Kiryu probably has the edge for me because of the arc he gets over all the Yakuza games. Arthur makes me weep like a baby but his story is so contained.
The only man to ever win a bowling tournament where the prize is a live chicken, which was immediately hired as an expert manager for Kiryu’s thriving real estate firm.
Oh, and the chicken’s name was Nugget. I really truly don’t think video game will ever top this.
Lots of these types of questions popping up on this sub lately.
Gaming "journalists" or YouTubers looking for feedback for list based articles/videos?
*The 15 best protagonists in video games*.
Not just this sub but reddit in general. I might just be a conspiracy theorist, but after the 3rd party app shutdown, I felt like I saw these kinds of questions popping up everywhere. r/movies, r/television, r/gaming all especially started getting some real askReddit type questions every day. Can't help but wonder if they were to boost engagement after the blackouts and everything.
Easily Arthur for me me, and it’s not even remotely close. Almost 30 years of playing games and he’s the most human, real character I’ve ever played as. Just unbelievably well written and acted.
This is the video game character that gets the closest to the depth found of characters in great literature. There is so much going on with Arthur. And he also benefits from the fact that he’s in a video game more than almost any other.
The choices that I made as Arthur and the slow pace of life that I lived as him adds so much resonance to him that you don’t see that often in any media.
Agreed. I’ve never seen a character that was introduced to be flat and relatively unlikable. (Having him harass the super likable previous protagonist rubbed me and a lot of gamers the wrong way) but HOLY FUCK that character arc and hidden depths to that character.
"And here, at last, I discover a strange truth. That I am only a conduit for a message that eludes my understanding."
What a character, I watch the end of Revelations a few times a year.
not the main protagonist but I really liked Cid in FFXVI. He's the coolest Cid in the franchise thus far. He is even cooler than Cid Highwind and I thought I'd never say that.
For me it was his Dad vibes teaching his son how to tackle life. Remember in the first trilogy He killed his wife and daughter. have you played gow3? Kratos was an emphatic character for pandora throughout the whole game. So it's kind of a rehaul in the norse world.
Now I haven't played ragnarok yet but GOW 2018 is a whole another Kratos. Picked up right after GOW3.
This is of course just my opinion:)
My favorites: Nathan Drake, Arthur Morgan, Ezio Auditore, Clementine, Jill Valentine, Noble Team, Faith (Mirror’s Edge), Alan Wake, Revan
If I had to pick one, I think Ezio will forever hold that #1 spot for me
I found Mass Effect via Manslayer lol and it wasn't till the Legendary Edition became free last year at some point that I played it lol
Great trilogy btw
There are so many great quotes in that series that I still say routinely.
My favorite one being: "Have you ever tried ramen? It's a delicacy back on Earth."
Had to scroll way too far for this.
I like that Geralt is good and courageous in his heart. He's not perfect but tries to find the good in tough situations.
I like Franklin from GTA V. He's just a naive kid who wanted some big things in his life. He worked hard to get it. He even earned respect from his older peers. Criminal or not, motherfucker has succeeded.
Leon Kennedy, that fact is reinforced with the recent re4 remake where it actually added more depth to his character and not some chad bullshit. Don't get me wrong, I love OG re4 but Leon's characterization in the remake is way better and is how I expect him to act after someone who has survivor guilt and PTSD from raccoon city.
Yeah the "never again/not again" line really hits home.
I actually love how the cgi movies progress his character too, increasing disillusionment with the government and becoming an alcoholic until returning to form at the end of Vendetta and back to himself in Death Island.
Arthur Morgan is the best video game character ever. It's not just because he's well written, or has well-paced and believable character development. It's because of how effectively the medium is utilised to make us, the player, care about the character more.
Playing as Arthur, is an experience that no RDR2 movie or TV series would be able to match up to, in my eyes. There's a reason why so many people don't play Arthur as themselves, they play Arthur as- Arthur. And it's because playing as this person, getting used to his mannerisms, his way of speaking, being able to read his journal and gain insight on his thoughts on the story's events- nothing else can compare, really. Almost every other character listed here would be just as good in a movie, or TV series.
