As a seasoned gaming enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersing myself in these digital worlds, I must say that each of these characters represents a unique and intriguing take on the anti-hero archetype.
In every tale, you’ll find characters who embody heroism and those who represent wickedness. Regardless of its form, the battle between righteousness and wrongdoing is a common theme.
There are certain characters who don’t conform to the typical mold. Instead of being strictly good or evil, they exhibit a mix of moral qualities that range from light to dark, much like various shades of gray.
These characters often go by the name “anti-heroes.” They’re individuals whose actions, while they might not always align with traditional moral standards due to unconventional methods, may not strictly fall under the categories of right or wrong.
These characters choose to act based on personal gain or unusual methods, and they have no qualms about getting involved in messy situations. However, they refrain from openly aligning themselves with any particular side.
10 Wario
WarioWare/Mario Bros.
One of the first examples of an anti-hero that children are able to understand, Wario is rude, brash and greedy. He and his brother Waluigi are notoriously rivals of the Mario Brothers, introduced as villains meant to be polar opposites in every way.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that their names originate from the Japanese word “warui,” which translates to “poor” or “unfortunate” in English, which might not be beneficial for their overall image.
In certain games, particularly the newer ones, he appears to be more cooperative and even assists Mario in rescuing Princess Peach, instead of deliberately opposing him as was previously the case.
Currently, his character seems quite complex. While he isn’t necessarily wicked, his excessive desire for wealth doesn’t align with the qualities typically found in a heroic figure.
9 Shadow the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog
Among the beloved characters within the Sonic series, Shadow the Hedgehog stands out prominently due to his significant contribution to the storyline.
Shadow is known to go his own way about doing things, to get things done on his own terms and listening to nobody else nor their opinions. He made a promise to keep the world safe, but that will come after his revenge.
Although he harbors deep contempt for humanity (a sentiment that’s understandable given his tragic past of losing a child to violence), he no longer embodies the role of an outright villain. Instead, he is determined to prevent the world from being devastated and taken over. While his objectives may be noble, his approach often leads him into conflicts with Sonic on numerous occasions. In other words, despite his good intentions, his methods can be problematic when it comes to working alongside Sonic.
Shadow appears to have significant flaws, particularly in his ethics and behavior, which can be attributed to his deep-seated trauma. It’s worth noting that if you watch the neutral ending of his game, it becomes evident that his hostility stems from pain. Despite not performing heroic acts, it is clear that he does care deeply.
8 Dante
Devil May Cry
From the get-go, Dante doesn’t mind being labeled a hero; on the contrary, he’d find it amusing enough to chuckle about it directly in someone’s face. With a human mother and a demon for a father, Dante is the self-assured main character of the Devil May Cry series.
If given a choice, he strives to prevent catastrophe from befalling the world, yet he finds solace in the tumultuous moments that come his way, often expressing himself with witty remarks and swift actions. Indeed, as a mercenary – even one for supernatural causes – he needs to find humor in the absurdity of it all.
His battle against evil isn’t solely driven by a sense of justice, but rather stemming from vengeance – avenging his mother who was slain, and protecting his brother Vergil, who fell victim to corruption. It’s not merely about what is morally correct; it’s deeply personal, making him take up the fight in the first place.
His flippant and carefree attitude definitely makes him a nontraditional hero right off the bat, but given his history and his near-addiction to fighting, it would be bizarre to think of him as anything other than an anti-hero with a heart of gold.
7 Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad
Assassin’s Creed
In the world of Assassin’s Creed, Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad is more than just a hero by circumstance. Initially disregarding the three core principles of his order and earning the label of traitor from the Brotherhood, Altaïr’s tale unfolds as a tumultuous journey towards redemption throughout the remainder of the game.
I’m finding myself in a difficult situation where things aren’t turning out as expected. As Altaïr, I’ll end up crossing swords with my mentor, Al Mualim, and my childhood friend, Abbas Sofian – two individuals I once held dear, but who sadly betray me over time. Exiled with the Apple of Eden, I become an enemy despite my relentless efforts to do good. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but such is life in this world.
As a gamer, let me put it this way: Just because he follows a certain code doesn’t make him an angel. He can be as ruthless and impolite as needed to get things done. But here’s the catch, his objectives usually serve the greater good of the world. However, that doesn’t guarantee the safety of innocent people around him. His creed is just a guiding principle, not a strict rulebook he always adheres to.
6 Kratos
God of War (2018)
Kratos is a character marked by tragedy, his life story seemingly predestined for sorrow from the outset. Following the heart-wrenching ordeal of losing his wife and child, he metamorphoses into an antagonist to the Greek pantheon. The initial installments of God of War displayed extreme brutality, sparing no mercy in portraying violence, a merciless world, and a character equally unrelenting.
