The cutest creatures in gaming

Spring is finally here and it’s my favourite time of year. Easter is not far over the horizon too with its promise of family get-togethers and too-much-chocolate, as well as additional time to dedicate to video games over an extended weekend.

These aren’t the only reasons why it’s my favourite season however. There’s another, fluffier element which puts spring on top: all the newborn animals which will soon be hopping about. From downy chicks and paddling ducklings, to bouncing lambs and fluttering butterflies, there’s plenty to get all gooey-eyed over during the next few months. Here’s a round-up of some of the cutest animals in video games in honour this time of year and all things adorable.

The Dog from Fable

I might be a cat person myself but even I can appreciate just how gorgeous the Dog from the Fable series is. After saving him from a bully at the start of the second title, he’ll loyally remain by your side through all sorts of battles and you can show him he’s a ‘good boy’ by petting him. His appearance will change in line with your Hero’s alignment, turning him into happy, friendly companion who looks like a yellow Labrador if you’re very good. Forget a sword – this is one Dog who’s definitely a Hero’s best friend.

Chocobos from Final Fantasy

As mentioned in a recent post, I’ve played very little of the Final Fantasy series – but even I know what a Chocobo is. My favourite spring animal are fluffy chicks so this is an excellent entry for our list! They’re incredibly cute when young and grow up to be intelligent and friendly, helping characters on their journeys by allowing themselves to be ridden. They also demonstrate an ability to communicate with other sentient creatures and can be ferocious in combat; they’d be the perfect animal to take along on your daily commute to work.

Vladdy from Maize

So Vladdy might not technically be a ‘creature’ seeing as he’s a robot you make partway through Maize, but he’s still awesome because he’s always there to remind you how ridiculous everything is. He bears (pun intended) a striking resemblance to an animatronic toy from our childhoods but he isn’t as sickly-sweet; here’s a character who throws constant insults at you in his Russian accent while stomping around the room, squeaking as he goes. It turns out to be a beautiful love-hate relationship, and his grumpiness just makes him even more endearing.

The Minions from Overlord

This entry on our list is a lovable mix of naughty and nice: the Minions from Overlord get up to all sorts if mischief through the series but they’re weirdly cute while doing so. Sure, they’re a bit scaly with murderous intentions; like guzzling down beer before weeing everywhere; and want to eat the ‘sheepies’ and club the baby deals to death. But their zest for life and questionable fashion-sense make them strangely adorable despite all that, and their funny little sayings are bound to put a smile on anyone’s face.

Slimes from Slime Rancher

Slimes are gelatinous bell-shaped aliens that live in the Far, Far Range and their permanently happy expressions and high-pitched voices make them one seriously adorable creature. They’re soft, squishy and very happy to be around people; plus their plorts (diamond-shaped items they produce after being fed) are used to manufacture everything from food products to household cleaners, therefore making them incredibly useful too. Don’t tell me you can look at that image and then not want to give them a cuddle.

Trico from The Last Guardian

At the start of The Last Guardian, Trico can be a little intimidating: he’s absolutely huge, terribly distressed and not entirely pleased about your attention. Over the course of the game however he turns into a loyal companion who doesn’t leave your side. That makes him all the more cute; Trico might be far bigger than a lot of the other creatures on this list and doesn’t always do as he’s told, but it’s hard to resist those gorgeous eyes and playful nature as he plays like a kitten with objects in the environment.

The cat from The Preposterous Awesomeness of Everything

The Preposterous Awesomeness of Everything not only has one of the longest names in gaming, it also has one of the quirkiest styles. Its cut-and-paste design and offbeat humour make it a delight to play if you have a few hours to spare. And even if you don’t, it’s still worth installing and loading up because there’s a nice little surprise waiting on the menu screen: click on the ‘cat pops up’ option and that’s exactly what happens. What’s even better is that that fluffy little kitten greets you for no reason other than to make you laugh.

Pretty much any creature from Botanicula

Botanicula is a funny little adventure game about five friends: tiny creatures who set out on an amazing journey to save the last seed from their home tree from horrible evil parasites. Amanita Design have such a way with characters and almost every single one in this title is has its own style of cuteness. Click on them and they’ll react in a variety of ways, from a humorous animation to a quirky human-made sound; and they manage to tell an entire story without saying a single word. Just go and play it.

Now don’t tell me you didn’t say ‘Aw!’ at least once while reading through that list. If you know of any adorable creatures which should be added, please do let everyone know in the comments below!