Video games have come a long way. We can enter a world filled with details in high-resolution, almost real-like. We can spend hours immersed in a world that leaves stress, worry, and the world chaos behind. And the best part is that game developers understand how much we love pets, especially dogs! They incorporated them into the gameplay, gave them a role to play, or simply made them our in-game companions. My personal favorite is Fallout 4 Dogmeat, but there are many others to choose from. If you are a fan of games and dogs, here’s a list of games that combine both.

Fallout Games

Simply because of Dogmeat, I’ll go right into the Fallout games. It’s not just the fourth edition, you can have a dog companion in all main Fallout games (Fallout 1,2,3, and 4). Of course, if you want the most developed character, it’s Dogmeat in Fallout 4. 

Not only does he follow you around the wasteland, fighting mutated cockroaches and ghouls, but Dogmeat is the crucial part of the main story. You need him to continue the main story, and he does a great job! 

Dogmeat is a German Shepherd, helping you survive in a post-nuclear wasteland in the year 2287.

In Fallout 4, you can also buy a dog called Junkyard dog from a trader you randomly encounter while wandering throughout the wasteland. And, in the DLC Far Harbor, there is a super mutant who sells dogs. However, he sells mutant dogs… So, if that’s something you don’t like, it’s better to pass.

Far Cry Games

In the Far Cry 5 sequel called Far Cry New Dawn, you can have a Shiba Inu dog called Timber. He’s a very useful companion in the game where he can locate enemies, fetch some goodies, and players can level him up.

As for the Far Cry 5 series, a dog called Boomer is a mutt who can be obtained by completing the main story mission called Man’s Best Friend. Just like Timber, Boomer can also tag enemies and bring you weapons and materials.

And, finally, Far Cry 6 has a robot dog called K-9000. This is literally a robot dog that helps you through the game. However, it can only be unlocked if you purchase the Season Pass, and gain access to the Blood Dragon Set.

K-9000 has great stealth abilities and players can level him up, as well. Being a robot, he’s very durable. After all, his main (initial) skill is Iron Skin, which is an expected trait for a robot dog.

Mad Max

Mad Max game has a dog named Dinki-Di. I love the name! Dinki-Di is a trained war dog, and in order to get him, you will have to go through several missions. The final task is to establish a base in Jeet’s stronghold. That will lead to a “final mission” in which Max finds the dog in the Chumbucket’s hideout and brings him back to his stronghold.

Dinki-Di is useful for sniffing out mines and locating upgrades or ammunition. While we are not 100% sure what breed Dinki-Di is, some people say he’s a Blue Heeler. Either way, he’s a great addition to the game. 

Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain

In this game, the companion is more a wolf than a dog, but still follows and obeys the main character, Venom Snake, like a true loyal dog. His name is DD or D-Dog, and he is available as one of the buddies in the game.

There are three ways to find DD in the Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain, depending on the mission you choose in the early stages of the game. The missions are:

1. A hero’s way (mission 3)
2. C2W (mission 4)
3. Over The Fence (mission 5)

The dog gets trained by Ocelot and can be used as a companion dog later, when the dog grows up and learns the commands. DD lost his eye as a puppy, and later in the game, you can add some customizations such as eye patch or an artificial eye. DD can do a lot, from marking enemies to locating turrets, land mines, and wild animals.

Remnant 2

In this game, you can choose one of the “archetypes” or “classes” which determines your abilities as a player. One of them is a Handler which gives you an opportunity to have a dog companion. As you level up, your dog levels up too and can do much more than just follow you around, but turn into a very useful attack dog.

The dog in the Remnant 2 doesn’t have a name, but it’s simply referred to as a dog. But you can call him whatever you want. The problem is, you can’t actually name the dog in the game. 

There are many perks and abilities that go with the Handler archetype. From increased melee and skill damage, to increased speed and revive speed. These are just some of many perks you get when choosing the Handler class and having a dog companion in the game.

Fable Games

In the Fable 2 game, you are saving the world from an evil lord called Lucien. Helping you connect with the Albion is a dog you can find early in the game. The dog doesn’t have a specific name, so I’ll just refer to it as a Dog. 