As he grows older and gains wisdom alongside his son Atreus, he gradually becomes more restrained. Although anger and vengeance still burn within him, he’s weary – he yearns to be free from the burden of monstrosity.
In the latest games based on Norse mythology, Kratos is adopting a complex character role that leans towards anti-heroism. Despite promising to improve himself for his son’s sake and those he cares about, he continues to display brutal behavior in battles and conflicts. However, it’s evident that his intentions are noble, even if the means he chooses are occasionally open to debate.
5 Arthur Morgan
Red Dead Redemption 2
In Red Dead Redemption 2, Arthur Morgan is strikingly candid about his own nature. He serves as the primary enforcer for his gang, yet he acknowledges that he’s far from a virtuous individual, having committed despicable acts. Yet, this doesn’t inherently make him wicked.
Arthur exhibits an unusual sensitivity; his affection for his fellow group members runs exceptionally deep. He is fiercely dedicated to ensuring the well-being of his makeshift family. If necessary, he’s willing to bend or break rules, even resorting to deception, theft, and violence, just to ensure their survival and success.
Despite having a long criminal history, he isn’t intentionally malicious or reprehensible as a person.
Absolutely, it’s worth noting that the differences between playing with Low Honor and High Honor for Mr. Morgan are quite significant, revealing different aspects of his character.
4 Alex Mercer
Prototype
In the initial Prototype video game, Alex Mercer serves as the main character, transitioning to an adversary in its subsequent sequel. Although he is clearly a villain in the second installment, in the first game, he’s portrayed more like a ruthless anti-hero with a thirst for blood.
Following his resurrection from death with no memory, Alex predominantly spends the game in pursuit of discovering not only his identity but also understanding what exactly he represents. This quest involves averting a potential nuclear catastrophe as well.
In the initial game, he might be characterized as morally ambiguous, given that there are no repercussions for unintentional harm to innocents or damage to property. Moreover, his consumption habit adds another layer of complexity to his moral standing.
In the initial contest, his actions of sacrificing himself for the sake of the world, though they had hazy boundaries and raised doubts about his tactics, became a bit more understandable.
3 Garrett
Thief
The Thief video games are well-known for being incredibly entertaining. As you take on the role of Garrett, the main character, the primary objective is subtly stealing valuable items from everyone. It’s not about seeking revenge; instead, he aims to carry out his thieving activities discreetly.
Sure, stealing is wrong, but he has a strict code of not killing anyone, claiming that he is simply a sneak thief, not a murderer. Even then, most of his thievery iscontract work, and it’s implied that he doesn’t steal from allies or from the poor, either.
Garrett prefers to act independently, steering clear of the entanglements of societal drama, power struggles, and particularly The Dark Project. His primary goal is simply to sustain himself, even if it requires certain compromises – and truthfully, one can’t hold too much criticism against him for that.
2 Agent 47
Hitman
In the Hitman series of video games, Agent 47 is depicted as more than just an individual – he’s a tool or resource, if you will. The games suggest that his actions are purely professional and impersonal, with no room for personal feelings or attachments – essentially, he’s paid to eliminate targets.
As a professional assassin known as Agent 47, he stands out among video game characters as a complex anti-hero. His assignments are often morally questionable and unlawful, yet his actions exist within a spectrum of ambiguity, where right and wrong blur together.
He’s professional, all the way down to the way he dresses, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to be corporate-friendly. He’s clean and efficient as a ruthless killer, able to assassinate even the most impossible targets with anything at his disposal.
Moreover, every individual he eliminates is undeniably unscrupulous; however, it’s not their immoral nature that triggers his actions—it’s his professional duties that demand it. Thus, the ethical complexity of his role deepens further.
1 Ada Wong
Resident Evil
In the Resident Evil series, Ada Wong, famously known for her red attire, often operates independently as a double agent. The nature of her allegiance is frequently unclear, and her responses tend to be elusive.
In the second installment of the series, she initially appears as a secretive accomplice to the well-known character Leon Kennedy (Leon Kennedy). However, it’s later discovered that she was a spy for the Umbrella Corporation, a corporation notorious in this context. Despite operating independently, her loyalty remains questionable, leading some to wonder if she should be classified as an antagonist.
She doesn’t rely solely on blind loyalty, as demonstrated by her actions during the escape helicopter scene in Resident Evil 4. Upon realizing that the sample she had obtained would lead to massive casualties, she quickly took control of the pilot at gunpoint and redirected the flight, opting instead to deviate from her original mission objectives.
In her own unique fashion, Ada disregards established norms and guidelines set by corporations who hire her. If she deems it necessary, she’ll betray these entities. Loyal to none, Ada stands out as a compelling anti-hero within the realm of video games.
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2024-10-31 22:39