After the release of Fallout 3, long-time fans made their critiques loud and clear. They didn't like the actions of the companions. Players thought the main plot didn't make sense. They didn't like the drastic change of the Brotherhood of Steel's values. Bethesda heard their cries and tried to resolve their issues with the Broken Steel DLC. Many didn't think it was fair they had to buy an extended version of the ending.

Bethesda soothed their angry complaints with the release of Fallout: New Vegas. The side game was developed by Obsidian Entertainment, which had several of the original Fallout creators on the team. They knew their post-apocalyptic world best. The former Black Isle Studio members used ideas from their version of Fallout 3, along with a new plot. Both long-time and new fans were happy with the engaging storyline and new factions.

While Obsidian and Bethesda managed to make many fans happy with the game, there were still several complaints. Many of those issues could have been resolved with longer development time. The game had a short development window, so the developer had to remove planned content. They also couldn't fix bugs or crash issues.

Some things that couldn't be fixed are your companions. They have unusual mannerisms that frustrated gamers more than the frequent game crashes and silly animations. Many players don't want to travel the desert alone, especially if they need the extra firepower or inventory space.

With companions like these, the Courier may want to travel the Mojave Wasteland alone.

25 He’s Not A Real Canine

via: fallout.wikia.com

Freeside has an unusual canine resident named Rex. He belongs to the leader of the Freeside faction. Rex is a cybernetic dog who was formerly a K-9 unit with the Denver City Police Department. Just by looking at him, it's easy to see he's not entirely real. Rex has three legs, and his brain is visible.

When Rex is your companion, other characters will completely disregard his cybernetic enhancements.

NPCs either talk to him as if he's a humanoid companion or an average dog.

24 They’ll Always Be Around

via: fallout.wikia.com

Companions are marked as essential after recruiting them. Before joining your side, anyone can take them out. This will ruin your chance of recruiting them later.

There are two potential followers who are marked as essential, no matter what. ED-E is already in pieces, and can't be harmed any further. Veronica Santangelo is one of the toughest unarmed fighters who can join the Courier. Before or after recruiting her, she can't be eliminated.

23 She Tries To Steal Your Spot

via: gamefaq.com

Unlike the Courier, who must defend their lives every day, Companions are marked as essential. After recruiting them, they can survive until the end. Before joining your side, anyone can take them out. This will ruin your chance of contracting them later.

Two potential followers are marked as essential, no matter what. ED-E is already in pieces, and can't be harmed any further. Veronica Santangelo is one of the toughest unarmed fighters who can join the Courier. Before or after recruiting her, she can't be eliminated.

22 At Least It’s More Rad-X For You

via: nexusmods.com

Almost everything in the Mojave Wasteland can hurt the Courier. The food causes radiation poisoning, the dry desert heat makes you thirsty, and the bugs are irradiated monsters. Companions can help the Courier take out the monsters, but can't do anything about the environmental dangers.

Companions aren't harmed by the radiation that still lingers in post-apocalyptic America.

If the Courier is exposed to too much radiation, it can cause long-term damage. They can drink from any water source and eat pre-war food without being injured.

21 He Has Many Enemies

via: fallout.wikia.com

Boone makes it evident that he's a loner. He's not interested in working with the Courier at first. He doesn't get along with many people, even in his home settlement of Novac. The Sniper has fought in several battles, including the Bitter Springs Massacre against the Great Khans. Similar to the Legion, Boone will become instantly hostile to the Khans upon seeing them. This can cause the Courier trouble for certain side quests, such as "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" near Red Rock Canyon.

20 Save The Repairs For Later

via: fallout.wikia.com

Raul Tajeda is a ghoul mechanic who was taken captive by the Nightkin of Black Mountain. He's forced to work with them until you set him free. In the meantime, he will repair your gear for a fee. If you don't have much money, you may assume you'll get the money back after recruiting him.

Unfortunately, once Raul is hired, those bottlecaps disappear for good. There's no way to recover those lost caps. At least he can help you earn more money during your journey.

19 Your New Grandma

via: fallout.wikia.com

Lily Bowen is the sweetest Nightkin you'll ever meet. She's not like the spooky Nightkin living on Black Mountain. Lily was once a senior grandmother living in a Vault who was mutated into a terrible beast.

Lily enjoyed her time as a grandma so much that she refers to herself as everyone's grandmother.

While traveling through the Mojave Desert, she refers to herself as "Grandma" instead of "Lily." She may believe she's the Courier's grandma and wants to protect her newest grandchild.

18 It’s The Thought That Counts

via: nexusmods.com

Veronica is a Scribe for the Brotherhood of Steel. She is loyal to her faction, though at times she quests their actions. Veronica enjoys learning more about the world, including going on adventures with the Courier. As you get to know her, she's more interested in leaving them. Though she's devoted to the group, she will gladly trade her scribe robes for fancy pre-war dresses.

After giving her the clothing in "You Make Me Feel Like a Woman," nothing happens. She won't wear it because her current armor is stronger, but appreciates the kind gesture.

17 He Dislikes Them This Much

via: flickr.com (PlayStation.Blog)

Caeser's Legion has a terrible reputation in the Mojave Desert. They treat settlers like their servants and regularly take them captive. Many of your companions have a burning anger towards the Legion. Arcade won't talk to the Courier if they're wearing Legion armor. You can't "Talk" to him in the Follower Wheel, but you can still command him around. At least we know that he takes his job as a follower seriously, but he probably doesn't enjoy it while you're wearing Legion Armor.

