Ten of my favorite video game characters

May 21, 2:08 AMNY Video Game Industry ExaminerChris Whitmore

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The games that make a lasting impression with us are the ones that draw us in, either with innovative gameplay, epic stories, or both. In the midst of all this are thousands of characters, each with their own specific traits and abilities. Comprising a list of the best characters in game history would be impossible, as each person has his or her own criteria for judging these virtual individuals. So, without further ado and in no particular order, here are ten of my personal favorite video game characters:

1. Samus Aran                                                                                                                                           

In addition to Metroid being one of my favorite franchises ever, the protagonist is also one of my favorite characters. This bounty hunter has been in stellar game after stellar game, from her humble beginning on the 8-bit NES to her first-person adventure on the Wii. After surprising gamers by revealing herself as a woman, she has continued to prove herself as a worthy protagonist among a male-dominated world. Each adventure showcases her perseverance in the face of adversity, expanding her simple suit with different visors, missiles, and laser beam attachments. The feeling of isolation has always dominated the series, but Samus has never let that get her down, which easily secures her as one of my favorite video game characters.

2. Clank

The robotic half of the Ratchet and Clank series has always had a soft spot in my heart. The diminutive sidekick has kept me entertained, with his versatile abilities and inexplicable accent. A vital asset and loyal companion to Ratchet, the little guy has always been there to help the lombax out of a pinch. Besides being a trusty companion, the simple fact that he began as a fugitive from a factory manufacturing destructive robots is more than enough earn a place as one of my favorite characters.

3. GLaDOS

As much as I don’t like projecting my beliefs on everyone, I believe that every gamer should play Portal. Despite its brevity, it is easily one of the best games I have ever played, with its interesting puzzles and unique way of storytelling. GLaDOS is the artificial intelligence-controlled computer that leads the player through various tests of increasing lethality. What makes her such a cool character is the way she leads the player on in the most seemingly innocent way, by offering the player cake upon completing the tests. In the same way that small children are creepy in horror films, she gives the players “advice” in an almost sing-song manner. Of course, upon the player’s realization that GLaDOS was lying, she tries to play it off as a joke. How awesome is that?

4. Bo Jackson

Anyone who played the superb Tecmo Super Bowl remembers “Tecmo Bo.” The digital counterpart of the former Raider was as unstoppable as Ken Jennings was on Jeopardy. As numerous YouTube videos have shown, players run the entire length of the field, then back and forth several times without even coming close to being tackled. Sure, he was an excellent player in real life, but the sheer hilarity of how overpowered he is has made him a personal favorite, even if my friends think it’s unfair when I use him.

5. Mega Man

The NES was a huge part of my childhood, and Mega Man was right there next to it. Any hero that takes the ability of the enemy he just defeated is a contender in my book, but the blue bomber pioneered the idea and also did it the best, in my opinion. The original game spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, most of which continued the creative trend and challenging, but undeniable fun. Sure, his 3-D adventures left a lot to be desired, but his return to his 8-bit roots with last year’s Mega Man 9 proved that it’s best to leave some things unchanged.

6. Solid Snake

Solid Snake needs no justification to be on this list. The man is a spy, special operations agent, and mercenary all in one gruff-voiced, cigarette-smoking package. What more needs to be said? Though stealth is the name of his game, the Metal Gear series has also allowed him to be just as skilled at handling weapons. Often acting alone, he is a one-man wrecking crew, capable of handling the most seemingly impossible of situations. His reputation is as epic as the games in which he stars, as fighting giant, walking, robotic weapons always helps.

7. Duke Nukem

The titular anti-hero of the Duke Nukem franchise is wrong on so many levels, but that’s what makes him so right. The constant one-liners are more often than not politically incorrect and allusions to his own masculinity and womanizing. He is what you would get if you threw Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jean Claude Van Damme, and Andrew Dice Clay into a blender. His self-centered attitude and array of probably compensatory weaponry, combined with everything else mentioned pushes him over the edge of ridiculous and into a spot as one of my favorite game characters. While a new game may never happen, I would love to read his autobiography, Why I’m So Great.

8. Albert Wesker

Wesker has been the antagonist throughout the long-running Resident Evil series, whether he has been at the foreground or behind the scenes. Similar to Duke Nukem, he is cocky and never admits defeat, but in more of a classy, Hans Gruber kind of way. He has been working for the Umbrella Corporation, the company responsible for the zombie outbreak in Raccoon City. Upon the destruction of the city, he retrieved a sample of a mind-control parasite, which he used to manufacture bio-organic weapons in an effort to cleanse the world and rebuild it as he saw fit. He has faked his own death several times, leaving the end the most recent game arguably uncertain. Hopefully that is the case, as it would be a shame to see the end of one of gaming’s greatest villains.

9. The AI Director

While not technically a character, the AI director from Left 4 Dead is one of my favorite ideas for a video game. Anyone who has played the campaigns multiple times can vouch that it is never the same experience twice, thanks to the AI director. This omnipotent being prevents players from getting too comfortable with the game and ensures that the looming hoard of zombies never loses its shock value. The AI director can randomly spawn enemies when the player thinks he is safe and even changes musical cues to enhance the mood. While already a fun game by itself, the AI director helps Left 4 Dead ascend above the status quo and create a unique gaming experience.

10. Scorpion

There are tons of fighting games with tons of interesting characters, but Scorpion has always stood out in my mind. Admittedly, he is not my favorite Mortal Kombat character, but for some reason when I hear “Mortal Kombat,” I immediately think of Scorpion. His patented battle cry and iconic fatality have stayed with me throughout the many years I have played the game. As I am sure many would agree, a Mortal Kombat game without Scorpion just would not feel right, as was proven by the re-release of Mortal Kombat 3, which restored the previously absent character. As sure as the sun sets, he has been in every fighting game in the series and will undoubtedly continue to do so as long as it continues.
 

All photos taken from: www.gamespot.com