As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of gaming under my belt, I have seen it all – from pixelated heroes to fully-realized characters that feel more human than some people I know. One aspect that always fascinates me is when games change their protagonists mid-stream, and today, I’d like to share a few examples that left an indelible mark on my gaming life.
For a long time, video games have featured diverse characters. Classic games such as Diablo enabled players to pick an initial class, and this practice persisted throughout the series. In more contemporary times, games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 have introduced well-developed characters. At various stages, players could control Peter or Miles, and later on, they had the ability to seamlessly switch between them as needed.
In certain games, the decision-making power can be removed. For instance, a game might initially have a single protagonist, but this character could be replaced by another if they meet an untimely demise or encounter other unforeseen circumstances. Such events often occur later in the narrative, although some can happen swiftly and unexpectedly.
WARNING! There will be spoilers.
6 Final Fantasy 7
Cloud Goes Through The Amnesia Ringer
In Final Fantasy 7, the protagonist’s role does not significantly shift midway or at the start of the game. Initially, Cloud takes center stage, but a significant plot twist unfolds when players reach The Northern Crater. During this event, Cloud gets taken over by Sephiroth, hands off the Black Materia, and subsequently vanishes from his original form.
From my viewpoint as an enthusiast, the narrative switches momentarily to Tifa’s perspective, giving us a glimpse into her actions before we rejoin our party in search of Cloud. She feels compelled to remain by his side in the hospital during his recovery, allowing Cid to assume command temporarily. As the story unfolds, Cloud returns, but he has undergone a transformation that promises an intriguing turn of events in the upcoming third and final remake. I can’t wait to see how these changes play out!
5 Fire Emblem: Genealogy Of The Holy War
A Forgotten Entry With A Dark Intro
Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War, a title not commonly recognized, is a game from the Fire Emblem series that was originally released on the SNES. Despite not being officially brought over, enthusiasts have managed to translate it into English. The story commences with Sigurd as the main character, embarking on several missions.
Following a brief encounter, Sigurd and his entire troop suffer a devastating defeat. As time moves on, Sigurd’s son, Seliph, ascends to leadership as the new main character. The story of Sigurd continues to unfold with many more dramatic twists, but that is the essential plot summary. When a game eliminates a character swiftly, it often creates a significant impact, and I hope Nintendo will someday transfer this title in its original 16-bit splendor or through a remake.
4 The Last Of Us Part 2
From Killer To Protagonist
The video game titled “The Last of Us Part 2” begins by showing Joel and Ellie living in a settlement amidst the ruins of civilization. During an exploration mission, a tragic event occurs that leads to Joel’s death, prompting Ellie to seek out and avenge him against Abby, the killer. The narrative takes several twists as the two characters eventually cross paths, with Ellie suffering defeat, only for the storyline to flip back to Abby’s point of view immediately following her encounter with Joel.
In a daring decision, Naughty Dog opted to elicit empathy from gamers towards a character who had killed the playable protagonist from the earlier game, Joel – a man who, despite his flaws, had been deeply cherished by players. This shift in character dynamics for The Last of Us Part 2 was met with resistance among players initially and is likely to stir similar reactions when season two of the TV adaptation premieres on HBO Max.
3 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty
Snake Takes A Backseat To The Rookie
In Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Solid Snake returns as the protagonist, carrying out an operation to infiltrate a tanker positioned near New York City’s harbor initially. However, following the sinking of the boat, the scenario becomes uncertain for Snake. The narrative subsequently switches, introducing Raiden, a novice, who steps into Snake’s shoes to infiltrate a fresh facility constructed after the tanker disaster.
What left players puzzled was the unexpected reveal that Snake would be playable in the newly unveiled game facility, with no hint of Raiden until after its release. This clever tactic by game director Hideo Kojima, a true bait-and-switch, caused quite a stir among fans at the time, and rightfully so.
2 NieR: Automata
There Are Three Robots To This Tale
NieR: Automata was constructed with the base of providing players multiple, seemingly conclusive endings. The story initially follows protagonists 2B and her companion 9S as they descend to Earth to thwart a robot uprising, potentially restoring the planet for human inhabitance once more. Upon finishing the game, players are granted the opportunity to re-experience it from 9S’ perspective, offering a fresh playthrough style.
In a more casual and engaging manner, In NIER: Automata, while the same rhythm is generally maintained, it isn’t until the third time playing as A2 when things become quite psychedelic. This game doesn’t exactly feature groundbreaking protagonists; instead, it’s unique in that it seems to have no central character at all. It goes so far as to challenge players by asking them to erase their saved progress upon reaching the final ending, and it’s tough to estimate how many gamers were brave enough to do so.
1 Red Dead Redemption 2
A Series Known For Killing Protagonists
In simpler terms, playing Red Dead Redemption 2 is like receiving a double blow. Initially, it’s a prequel to the first game, focusing on the gang that clashed with John Marston in the original. This might seem strange for players since they may have grown fond of John Marston. However, despite this change, Arthur Morgan, one of the characters in the sequel, can be perceived as a morally good character.
In the game Red Dead Redemption, the choices players make concerning Arthur Morgan significantly impact his character development, turning him into a beloved figure, which is a key factor in John Marston’s progression. However, regardless of the decisions taken, Arthur ultimately meets his end and is succeeded by John in a lengthy epilogue sequence. Interestingly, John himself eventually passes away and is succeeded by his son, Jack, in the game. If there’s ever a sequel to Red Dead Redemption, it’s likely that a similar cycle of death and succession will occur.
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2024-09-21 05:33