16 It’s Not That She Doesn’t Like You

via: gametourists.blogspot.com

Rose of Sharon Cassidy is a caravan owner. She's recently hit a rough patch but is willing to work with the Courier. Her responses are often sarcastic but hide something. There may be times when you wonder if she hates you.

If playing a male Courier, it turns out Cass cares for him more than she led you to expect.

In the ending, Cass will look for you. She wants to spend time with you but discovers you're gone. Although Cass is disappointed, she will move on with the assumption you didn't return her feelings.

15 What Did Hats Do To Him?

via: ffallout-area.de

Compared to other companions, Rex doesn't complain much. He has one strange aversion to hats. Rex will bark at anyone wearing a hat. If the Courier wears a hat when first meeting the canine, he will bark at you.

Rex's dislike of hats is never explained, but beware if you wear one in his presence. Once the Courier decides to put on a hat, Rex will immediately start barking at the accessory. Make Rex happy and keep your head hat-free.

14 The Sunglasses Should Hide All

via: fallout.wikia.com

Boone is a quiet sniper who spends most of his time regretting his past. He stands out in his red beret. Boone always wears a pair of dark sunglasses, even at night. They have no effect on his skill in battle.

When walking by NPCs, they will state "That man has cold eyes." Boone's dark sunglasses would hide his eyes, making it impossible for others to comment on his personality. Boone's "cold eyes" may be so striking that NPCs can tell he has a cold heart.

13 Must Be Sensitive Contraptions

via: fallout.wikia.com

Eyebot Duraframe Subject E, or ED-E, is a floating eyebot. It has traveled all through post-apocalyptic America and can aid you in battle if your repair skills are high enough. ED-E always floats and won't know you over in combat.

One unusual trait about the eyebot is its ability to activate land traps.

If ED-E hovers over a trap that's on the ground, it will enable the trap. There's no way a trap could activate by hover. Either ED-E gets too close, or the game believes ED-E is a person.

12 He Cares More About The Courier

via: fallout.wikia.com

In New Vegas, you can earn positive or negative reputation points for every faction. Most of the factions have a recruitable companion associated with the group. If you have a bad reputation with a faction, they won't work with you. Their partners can't be recruited.

Arcade Gannon is different. Even if you have a negative reputation with the Followers, you can talk him into joining your side. Although he praises his group, he can be persuaded to join you instead.

11 Watch Out For That Cliff

via: mobygames.com

Journeying with a companion can make your journey easier, but your travel time much slower. The Courier must wait for their partners to catch up if they're not using Fast Travel. A partner won't travel the same path the Courier does. If you're walking near any cliffs, this poses a greater danger.

Companions are mostly immortal, but can still get hurt if falling off of a tall cliff. If playing in Hardcore mode, this may mean the end of your companion's traveling days.

10 He’s Being Modest

via: youtube.com (Denny Ayard)

Craig Boone is known for his sniper abilities. He always hits his target and will criticize your skills in battle. While in Novac, he is assigned to guard within the Dinky the Dinosaur Statue. Boone will tell the Courier that he's not good at melee. His tag skills include Guns, Sneak, and Melee Weapons.

Boone may complain when you hand him a melee weapon, but it's one of his primary offensive skills.

He may not like it, but he can put any melee weapon to good use.

9 Water Has No Effect

via: youtube.com (TDIGamingAndMore)

The Courier does more than deliver packages. Their journey will take them from the Hoover Dam to the bottom of Lake Mead. To survive, you'll need the rebreather to breathe for long periods underwater. If your Courier lacks this critical accessory, they will eventually run out of air.

Companions don't need any extra headgear to survive underwater. They can follow the Courier in Lake Mead with no issue because they can't drown. They're essential while under your command. If you're worried they might not make it, make them wait by the water's edge.

8 Maybe He Doesn’t Know Yet

via: deviantart.com/capmac

Arcade's job as a doctor requires him to know how to craft healing ingredients. One of the most powerful healing item in the game are Stimpacks. These valuable items can save your life in the heat of battle.

Arcade believes that these items can't be crafted from local wildlife. He thinks they're more valuable than they actually are. The Courier can craft Stimpaks with an empty syringe, Xander root, and a Broc flower. Maybe the Courier can teach the good doctor something new.

7 Where Did They Go?

via: youtube.com (TheSurvivalGuide101)

Fast Travel helps players get from city to city with a click of a button. Unless your character has previously visited the location, they can't transport to every mark on the map.

The Courier's companions can disappear before your eyes.

Once they are dismissed or quit, your service, partners can immediately transport home. They'll say a few short sentences before walking off and disappearing. Many believed that only Pip-Boys give the power to Fast Travel, but New Vegas proves this wrong.

6 Boone Has His Limits

via: reddit.com

Boone may have left the services of the NCR Army, but they are still close to his heart. He respects the service they provide to the Mojave Wasteland. Boone's opinion of the Legion is entirely different. He doesn't like how they have treated settlers of the region, including the tragic events related to his deceased wife.

If the Courier decides to hire Boone, then wears Legion clothing, he will refuse to work with you. Though you may have formed a close bond, Boone has his limits.