The Best Open-World Games With Anti-Heroes As Protagonists

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Summary

  • Some games feature anti-hero protagonists lacking typical heroic qualities, like Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2.
  • Open-world games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Saints Row: The Third allow players to explore complex anti-hero characters like V and The Boss.
  • Characters like Altair from Assassin’s Creed and Alex Mercer from Prototype embody anti-hero traits, challenging player’s beliefs while still taking heroic actions.

Typically, in a game, players assume the character of a hero, embodied with qualities that make them appealing. Yet, some games feature protagonists who deviate from this norm, often referred to as anti-heroes, as they lack the traditional heroic traits exhibited by other characters.

Characters like Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2 and Alex Mercer from Prototype often don’t embody traditional ideals or morality, even though they might perform heroic acts. The motivations behind their actions may not always align with the player’s values. In these open-world games, you can immerse yourself in the role of an anti-hero.

8. The Suicide Squad – Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League

The Bad Guys Have To Stop The Heroes For A Change

Despite receiving relatively negative criticism upon its release, it’s undeniable that the action-adventure game “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,” which lets players command different members of the Suicide Squad, boasts an exceptionally intriguing open-world layout.

Exploring the bustling cityscape, it’s the unconventional band of anti-heroes – Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, and King Shark – that take center stage. In an extraordinary twist, these once notorious villains are now the ones safeguarding the world from the Justice League, who have been manipulated by the supervillain Brainiac. Expect a rollercoaster of laughter as these unlikely allies, accustomed to causing chaos, bond and work together to save the day.

7. Altair – Assassin’s Creed

Fights Off Both Templars And Assassins

From the initial installment of the “Assassin’s Creed” series, the character of Altair Ibn-La’Ahad is widely considered one of the most compelling anti-heroes. Throughout the first “Assassin’s Creed” game, Altair is portrayed as turning not just against the Templars but also the Assassins, due to his unyielding nature and resistance to change, even as he navigates an expansive open world.

In the role of an assassin within Assassin’s Creed, Altair exhibits a questionable moral compass and disregard for life. Despite his target being Templars, who may not always act in humanity’s best interests, Altair remains exceptionally deadly. At times, he performs actions unbecoming of a hero, with some players even perceiving him as arrogant at the game’s beginning.

6. V – Cyberpunk 2077

Mercenaries Can Work For Anyone

In the expansive universe of Cyberpunk 2077, you’ll encounter numerous individuals and groups whose ethics may be questionable at best. The primary character, V, is merely a reflection of this morally ambiguous world, making them an ideal anti-hero for players to navigate through. Your journey starts by choosing a life path for V, as each option carries undertones of an anti-hero. You could be a street kid caught up in Night City’s gang conflicts, a corporate employee working for the game’s antagonist, Arasaka Corporation, or a Nomad who generally avoids entanglements.

Beyond this, what V primarily does is strive to evade being eliminated by a chip gradually taking control of their mind. This situation allows the player to choose various paths for survival and interact with others in diverse manners within Night City.

5. Cole McGrath – InFamous

Players Can Follow A Darker Morality Path

As a dedicated gamer, I absolutely adore open-world titles that offer me the chance to mold my protagonist, specifically Cole McGrath in InFamous, into something closer to an anti-hero. The freedom to make crucial decisions throughout the game adds depth and personalization, making each playthrough unique.

In Sucker Punch’s design for Infamous, they incorporated a moral system that influenced Cole’s character development and story outcomes. This meant that specific actions guided Cole towards either a virtuous or malevolent path. Consequently, the game’s ending varied based on these choices, as well as Cole’s interactions with characters and the powers he could acquire. However, players were not strictly bound to good deeds; they had the freedom to cause chaos among civilians while still potentially benefiting the city. Alternatively, they could choose to play as a more traditional hero who prioritized the safety of innocents over personal objectives.

4. The Boss – Saints Row: The Third

Control The Saints And (Somewhat) Save The World

The Saints Row series is famed among gamers seeking top-notch open-world titles that allow them to embody a morally ambiguous character, often referred to as an anti-hero. The main character, known as The Boss, serves as the epitome of this anti-hero persona within the franchise.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve always seen The Saints not just as a group, but as a clan, striving for dominance in the gritty world of Saints Row: The Third. Their mission is clear – to conquer different neighborhoods, boosting their income and increasing their street cred among the locals. Despite being recognized as a household name before the happenings of Saints Row: The Third, they remain unchanged, resorting to questionable acts like insurance scams or chaos for no apparent reason.

3. Trevor – Grand Theft Auto 5

One Of The Most Chaotic Protagonists In GTA History

In a different phrasing: The collection of games known as the Grand Theft Auto series features numerous anti-heroes, yet none are quite as chaotic and borderline villainous as Trevor, who is both fearsome and endearing, from Grand Theft Auto 5.

In the storyline of Grand Theft Auto 5, Trevor stands out as exceptionally brutal, even within the violent confines of the Grand Theft Auto series. He’s depicted performing acts such as torturing people or indiscriminately killing sprees during certain missions. Yet, amidst this chaos, Trevor is revealed to be a complex character who has fought against corrupt authority and occasionally demonstrates compassion towards the individuals he encounters.

2. Alex Mercer – Prototype

An Experiment Who Loses Faith In Humanity

To combat a terrifying virus that transforms certain individuals into grotesque creatures, the player assumes control over one such transformed individual – Alex Mercer. With no memory of his past life, Alex is on a mission to save the world from this plague, clash with the government, and uncover the truth about his transformation.

Exploring this open world is a marvel for a character like Alex, who isn’t shy about getting his hands dirty while moving through New York. The truths uncovered in the game Prototype seem terrible, as it turns out that this anti-hero eventually transforms into the villain of Prototype 2.

1. Arthur Morgan – Red Dead Redemption 2

An Outlaw With A Heart Of Gold

Without a doubt, one standout open-world game that lets you play as an anti-hero is none other than “Red Dead Redemption 2”. As you step into the boots of character Arthur Morgan, you’re given the freedom to tread down two distinct moral roads: you can choose to be a noble outlaw or a relentless bandit.

Despite portraying Arthur as a virtuous character, he remains a member of an outlaw band that robs people in an attempt to amass enough wealth to ultimately depart America. These robberies are recurrent throughout the narrative of Red Dead Redemption 2, but during the non-heist scenes, Arthur can be directed as the player sees fit.

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2025-01-06 08:04