10 Biggest Personality Vacuums In Video Game History

Have you ever known someone who always brings the mood down, no matter what’s happening? Maybe not – it’s hard to stay friends with people who do that.

It’s frustrating in video games when you’re stuck with companions you didn’t pick, and some of them are really annoying.

It’s frustrating when a character, no matter the game, just gets under my skin. It doesn’t even matter if they talk a lot – sometimes just being around them in the game world is enough to annoy me!

We don’t pull punches – we’re gamers, and we’re known for being brutally honest. We embrace that! Here’s a look at some characters who just ruin everything.

10. Lost Soul Aside

Kaser… Are You Awake?

Lost Soul Aside has some flaws, but a major one is its main character, Kaser. He strongly resembles Noctis from Final Fantasy 15, and unfortunately, his voice acting feels flat and uninspired – like a middle schooler giving a boring pep talk.

Kaser always sounds incredibly calm, no matter what’s happening. Whether the world is facing an alien invasion or his sister is in danger, he reacts with very little energy. It’s almost remarkable! I even wondered if he might be unable to express emotions, but it doesn’t seem like there’s a hidden reason for his consistently low-key demeanor.

During battles, he’s fully engaged, but when the characters start their lengthy conversations, everyone seems to understand what’s happening – except the person who’s supposed to be saving the world.

9. Final Fantasy 12

Vaan, Why Are You Here?

It’s widely agreed that Vaan is one of the least popular characters in the Final Fantasy series. As the main character in Final Fantasy 12, he doesn’t add anything meaningful to the plot and often feels intentionally annoying to both players and other characters.

Vaan is completely out of his depth in this story, and characters like Baasch and Ashe would make much stronger leads. He’s frustratingly reckless and lacks any social awareness, and it’s clear the other characters dislike his constant interruptions.

While some people enjoy playing as a character who seems like a version of the author, I personally found this character annoying and immediately switched to someone else. I’m definitely on Team Baasch!

8. Mass Effect: Andromeda

Ryder Makes Everything Worse

Mass Effect: Andromeda is a bit of a mixed bag, but a common criticism is the main character. No matter if you choose to play as a male or female Ryder, the character feels remarkably bland and uninteresting – easily one of the most forgettable protagonists in gaming.

Ryder is simply unremarkable. Whether it’s their detached personality or the fact that they never seem to react to anything in a compelling way, the character feels bland and uninteresting throughout.

Your companions are an eclectic group, but it’s surprising that Ryder, with his interactions with different alien races, doesn’t spark more reaction from others. He mostly just feels like a generic imitation of Nathan Drake.

You might occasionally pretend to get along with Ryder, but as a supposed leader, their behavior is often ridiculous. It’s hard to believe anyone respects them, and it makes the overall atmosphere of the game feel strange and inconsistent.

7. Ghost Recon: Breakpoint

Nomad, No Good

Compared to other Ghost Recon games, Breakpoint really emphasizes story. However, many players find it disappointing, largely because of the main character, Nomad. I played as the male version, and he felt like a cliché from an 80s action film – his personality and behavior just didn’t fit the game’s world.

Nomad’s voice is incredibly flat, and he comes across as cold and uncaring even when he’s supposed to be saving people. It’s strange that he has so little personality, particularly because he works with such interesting and vibrant characters.

I was so eager to see this character show even a little bit of emotion that I would have happily paid extra for a scene where he told one of the other characters to ‘Get bent, nerd.’

6. Vampyr

The Doctor Is In, and God is He Boring

Vampyr is a really stylish game with a great atmosphere and fun gameplay. However, the main character, Jonathan Reid, is a weak point. The voice acting just doesn’t work – it’s both irritating and dull. He rambles on and on without getting to the point, and while he uses impressive words, it’s hard to stay engaged with what he’s actually saying.

Jonathan frequently questions the characters in Vampyr, but these interactions feel flat and lack impact. They come across as simple conversations rather than meaningful exchanges.

There’s absolutely no spark between these characters, and he doesn’t embody the classic, alluring vampire at all. It’s strange anyone would be attracted to him – he’s incredibly dull whenever he opens his mouth. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if people are just letting him feed to get him to be quiet. I know I would!

5. Splinter Cell: Blacklist

Not My Sam Fisher

Before you react strongly, if you haven’t played Splinter Cell: Blacklist, you should know that Michael Ironside wasn’t the voice of Sam Fisher in that game. They replaced him with someone younger, but unfortunately, the new actor didn’t bring the same compelling personality to the role.