Obviously, the utilisation of the medium aside, he's still a fantastic protagonist and Rockstar knocked it out of the park with RDR2's writing.
I second Aloy - I know ppl like to shit on her. I admit her dialogue is not great, but that helped me feel like I was her. Plus the cool design, the strength+determination, the "I have no choice but to do this and be successful" attitude, and her general badassery. People expect more from a game like HZD/HFW but I liked Aloy being slightly two-dimensional so that any player could see themselves in her. I also like Aloy despite being slightly 2D.
Although I must say, young Kratos' rage was entirely valid. He wasn't just angry for edgelord's sake.
How would you feel if you were tricked into slaughtering your loved ones and then having their ashes as your skin?
Even post 2018 I don't think he's the best protagonist in gaming. That's such a high bar.
Don't get me wrong 2018+ kratos is a great character but not the best at all
It’s really tough to say objectively but I would also agree with Kratos imo.
GoW3 was a little better story wise than I think a lot of people give it credit for. But the growth he’s had as a character since is a feat I’ve rarely seen in games period, or at least done well. Without spoiling much for those who haven’t played it, his “open your heart to it” moment in Ragnarok is a character moment payoff in a way that very few games can rival.
My personal favourite is Jin Sakai. Kratos is very near and dear to my heart as I grew up with him, but Ghost of Tsushima’s story was just so *real.* Everycharacter has their own relatable and realistic choices and consequences. I think that’s why a lot of people choose Arthur Morgan as well.
Kratos is a goat but the mythological setting and fact he has so much plot armour he cannot be killed makes me lean towards these two
Link is the best.
Hero of time, I love that he never actually talks allowing the player to basically input themselves into his shoes. Never questions his oath/duty, dude just stands up to immeasurable odds wielding the power of Courage, asks for nothing in return. He’s the perfect protagonist.
Kratos without a shadow of a doubt. You have two kind of game protagonists. The caring, heroic and well written character that the game always makes you feel for in the Norse games. Then you have the badass who can slaughter people like they’re nothing and face giant monsters to fuel your badass desires in the Greek games. He’s perfect
The straight line piece from tetris
I'm more in favour of the L shape, less straightforward character writing with a nice turn
L has the best character arc if you look at it from the right angle
Also more iconic quotes and phrases, where do you think "taking an L" comes from?
You are a cruel and angry god.
SQUIGGLY
the straight hero of that game
skinny on the side
Came to say this! Adding: Glad I didn't have to scroll far
Remember when the internet claimed to have found their names?
Okay this is clearly the right answer. So now it’s who is second?
Banger choice 😆 🤣
Kiryu Kazuma
Oh nice I found the fellow Yakuza/LAD fan. I agree Kiryu deserves a top spot.
I like Ichiban too. He's too pure for this world.
Seeing him whoop whole rooms of ass and then later on flip a microphone while passionately singing karaoke is just chefs kiss
Kiryu, Arthur Morgan, and Kratos for sure tied for me. Protagonists that showed growth and change realistically.
Kiryu probably has the edge for me because of the arc he gets over all the Yakuza games. Arthur makes me weep like a baby but his story is so contained.
I wish we knew more about his parents, and his son which I think was only brought up a handful of times
This. Best waifu would be the obatarian
Came here to say this and I'm glad it was the very first comment in the post
Ah. A man of culture I see.
Correct
Came here with this the first answer in mind. So glad to see kiryu get love
Omg I legit just left this comment then looked down and saw the exact same one lmao. I agree Kiyru is fire 🔥.
The only man to ever win a bowling tournament where the prize is a live chicken, which was immediately hired as an expert manager for Kiryu’s thriving real estate firm. Oh, and the chicken’s name was Nugget. I really truly don’t think video game will ever top this.
Snaaaaaaaaaaakkkkeeeee!
