Ranking The Best Video Game Heroes Of All Time
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Ranked The Best Video Game Heroes Of All Time
Video games include some of the most heroic characters to ever grace a story, and these heroes are true examples of a noble protagonist. Gaming has come a long way in terms of storytelling. Deep and complex stories have been created within these vast simulated universes. However, the best stories are the ones with the best characters. When players experience a story, they tend to remember the ones that affect the characters they loved. This, of course, extends especially to the main protagonist. allow players to actually step into the shoes of the protagonist rather than watch them on a screen. Due to this, many players develop an emotional connection with the hero. Some of these protagonists are just straight-up likable people that are almost impossible to hate. Others are just so well-developed and their journeys are some of the best the medium has to offer. Regardless of why they're held in such high esteem, these are the best protagonists in video game history. Updated September 21, 2022 By Ben Jessey: Protagonists are an important part of many games. After all, those are the people you spend all your time with, so if they're dull or unlikable, the quality of the game will suffer. Therefore, it's vital for developers to provide compelling and likable main heroes to keep things exciting. Many of those types are in this collection of the best heroes in gaming history. However, we couldn't fit all of the greatest ones into the piece. Therefore, we've updated the thing to add some more. THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY Solid Snake Metal Gear Series
Few gaming heroes have been around as long as Solid Snake. After all, he made his debut in the late '80s. However, he's grown a lot as a character since those days, especially in the more story-focused Metal Gear Solid titles. Snake is best described as a gruff but compassionate man. And he's certainly a hero, as he spends all of his adult life trying to save people. Even when he's old and grey due to accelerated aging, he still tries to make the world a better place. Unfortunately, he feels a fair amount of self-hatred, so he sees himself more as a killer than a hero. This makes the character even more captivating. B J Blazkowicz Wolfenstein Series
B.J. Blazkowicz has been around for a long time. Yet, the series only really explored his character from The New Order onwards. In those Bethesda games, his difficult upbringing is revealed. It turns out the man had an abusive and racist father that made their family's life a living hell. Thankfully, B.J. is nothing like his dad. He is an honorable man who is willing to fight against all the odds to loosen the Nazi's grip on the world. In fact, he's a big problem for the Nazi regime, as Blazkowicz is a one-man army. Not only is he a great combatant, but he can also survive things most people can't. Ellie The Last Of Us Series
In the first Last Of Us, Ellie serves as a secondary character behind Joel. Yet, in the Left Behind DLC and TLOU2, she becomes the main character. Labeling her a hero is perhaps controversial. After all, it isn't like she attempts to save the world. Instead, her story revolves around survival and revenge. Yet, she usually tries to protect the people she loves. And if it's been her choice, she may have given her life to cure the virus that wiped out civilization. It isn't her fault that she lives in a broken world where there aren't many chances to be heroic. She does her best, though. Lara Croft Tomb Raider Reboot Series
Lara Croft has been around since the '90s and has come to be an icon of the industry. Within that time, has received multiple iterations. The most recent reboot of the series offers the best exploration of Lara's character. This gritty mature version of Lara is far from the quippy invincible original. Here, she is a fierce warrior who will do anything to survive. She suffers extreme loss, deals with isolation, processes anger, and gets plenty of outfits. Voice actor Camilla Luddington adds so much emotion and depth to Lara. Her determination to carry on her father's legacy is a nice motivation to justify why she puts herself in these dire situations. Trevor Philips Grand Theft Auto 5
Trevor is perhaps the best protagonist for the Grand Theft Auto series in that he's a total jerk. He perfectly exemplifies the satirical nature of Grand Theft Auto 5's fictional city of Los Santos. One thing that Rockstar has been criticized for is how the characters in GTA don't always line up with the actions of the player. Therefore, Trevor is the best type of character for a game like this. When players fool around and cause havoc in the online portion of the game, it feels like Trevor could be right there with them. He is clever and ambitious, but also extremely chaotic without care for consequences. He fully understands the world around him and itself. Dante Devil May Cry Series
