Metacognition: Good to Meet You

We’re back with our “thinking about thinking” series! If you’re interested in our previous deep thoughts, check out the Metacognition series.  Join us for some deep thoughts (and maybe the occasional not-so-deep thought) about gaming. If you find one you’d like to answer, you can either comment below or write a post and share the link so we can all read your fantastic thoughts!

Who are six (not obvious) characters from video games that you would like to meet, and why?

It seems like I always go back to the same people for these types of questions: Leliana and Morrigan of Dragon Age, Samantha Traynor of Mass Effect 3, Solid Snake and Meryl from Metal Gear Solid, Thane Krios of Mass Effect, etc. etc. and so forth.

For this question, let’s think a little deeper. This is the Metacognition series, after all! So, excluding the usual suspects, who are six video game characters I’d like to meet, and why?

1. Naomi Hunter from the Metal Gear Solid series
   I was fascinated by Dr. Naomi Hunter when I met her in Metal Gear Solid, and my interest in her rose as the story unfolded and it became clear she was not all that she seemed. Of course, I am always fascinated by the things that go on behind the curtain of character’s minds, so I was instantly interested and wanted to know more.
   On a less prying level, I have some questions about these nanomachines and how exactly she targeted certain genetic sequences for the FoxDie virus, considering it affected not only the son of Big Boss with the recessive genes, but also the other members of FOXHOUND, which…. seems like a lot to ask of a single virus.I’d also want to ask why her accent changes from Metal Gear Solid to Metal Gear Solid 4, but that’s another story.
2. Marjolaine from Dragon Age: Origins
   Don’t get me wrong, I’d want to meet her and then be able to ensure that she’d never be able to find me ever again. But she’s just so fascinating… I dated someone who was very manipulative and borderline emotionally abusive, and even as I knew the relationship wasn’t good, and even as I hated what was going on, there was a part of me – perhaps one that kept itself removed from the situation – that found it so interesting how someone could get into another person’s head to such an extent. Like Naomi, this is another character I would want to meet just because I’d find her inner workings so fascinating to unravel.
   
   
3. Ciri from The Witcher 3
   Let’s face it: Ciri is awesome. I wanted to spend more time with her than I did Geralt during my first playthrough of The Witcher 3. She’s got a lot going on, but it seems like she’d be someone who is just a lot of fun to be around, and would always have a great story or two to tell. Or maybe she’s just want to stay in and read. I don’t know, but all of those sound great with someone like Ciri.
   
   
4. Princess Zelda of Every Zelda Game Ever
   While I admit I would want to meet Princess Midna just a bit more, I am trying to stay away from my obvious choices. But what an opportunity, no? To be able to speak to a woman with the Triforce of Wisdom! Zelda meets Athena… the conversations would be epic (in the literal sense of that word) and would fill books. Speaking of books, I’d also like to check out her library; I’m sure after our great discussions she’d let me, right?
   

   

5. Merrill from Dragon Age II
   Poor Merrill seems to always be a day late and a dollar short when it comes to witty banter, but she’s another intelligent individual who gives solid advice in her quiet, quirky way. I’d want to ply her for information on the Dalish, for sure. I’d also have some questions about her use of blood magic, now that all the kerfuffle with Kirkwall has settled down: does she still use it? Is it controlled? Is it still “not as bad” as you thought it was?
   
6. Fang from Final Fantasy XIII
   I realized while writing this list that the entrants were all people I have a scholarly interest for meeting. I want to talk about science, or other nerdy topics, or use their library, or learn more about the Dalish, or study them with morbid therapist curiosity.But Fang… while also smart and talented, I’d want to meet her because she just seems like she’d be a lot of fun to hang out with. Isabela from Dragon Age fame was another contender, but for some reason it just seemed like I was less likely to be outwardly swindled by Fang, even if we had only just met. At any rate, I’d love to just hang out with her; she seems like the type of woman who would always be able to think of something fun to do, no matter what stipulations were put on her.
   

What I’ve Learned

This reminds me of the “Behind the Fangirl” series I ran for my patrons over on Patreon, and it was fun to revisit in miniature here. One thing I’ve learned about myself is that I am nerdy and nosey, apparently in equal doses, wanting to meet people to mutually learn from each other, or meet them to get inside their heads and see what makes them tick. I wonder what that says about me… To be continued, for sure.

What about you? Who would you like to meet, if you couldn’t meet an “obvious” choice? What would you want to do together? What do you like about the character? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you soon!
~Athena

Do you like what you’ve read? Become a revered Aegis of AmbiGaming and show your support for small creators and for video games as a serious, viable, and relevant medium!