Welcome back to our 30 day video game challenge! If you’d like to catch up with the other days, click here.
Last week we talked about the villains we love to hate, so this week we’ll be talking about the characters we love to love.
Day 22: Who is your favorite protagonist?
Well, I suppose my most favorite protagonist is one that hardly had any lines, slayed dragons, and I wrote a whole story about. But that seems like cheating, since so much of her character is a blank slate for the player to fill in; of course everyone likes characters that they design.
But here’s the thing. In all seriousness, I’m not sure I have a favorite protagonist.
Do I talk about how much I love Solid Snake because he’s a complete badass and yet so adorably clueless about Metal Gear in every single game and is always so surprised when things aren’t what they seem? Also, he can pull of a mullet. So there’s that.
Or should I mention Commander Shepard for being the character who, by virtue of starring in three games, has a very in-depth story for a playable character in an RPG?
Maybe Aloy should be added to this list, because she’s just a well-written character, and there’s no particular “reason” for her to be a woman (which is the best kind of female character, in my opinion).
Of course, this doesn’t take into account Mega Man, who can change superpowers with the press of a button, or Kirby, who has a stomach made of cast-iron. It also doesn’t account for Link representing the “link” between virtual and physical worlds in a clever twist of words.
I think it’s a good sign if you’ve experienced the stories of so many characters and can’t pick just one. Each of these protagonists brings their own abilities and nuances to the table, after all, and across console generations and game genres, there are plenty to choose from!
What about you? Do you have a favorite protagonist/playable character? Why do you like that particular one? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you soon!
~Athena
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Strange.. I thought I had a favorite. There is just too many of them, a lot of them with great qualities
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Right? I sat down to write this and I was really stumped!!
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I was thinking the guy from Morrowind at one point, but that was my creation. My ego had convinced itself that was the character from the game, and that’show I remembered it. Weird
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Don’t feel bad. My first choice was my Warden from Dragon Age: Origins… another created character. The egos are strong in these ones haha.
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Very much indeed. The undefeatable egos are never wrong
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I once had crush on Solid Snake. I really liked him in Metal Gear Solid 2. 😀
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Omg David Hayter’s portrayal of him… he had such a sexy voice, didn’t he?
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Haha. He was so cool in Metal Gear Solid 2. I still remember him showing Raiden how to be a true sniper. I don’t know why, but that was the coolest thing he said.
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Especially knowing that he had fought Sniper Wolf. It was really neat seeing Snake from another person’s perspective, and knowing all the amazing things he had done.
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That is a very interesting observation…I definitely have a favorite villain for many reasons, but favorite protagonist, hm. I do love Cecil from FFIV and Celes from FFVI. Then there’s LInk, which is kind of surprising sine Link doesn’t have much a personality besides being the selfless, innocent hero, but I still love him. He literally is the “link between worlds,” his and ours 😀 I’m also fond of Shepherd. It really is hard to pick just one!
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I know, right? I bounced around between a lot of people, even ones that didn’t make it into my ramblings above… But there are so many wonderful heroes out there! (which I suppose is a great problem to have!)
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Command Sheppard is a good bet for favourite. Notable mention, Geralt of Rivia
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YES! Commander Shepard definitely! And I only played like the first 10 minutes of Witcher 3, but Geralt seems pretty cool in his own way, too!
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Any character that lets me be the heroic champion of the land who is also secretly the greatest thief/serial killer in the land.
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Haha nice. So… a neutral evil rogue who saves the day?
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In video games, there is only one winner for me: Female Commander Shepard. I also liked Max Caulfield from Life is Strange. However, in TV/Movies, my list of favourites is very long
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She’s definitely a winner! And Jennifer Hales’ s voice acting… wow! Max is also a good choice and a very interesting character too!
It’s hard to pick just one, isn’t it?
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Shepard, for the reasons you stated is a strong choice. I’m honestly not really sure though as to what my favorite would be, although Kyle Katarn from the Jedi Knight games is up there for me. As is Mario, Ratchet, Link, Simon Belmont, and any character I can create and mold (like Shepard).
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I find it so interesting that hardly anyone really has one, singular favorite protagonist! Those are all great picks, and I agree that having a say in how your character is created can definitely give bonus points 🙂
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Aloy is so awesome!! It’s a good problem that there are too many great protagonists to pick a favourite! But it’s not a problem for me at all, haha. There’s this One Woman Army, Chosen Knight, and Badass Savior in the FFXIII Trilogy that trumps all of them in my gamer heart.
[Several paragraphs praising Lightning Farron omitted] 🙂
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Hahahaha Now *that’s* the kind of character love I can get behind! 😉
I know, she’s so great. And her voice actress is just spot-on for her personality, I think!
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