Dante is the epitome of stylish combat and confident heroism. He has been stabbing, slaying, shooting, and styling on demons since the original release of Devil May Cry in 2001. On the surface, he is a jester of sorts and brazenly confident in his own abilities. Each fight holds a little fun for Dante and it takes a massive threat for him to display a more serious tone. Through the years, Dante has grown from a cocky and young demon hunter to a mentor and a grizzled middle-aged man. Though his attitude still shows through, he reveres the stakes usually at hand, going to extra lengths to protect the team he has built. His heart beats for those around him and helps his caring exterior shine through. Captain Price Call of Duty Series
Captain Price has taken the spotlight in quite a few Call of Duty games. Whether it is the one from the Modern Warfare era pre-reboot or the supposed grandfather present in World at War, Price is a leader on a mission. He leads Task Force 141 with extreme care for his team as well as the ability to execute what many might think are suicide missions. Price has come up against threats to global peace and does some of his best work in the shadows. A stellar tactician and better leader, Price is someone you want by your side until the end. If you do happen to meet your end, you can be sure Price will avenge you. There's even a chance he will assault the enemy in a juggernaut suit, throwing caution to the wind to make things right. Jill Valentine Resident Evil Series
Jill Valentine has faced more trouble and biological terror than most. Starting with her introduction in 1998's and her escape from a zombie-infested mansion, Jill has learned how to survive the worst of situations. A former army and STARS team operative, Jill has no shortage of skill, which she puts to use in her fight against the Nemesis and further bioweapons. Jill was briefly turned into a fierce antagonist, thanks to a mind-control device embedded in her chest by Wesker. During this time, Jill seemed to add acrobats to her vast tactical repertoire. She has since gone on to fully recover and has hopes to return to the field, leading the way to save the world from another bioterrorism threat. Clementine Telltales Walking Dead
There are few stories as human and visceral as Clementine's. Her journey through began when she was only eight. While she probably gained much from her parents, it seems much of who Clementine is was formed from her time spent with Lee Everett. Lee was a balanced and caring leader, taking special care to lead Clementine in the new ways of the world. These are traits that Clementine would adopt through her eight years of surviving as she and AJ moved from group to group. While many characters grow older and change through their series, few do so with the players that control them. Clementine has earned a special place in our hearts and is a beacon of hope and spirit in a downtrodden world. Though much of her life is simply surviving, Clem does so with a smile and heart, making her one of the greatest heroes in the modern era. Mae Borowski Night In The Woods
presented a deceptively simple narrative about an anthropomorphic cat named Mae. The indie game created by three people exploded in popularity due, in part, to the sincerity of its main character. Mae is complex, earnest, and grappling with something she can never define. Not only is this extremely relatable, but the town she lives in also hits home for many people. Her friends are people the player themselves might know in real life. What's more, Mae makes bad choices sometimes. And she has to deal with the consequences of those actions. The game allows the player to navigate these difficult moments where Mae can grow. Mae being the emotional core of the NITW experience makes her an exceptional protagonist. Max Payne Max Payne Series
Max Payne is a tortured soul who just wants to avenge . But even after Max gets his revenge, he's a complete mess. What players love about Max Payne is his brutal honesty about himself and others. Max isn't someone who has to lie to himself, and by extension, lie to the player. Players also can't help but look away as he descends further into depression. They have to maintain the hope that something will snap him out of it. It also helps that he's a total badass with that bullet-time mechanic. Max Payne 3 is definitely the best iteration of his character despite his humorous look towards the last act of the game. Samus Aran Metroid Series
Samus Aran, the largely silent protagonist of the , shocked gamers when they were revealed to be a woman at the end of the original Metroid. Completing the game quickly enough enabled you to see Samus outside her Power Suit which led to the initial revelation. Samus' space adventures and heroism led to her quickly rising in popularity, right alongside one of her inspirations from the Alien series, Ridley. Though Samus spares her words, she speaks through her actions as an intergalactic bounty hunter. She has wiped out the Metroid race, decimated Space Pirate bases, and disobeyed direct orders to save others. Even outside her Power Suit, Samus is a deadly foe. Ezio Auditore Assassin s Creed Series
