deserved WAY more screentime. This dude is hilarious, loyal, and constantly coming through in a pinch. Whether it’s bailing you out of trouble or providing comic relief, Zoltan was the kind of friend everyone needs.

But did he ever get a meaningful side quest of his own? Nope. He’s always in the shadow of bigger Witcher storylines. Imagine a Zoltan spin-off where you get to explore his backstory and his wild mercenary days. Someone call CD Projekt Red, because this needs to happen.

5. Chrono Trigger’s Frog

Alright, Frog is technically a party member, but I’m bending the rules here because his story deserved better resolution. He’s a cursed knight who gets turned into a frog but still wields a sword like an absolute legend. His arc about honor, redemption, and fighting for a lost kingdom? Chef’s kiss.

But the game kind of leaves his fate up in the air. Like, did he ever break the curse? Did he find peace? Chrono Trigger is an all-time great RPG, but Frog deserved a full-on emotional payoff. He’s the amphibian knight we didn’t deserve but desperately needed.

6. Papyrus (Undertale)

Oh, Papyrus. The sweet skeleton with dreams of joining the Royal Guard and a pasta obsession that’s both endearing and slightly concerning. Papyrus is one of those NPCs who sticks with you because he’s so unapologetically himself. He’s not the strongest or the smartest, but his optimism and quirky dialogue are unforgettable.

Yet, in most runs of the game, Papyrus doesn’t get the happy ending he deserves. Whether you spare or fight him, there’s this bittersweet vibe that lingers. Toby Fox gave us a masterpiece with Undertale, but I still wish Papyrus had a little more closure—like opening his own spaghetti restaurant or something.

7. HK-47 (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic)

This homicidal droid was the ultimate dark-humor sidekick. HK-47 referred to humans as “meatbags” and had zero patience for anyone’s nonsense. But beneath the snark and sarcasm, he had layers—like, Shrek-level layers.

HK-47’s backstory about being built by Revan and his struggle with loyalty and morality was so good, yet most players saw him as just comic relief. He deserved a more in-depth arc and maybe even a redemption moment. Honestly, if BioWare remakes KOTOR, they better do HK-47 justice.

8. Big the Cat (Sonic Adventure Series)

Alright, hear me out—Big the Cat. Yes, he’s clunky, yes, his fishing missions in Sonic Adventure were frustrating, and yes, he feels completely out of place in a game about speed. But Big is oddly lovable. He’s this giant, chill cat with one goal: to find his best friend, Froggy.

Underneath all the memes and chaos, Big is the purest character in the Sonic universe. While Sonic’s zipping through loops and Shadow’s brooding over chaos emeralds, Big is just... fishing. That’s his entire vibe—peace, patience, and loyalty. He deserved a little more credit for being the ultimate “soft boy” of the gaming world. If Sega ever does a Big-centric spinoff, you best believe I’m pre-ordering it.

9. Cortana (Halo Series)

Okay, calling Cortana an NPC is pushing it since she’s literally the AI in your head throughout the Halo series. But technically, she’s not the “playable” character, so let’s roll with it. Cortana is the emotional backbone of Halo. She’s more than just a guide; she’s your partner, your conscience, and sometimes your only friend.

Her story goes way beyond “helpful AI.” Watching her grapple with her own mortality and eventual corruption in later games is gut-wrenching. She deserved so much more than being sidelined as a villain in Halo 5, and don’t even get me started on her questionable fate in Halo Infinite. Cortana was more than a hologram; she was the heart of the series, and she’ll always be my favorite “not quite NPC.”

10. Dogmeat (Fallout Series)

Let’s give it up for the ultimate good boy—Dogmeat. This loyal canine companion has been a staple in the Fallout series since the beginning, and honestly? He’s the real MVP of the wasteland.

Whether it’s scavenging supplies, helping in combat, or just being there for emotional support, Dogmeat does it all without a single complaint. The heartbreaking thing is how often he’s overlooked in favor of human companions. But for me? There’s no better partner than a dog who’ll follow you into nuclear hellscapes without hesitation. Dogmeat’s loyalty is unmatched, and he proves that the best NPCs don’t need dialogue—they just need a wagging tail and a heart of gold.

At the end of the day, NPCs are more than just background filler—they’re the heart and soul of our favorite games. They give us the emotional gut-punches, the laughs, and the moments of connection that keep us coming back for more.

Sure, they might not get the epic quests or the game-ending cutscenes, but that doesn’t make them any less important. Characters like Delphine, Papyrus, and Tali remind us that even the side players have stories worth telling. They bring the world to life in ways we often take for granted.

So, the next time you’re speedrunning past a shopkeeper or skipping dialogue with a quest-giver, take a second to appreciate them. Who knows? They might just surprise you with a story that sticks with you forever.

Keep it here at Woke Waves Magazine for more gaming nostalgia, character deep dives, and tributes to the unforgettable moments in the world of video games.

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