Summary
- Pirates used peg legs and hook hands due to 18th-century ship accidents, sparking creativity in prosthetic design.
- Fiction explores prosthetics creatively, from devastating character impacts to comical malfunctions.
- Video games feature prosthetics with discernible gameplay impacts, from bionic arms to supernatural limbs.
As a seasoned gamer who’s seen it all, I must say that the games featuring protagonists with prosthetic limbs have always intrigued me. They serve not only as a testament to the indomitable spirit of these characters but also as a unique gameplay mechanic that adds depth and strategy to the game.
Essentially, prosthetics are devices designed to replace a body part that is absent due to various reasons such as accidents, violence, birth defects, or medical emergencies requiring amputation. Over time and across different cultures, methods for losing body parts have varied extensively.
Historically, people have sought alternatives for missing body parts due to various reasons. Pirates, for instance, are often linked with peg legs and hook hands because of the prevalence of injuries on 18th-century sailing vessels. Simple prosthetics, made using available materials, were commonly used to replace lost limbs. Today, human ingenuity has soared in the field of prosthetics, creating innovative designs that significantly improve the lives of their users.
In fictional stories, artificial limbs like prosthetics can serve creative purposes. A more intense portrayal might delve into the profound effects of losing an arm on a character, showing their struggle with adapting to the prosthesis and eventually learning valuable lessons from the experience. On the other hand, in a humorous scenario, the malfunctioning or misbehaving prosthetic could become a source of humor.
Science fiction stories often incorporate the idea that a character’s lost limb can be replaced by an advanced mechanical one, which is appealing because it opens up possibilities for intriguing gameplay in video games. Fantasy may also offer similar alternatives. The design and usage of these prosthetic arms can bring about unique gaming experiences due to the creative freedom given to developers.
To keep things straightforward, this compilation primarily features solo video games that center around a primary character who uses a prosthesis. This approach excludes multiplayer-exclusive titles and non-player characters, as they could warrant separate listings. Furthermore, the lineup has been refined to showcase instances where the prosthetic significantly influences gameplay mechanics.
8. Bionic Commando
Grapple Hero
In simpler terms, this 1987 arcade game, later adapted for the NES and then remade multiple times with sequels, features Nathan “Red” Spencer, a soldier who sports a grappling hook as his left arm. The backstory behind how he acquired this mechanical limb isn’t explicitly explained (though some say it was hinted at in a 2009 game where it claimed the bionic arm was crafted from his deceased wife’s remains). Compared to other games in the series, its storyline might appear less complex.
In comparison to other characters’ upgradable and customizable limbs, Bionic Commando’s grappling arm stands out with just one function – grappling. However, this straightforward grappling mechanism is pivotal to the gameplay of Bionic Commando. Due to the design of the levels and the unconventional choice not to include a jump command, Nathan relies heavily on the grapple to navigate his surroundings. He can utilize it to cross large gaps and reach higher platforms. Furthermore, the grappling arm serves as a weapon when combined with his gun. It can be fired or swung at enemies.
7. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Double Prosthetics
As a gamer, I find myself immersed in the world of Deus Ex, where body modifications through cybernetics are as common as smartphones today. Shadowy figures with nefarious intentions often dabble in creating supersoldiers through these enhancements. Many protagonists in this series have been cyborgs to some degree, and the acquisition and installation of augmentations play a significant role in gameplay. However, Adam Jensen from Human Revolution and Mankind Divided stands out among his peers. Unlike most characters on this list who’ve lost only one arm, Adam Jensen has both arms replaced with advanced prosthetics. These mechanical limbs can be upgraded (alongside the rest of his body), providing him with tactical advantages in combat.
As a gamer, I can’t help but feel thrilled about the variety of upgrades available in this game. From boosting my arm’s power or ensuring a steady aim, it’s all about personalizing my character for optimal performance. On the cutting edge, I can even equip an Assassin’s Creed-style hidden blade or hack enemy equipment from afar. The chance to tailor my playstyle with these unique augmentations is undeniably one of the main reasons I love this series.
6. Dishonored: Death of the Outsider
An Arm From the Void
Billie Lurk endured a significant amount of distress between Dishonored 1 and 2, ultimately losing an eye and her right arm by the second installment. However, things took a different turn when she became playable in the standalone game Death of the Outsider. In a bizarre twist of fate, the very entity she was pursuing bestowed upon her the Black Shard Prosthetic. This artifact from the void sports an unusual design, with the hand appearing to be barely attached to the arm and seemingly prone to detachment. Remarkably, it functions surprisingly well.
