Escort missions
Keep your PlayStation protectees close for these heroic, hand-holding jobs
RESIDENT EVIL 4
No longer a rookie, Leon’s charged with rescuing the president’s daughter, Ashley Graham. Kennedy and his protectee must survive waves of Ganados, the odd knife-handed loon, and more than one cranky cave troll. The best survival tactic? Order Ms Graham to cower in a dumpster. Sorry, Ashley.
JUST CAUSE 4
Rico’s latest South America sandbox plays fast and loose with the concept of escorting. Rather than ferry a political prisoner or dainty damsel from A to B, the gravity-defying agent has to protect a hurricane from troops who are trying to stop it with wind cannons. Never change, Just Cause.
THE LAST OF US
Joel and Ellie’s journey sees the Texan gun-runner escorting the foul-mouthed teen to a group known as the Fireflies, so that her immunity to the Cordyceps virus can be turned into a cure to save mankind.
DEAD RISING
Technically, Frank can survive the undead outbreak by spending 72 hours in Willamette Mall’s bathroom. But such cowardice just ain’t cricket. Play Dead Rising the right way, and West must find survivors, then usher them to the boiler room while avoiding hundreds of aggressive coffin-dodgers.
AMY
It may be one of PS3’s worst horror games, but to Amy’s credit, the titular escortee is way more capable than many of the other helpless souls on these pages. As Lana and Amy escape a monster-filled town, the paranormal nipper can break out shockwaves, and create noise-cancelling sound bubbles.
MIDDLE-EARTH: SHADOW OF MORDOR
Talion isn’t solely concerned with brainwashing Sauron’s armies. Occasionally, he has to escort injured allies – in this case a warrior called Lithariel, who must be carried due to her dodgy leg.
ENSLAVED: ODYSSEY TO THE WEST
A game that essentially acts as one long escort mission. Not that Andy Serkis’ Monkey has much say when it comes to getting Trip home after her ship crashes. Thanks to a sci-fi ‘slave band’ Monkey has to follow her orders.
METAL GEAR SOLID 2
Poor Emma Emmerich. Not only does Otacon’s sister suffer a Vamp-related tragic end, but before that she’s dragged through submerged corridors by Raiden, despite the fact she can’t swim. To speed things up, we suggest tranquing, then dragging, Emma. Nighty-night.
ICO
After being left in a spooky castle, horned ankle-biter Ico rescues the near-mute Princess Yorda from a cage, then leads her around like an unruly child in a supermarket for the next six hours. Cue tender bonding, gentle platforming, and a teary end.