Over the past three decades, the video game industry has produced a plethora of heroes, many of whom have become recognizable not only to gamers but also to people far removed from gaming.
Sometimes these heroes are full of virtue, determination and integrity. Other times they have "gray morals"; willing to do terrible things for a greater cause or personal reasons.
Below is a list of iconic video game characters, both old and new, that have had a significant impact on the gaming industry over the years. The members are listed in no particular order. The list will be updated as new games are released.
Important: character descriptions contain spoilers for the games!
25. Dovahkiin (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)
Our top 25 most famous video game heroes opens with the Dragonborn, a prophecy-told warrior destined to save Nirn from the dragon Alduin, the World Eater. He or she has the ability to absorb the soul of a slain dragon and gain its knowledge and power.
This makes the Dragonborn an extremely powerful being, with countless people and factions seeking his help.
Depending on the player's will, Dovahkiin does not always make the most ethical choice. But when the fate of the world is at stake, this hero will protect it at any cost.
24. Sam Fisher (Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell)
There are heroes who operate in the shadows. One of them is Sam Fisher, a field operative working for an NSA unit called Third Echelon.
He is well trained in martial arts, has a good grasp of technology, and is a master at gathering intelligence, and has used these abilities many times to combat terrorism.
He's by no means perfect, and he has his share of skeletons in the closet. But even when his allies turn against him, you can always count on Fischer to do the right thing.
In 2011, the Guinness Book of World Records placed Sam Fisher at number 24 in the top 50 best video game characters.
23. Leon S. Kennedy (Resident Evil)
There are many heroes in the Resident Evil franchise, but Leon is the most popular of them all. He has come a long way: from a rookie cop who arrived in Raccoon City at the very beginning of the T-virus outbreak to a special agent who is not a zombie.
Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, Leon thrived in Resident Evil 4, fighting off a variety of parasite-infested humans and monsters, all the while throwing in a joke or two to ease the tension.
He helped save the world once again in Resident Evil 6, with the help of Secret Service agent Helena Harper. Time and time again, Leon Kennedy has demonstrated his ability to both survive and complete any task given to him with a calm, cool demeanor that makes him the perfect man for the job.
22. Niko Bellic (Grand Theft Auto IV)
This is not a traditional hero, and one could even argue that he is not in the least a classic positive character.
But, like any good antihero, it's Niko's tortured and confused soul that makes him a compelling character; someone you can root for despite his cold-blooded actions.
21. Booker DeWitt (Bioshock: Infinite)
A private detective is assigned to go to Columbia and free a girl named Elizabeth, the daughter of Zachary Comstock, from captivity.
However, the twist is that Booker and Comstock are the same person from parallel realities. This essentially makes Booker both the hero and villain of Bioshock: Infinite, who are fighting each other to determine the ultimate fate of their daughter.
20. Doom Soldier
Doomguy, Executioner, Doom Soldier - you can call this character whatever you want.
You know and love him not for his name, or even his appearance (it's hidden behind a combat suit), but for his masterful extermination of hordes of demons in one of the most terrifying PC games of all time. Under your watchful eye, of course.
19. Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
The list of the best video game characters of all time is obviously skewed towards men. However, Lara Croft gives many of them a run for their money. She is a strong, beautiful and intelligent female archaeologist who travels the world, exploring many different tombs and mysterious places to ultimately save the world.
Lara Croft has become so popular over the years that she has achieved success not only in the gaming world, but also in the entertainment industry, appearing in short films, feature films, and comic books.
18. Geralt of Rivia (The Witcher)
The Witcher makes his living by killing monsters and does his best to stay out of other people's business. But like any good guy, he can't pass by when he sees an innocent person in need of help.
This doesn't mean Geralt doesn't do terrible things. The life of a Witcher calls on him to do the dirty work that others won't do. And often he has to make a choice between "doing well" and "doing badly" or "doing nothing."
It's nice to see that the development of the plot and the ending entirely depend on the actions of the character, and therefore the player.
In 2018, Igromania included Geralt of Rivia in the top of the most desired video game characters.
17. John Marston (Red Dead Redemption)
Marston is the last person who would ever consider himself a hero. He spent most of his life with bandits and did terrible things.
This is a complex character who, on the one hand, is ready to do everything for the good of his family and has his own moral code, and on the other hand, will not hesitate to fire a bullet at his former accomplices.
16. Ezio Auditore (Assassin's Creed)
One of the most popular heroes in computer games is charming, humble and displays an unwavering sense of justice.
Driven by an egocentric thirst for justice and revenge, Ezio became the ultimate assassin, whose deeds have had a profound impact on the history of the world he "lives" in.
15. Android 2B (NieR: Automata)
One of the most beautiful characters in computer games shows players just enough naked virtual flesh to let their imagination run wild. This makes the gameplay not only interesting, but also excitingly sexy.
Crushing enemies with the help of a charming girl with a blindfold and captivating music - what could be more enjoyable for a gamer of any age?
14. Kratos (God Of War)
We follow Kratos' story throughout the God of War series, so in that sense he's a hero. But driven solely by his own desires, he's about as reprehensible as a game character can be.
Yet it is in his journey that Kratos follows a path of redemption. While it doesn't necessarily wash away his sins, it does add complexity to one of the best anti-heroes in video games.
13. Mario (Super Mario Brothers)
Of course, the top of the most significant video game characters of all time is unthinkable without this mustachioed and big-nosed plumber (who, by the way, was originally a carpenter named Jumper). His first appearance took place in 1981 in the arcade game Donkey Kong.
