Meet the Bravest Horror Protagonists in Gaming: A Countdown

Summary

Horror games challenge players with eerie atmospheres and monstrous foes that test both their courage and that of the character.
Some horror protagonists, like Laura Kearney, demonstrate headstrong bravery, willing to face challenges and monsters alone.
Characters like Sable Ward are motivated by loyalty and love, showing courage by entering dangerous territories to find missing friends.

In horror games, players are invited to encounter and deal with scenarios deliberately designed to provoke fear, immersing them in spooky settings filled with an unsettling ambiance, or presenting them with grotesque creatures that may or may not be human. To successfully navigate these frightening experiences, both the player and their on-screen character must summon up a fair amount of bravery.

As a thrill-seeker, I find myself drawn to tales where the protagonist is not only fearless but also heroic. While some stories might choose a character who’s easily scared due to their youth or inexperience, I prefer those that place a brave newcomer in the world of horror. This way, they embody the courage and resilience I need to face my own fears.

8. Laura Kearney (The Quarry)

A Natural Leader to Fight to Survive in The Quarry

On their journey to summer camp prior to dawn, functioning as counselors, Laura and Max encountered local authorities who advised them to stay away from Hackett Quarry until its morning opening. Ignoring this advice, they ventured towards the quarry even in the darkness and under the full moon’s glow. It soon became evident that they were instructed to keep their distance because there seemed to be some mysterious creature lurking around the premises at night.

In the Supermassive horror universe, it’s common for the initial playable characters to perish. However, this time around, both Laura and Max defy that trend and continue their journey within the game. Despite the challenges they face, Laura maintains her determination from the start, demonstrating she is the one in control between the two. She even proves to be the braver of the duo, venturing out alone when she hears a sound in the forest, an act that earns her praise from others like Dylan.

7. Heather Mason (Silent Hill 3)

Even God Can’t Shake Heather’s Resolve in Silent Hill 3

Proceeding the narrative strands of the initial Silent Hill game, the protagonist’s daughter, Heather, is a spirited and self-reliant teenager with a bit of attitude. Following an unexplained fainting spell at a mall, she awakens in a disconcerting alternate reality of this location, teeming with grotesque creatures. Despite her initial fear, she swiftly grabs a weapon to protect herself, displaying courage rather than the typical response of calling out for assistance, as most young girls might do under similar circumstances.

Throughout the game, Heather consistently displays an unyielding courage, punctuated by brief instances of tender vulnerability as she reflects on her father, whose death she seeks retribution for. Not even the resurrection of the Order’s deity deters Heather from her quest, as she harbors the inner strength necessary to seek justice for her father’s murder. Among horror game protagonists, Heather achieves a commendable balance between authenticity and bravery.

6. Sable Ward (Dead by Daylight)

Willingly Enters the Fog to Find Her Friend in Dead by Daylight

In the realm of horror games and films, there are numerous brave characters within “Dead by Daylight”. Ranging from action heroes like Jill Valentine to final girls such as Laurie Strode, plus a host of original personalities. One example is Sable Ward, who is a close friend to Mikaela Reid. When Mikaela vanished into an enigmatic mist, Sable took it upon herself to investigate her disappearance.

This incident made Sable realize that a mysterious mist had whisked her off, making her one of the exceptionally few who voluntarily stepped into the Entity’s realm. Despite being aware of the potential peril and uncertainty about her own survival, Sable bravely charges ahead, driven by her concern for her friend, finding the necessary courage in this situation.

5. Michael Munroe (Until Dawn)

Steps Up as the Psuedo-Leader in Until Dawn

In the game Until Dawn, various characters experience transformations. For instance, Chris evolves into the more composed one compared to Ashley, Jessica reveals her vulnerable side if she makes it through the encounter with the monster, and Mike shifts from a popular, arrogant jester to a grounded leader who is resolute in ensuring his friends reach safety.

Mike initially seems like the kind of character who wouldn’t last long in a horror movie, always the first to meet an untimely end. However, he proves to be quite resilient. With courage surging through him, he immediately pursues Jessica after she’s kidnapped and even follows a strange man into the sanatorium, armed with a gun and determination. He undergoes a transformation from being disliked to becoming a crucial character, a hero in his own right when the situation calls for it.

4. Sebastian Castellanos (The Evil Within)

Traumatic Events Have Made Sebastian More Fearless in The Evil Within

The Beacon Mental Hospital transformed into a chilling crime scene for detectives Joseph Oda, Juli Kidman, and Sebastian Castellanos, who were eager to wrap up their day. However, given that it was the site of a gruesome massacre, this was no ordinary case they could afford to ignore. Unfortunately, had they chosen otherwise, they would have wished they had. Upon arrival, they are plunged into a haunting, nightmare-like environment teeming with horrifying beings like Laura and the Keeper.

Regardless of the terrifying ordeals, Sebastian remains composed and rarely expresses his fear out loud, instead making occasional quizzical remarks. His bravery is evident in his unwavering response to these monstrous entities, even when he shows prudence by running from the slaughterhouse monster at the game’s outset. The harrowing experiences, including the loss of dear ones, have toughened Sebastian into an unflinching horror hero.

3. Leon S Kennedy (Resident Evil 2)

Though a Rookie, He Faces Up to the Horrors With Steely Determination in RE2

Among the numerous valiant heroes in the Resident Evil series, Leon S Kennedy from Resident Evil 2 could be one of the unsung yet worthy picks for the bravest. As a greenhorn police officer, Leon probably didn’t anticipate anything more strenuous than pushing a few pencils on his first day. However, when he found himself in the zombie-infested streets of Raccoon City, he quickly understood that his initial day would be far from routine.

Since not even the interior of the police station is safe, Leon decides to arm himself and bravely confront the monstrous creatures, including the imposing Mr. X. Despite his youth and lack of experience, he quickly proves himself to be a valiant and influential hero in the game RE2, a trait that carries over into the subsequent series he appeared in.

2. Regina (Dino Crisis)

Neither Gore Nor Horror Can Faze this Heroine in Dino Crisis

A group called SORT sends four operatives to rescue a well-known scientist, who was believed deceased, but instead had been secretly developing weapons. However, none of them were prepared for what his work entailed. It turns out that this scientist not only defied death, but also resurrected ancient dangers, now stalking Regina and her colleagues as the predators rather than the prey.

Instead of panicking and fleeing in terror upon encountering fearsome dinosaurs, Regina exhibits remarkable courage. She doesn’t flinch at the sight of gore or blood, but rather, she stands her ground, battling and firing through these prehistoric creatures. Her indomitable spirit and proven abilities as an agent make her one of the bravest women to have walked the halls of horror.

1. Chris Redfield (Resident Evil Franchise)

Arguably the Definitive Hero of the Resident Evil Franchise

In the Resident Evil series, Chris Redfield stands out among the brave characters with a rich history. He has made numerous appearances since the initial game in the franchise, starting from his days with S.T.A.R.S., and later moving on to other groups like the BSAA to carry forward his mission.

Regardless of the flag, Chris consistently demonstrates courage and resilience, readily diving headfirst into any trouble to unearth secrets hidden within the narrative. From the spooky Spencer Mansion to the sweltering plains of Africa, and later in the frozen Romanian wilderness, Chris seldom backs down from the events unfolding around him. Contrary to his DLC title RE7 – Not a Hero, each instance of Chris is a testament to his heroic nature.

2025-01-26 18:36