In most situations, this prosthetic would be considered the poorest design, yet it functions oddly. Remarkably, it offers an advantage of self-recharging energy, eliminating Billie’s need to replenish mana like previous Dishonored characters did. Moreover, it grants her a few supernatural abilities. Although the Outsider’s decision is peculiar, considering it contradicts a possible choice in Dishonored 2, it appears to be a reaction to Billie’s reluctance to accept the mark he usually bestows upon others.
5. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Surprise Arm Transplant
In the game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, there was an item called the Sheikah Slate, which enabled Link to gather runes that granted him unique abilities. For the sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo opted for a change in approach by assigning this function to an arm prosthetic instead. When Ganondorf is brought back to life (for the second time), he employs his newly-acquired powers to wither away Link’s left arm.
Fortunately, Rauru’s spirit possesses the power to rescue Link and perform an unexpected limb transplant on the spot. Unlike a typical prosthetic, it is literally Rauru’s arm that is grafted onto Link’s shoulder. Though this may seem unsettling, it equips Link with unique abilities to aid him in his mission to save Hyrule. Rauru’s arm grants Link access to special powers, ranging from the basic (lifting heavy items) to crafting and even limited time manipulation. These skills prove beneficial for a variety of tasks, including problem-solving, battles, and traversing Hyrule, frequently proving vital for progression in his journey.
4. Lies of P
Swappable Arms For Different Situations
In an intriguing blend of Carlo Collodi’s classic tale “Pinocchio” and the atmospheric world of “Dark Souls,” our character, hereafter referred to as “P,” sports an unusual accessory: a technologically advanced prosthetic arm, known as a “legion arm.” This may seem out of place considering Pinocchio is a wooden puppet. But in this interpretation, P isn’t just any ordinary wooden boy; he’s equipped with a mechanical limb.
This set of abilities spans from hand-to-hand combat against adversaries, launching projectiles, and strategically placing landmines underground. Unlike character P who can only perform a single function at once, the interchangeable arms offer players an opportunity to explore and discover the one that aligns best with their preferred gameplay approach.
3. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Losing an Arm is Tough, but Now You Have a Weaponized Robot Arm
In the fifth installment of the Metal Gear Solid series, our new hero, Venom Snake, finds himself in a hospital following an explosion. To his surprise, he discovers that one of his arms is gone – it appears to have been amputated during treatment. The game’s title, “phantom pain,” reflects a real-life phenomenon where people with missing limbs can still feel pain in the absent body part.
Initially, his first makeshift prosthetic, hastily crafted by another patient, didn’t perform well. But upon leaving the hospital, Venom obtains a high-tech, upgradable bionic arm. This mechanical limb offers numerous combat features such as firing missiles or electrifying adversaries. Given that a significant portion of the game involves surveillance, infiltration, and assault on enemy bases, the bionic arm provides Venom Snake with multiple practical applications to accomplish his objectives effectively.
2. Phantom Fury
Robot Arm With Special Skills
3D Realms’ follow-up to their retro-style shooter, Ion Fury, starts with main character Shelley “Bombshell” Harrison waking up post-surgery from injuries incurred during the last game. What immediately catches her attention is the absence of her right arm, a realization she barely has time to grapple with as the facility comes under attack by the game’s villains. Fortunately, Shelley now possesses a high-tech robotic arm capable of delivering punches powerful enough to detonate enemies, and throughout the game, she can acquire enhancements that provide additional abilities such as generating a force field to deflect incoming projectiles.
As I delve deeper into the story, I realize my artificial arm is no ordinary replacement; it’s a significant plot element. It’s intricately linked with Shelley’s family legacy and uncovers a hidden conspiracy that now jeopardizes worldwide safety.
1. Sekiro
An Unsettling but Very Useful Arm
The journey by FromSoftware set in Feudal Japan starts with the main character, Wolf, tasked with safeguarding the heir of an old clan. However, things take a turn when he confronts his arch-enemy. Their intense Kendo battle concludes unexpectedly as Wolf’s left arm is severed by a single strike, leaving him defenseless. Just in time to prevent fatal blood loss, Wolf finds himself at the residence of a sculptor who provides him with an extraordinary prosthetic. Unlike many other examples, this one is supernatural rather than mechanical and seems to be made from bones.
The forearm and fingers each consist of three distinct bones, much like a structure designed by FromSoftware might. This revelation only fuels further curiosity about the mechanics at play. Interestingly, this new appendage proves invaluable on his path for retribution, and can be enhanced with diverse “items” scattered throughout the game.
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2024-12-13 19:51