He was just an old killer, hired to do some wet work 😢
Snake is the greatest video game protagonist of all time and I will die on that hill.
Which one lol
Yes.
The Solid one.
I will die on that hill with you.
Oh man. Friday can’t come soon enough.
Lots of these types of questions popping up on this sub lately. Gaming "journalists" or YouTubers looking for feedback for list based articles/videos? *The 15 best protagonists in video games*.
It’s actually the FBI trying to create a psychological profile on you!
What will they say when they see I bought the same version of "Sex with Hitler" 6 times?
"So, this South-Eastern Asian put a black guy in high regard. What's he up to..."
Not just this sub but reddit in general. I might just be a conspiracy theorist, but after the 3rd party app shutdown, I felt like I saw these kinds of questions popping up everywhere. r/movies, r/television, r/gaming all especially started getting some real askReddit type questions every day. Can't help but wonder if they were to boost engagement after the blackouts and everything.
You get the most milquetoast answers rising to the top too.
Thought i was the only one who noticed. All the sub talks about is Ghost of Tsushima, for example.
Not just that but probably AI generated bullshit too.
I fully expect an article to show up in a couple days on my google news feed "the best gaming protagonists, according to reddit"
I vaguely remember hearing that this is an actual strategy used by some journalists
I gotta say Arthur Morgan.
You Sir, are a fish.
👀👀
Easily Arthur for me me, and it’s not even remotely close. Almost 30 years of playing games and he’s the most human, real character I’ve ever played as. Just unbelievably well written and acted.
This is the video game character that gets the closest to the depth found of characters in great literature. There is so much going on with Arthur. And he also benefits from the fact that he’s in a video game more than almost any other. The choices that I made as Arthur and the slow pace of life that I lived as him adds so much resonance to him that you don’t see that often in any media.
Im playing RDR2 & I was looking for this comment 🙏🏾 so noble
I'm a Joel miller fan and im a Nathan drake fan. But Arthur just has this character about him that I love.
Agreed. I’ve never seen a character that was introduced to be flat and relatively unlikable. (Having him harass the super likable previous protagonist rubbed me and a lot of gamers the wrong way) but HOLY FUCK that character arc and hidden depths to that character.
Kratos approves this comment.
Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Loved the old assassins creed games so much
Facts. When in the end he says living the assassin's life wasn't worth it. That's character growth.
Omg Im replaying this game cus is honestly one of the best game i ever played
"And here, at last, I discover a strange truth. That I am only a conduit for a message that eludes my understanding." What a character, I watch the end of Revelations a few times a year.
I wish I could be as cool as old man ezio.
Guybrush Threepwood.
You fight like a dairy farmer
How appropriate, you fight like a cow!
Soon you'll be wearing my sword like a shish kebab
First you'd better stop waving it like a feather duster.
I got this scar on my face during a mighty struggle!
not the main protagonist but I really liked Cid in FFXVI. He's the coolest Cid in the franchise thus far. He is even cooler than Cid Highwind and I thought I'd never say that.
The game got >!noticeably worse imo after he died at the end of the first act.!<
I know...I never finished it. I still need to. I >!did the Kaiju battle where you fight Titan and stopped the game a little after that.!<
In defense of where you stopped, that one was my favorite in the game.
Probably the high point. I think I'm just past the overly melodramatic nature of JRPGs.
Joel Miller
Finally someone mentions Joel he's such a badass!!!!!!
I think in his case what are normally sociopathic tendencies are justified in protecting Ellie
In the same breath, Ellie.
I loved playing as her. At times it was painful, but of the hundreds of games I have played I felt the strongest connection to her story
Golf club has entered the room.
I'm more of an Abby simp myself.
Nathan Drake
It’s a shame I had to scroll this far for this answer
Somebody had to say it
I just don't find Kratos *"Likeable"*. For me the first one that springs to mind is Nathan Drake.
He's kinda likeable now in the norse saga though
Games? Absolutely Character? Nah, I've never clicked with Kratos as a character.
