20 Games With A Mentor You’ll Never Forget

The best mentors stay with us through everything – helping us begin, providing essential support, and pushing us to overcome huge challenges. The games featured here all showcase heroes paired with figures who teach, influence, and even test them, profoundly shaping their entire experience. Whether it’s a veteran warrior, a loving parent, a cryptic guide, or a supportive teacher, each mentor raises the stakes, builds skills, and adds crucial moments that transform a simple adventure into a life-changing journey.

‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ (2015)

Vesemir is the heart of the witcher tradition, guiding Geralt through the rigorous training at Kaer Morhen. He not only teaches monster hunting skills but also explains the witchers’ code of ethics and the history of their order. Vesemir’s advice is crucial for protecting Ciri and understanding the dangerous forces at play with the Wild Hunt. The game developers, CD Projekt Red, use Vesemir to tie together quests, character development, and the rich backstory of the world.

‘God of War’ (2018)

Once Kratos frees him, Mimir becomes a valuable source of information about the different realms, ancient runes, and challenging riddles. He clarifies complex events and lore, like the history of the World Serpent, and offers advice that helps Atreus grow. Mimir’s stories add depth to everything you explore, making each new area and side quest more meaningful. The game developers at Santa Monica Studio cleverly weave Mimir’s knowledge into how you navigate the world, solve puzzles, and understand the story.

‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ (1998)

Sheik guides Link throughout his journey by teaching him how to warp between locations and offering helpful hints for each dungeon. These lessons unlock new areas, make it easier to revisit old ones, and shape the main quest after the seven-year time skip. Similar to the advice Link receives from the Great Deku Tree at the beginning of the game, Sheik connects music to how the game progresses. The game’s developers used Sheik’s teachings to control the pace of the story and the order in which Link explores the temples.

‘Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater’ (2004)

Naked Snake’s previous commander sets the standard for all close-quarters combat training. She not only taught him the skills you’ll use – like throws, counters, and managing stamina – but also how to think about the moral implications of those skills. Through radio conversations and practical exercises, her beliefs become clear, culminating in a final challenge. The game connects her teachings to key gameplay elements like camouflage, survival, and post-mission analysis.

‘Mass Effect’ (2007)

Captain Anderson is a key ally to Shepard, supporting their appointment as a Spectre and providing access to the Normandy. He also discreetly handles any initial errors Shepard makes. Anderson serves as a guide to the complex politics of the Citadel and how the Council operates, and he helps bypass bureaucratic obstacles to open up new missions. Regular briefings with Anderson often reveal valuable leads and secure access to essential equipment. Ultimately, BioWare designed Anderson to protect Shepard politically and to teach players how the game’s story branches and unfolds.

‘Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order’ (2019)

After going into hiding, Cere Junda takes on Cal Kestis as her apprentice, helping him reconnect with the Force through focused meditation and practice. She guides his journey to Zeffo, decides what they should research, and upgrades BD-1 to handle new challenges. Her history with Trilla adds weight to their search for holocron clues. The game developers, Respawn Entertainment, weave Cere’s guidance into how Cal gains new abilities and navigates the Mantis spaceship.

‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’ (2019)

Owl trains Wolf as a ninja, focusing on stealth, using prosthetic tools, and following a strict code that will impact your decisions later. The Sculptor then builds on this training, improving Wolf’s tools and emphasizing a combat style centered around precise movements. Your conversations with both Owl and the Sculptor influence which endings you can achieve and change your goals as the game progresses. Through these mentors, FromSoftware creates a branching path – both in gameplay and story – that defines where your allegiances lie.

‘Ghost of Tsushima’ (2020)

In Tsushima, Lord Shimura guides Jin in the ways of the samurai, teaching him combat, strategy, and how to lead. However, Jin’s reliance on stealth and fear-based tactics often conflicts with these traditional lessons. He receives further training from Sensei Ishikawa in archery and from Lady Masako regarding his responsibilities to his clan. The game developers, Sucker Punch Productions, use these mentor characters to shape the game’s narrative and challenge Jin’s moral boundaries.

‘Assassin’s Creed II’ (2009)

Mario Auditore officially welcomes Ezio into the Brotherhood, giving him access to training areas, new weapons, and opportunities to invest in his villa. Mario also explains the ongoing conflict with the Templars, identifies key targets, and shows Ezio how to lead groups in battle as he gains experience. Meanwhile, Leonardo da Vinci provides helpful gadgets and upgrades, transforming collected codex pages into improvements for climbing and combat. Overall, Ubisoft Montreal uses these mentor figures to teach Ezio new skills and reveal the complex web of conspiracies during the Renaissance.

‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018)

Hosea Matthews is the brains behind the Van der Linde gang and acts as a mentor to Arthur, teaching him how to pull off schemes, navigate social situations, and stay calm. He’s the one who plans robberies, finds the best vantage points, and helps you talk your way out of trouble. Conversations with Hosea unlock improvements for the camp, prepare you for hunts, and influence the long-term choices you make to survive. Rockstar uses Hosea’s advice to control how quickly the gang’s activities escalate and how much freedom you have to make moral decisions.

