As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the world of video games is as diverse and multifaceted as the people who create them. And while every character has its charm, some have left a more lasting impression – for better or worse – in the hearts and minds of gamers across the globe.
Different video game characters aren’t always equally appealing to their creators, even within related projects. The specific reasons can differ, but developers may express their preferences or dislikes alongside their thoughts on the character. Often, there’s a sense of dissatisfaction with how these characters embody the end product. At times, it’s simply a matter of choosing favorites.
From my perspective, it’s worth noting that not every character can be everyone’s darling. Sometimes, it’s not just about the character itself, but also the deeper meaning or the personality they embody that resonates with us. Here are some characters that have sparked a developer’s frustration and the reasons behind their ire:
5 Pyramid Head
Silent Hill 2
The character from the Silent Hill series that is arguably the most renowned is commonly believed to be a representation of James Sunderland’s guilt over killing his wife, Mary. Interestingly, this entity wasn’t just a product of James’ subconscious; it made appearances in games like Super Bomberman R and New International Track & Field, as well as numerous other Silent Hill games and merchandise, often not centered around James.
As the game’s player, I found myself drawn into the chilling world of Silent Hill, where the terrifying figure of Pyramid Head originated. Little did I know that this very game was causing a change in its artist and creator, Masahiro Ito. He grew weary of his own masterpiece, finding it hard to embrace the fear he had unleashed upon gamers like me.
He notes that Pyramid Head was originally designed for the narrative of James, but it seems this role has long since passed it by.
His Twitter feed repeatedly shows him criticizing excessive portrayals of the character, yet his profile picture remains as the iconic figure of Pyramid Head. This suggests that his criticism stems less from a personal dislike of the character and more from his belief that his creation is being misrepresented or mishandled.
4 Brentilda
Banjo Kazooie
In contrast to her witchy sisters, one of Gruntilda’s three siblings, known as Brentilda, is famous for her animosity towards her sister. Dressed in a fairy godmother-like attire, she provides the player with valuable insights about her sister. These pieces of information serve as the correct answers to questions that may arise during the Grunty Square segments in Furnace Fun. Interestingly, Brentilda has not made a substantial reappearance in any subsequent games since her debut in this first installment.
On Twitter, responding to his brother’s view of Tooty as the least popular Banjo-Kazooie character, Gregg Mayles, the creative director at Rare, admitted that Brentilda was his personal least favorite character from the game. He described her role as one of the worst designs he had ever created. This dislike for both characters seems to be why they did not have prominent roles in any subsequent content.
3 Dr. Rebecca Chambers
Resident Evil
Rebecca Chambers plays a supporting role in the Resident Evil series, appearing as a key character in several games. In the original game, she’s the lone survivor of the USS Bravo Team, and she features prominently in titles like Resident Evil Zero. Designer and director Shinji Mikami, however, has expressed his disapproval of her character in an interview with The Guardian. He perceived her as being “submissive” and lacking independence. Mikami believes that the staff liked her, and notes that the type of character she represents is quite popular in Japan.
Mikami shared his liking for female characters who develop their self-reliance throughout the game’s storyline, as well as those who are already independent but have their independence tested through various obstacles. Characters like Jill Valentine, who demonstrates self-sufficiency consistently, serve as good examples of this approach. Even though Mikami himself had some reservations, video game critics generally welcomed the character, with some finding her a unique and appealing figure, not just within the series, but also in relation to wider horror genre stereotypes.
2 Navi
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Known for some iconic phrases in gaming lore, Navi is a character widely recognized among video game personalities. Her name stems from the Fairy Navigation System, reflecting her function as a guide for Link. Her catchphrase “hey! listen!” usually comes with tips to assist players in their advancement. Notably, she accompanied Link in “Ocarina of Time,” and served as the foundation for his storyline in “Majora’s Mask,” where he initially searches for her at the start of the game.
The character is frequently disliked by series enthusiasts who find her dull and repetitive, to the extent that her portrayal has turned into a widely used joke. Yet, she has her supporters who believe she contributes positively to the game. In an interview with Shigeru Miyamoto in 1999 regarding the game (now available in English on Shmuplations), he appears to support both opinions. Miyamoto explained that it was challenging to design hints for the game suitable for all players, so Navi’s somewhat deliberately “simple-minded” suggestions were the solution. However, he also considered abandoning the system entirely. Nevertheless, he emphasized that such a move would have made the game even more unfriendly to players.
1 Hsu Hao
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
In a comical series reminiscent of Mortal Kombat, if developers have any negative feelings towards a character, it’s evident. This writing style made fans familiar with the notorious Hsu Hao, a Mongolian cyborg and a member of the Red Dragon clan, who were enemies to Kano’s Black Dragon clan, a group that originated from the Red Dragon. His cybernetic heart amplifies his power and allows him to fire a laser beam, which is also utilized in his fatal move.
Game designer, John Vogel, notably one of four developers on the original Mortal Kombat, as well as a continual fixture of the series, has been vocal about his hatred of Hsu Hao. He noted in Hsu Hao’s bio kard, a feature in Armageddon, that Jax’s ending in Deadly Alliance, which featured him killing Hsu Hao, was meant to be canon, to the extent that it prevented him from being playable in any future games. However, the release of Armageddon, a game which included every playable character up to that point, necessitated his return. “Armageddon is about bringing every character back to life, so Hsu Hao is back, much to my dismay,” said Vogel.
In summary, Hsu Hao often appears in less favorable situations across various games, such as having his head carried by Erron Black in Mortal Kombat 11. It’s been suggested that the game designer Ed Boon doesn’t particularly care for Hsu Hao, as hinted by a Game Informer article and a tweet where he humorously ranks him fourth in strength behind Mocap, Moloch, and Mavado. The specific reasons for this dislike aren’t commonly shared, but it’s possible that Hsu Hao is considered less interesting because he resembles another fighter, Kano.
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2024-11-21 02:35