Best 2026 Video Games for character development

#1

Companion questlines can give party members full character arcs, making relationship-building one of the more rewarding parts of the adventure.

#2

Character growth was described as subtle but powerful, with personality emerging through battlefield behavior and interactions.

#3

Character growth is one of Berseria’s strongest qualities, especially Velvet’s arc and the way major party members evolve across the story.

#4

Companion quests and the broader story give the party more growth and backstory than earlier entries, with several characters becoming genuine standouts.

#5

Arjun’s arc drew praise where reviewers felt his development became darker, more complex, and captivating.

#6

Character development evidence centered on Grace’s growth and consistency, with reviewers finding her arc effective.

#7

Expanded scenes give Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Barret, Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge more depth; one reviewer finds the main cast less likable.

#8

Kiefer, Maribel, and other party members have arcs that can resonate, especially around purpose and growing up. Some critics still wanted more time and depth for those journeys.

#9

Aava’s characterization is deliberately thorny and divisive. Some reviewers see meaningful emotional layers, while others feel her abrasiveness never develops into a satisfying arc.

#10

Character development was praised for how relationships and reactivity could make the story feel personal.

#11

A fully voiced agent feels more like a real character than the silent protagonists in earlier entries.

#12

Reviewers see character development potential in learning more about younger Marcus and Dom and the new squad around them.

#13

Character development is expected to improve because reviewers saw the remake fleshing out Edward’s story and personal relationships.

#14

Character development centers on Hugh and Diana’s growing bond, which reviewers overwhelmingly found organic, heartfelt, and memorable.

#15

Reviewers often felt Miis became memorable through quirks, relationships, and player input, although one noted that development can be slow.

#16

Travis, Jan, Sheath, and other Gatlians receive more satisfying arcs and relationship beats than many expected, giving the talking weapons more emotional weight.

#17

Kratos and Deimos' evolving brotherhood is widely praised, with Kratos gradually revealing more compassion and Deimos gaining complexity as their beliefs about duty clash.

#18

The strongest arcs center on guilt, rebuilding, and whether Cascade and her former crew can move beyond past failures. These themes give the character work unusual emotional weight.

#19

Flashbacks give Emma and Koo’s relationship a warm, understandable foundation. Emma’s rejection by society also creates room for a stronger personal arc as the story develops.

#20

Character development was generally strong, with reviewers praising memorable personalities, relationship consequences, and excellent development, though one found some characters less complex.

#21

Companions and character arcs are a relative strength when reviewers spend time with them, though the broader cast is not universally loved.

#22

Character development was praised where the story appears to account for Logan’s pain, memory, and long life.

#23

Character development is a notable strength because multiple reviewers see the origin story aligning Bond's growth with gameplay and MI6 relationships.

#24

Character development was mostly praised for strong connection events and character growth, though one review felt parts of the cast had become stagnant.

#25

Mio and Mayu’s strained bond comes through strongly, with side stories and hand-holding mechanics adding texture to their relationship.

#26

Character development evidence centers on the X storyline, where reviewers liked researcher backstories and clearer characterization.

#27

Several hero arcs and Lou’s growth give the story emotional lift, but some reviewers find side characters rushed or underdeveloped because the campaign moves them in and out quickly.

#28

One review praised the cast connection and personal battles, supporting a positive but limited score for character development.

#29

Character development had narrow support from Powerplex commentary describing him as emotional and psychologically distinctive.

#30

Character development evidence is limited to one expectations-focused review that anticipates meaningful growth across Batman and the Bat family.

#31

Older versions of Max and Chloe feel more mature and emotionally layered to many players, while dissenting voices think they remain too close to their teenage selves or skip needed...

#32

N.A. and Tichelle’s gradually warming friendship is consistently the narrative highlight, while most supporting characters lack enough time to develop.

#33

Dark Ties adds meaningful context to Mine and several relationships, but some reviewers felt the extra backstory still leaves his characterization underdeveloped.

#34

Jack and several supporting characters feel more grounded than their cartoon designs suggest, but a few important side characters could have used clearer motives and more development.

#35

Reviewers who connect with the cast praise the care given to relationships and recurring crew members. More critical sources argue that major characters remain thin or never become emotionally convincing.

#36

Character development is mixed: some material gives Styx more depth, but the broader crew can feel underdeveloped and short on meaningful conflict or growth.

#37

Character writing is divisive: some relationships and supporting robots inspire genuine attachment, while another account found the cast underdeveloped and emotionally thin by the end.

#38

The commandos have recognizable personalities and banter, but most reviewers see them as lightly sketched rather than deeply developed characters.

#39

Ariane and Thomas are easy to understand, but many critics wanted more history, nuance, and growth to make their relationship fully convincing.

#40

Character development was scored negatively where characters were described as broad, predictable archetypes.

#41

Aeta and Bianca begin with an appealing premise, but many reviewers wanted substantially more time and depth for their bond, motivations, and personal growth before the late-game revelations.

#42

Reviewer evidence is strongly negative: character development was consistently framed as a major weakness across 3 review(s).