‘Pokémon Red and Blue’ (1996)

Professor Oak guides you at the beginning of your Pokémon journey, providing your first Pokémon, a Pokédex to record your discoveries, and explaining how Pokémon types interact. His lab is where you choose your starter Pokémon, a decision that influences your early battles and the Pokémon you encounter. He also checks your progress and encourages you to achieve your goals. Game Freak cleverly integrates Oak’s role into the game’s key features, like building your team, using HMs, and challenging gym leaders in a specific order.

‘Persona 5’ (2016)

Sojiro Sakura takes in the main character and lets them stay at Leblanc, providing excuses for their presence and teaching them responsibility through work at the café. As you build your relationship with him, you unlock perks like better curry and coffee, which help you recover energy during missions. He also opens up new opportunities, letting you explore the city at night and gain access to useful tools. Essentially, Atlus designed Sojiro to be a key part of the game’s systems, ensuring you have the resources you need to succeed throughout the long story.

‘Elden Ring’ (2022)

Melina makes a deal that lets you improve your character and use Torrent, your spectral steed. She then guides you to important locations on the map, marking your progress. Visiting Melina unlocks new features at the Roundtable Hold and signals achievements in dungeons. Your conversations with her also determine which areas you can access later in the game. Essentially, FromSoftware has cleverly woven Melina’s guidance into how you explore the world, develop your character, and move forward.

‘Dark Souls’ (2011)

Solaire, a character in the game, perfectly embodies helpful teamwork. He introduces players to the game’s online features – like summoning other players and sharing tips for defeating bosses – all while staying true to the game’s atmosphere. His storyline cleverly demonstrates how the game world changes based on player actions, how different groups (covenants) work, and how progress is saved. He subtly guides players to understand where they can find the most useful help and when to be cautious. Essentially, FromSoftware uses Solaire to teach players how online play works and the importance of paying attention to your surroundings in the game world.

‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ (2017)

Growing up, Rost basically taught me everything I know about surviving in this world. He drilled me on tracking, how to use a bow, and finding safe routes outside our settlement. Honestly, the training sequences in the game feel just like his lessons – learning to scan enemies, pinpoint their weak spots, and set up traps. He was always a stickler for caution, and that really shapes how I approach dangerous places like Cauldrons and areas overrun by corruption. The developers at Guerrilla Games clearly took Rost’s way of teaching and built it into the game’s stealth mechanics, skill upgrades, and even the Proving challenges. It’s like he’s still guiding me, even in the game!

‘Half-Life 2’ (2004)

Eli Vance helps Gordon get acquainted with the Resistance, offering him a lab to practice with the Gravity Gun and introducing him to vehicle-based challenges at Black Mesa East. Through Eli’s guidance, Gordon gains access to allies, safe locations, and important technology, which allows him to progress through the game. Talking with Eli helps Gordon understand the different areas of City 17 and what he needs to do next. Valve uses Eli’s role as a mentor to connect the game’s physics-based puzzles, team-based combat, and unfolding story.

‘Baldur’s Gate’ (1998)

Okay, so Gorion was like, my total protector at the start of the game, ever since we left Candlekeep. He basically gave me my first quests and helped me understand what was right and wrong. When he died, it really kicked things into gear – I had to figure out what happened, and that’s why I ended up with the companions I did. All the clues and people connected to Gorion led me to Nashkel and this whole mess with the Iron Crisis. Honestly, BioWare used his death as a way to get me exploring, making choices about which groups to side with, and learning how all the rules of the AD&D system worked. It was a tough loss, but it definitely drove the story forward.

‘Fire Emblem: Three Houses’ (2019)

Jeralt, the leader of the Knights of Seiros, explains Byleth’s responsibilities at the academy, including how to manage battalions and prepare for missions. He demonstrates different team formations and emphasizes the importance of careful planning and using the environment to your advantage. Jeralt’s advice directly impacts how you schedule lessons and choose students to join each house. The game developers, Intelligent Systems and Koei Tecmo, integrate this mentorship into the weekly schedule and overall tactical development.

‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’ (2011)

As a huge fan, I’ve always loved how the Greybeards and Arngeir guide you through learning the Thu’um. It’s not just about getting new shouts, though – it actually controls where you can go and what you can do! Their training isn’t just a series of tests; it unlocks ancient knowledge at the word walls, helps you understand the dragons, and even manages how often you can use shouts in battle. Honestly, making that trek up to High Hrothgar early on gave me clear goals and a safe path through the wilderness. Bethesda really cleverly linked their mentorship to both exploring the world and keeping the combat interesting, which is fantastic.

‘BioShock’ (2007)

Atlas helps you navigate the city of Rapture, directing you to important items like new powers (plasmids) and weapon improvements, as well as guiding you toward your goals. He’ll send you to hidden areas – workshops, medical facilities, and power stations – that you might not find on your own. He uses audio logs and map markers to give clear, step-by-step instructions. This guidance isn’t just about helping you find things; it also controls how quickly you gain power and how you feel about making your own choices in the game.

Share your favorite unforgettable game mentor—and why they stuck with you—in the comments!

2025-11-16 02:49