Fable 2 is the only Fable game that never came to PC. Fable 3 was available on Steam, however it has been delisted.

One of the cool things about the Fable Dog is that it changes the appearance based on the hero’s alignment. If you choose to align with the good, your dog will look like a Yellow Labrador Retriever. If you choose evil, the dog will look more like a Black Lab. 

Another amazing detail is how the NPCs interact with the dog. If it’s a “good” dog, they will greet him, pet him, and be friendly. On the other hand, if it’s a “bad” dog, they’ll chase him away and the dog will bark back at them.

In the Fable 3 game, you get a Border Collie dog right at the beginning of the game. Just like in Fable 2, the dog serves as a link between Albion and the main hero. You can change the name of your dog at the Sanctuary. However, compared to the dog from Fable 2, this dog companion doesn’t have as prominent a role as the first one. 

Final Fantasy Games

There are 16 Final Fantasy games with the first one being released in 1987. In many FF games, you can have a dog or a dog-wolf companion. Depending what games you like to play, you can choose one of the older FF games or enjoy the beauty of the few last games, such as Final Fantasy XVI released in 2023.

Some dog companions in the franchise are Megashiba (FF 14), Pryna and Umbra (FF 15), Interceptor (FF 6),  Torgal (FF 16), and so on. Besides regular dogs, the Final Fantasy franchise has a lot of dog-like monsters and magical beings. 

It’s a big franchise and quite different from the games I mentioned above. It’s a role playing fantasy game from Japan. If you are more into reality, then some games mentioned above are more suitable for you.

Skyrim

The Dragonborn can have a dog and a horse as a companion. Well, the dog will follow you around, while a horse is used for transport. But both will aid you in combat if things get tough. You can get a dog from a man called Banning who can be found outside the Markarth. He’s close to the stables and will offer to sell you a dog as a trained war dog. 

However, there is another way to get a dog in Skyrim. If you go to Meeko’s shack in Hjalmarch, you’ll be able to get some clue on where to find a dog. You can recruit Meeko to be your companion or leave him there at the shack. 

Meeko looks like an Irish Wolfhound, as well as all other dogs in the Skyrim universe.

Luckily, there is a third option, and that is to make Meeko your pet! But you can only do this if you’ve purchased a home and adopted at least one child. I think this is the best option, because Meeko’s been through a lot of heartbreak and he’s a very loyal dog who deserves a new home.

Stardew Valley

Any gamers out there will understand how different this game is from others mentioned. Not only because of the genre, but because of the pixelated graphics. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying this masterpiece.

One of the great things is that you can have a dog as the pet and that you can choose from five different “variations”. Of course, you have to take care of the dog by filling its dog bowl every day and you can pet them to increase the relationship.

A dog will hide in the house when it’s raining, which a lot of players say is great for telling what the weather is like even before you check the weather report. You can name your dog any name you want, as well. 

Sims Games

And finally, the sims games offer the incredible game experience of what it’s like to own a dog. Of course, it’s nothing even similar to actually having a dog, but it can be great for telling your children just how many things we have to do to keep our dogs happy and healthy. 

Especially in the Sims 4 you have to bathe the dog, brush, train, take to the vet, give food, and spend time with. They get hurt, stung by a bee, they roll around in the puddles, get sprayed by a skunk, chase the delivery person, and so many other tiny details the brilliant minds behind the Sims games thought of.

You can also create your own dog in the Pet Creating Menu, or choose from one of the pre-made dog breeds. They really thought of a lot of dog breeds, from Poodles to Hounds.

Final Thoughts

Games are a great way to wind up and relax. If there is a dog that can be your companion, even better! You instantly bond with that little on-screen creature as if it was your actual dog! You are sad if they get hurt in the game or if someone yells at them. And, you will do anything for them!  Just like in real life. Most games mentioned in the article are open world games, if not all. That allows us to enjoy the beauty of the game and the world the developers created with our four-legged best friend. It’s a special rewarding feeling when you finish an in-game task with a dog companion or simply admire the beauty of Skyrim with your best friend next to you.

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Cover photo by Onur Binay