Surprisingly, even though this is a sequel, the character Sam seems much younger and has lost all of his original charm, humor, and wisdom. He comes across as bland and overly serious, and doesn’t share any believable connection with characters he’s known for years.

It’s disappointing because the dynamic between Sam Fisher and his superiors was always a highlight of the Splinter Cell games. In this installment, Sam feels flat and unlike his former self – he’s just not an interesting character. I can only enjoy the game if I pretend this Sam is more like a new 007 – a codename passed on to a different agent – because this version really drains the life out of every scene.

4. Assassin’s Creed 3

Wish We Played As Haytham

Assassin’s Creed 3 doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, but it boasts one of the strongest openings in the entire series. Playing as Haytham in the first mission is fantastic – he’s a compelling character, and you’re immediately invested in the story the moment he joins the Templars.

Just when things seem to be going well, the game throws a major curveball, switching you to play as the main character’s son, Connor. This section is widely considered one of the worst in video game history, and players hope that a compelling character will emerge once Connor is older, to redeem the frustrating experience. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen – the character falls far short of expectations.

Connor is a remarkably dull person to talk to. Whether he’s speaking with his mentor, Achilles, or historical figures, he always seems emotionally flat and unengaged. He consistently appears mildly annoyed, no matter the subject or circumstance, and it’s exhausting to be around him.

When this game was first released, this character was considered one of its weakest protagonists. Even with the many strong characters introduced since then, he still stands out as one of the least engaging, simply because his dialogue never adds anything meaningful to the story.

3. Fallout 4

Preston Garvey, Go Away

Fallout 4 takes place in a desolate world, and the game quickly introduces you to Preston Garvey as a companion. However, many players find him an unwanted and unrequested ally, as the game’s story forces you to team up with him right from the start.

After a certain point in the game, Preston Garvey becomes relentlessly demanding. He constantly asks you to complete Minutemen quests, which are often tedious and don’t really contribute much to the overall story. He’s a dull character with no real personality, and compared to more engaging characters like Nick Valentine, he’s simply frustrating. He never seems to realize how bothersome he is or apologize for constantly needing your help.

Talking to Preston is always unpleasant; he makes you feel constantly reprimanded, as if you’re to blame for everything. He’s easily the most frustrating character in Fallout 4, completely lacking in personality.

2. Death Stranding

Sam’s Got Some Trouble Expressing Himself

Death Stranding is definitely an unusual game, so you might expect its main character to be equally quirky. Surprisingly, Sam isn’t particularly interesting or unique. He’s quiet, and even when he does speak, he comes across as distant and emotionally empty compared to everyone around him.

Sam consistently keeps his cards close to his chest, no matter who he’s talking to – whether it’s the mysterious Deadman or the blunt Die Hardman. There’s a funny moment near the end of the game where a character is desperately trying to get a reaction out of Sam, practically begging him, and he just remains completely silent and stoic.

Sam has a really strange and unsettling presence. He consistently makes every situation feel awkward, almost like he doesn’t fully process what’s happening around him. While some players appreciate this realism, I find it distracting and it diminishes the impact of any conversation he’s in. Even during intense confrontations, like with Higgs, he remains strangely unemotional.

1. God of War: Ragnarök

Boy… Shut Up

The recent God of War games have evolved the series in many ways, but one of the biggest drawbacks is the character Atreus. Known as ‘Boy’ in previous installments, God of War: Ragnarök gives him a much larger role, including significant playable sections. However, Atreus’s voice and personality feel out of place – he sounds like a teenager from the early 2000s, which clashes with the game’s epic setting of gods and monsters. Whenever the focus is on him, it disrupts the overall tone and atmosphere.

Ironwood is a particularly weak part of the game, mainly because Atreus dominates the scenes. He doesn’t add much to the story, constantly talks, and strangely doesn’t react emotionally even when facing danger or witnessing incredible things, like battling large enemies or exploring a new world.

He’s incredibly boring, and it’s easy to see why Kratos is always frustrated with him. Atreus consistently acts naive and lets others easily manipulate him, seemingly without any strong personality of his own. He just… exists. Honestly, the story wouldn’t have been much different if Kratos had formed a close bond with a talking potato.

2025-11-05 22:42