Top 10 fictional characters in videogames in recent years (Part 1)
While there have been numerous amazing and memorable characters seen in video games in the last few years, it is extremely difficult to pick a select few. This article is primarily focused on protagonists that have left a huge impact on me.
- Ethan Winters
Ethan Winters is the main protagonist of the Resident Evil Village (2022) video game developed and published by Capcom. He first appeared as the protagonist in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017). He is a regular guy, who was thrown into an incredible situation when his wife was kidnapped. He went to the Baker’s mansion to rescue her and discovered a family of cannibals that were infected by a virus. He had to fight to survive in the mansion and uncover the truth behind the family.
In Resident Evil Village, Ethan Winters returns as the protagonist. He has since moved on and started a new life with his wife and daughter, but his past catches up with him when his family is kidnapped again by a powerful figure known as Mother Miranda. He is forced to go to a mysterious village, where he must fight new enemies, solve puzzles, and uncover the truth behind the village and its inhabitants. Throughout the game, Ethan uses various weapons, including firearms, melee weapons, and traps, to fight off enemies and defend himself. He also has to make choices throughout the game that can affect the story’s outcome.
Ethan Winters is considered a great character by some players and critics because he has several qualities that make him relatable and interesting.
Firstly, Ethan is an everyman character, which makes him easy to identify with. He’s not a highly trained soldier or secret agent, but rather a regular person who is thrown into an extraordinary situation. He’s not particularly skilled or experienced in fighting, but he’s determined and resourceful, and he does everything in his power to survive and protect his loved ones.
Secondly, Ethan has a strong motivation for his actions, which makes his journey more meaningful. He is driven by his love for his wife and daughter and his desire to protect them. This emotional connection with the player as well as the characters around him.
Lastly, Ethan’s character has good development throughout the game, making him a more fleshed-out character. He goes through several ordeals, both physically and emotionally, He starts as a man who would do anything to save his loved one and ends the game as a survivor and a hero. His character arc allows the player to feel empathy and investment in his journey.
Overall, Ethan Winters’ relatable, well-motivated and well-developed character makes him a great character that allows players to identify with and care about his journey.
2. Kyle Crane
Kyle Crane is the main protagonist of the video game Dying Light, which was developed by the Polish studio Techland and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The game was released in 2015.
Kyle Crane is an undercover agent working for the Global Relief Effort (GRE), an organization tasked with delivering aid to countries that have been hit by war or natural disasters. He is sent to infiltrate the quarantine zone in the Middle Eastern city of Harran, which is plagued by a zombie outbreak, in order to retrieve sensitive information from a rogue agent named Kadir “Rais” Suleiman. However, his mission takes an unexpected turn when he gets embroiled in a power struggle between rival factions within the quarantine zone.
As Kyle, the player must navigate the dangerous and chaotic streets of Harran, using stealth, combat, and parkour mechanics to overcome obstacles and enemies. He must also make choices that affect the story’s outcome and build relationships with the various characters he encounters. Kyle has a vast number of weapons to choose from, including melee weapons, ranged weapons, and throwing weapons.
Throughout the game, Kyle discovers a deeper conspiracy behind the outbreak and he is forced to make difficult moral choices that will affect the outcome of the game. Kyle’s character is portrayed as morally gray and the players are allowed to choose how to shape his character’s progression, making it more interesting for players.
Kyle Crane is considered a great character by some players and critics because he has several qualities that make him relatable and interesting.
Firstly, Kyle is an undercover agent, which makes his character more complex, with many layers and secrets. He is not just a one-dimensional hero, but rather a flawed individual who is forced to navigate a difficult and morally gray situation. His undercover mission and the choice he has to make throughout the game reflect his moral dilemma and his internal conflicts, adding depth and complexity to his character.
Secondly, Kyle’s character arc is well-written and believable. As he becomes more invested in the people of Harran and their survival, he begins to question his own mission, loyalty, and motivations. He starts the game as a character who is only focused on completing his mission but as the story progresses, he evolves into a more compassionate and selfless person.
Thirdly, Kyle’s character is versatile and adaptable. He has a wide range of skills such as combat, parkour, stealth, and survival skills. Players are able to choose how to shape Kyle’s character by focusing on certain aspects of his abilities and by making certain moral choices.
Lastly, the game’s story, setting, and open-world nature allow players to shape Kyle’s character’s behavior and develop relationships with NPCs, giving players a sense of freedom, responsibility, and investment in Kyle’s journey.
Overall, Kyle Crane is considered a great character because of his complexity, depth, adaptability, and relatability, which makes him stand out among other video game characters.
3. Kratos
Kratos is the main protagonist of the God of War series of video games. He was first introduced in the 2005 game God of War and has since appeared in several sequels and spin-offs. He is a Spartan warrior who is on a quest for revenge against the Olympian gods, who betrayed and murdered his family.