really set the bar for the series that it would eventually become. Much of that can be attributed to its main historical protagonist: Ezio Auditore. Ezio's suave and charismatic personality was a welcome addition since . Ezio was a man who only cared about fighting and pursuing the ladies. It isn't until his family is executed that he discovers his true purpose. Over the course of AC 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations, Ezio becomes the savior that the Brotherhood needed. Players love his determination to overcome every obstacle put in front of him. His journey shows how far he progressed from the young naive adolescent first introduced. Geralt Of Rivia The Witcher Series
While Geralt technically acts based on player choices, any decision made always feels appropriate to his character. His dry personality and no-nonsense demeanor could have been boring. But thanks to , it's anything but. On the surface, Geralt is just a man who's looking to slay monsters and earn some coin. Underneath that, though, is a man who genuinely cares about doing the right thing. His adoptive-father-type relationship with Ciri is the driving force of The critically acclaimed game reveals some truly heartfelt moments from this stone-faced warrior. Nathan Drake Uncharted Series
Nathan Drake in is the modern-day Indiana Jones, but goofier. Players get to experience these epic journeys across the world in search of ancient treasures. To back up the adventurous spirit of the series is the protagonist Nathan. Like Han Solo, Nathan thinks he's the cool guy saving the day. But in reality, he's a bit blundering despite also being intelligent and capable. His witty banter and nonchalant attitude towards these ridiculous situations make him entertaining to control. By the time fans get to Uncharted 4, they encounter a more mature and self-aware Nathan. He realized that he needed to grow up, even though he just can't escape the treasure-hunting life. John Marston Red Dead Redemption
Like many great characters, John Marston is another one that just can't seem to escape his past. As a former member of the Van Der Linde gang, John is forced by the federal government to hunt down the remaining members. If he doesn't, then he can never see his family again. Voice actor Rob Wiethoff brings a great deal of nuance to this character between a rock and a hard place. Despite his demons, he is determined to finish the job and get home to his family. John's motivations are also expanded upon in the prequel, Red Dead Redemption 2. He truly wanted to live a nice rancher's life with his family. However, as the games reveal, once an outlaw, always an outlaw. Master Chief Halo Series
Sierra 117, John, the Master Chief. He is a man of many names and many talents, having saved the galaxy from mass extinction a handful of times. Since his original release in to Halo Infinite, Master Chief has developed as a character, giving more weight to his actions and the bond he shares with Cortana. He is a super soldier, but also a feeling human, showcasing this through 343 Industries run with him in Halo 4 and 5. While his humanity allows us to connect with John to a greater degree, it is his alien butt-kicking ability that puts him on the radar. From the moment he first awoke from cryo-sleep to the moment he gave the Covenant back their bomb and beyond, Master Chief has been taking the fight to whatever threat makes itself known. The Flood, Covenant, and fellow Spartans never stood a chance. Kratos God Of War Series
The original iteration of Kratos was nowhere as nuanced as the version. He was portrayed as just this macho hyper-violent warrior out for revenge. Though he did it all in the name of his deceased wife and child, the series got off-track as he went on one after another. , however, fans got to see another side to the ghost of Sparta. Kratos is a man tortured by his violent past. Now that he's a father (again?), he makes it his goal not to let Atreus become the man Kratos had become. It offers a nice dichotomy to the relationship Kratos had with his own father, Zeus. Kassandra Assassin' s Creed Odyssey
stands out as one of in the series on Metacritic. Much of the game's appeal lies in one of its two possible protagonists named Kassandra. Her take-no-guff, humble demeanor somehow pairs well with her deadly abilities. Helping her traverse the many twists and turns of the game's plot had a specialness to it that no other AC game has captured since the original one with Desmond. Despite the success of the latest entry, , many fans find themselves revisiting Kassandra instead. Joel The Last Of Us
Joel is another character from Naughty Dog, but the complete opposite of Nathan Drake. is a dark, morbid tale of survival and loss. Twenty years after the death of his daughter and a literal zombie apocalypse, Joel is a shell of his former self. It is implied that he's done some questionable actions to survive this long. But obvious circumstances contributed to these actions. It isn't until he has Ellie in his care that he starts having something to fight for. His father-daughter relationship with Ellie is what makes the story of Last Of Us so compelling. In the end, Joel makes one of the most morally ambiguous decisions in gaming history. But it lines up perfectly with his past choices and everything fans know about Joel. His selfish attachment to Ellie compelled him to prioritize his own wishes over the benefit of the surviving human race.