Because Mario and his brother Luigi are known by the term "Mario Brothers", fans have assumed that the character's full name is Mario Mario.
He became the first video game character to have his own wax figure in the famous Hollywood wax museum, and the Guinness Book of World Records gave him the palm in the ranking of the best video game characters.
12. Marcus Fenix (Gears Of War)
There is no shortage of tough Space Marines in the video game world, but Marcus Fenix is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding. Despite his brutal and ruthless appearance, he displays a genuine loyalty to his comrades in arms and a stoic determination.
These defining characteristics gave him and Delta Squad the ability to single-handedly turn the tide of the war against the Locust horde several times and ultimately win the war.
11. Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog)
This famous character was first introduced to gamers in 1991. Sonic the Hedgehog, like Mario, has achieved great success over the decades, appearing in other gaming universes, and also getting his own movie and TV series, and even a comic book.
He won the hearts of many computer gaming fans and continues to do so to this day.
10. Nathan Drake (Uncharted)
Objectively, it's hard to see Nathan Drake as a traditional heroic figure. He killed a lot of people, knowingly endangered his friends, trying to find an ancient lost city or some valuable archaeological site.
However, Drake does it with such charisma and a great sense of humor that you can't help but be on his side.
In real life, people like Drake are the kind of people you want to stay away from, but in the world of video games, you want to stand by his side every reckless step of the way.
9. Liu Kang (Mortal Kombat)
He may not be the most colorful character in the Mortal Kombat series, but he fits the hero archetype better than anyone else, as the fate of Earthrealm has fallen on his shoulders several times.
Liu Kang was the champion of four Mortal Kombat tournaments, a feat that has not been repeated by anyone else.
Unlike many of his peers, he fights not for selfish desires, but to protect his world and the people in it. He is pure in body and soul, making Liu Kang the best thing Mortal Kombat has to offer and a hero worth rooting for.
8. Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII)
It's not just that Cloud looks so cool, like a main character should. By the end of Final Fantasy VII, he's not the same guy he was at the beginning.
His journey is as internal as it is external, making him a particularly layered character to play as.
Cloud has been ranked among the greatest video game characters by Empire magazine, Guinness World Records, Electronic Gaming Monthly, and Dengeki PlayStation.
7. Gordon Freeman (Half-Life)
Here's a great example of how unusual circumstances can turn even a meek man into a hero. Freeman starts out in the first Half-Life as a theoretical physicist, just doing his job at Black Mesa. But when an experiment goes wrong and opens the way to Earth for an army of aliens, Freeman is forced to pick up a crowbar and set out to save the world.
His actions speak louder than words could, pushing him into a leadership role against the Alliance. Despite Freeman's impressive accomplishments, we still don't know the warrior-scientist's ultimate fate.
6. Solid Snake (Metal Gear)
Through his many exploits, Solid Snake has earned a reputation as a man who "makes the impossible possible." He has defeated many incarnations of Metal Gear and thus helped the world avoid a nuclear holocaust.
He survived betrayals, a hostile environment, and even accelerated aging. He was a perfect soldier until his retirement and lived out the rest of his life in peace. A fitting end to an eventful life.
5. Master Chief (Halo)
The character, named John-117, is a biochemically enhanced supersoldier, and is easily recognizable by his green armor and helmet with a "gold" part.
Despite Master Chief becoming one of the most iconic characters in video games, he has also received some negative reviews, with the idea that hiding behind a helmet throughout the game is a sign of weakness as a person and as a weapon.
However, beyond these negative emotions, John-117 has left a lasting impact on fans and gamers around the world.
4. Link (The Legend of Zelda)
He is one of the most popular, iconic and recognizable figures in the history of computer games, and rightfully so. There are few heroes more virtuous than Link.
He wields great power through the use of legendary weapons, but never uses it to further selfish ends or harm the innocent. His actions are altruistic and his intentions pure.
Also worth mentioning is Princess Zelda, who Link constantly saves. The character debuted in 1986 and is often portrayed as a "damsel in distress" in early games.
However, as The Legend of Zelda games have evolved over the years, Princess Zelda has gradually become a more selfless character. In 2009, Official Nintendo Magazine named her one of the three most outstanding heroines created by Nintendo. And Chip magazine included Zelda in the top 3 best female game characters.
The game's popularity also led to the creation of an animated television series, books, and comics.
3. "B.J." Blazkowicz (Wolfenstein)
To be a hero, you have to slay a dragon. But killing hordes of Nazis will do, too. And Wolfenstein's B.J. Blazkowicz does it better than anyone.
In the Wolfenstein games, Blazkowicz is shown to be thoughtful, insightful, and resourceful, making him much more than just a one-dimensional character. His relationship with Anna and motivation to keep her safe also humanizes Blazkowicz.
2. Commander Shepard (Mass Effect)
Whether male or female, Commander Shepard is a person to emulate.
A perfect blend of pragmatism and idealism has allowed him (or her) to befriend and motivate some of the most powerful humans and non-humans in the galaxy.
Using all of his talents to save the galaxy from destruction by the terrifying power of the Reapers, Commander Shepard is willing to sacrifice his life for the good of humanity without hesitation.
1. Arthas Menethil (Warcraft)
An integral part of Warcraft III, as well as the online game World of Warcraft, Arthas Menethil is one of the main characters that players will meet. His story is a reminder of where good intentions, coupled with despair and pride, can lead.
Once a beloved prince of Lordaeron, he eventually became one of the most sinister and powerful figures in the history of Azeroth. Which ultimately led to Arthas, now known as the Lich King, becoming the most prominent antagonist in the Warcraft universe.
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