20 Best Video Game Heroes Of All-Time

This list will cease all debate until the end of time.

Video game heroes

So the Cultured Vultures content pits are getting a little dried up at the moment, and in the absence of some bountiful EGX 2018 hands-on pieces and the end of year game review blitzkrieg, we’ve decided to reach for some low hanging fruit: we’re talking about some of the best video game heroes today.

But don’t worry, we’ve even gone as far as to definitively rank them, which means this article is the only one you need. Never mind what outlets may say about video game protagonists, as ours is now the official word. There was a meeting and everything, we all agreed on it. You should have been there. There will be no more room for debate, as this list will be remembered for years to come as “the one that got it right”.

Our rankings are mainly based on how recognisable or iconic the protagonists are, which means you probably know who the top couple of entries are, but we’re also considering other factors. Anyway, enough dawdling. Let’s get to it.

 

20. Doomguy

Some heroes and heroines do it because they were born to do it. Some do it out of a sense of nobility or honour, a desire for justice and doing the right thing. Some, however, are heroes by circumstance. Doomguy never wanted to be a “hero”, he just really bloody hates demons.

A man literally powered by his own hate, Doomguy wants nothing more than to bathe in the blood and guts of his enemies, and he’s got the tools and the skills to make that a reality. Despite never uttering a word, he still possesses incredible charisma, making him a fan favourite the world over. Who couldn’t fall in love with the guy when he fist bumped the collectible figurine of himself?

 

19. Ryu

It wouldn’t be one of our lists without some kind of reference to a fighting game, and this is no exception. When it comes to fighting games, there’s only one hero that stands out above the rest. Whether you’re a occasional Mortal Kombat player, were big into Tekken back in the day or you’re still lamenting the death of Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite, everyone recognises Ryu.

Street Fighter’s most iconic character might seem a little bland when compared to demons and evil train drivers that make up the rest of the roster, but Ryu’s design has stood the test of time, making him easily identifiable to this day. He’s also a character we could all aspire to be, seeking to better himself at every opportunity, just so long as he doesn’t give in to the Satsui No Hado anyway.

 

18. Kratos

God of War Kratos

Usually, anti-heroes have some shred of a redeemable quality, but Kratos has spent the majority of his time in video games being somewhat of a dick. You might use the term anti-hero to describe his antics in God of War 1-3, but dick seems much more accurate. Dooming the entirety of Greece and butchering all of their gods kind of makes you a bellend, even if they might have deserved it.

God of War (2018) builds on the Kratos character though, making him into a man regretful of his past and willing to atone for his sins. He does that by trying to teach Atreus how to be better than he ever was; a lesson that takes a while to sink in for the boy. While he’s still not quite a hero, he’s certainly proof of how someone can change and evolve over time, even if he can’t always satiate that bloodlust.

 

17. B.J. Blazkowicz

“Lady… That the best you got? Then your best won’t do. You among wolves now, and these are our woods.”

On the “being a hero” scale, which is a real unit of measurement by the way, murdering scumbag, piece of shit Nazis is right up there. It’s one of the reasons why Wolfenstein’s hero B. J. Blazkowicz is both relatable and effective, but he’s more than just a meathead with guns strapped to his arms.

In The New Order, The Old Blood and The New Colossus, Blazko is shown to be thoughtful, insightful and funny, making him much more than just a one dimensional character, while his relationship with Anya and his motivation to keep her safe helps drive the game. We love you B.J., and we can’t wait to see your daughters kick more Nazi ass in Wolfenstein: Youngblood.

 

16. Max Payne

May Payne 3
Source: www.rockstargames.com

Protagonists are often tortured souls with tragic backstories, and it doesn’t get more tragic than Max Payne. Left an orphan due to his abusive and alcoholic dad and tormented by the memory of his family who were murdered by drug addicts, Max is a one-man wrecking crew haunted by his own personal demons, but he still tries to do the right thing in between the painkillers and binge drinking.

His dogged determination to overcome obstacles in front of him, even while his own addictions and depression taunt him, is staggering, leading to him solving multiple conspiracies over the course of three games. His dry wit and overarching commentary also make Max a much more memorable character, even in the third game.

Yes, the third game was good. There’s perhaps the hottest take of this article.

 

15. Shepard

I’m Commander Shepard and this is my favourite entry on the Cita–wait, I’m only 15th?!

Shepard is an interesting one in the sense that they’re your protagonist. The choices you make inform what kind of hero, or dickhead, Shepard becomes. Though it’s hard to play Mass Effect with a Shepard that walks the line between Paragon and Renegade, both sides are fantastic in their own way.

With Paragon Shep, you become a cornerstone of all that is good and pure within the galaxy, as the different races look to you as the finest example of humankind. As a Renegade, you get to punch Ambassador Udina in the face. Like I said, each side has its own benefits, making Shepard a versatile character as a result.

 

14. Leon S. Kennedy

Resident Evil 4
Source: VG247

Leon deserves this kind of recognition just purely for dealing with Ashley’s shit in RE4. Most people probably would have just shot her, buried her in a ditch and carried on with trying to cure himself of that dreaded Plagas, but not our boy Leon. He bravely carried on with his mission, telling Ashley to go hide in a dumpster at every available opportunity.

First introduced in Resident Evil 2 as a capable protagonist and one of the few survivors of the Raccoon City incident, Leon has been one of the series’ go-to returning characters alongside Chris Redfield. While Chris’ penchant for boulder punching earns our respect, it’s Leon’s cheesy dialogue that wins our hearts.

“Where’s everyone going? Bingo?”

 

13. Nathan Drake

Uncharted 4

If Indiana Jones was played by someone like Ryan Reynolds, you’d end up with a character like Nathan Drake. The star of the Uncharted series, Drake spends four games exploring ancient ruins and areas untouched by civilisation for generations before finding new and creative ways to blow it all up. So much for historical preservation.

Fast talking and hard hitting, Nathan is never short of ammo or a good quip. Often outnumbered and staring down the barrel at threats that would break most normal men, Drake always finds a way to come out on top, making him a worthwhile hero in the process, even if he is a little bit naughty. Sometimes you have to be a little bad to do some good.

 

12. Samus

Metroid Prime

Life must be tough when dealing with alien parasites and space pirates led by a giant winged beast, but Samus Aran seems to handle it all in her stride. Her signature Power Suit, gifted to her by the Chozo, an alien race that trained her to become the protector of the galaxy, allows her to deal with any threat that comes her way. Just ignore the fact that she has a tendency to lose all her upgrades at the start of each game.

Her character is one with a huge history in video games, often cited as the first female protagonist that truly cracked the mainstream. Not the first, but the first big one, and her popularity has refused to wane in the 30+ years since her first appearance. Here’s to the next 30, eh, Samus?

 

11. Dante

Devil may Cry 5

Most heroes bring us a representation of who we should aspire to be: noble with a strong sense of justice and a willingness to do the right thing. Dante has all of those things, sure, but if anything, he’s the perfect representation of who we want to be. We want to be the cool guy that’s riding missiles while dual wielding pistols, throwing out the bad quips while we’re at it.

Though more protagonists on this list are a little bit more complex, one dimension is all Dante really needs. He’s here to massacre some monsters and look good doing it, and we don’t have a problem with that at all. Still, it doesn’t matter how cool Dante is, Vergil is so much better.

Special mention also goes out to Bayonetta in this slot, as they’re basically the same character. Basically.

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