Listmas 2024: Celebrating Friendships and Families

This time of year brings about different modes of being for different people. Some folks prefer a stretch of solitude to the chaos of family gatherings and friendly parties, while others revel in those very festive groups of kin and acquaintances. Our second Listmas topic of the season strays away from solo ventures to multiplayer “holidays,” at it were, with a focus on some of the most memorable friendships in family units in game. It’s always hard to choose favorites, as my list of six demonstrates!

Apollo Justice and Athena Cykes (Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies)

Image captured by author during Nintendo Switch gameplay of *Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney* *— Dual Destinies* (© Nintendo).

When bright-eyed (and slightly clumsy) attorney Athena Cykes bursts onto the Ace Attorney scene as the newest member of Phoenix Wright’s law agency, well…she doesn’t exactly form an immediate bond with her closest-in-age cohort, Apollo Justice. The seeds of their friendship are sown slowly and carefully, but they eventually blossom into an unshakable bond. While their tag-team lawyering makes for plenty of entertainment, it becomes clear that they each care about the other and would do anything to maintain their friendship.

The Finch family (What Remains of Edith Finch)

Image captured by author during PS4 gameplay of *What Remains of Edith Finch* (© Giant Sparrow, Annapurna Interactive).

At times, it can be difficult watching the tragedy of the Finch family unfold in What Remains of Edith Finch, but there’s no question that the Finches were devout to each other. Even if some of that stemmed from wanting to quell a curse that had befallen its members, the family was nothing but strong and connected. Indeed, it’s hard to forget about the lives the Finches led and the strange house that they all created together. They redefined what it meant to be a family.

The protagonist and Aigis (Persona 3)

Image captured by author during emulated gameplay of *Persona 3 Portable* (© Atlus, Sony).

The relationship in Persona games are some of the deepest and most meaningful in games. Frankly, this whole topic could be devoted just to its many friendships! But the relationship that formed in Persona 3 between the protagonist and the android Aigis will always remain closest to my heart. While all the main character’s friends were there until the end, Aigis remained the most devoted. Seeing the two of them together in the game’s final moments is something I’ll never forget.

Athena, Cornelius, and Miranda (The Talos Principle 2)

Image captured by author during PS5 gameplay of *The Talos Principle 2* (© Croteam, Devolver Digital).

Prefacing this with SPOILERS, one of the biggest surprises in The Talos Principle 2 is learning that the android from the first game essentially created the civilization in the sequel. Or, did it? That’s up for debate; but in any case, a unique family with some connection to the android of the first game rests at the heart of The Talos Principle 2 – parents Athena and Cornelius, and their daughter Miranda. When tragedy ensues, one parent’s actions set the game itself into motion. At the end of it all, it’s up to the player to decide the family’s true fate. The turn of events is as brilliant as it is (or can be) moving.

Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan (Uncharted)

Image captured by author during PS4 gameplay of *Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End*™ (© Naughty Dog, Sony Computer Entertainment).

If there’s a better mentor-student relationship in game than that of Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan, aka “Sully” in the Uncharted series, I’d love to know! While it’s true that treasure hunter Nathan had plenty of allies by his side, including the wonderful Elena Fisher, his bond with Sully was well-written and meaningful. Sure, maybe they weren’t as close and as perfect as peanut butter and jelly, but the two were inseparable. Nathan knew quite well that friends like Sully didn’t just grow on trees! Sully was a one-in-a-million partner and was worth every penny to Nathan.

Roth and Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn)

Image captured by author during PS4 gameplay of *Horizon Zero Dawn* (© Guerilla Games).

When tribal outcast Roth was saddled with caring for Aloy, another outcast from the Nora tribe, in Horizon Zero Dawn, he could have easily written her off as a hindrance. But he didn’t. Instead, he raised Aloy as his own and supported her desire to become a warrior. Together, they were an unforgettable family. Roth’s love for Aloy shone brightly, as did her affection for the only parent she ever knew. Watching their relationship grow as Aloy matured was a highlight of Horizon Zero Dawn, because it was that very bond that fueled Aloy’s fight to learn about who she was. Her search for truth stemmed from Roth’s honesty and forgiveness. Together, they formed a family in its purest form.