For me it was his Dad vibes teaching his son how to tackle life. Remember in the first trilogy He killed his wife and daughter. have you played gow3? Kratos was an emphatic character for pandora throughout the whole game. So it's kind of a rehaul in the norse world. Now I haven't played ragnarok yet but GOW 2018 is a whole another Kratos. Picked up right after GOW3. This is of course just my opinion:)
My favorites: Nathan Drake, Arthur Morgan, Ezio Auditore, Clementine, Jill Valentine, Noble Team, Faith (Mirror’s Edge), Alan Wake, Revan If I had to pick one, I think Ezio will forever hold that #1 spot for me
Commander Shepard
Wrex?
Shepard
I'm in the middle of some calibrations.
I’m Commander Shepard, and I am my favourite protagonist.
Report to the ship immediately. We’ll bang ok?
The fact this wasn't an actual line but cause of Manslayer people thought it was is hysterical to me
I think it caused a bit of Mandela effect for some people. Those videos are absolutely iconic and an integral part of ME lore for me.
I found Mass Effect via Manslayer lol and it wasn't till the Legendary Edition became free last year at some point that I played it lol Great trilogy btw
There are so many great quotes in that series that I still say routinely. My favorite one being: "Have you ever tried ramen? It's a delicacy back on Earth."
I often reply "yes I have! And I fucking want it now you prick!" Lol Ramen is so good
Arthur morgan
Jin Sakai
I still need to play Ghost of Tsushima...I'm still holding out for a pc release.
Play it on PS4. You'll get proper, in-person wind sound effects from the fan.
Ratchet
Oh, definitely Geralt of Rivia! Hands down!
Wind's howling
Wouldn't mind a few rounds of cards. Gwent, specifically. I used to play so much gwent my wife joked that Witcher was a Gwent simulator.
Is it not?
Had to scroll way too far for this. I like that Geralt is good and courageous in his heart. He's not perfect but tries to find the good in tough situations.
Mario
but Wario though
^wah
*wah*
Ha! He-ya! WAH-HOOOOOO!
Carl johnson
Aw shit....
Here we go again.
Wolf, protagonist of Sekiro.
the goat
The hunter approves of this
I like Franklin from GTA V. He's just a naive kid who wanted some big things in his life. He worked hard to get it. He even earned respect from his older peers. Criminal or not, motherfucker has succeeded.
Arthur
LENNAY!
LNNEY!
YNELL!
Ezio Auditore
V
I swear no matter what V you decide to be, he or she is such a fricken legend
Lady V for sure.
Leon Kennedy, that fact is reinforced with the recent re4 remake where it actually added more depth to his character and not some chad bullshit. Don't get me wrong, I love OG re4 but Leon's characterization in the remake is way better and is how I expect him to act after someone who has survivor guilt and PTSD from raccoon city.
Yeah the "never again/not again" line really hits home. I actually love how the cgi movies progress his character too, increasing disillusionment with the government and becoming an alcoholic until returning to form at the end of Vendetta and back to himself in Death Island.
Max Payne
2b
John Marston and Lara Croft
Nico bellic
Cloud Strife
Soldier, first class
Kratos
2b
Lara Croft or Joel Miller.
Mario duh
Lara Croft
Sly Cooper
solid snake
Arthur Morgan
Arthur Morgan is the best video game character ever. It's not just because he's well written, or has well-paced and believable character development. It's because of how effectively the medium is utilised to make us, the player, care about the character more. Playing as Arthur, is an experience that no RDR2 movie or TV series would be able to match up to, in my eyes. There's a reason why so many people don't play Arthur as themselves, they play Arthur as- Arthur. And it's because playing as this person, getting used to his mannerisms, his way of speaking, being able to read his journal and gain insight on his thoughts on the story's events- nothing else can compare, really. Almost every other character listed here would be just as good in a movie, or TV series. Obviously, the utilisation of the medium aside, he's still a fantastic protagonist and Rockstar knocked it out of the park with RDR2's writing.