Kratos is known for his fierce and brutal combat style, using a pair of chained blades, the Blades of Chaos, as his primary weapon. He also has access to various other weapons and magical abilities, such as the Nemean Cestus, a pair of gauntlets, and the Bow of Apollo. He’s also able to use various moves and combos to defeat his enemies and many bosses.
Kratos is also a complex and multi-dimensional character with a tragic past, and throughout the series, he struggles with his inner demons, including anger and guilt. He is driven by his desire for revenge and his need to atone for the atrocities he committed in the past. The games have explored different aspects of his character, and he has been through many different changes, both emotionally and physically.
In the new God of War game, released in 2018, Kratos is shown as a more mature and older character, living a more peaceful life in the Norse world, trying to come to terms with his past, and being a father figure to his son Atreus. He still carries his past experiences, but he’s learning to control his anger and find a new purpose in life.
Kratos is considered one of the best characters in the video game industry by some players and critics for several reasons:
Firstly, his character design is iconic and distinctive, with his muscular build, tattoos, and the Blades of Chaos. He has a powerful presence on screen, and his actions and animation capture his intense and brutal fighting style perfectly.
Secondly, his character arc and development are well-written and executed throughout the series. Kratos starts as a vengeful and ruthless character, driven by his anger and the need for revenge, but as the series progresses, players get to see the deeper layers of his character. He’s a complex and multi-dimensional character, and his journey of self-discovery, growth, and redemption makes him a truly compelling character.
Thirdly, the gameplay mechanics in the God of War series are closely tied to Kratos’ character. The gameplay revolves around intense, fast-paced, and visceral combat, and players are able to control Kratos’ moves, combos, and abilities. This creates an immersive experience that makes players feel as though they’re in control of a powerful and skilled warrior.
Fourthly, Kratos is portrayed as a tragic hero, and players can’t help but empathize with him, despite the cruel and violent things he has done. He’s a character who has been through a lot, and it’s hard not to root for him as he struggles with his inner demons, guilt, and the weight of his past.
Overall, Kratos is considered one of the best characters in video games for his iconic design, well-written character arc and development, immersive gameplay, and his ability to evoke emotions in the players. Kratos is considered a great character for his intense, relentless, and brutal fighting style and for his complexity, depth, and evolution throughout the series, making him one of the most iconic and recognizable characters in the gaming world.
4. Aloy
Aloy is the main protagonist of the Horizon Zero Dawn video game, which was developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was released in 2017.
Aloy is a skilled hunter and archer, living in a world overrun by robotic creatures called “machines.” She is an outcast from her tribe, the Nora, and she sets out on a journey to discover the truth about her past and the world she lives in. Through her journey, Aloy uncovers the secrets of a lost civilization, the truth about her origins, and the reasons for the machines’ existence.
As Aloy, the player must use a variety of tools and weapons, including a bow, traps, and a spear, to take down the machines and uncover the truth about the world. She also has access to a device called a Focus, which allows her to scan and analyze machines, giving her information about their strengths, weaknesses, and behaviors. Aloy also has the ability to override the machines, turning them into allies and mounts.
Aloy is considered a great character because of her strength, determination, and her desire to uncover the truth. She’s a well-written, relatable, and strong female character that breaks the mold of the typical video game protagonist. She’s curious, determined, and skilled, and her growth throughout the game is well-written and natural. She’s a character that players can easily identify with and root for.
Overall, Aloy is considered a great character for her well-written story, strong characterization, immersive gameplay, and ability to be relatable, which makes her one of the most iconic and memorable characters in recent video game history.
5. Miles Morales
Miles Morales is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the video game Spider-Man: Miles Morales, developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game is a standalone spin-off of the 2018 game Marvel’s Spider-Man, and it was released in 2020.
Miles Morales is a teenage African-American and Puerto Rican student who gains superhuman abilities after being bitten by a genetically enhanced spider. He becomes the new Spider-Man, taking up the mantle from Peter Parker, and is mentored by him. The game explores Miles’ struggles to balance his responsibilities as Spider-Man and his personal life, dealing with school, friends, and family.
As Miles, the player must use his spider abilities, such as crawling on walls, using webs to swing through the city, and using a variety of gadgets and attacks to take down enemies. Miles’ abilities include invisibility, bio-electric venom blasts, and a new traversal ability called “camo mode” which makes Miles blend into his surroundings and avoid detection.
Miles Morales is considered a great character because of his relatable and realistic portrayal. He’s a character who is still learning and figuring out who he is and his place in the world. He’s not a fully formed hero yet and that gives players a chance to see him grow and develop as a character. His personality is endearing and his struggles to balance his personal and hero life is something that many people can identify with. He’s a unique and fresh take on the Spider-Man character, and players are able to see the world of Spider-Man through a different lens.
Overall, Miles Morales is considered a great character for his relatable and realistic portrayal, his growth throughout the game, and his unique take on the Spider-Man character, making him one of the most iconic and memorable characters in recent video games.
