These first-person shooters not only offer great action-packed gameplay, but their ally AI chatter is unparalleled.
While the video game industry is full-to-the-brim with notable silent protagonists, such titles are often similarly bursting with original NPC allies who are all too forthcoming with a whole host of quips, one-liners, and developed conversation.
From close-knit brothers in arms to individual AI companions accompanying the player throughout the peaks and troughs of the narrative, allied characters in video games are rarely silent and are all-too-often full of engaging conversations.8 Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands & Breakpoint
While the squad-based combat and elaborate combat callouts of Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon Wildlands may have been tightened up in its sequel, Ghost Recon Breakpoint, that is not to say that the interpersonal chatter was any less engaging in the original. With the subseries’ focus on multiplayer play, AI allies’ combat and conversational chatter did much to replicate the banter of player-led engagement for those who wished to play solo.
Although the antics of Ghost Team in Bolivia, as seen in Ghost Recon Wildlands, may have been expanded in its direct sequel; communication between Nomad, Midas, Holt, and Weaver remains arguably more engaging in the original entry. Bolstered by Wildlands’ chatter relating beyond tactical callouts — with comments on the environment and task at hand, alongside conversational quips — the open-world shooter brings a surprising amount of character to its core fireteam.7 Call Of Duty: Black Ops
With the acting talents of Hollywood staples like Gary Oldman, Ed Harris, and James C. Burns, Call of Duty: Black Ops’ 2010 release brought players into a star-studded, action-filled depiction of the Cold War. While other Call of Duty titles before and since have touted the cast list of its characters, Treyarch’s commitment to explosive action and pulp-like scenarios ensures that FPS combat never remains by the numbers for long.
From Frank Woods’ crass and cocky combat barks to Hudson’s more authoritative tone, chatter in casual and combative situations is not only engaging but entertaining at seemingly every turn. Bolster the main characters’ performances with Holywood-esque realism in NPC dialogue and shouts in combat, and Call of Duty: Black Ops’ audio remains arguably as explosive as its gameplay.6 Fallout 4
Although scavenging and strolling through the remains of Fallout 4’s Commonwealth is often a solitary experience, players may decide to ditch the solitude of the post-apocalypse and patrol the wastes with one of the title’s many companions.