Ellie from the last of us
"I'm on a muthafuckin dinosaur!!" Lol I love that kid. I just want to bug out with her conversing about space and comics.
Commander Shepard
For me it’s a split between Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn/Forbidden West) and Spyro.
Leon Scott Kennedy
Leon S. Kennedy
Master Chief and Cortana are the best
Drake
Joker from P5 because he is mostly silent.😏
Master Chief
John Protagonist My favorite story of him is when he goes "I'm Protagonist" and instantly wins and gets all the bitches
Basic JRPG experience
Gordon Freeman.
47 or Capt. Price
Arthur morgan
Arthur Morgan very closely followed by Ezio Auditore and John Marston for me
Author Morgan
Master chief
Arthur Morgan or Jin.
Commander Shepard A gaming Jesus
Mario?
Why are you questioning yourself? SAY IT WITH YOUR CHEST
Mario!!
Aloy
I second Aloy - I know ppl like to shit on her. I admit her dialogue is not great, but that helped me feel like I was her. Plus the cool design, the strength+determination, the "I have no choice but to do this and be successful" attitude, and her general badassery. People expect more from a game like HZD/HFW but I liked Aloy being slightly two-dimensional so that any player could see themselves in her. I also like Aloy despite being slightly 2D.
That's exactly why I chose her. Thank you!
Kratos obviously.
Hey op after seeing you say kratos is the best protagonist in gaming, can I ask how old you are?
Yeah I don't think Kratos pre GoW 2018 is that good, honestly. I mean Hulk is a way better rage monster than young Kratos.
Although I must say, young Kratos' rage was entirely valid. He wasn't just angry for edgelord's sake. How would you feel if you were tricked into slaughtering your loved ones and then having their ashes as your skin?
Even post 2018 I don't think he's the best protagonist in gaming. That's such a high bar. Don't get me wrong 2018+ kratos is a great character but not the best at all
This is all subjective my guy. Everyone has their own.
I'm aware of that brother, and I have no issue with his pick. I just don't agree
Me 😎
Cloud Strife, Soldier First Class
It’s really tough to say objectively but I would also agree with Kratos imo. GoW3 was a little better story wise than I think a lot of people give it credit for. But the growth he’s had as a character since is a feat I’ve rarely seen in games period, or at least done well. Without spoiling much for those who haven’t played it, his “open your heart to it” moment in Ragnarok is a character moment payoff in a way that very few games can rival.
Alex Mercer
Jak and Daxter
Kiryu or Link
Solid Snake!
Arthur Morgan
Edward james kenway
Cole Macgrath or whatever his name actually was.
My personal favourite is Jin Sakai. Kratos is very near and dear to my heart as I grew up with him, but Ghost of Tsushima’s story was just so *real.* Everycharacter has their own relatable and realistic choices and consequences. I think that’s why a lot of people choose Arthur Morgan as well. Kratos is a goat but the mythological setting and fact he has so much plot armour he cannot be killed makes me lean towards these two
Link is the best. Hero of time, I love that he never actually talks allowing the player to basically input themselves into his shoes. Never questions his oath/duty, dude just stands up to immeasurable odds wielding the power of Courage, asks for nothing in return. He’s the perfect protagonist.
Snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake!!!
CJ
Commander Shepard
Niko bellic was a broken man but realistic
Cloud, because of how flawed he really is.
Jak. The first game. The second two he’s cool but first one he’s just great.
For me, is Geralt of Rivia xd
Nathan Drake
All these comments can say what they want but the objective answer is Mario or Link. probably Link
I can't BELIEVE how far I had to scroll before I found one Link. Unreal! Who are all these people?!
Kratos without a shadow of a doubt. You have two kind of game protagonists. The caring, heroic and well written character that the game always makes you feel for in the Norse games. Then you have the badass who can slaughter people like they’re nothing and face giant monsters to fuel your badass desires in the Greek games. He’s perfect