6 Best Video Game Characters Who Became Gods

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Key Takeaways

  • Video games allow players to experience ascension to godhood through powerful characters like the Hero of Kvatch, Kratos, and Kain.
  • Characters like Kefka reshape the world with their new powers, leading to compelling and shocking villain arcs.
  • Hero of Kvatch in Oblivion attains godhood by “mantling” Sheogorath, resolving a cosmic crisis in the Shivering Isles.

As a seasoned gamer and enthusiast of immersive storytelling, I find it fascinating to observe the transformation of characters from mortal to divine beings in various video games. Each character’s journey is unique, yet they all share a common thread – the pursuit of power and influence that comes with godhood.

Occasionally, video games offer an appealing escape into power-driven fantasies. In these digital realms, we might leap three times higher than normal humans, obliterate hordes of adversaries with a single keystroke, and swiftly resolve conflicts through aggressive means – it’s incredibly gratifying! Frequently, the central character (and even antagonist) becomes such a formidable force that they rise to divine status.

It’s not unusual to encounter tales where humans challenge divine authority. But there’s a big difference between enjoying such narratives in books or films and actually experiencing or even observing that ascent directly through video games. Characters within these digital worlds have managed to attain supreme power, a feat that can be quite engaging for players. Be warned: potential spoilers may lie ahead.

Kefka Palazzo – Final Fantasy 6

From Mad Jester To Angelic Deity Of Death

In the game Final Fantasy 6, Kefka Palazzo embarks on an unusual path as a quirky, power-thirsty court mage. His relentless desire for power soon transforms into one of the most chilling villainous metamorphoses ever depicted in gaming, leaving a lasting impression. Driven by his craving for power, Kefka betrays his emperor at the pinnacle of his victory and seizes the power of the Warring Triad, the ancient guardians of magic. Eventually, he transcends to become a deity of magic.

Utilizing his fresh power, Kefka carries out heinous acts beyond description and eventually manages to redesign the world according to his warped vision, casting gloom and devastation far and wide. The journey of Kefka’s ascension to divinity serves as a gripping villain narrative and continues to be one of the most striking twists in the Final Fantasy series or in video game storytelling as a whole.

Kratos – God of War

Slaughtering His Way To Sanctity

Initially, Kratos wasn’t a god but a mortal Spartan warrior. In the 2005 game “God of War,” we find that he was deceived into slaughtering his own family by Ares, the original God of War. Overwhelmed by anger and sorrow, Kratos sought vengeance and waged a destructive campaign against the gods who had wronged him, challenging the entire Greek pantheon.

Over a series of games, he progressed to become an authentic deity through brutal aggression, eventually earning the title “God of War.” With unyielding ferocity and immense determination, Kratos vanquishes titans and gods alike, solidifying his status as one of the most terrifying gods in video game lore.

Kain – The Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver

The Vampire Ruler Of A Damned World

The Legacy of Kain series is renowned for its intricate examinations of cycles, reincarnation, and time conundrums. It’s mainly recognized by the legendary vampire wraith character, Raziel. However, the main vampire lord, initially introduced in Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, started off as a common nobleman who was brought back to unlife. Throughout his journey, he strives to free himself from vampirism and reestablish harmony in the magically tainted Pillars of Nosgoth.

1500 years after vanquishing eight divine guardians, I come to understand that I am the final remnant of the nine. In the era of Soul Reaver, it’s revealed that instead of sacrificing myself to cleanse the pillars and save the world, I chose to accept my vampiric existence and the dark destiny. I embraced the power of my vampirism, transforming into a god-like ruler over the realm, sustained by the nine pillars, with evil as my dominant force.

Vivec – The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

The Warrior-Poet, Once Mortal, Now Lord Of Morrowind

In the realm of The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, I, as a player, encounter Vivec – a deity shrouded in mystery and paradox. As a living god, he welcomes visitors at his grand palace within the city that bears his name. Way back before the tale unfolds in Morrowind, Vivec, alongside two other divine figures, felt compelled to access the Heart of Lorkhan – a powerful artifact. This relic bestowed upon them divine powers long before the events I am part of unfolded.

In the realm of Morrowind, I, as a gamer, find myself delving into the enigmatic character of Vivec – once a Chimer, now a god-like figure among the Dunmer. His origins are clouded in mystery, but he portrays himself as a symbol of duality and paradox, subtly hinting at the Trubunels’ heretical act against Azura and my long-lost comrade, the Nerevarine. Despite his supernatural abilities to single-handedly combat an entire army or halt a meteorite with sheer willpower, Vivec isn’t invincible. In fact, it falls upon me, the player, to challenge him and capture his soul within the Daedric soul gem known as Azura’s Star.

Kormir – Guild Wars Nightfall

Transforming A Prison Of Secrets Into A Library Of Truth

In “Guild Wars Nightfall,” Spearmarshal Kormir commences her mortal journey with the Sunspears, a protective force for Elona. They wage war across the continent, aiming to eradicate the worship of Abaddon, an exiled deity of secrets. Eventually, Abaddon summons demons into existence and rips open a gateway from his prison in the Domain of Anguish. Stricken blind and injured, Kormir is then called upon by the Five True Gods for a greater mission.

As I lay down my life to seal away Abaddon’s tainting influence, I find myself elevated to a higher plane. Granted with his divine wisdom and might, I transform into the new Goddess of Truth. In Guild Wars 2’s “Path of Fire” expansion, I briefly emerge, illuminating the Commander and Dragon’s Watch on the sequence of events that culminated in Balthazar’s unexpected return.

Hero of Kvatch – Oblivion

From Mortal Champion To Mad God

Despite the protagonist of Oblivion being relatively ordinary or human among the main characters of the Elder Scrolls series, they still manage to reach the pinnacle of power that a mortal could only aspire to achieve, concluding their adventures in Cyrodiil and the domains of Oblivion.

In the “Shivering Isles” expansion, the Champion of Cyrodiil, also known as the Hero of Kvatch, ascends to godhood by assuming the role of Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness. This transition ends the catastrophic “Greymarch” cycle in the Shivering Isles, a period of destruction initiated by the curse placed on Jyggalag, the Daedric Prince of Order, by other princes. Remarkably, this divine character makes an appearance in Skyrim for a casual gathering involving wine and cheese with the game’s latest protagonist.

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2024-11-08 08:34