Video Game Protagonists Who Can Become The Monster

Key Takeaways

Protagonists can transform into monsters, showing an internal struggle.
Transformation can be a powerful gameplay mechanic, influencing the story.
Games like
Project Altered Beast
showcase varied monster transformations.

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that these transformations in video games are not just mere mechanics; they often serve as powerful metaphors for the internal struggles we all face in our lives. Each transformation reflects a character’s deepest fears, desires, and conflicts, mirroring our own hidden aspects.

Characters often find themselves teetering on the edge between noble savior and brutal beast, presenting a fascinating portrayal of inner struggle. By manifesting this conflict externally, we can observe how the character’s form evolves as they succumb to their darker impulses, offering an intriguing perspective for the player.

Besides being an efficient method for portraying a character’s moral struggles stemming from their karma, this approach also offers a thrilling and immersive gameplay experience. This can manifest as a progress bar that accumulates over time, empowering the player to execute a potent finale transition, much like in Dragon Ball Z. Alternatively, certain narrative episodes may depict the main character being controlled by an evil and potent entity. Regardless of the form it takes, this is a popular trope that remains exciting across numerous games. Let’s delve into some outstanding instances where games transform their heroes into monstrous forms.

10 Luke Custer

Altered Beast

Platforms	PlayStation 2
Released	February 25, 2005
Developer	Sega Wow
Genre	Beat ’em up

In a reimagined version of the PlayStation 2, a remake of Sega’s timeless classic, Altered Beast, takes on a more militaristic approach to its main character. The protagonist here is not just any ordinary hero; he goes by the name of Luke Custer. This unique individual is a Genome-Cyborg, who has undergone genetic modification that allows him to utilize specific microchips, transforming himself into diverse beasts, each vanquished during his journey through the tale.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the incredible transformations available in Altered Beast. From shapeshifting into a werewolf or weretiger to controlling a gravity-bending alien, the possibilities are endless! However, these transformations aren’t without their costs – they consume valuable energy that must be replenished by absorbing it from nearby creatures. If you’re a fan of monster-centric experiences like I am, Altered Beast is definitely worth exploring. It may not have the most captivating story, but its soundtrack is surprisingly excellent!

9 Alex Mercer

Prototype

In the midst of a zombie infestation overtaking New York City, a man named Alex Mercer mysteriously regains consciousness in a hospital bed. He finds himself endowed with extraordinary abilities such as enhanced strength, speed, and the power to assimilate and control Biomass. With this unique talent, Alex can mold his arms into diverse weapons, consume individuals to access their recollections and mimic their identities, and deploy destructive tendrils.

Alex Mercer could be one of gaming’s most formidable protagonists due to his immense potential. He possesses an unyielding capacity to absorb and command Biomass, a power not only devastating but also enabling him to fortify his body with a robust exoskeleton, boosting his resilience and further amplifying his already colossal destructive capabilities. However, this immense power appears to take a toll on his mental wellbeing, a fact that becomes apparent in Prototype’s sequel.

8 The Prince

Prince Of Persia: The Two Thrones

Following his infection with the Sands of Time, the internal turmoil within the Prince manifests as a malevolent entity known as The Dark Prince. This cunning and brutal counterpart represents the Prince’s fury, and certain gameplay sections allow players to control him, revealing just how formidably powerful he truly is.

As a gamer, I’ve found myself wielding a lethal spiked chain and boasting supercharged abilities, but there’s a catch – the Dark Prince relentlessly saps my life energy. To survive, I need to keep scavenging for sand. It’s an immersive experience that underscores the Dark Prince’s insatiable greed and arrogance, which ultimately feeds upon me, the protagonist.

7 Emily Kaldwin

Dishonored 2

In the sequel titled Dishonored 2, the second installment from Arkane Studios’ enchanting-assassin series, brings forth a significant character named Emily Kaldwin. Following her bestowal of The Mark of the Outsider, she acquires an array of supernatural abilities. One of these allows her to metamorphose into a shadowy being that can stealthily traverse surfaces without detection and convert her limbs into deadly weapons for silent eliminations.

This form provides Emily with the capability to navigate narrow openings, much like her father Corvo’s Rat Possession skill. If a player is Shadow Walking nearby, enemies may sense an impending fear or a chilly atmosphere. This effectively portrays the rising anger within recently crowned Emily Kaldwin that lies beneath the surface.

6 Dante

Devil May Cry

As the son of mighty Sparda with half-demon blood, Dante ultimately learns to tap into his complete demonic strength, which is known as Devil Trigger. This power gauge gradually builds up during combat, and when activated, it metamorphoses Dante into a formidable demon.

Generally speaking, it significantly enhances a character’s skills, while these transformations can enhance multiple combat styles and Devil Arms in diverse manners. In the recent edition of Devil May Cry, Dante gains access to the Sin Devil Trigger (SDT), a power that transforms him into a colossal devil, allowing him to create black holes and effortlessly overpower large groups of demonic adversaries.

5 The Dragonborn

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Based on the player’s decision, they can embark on The Companion questline or the Dawnguard expansion in Skyrim. This gives them the opportunity to either become a fierce Werewolf or a mystical Vampire Lord. These transformations are unique and serve as surprising abilities for any Dragonborn adventuring across Tamriel.

Every character type has a unique set of abilities, advantages, and disadvantages associated with its skill tree. For instance, Vampire Lords can perform infinite transformations and cast potent magic, but they are subject to the curse of vampirism. On the other hand, Werewolves boast greater durability and combat prowess, yet their transformation abilities are more limited, which can be manipulated using The Ring of Hircine and additional perks.

4 Link

The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess

In the realm of Twilight, as depicted in “Twilight Princess”, Link’s noble lineage becomes secondary as he undergoes a dramatic transformation into a powerful and menacing wolf. This new form robs him of all human capabilities, compelling him to grapple with his innate, instinctual nature.

Via this form, Link gains the power to converse with animals, follow scents, and burrow through different obstacles in his world. It’s a more straightforward expression of the harmony between light and darkness within the character, as he delves into the twisting tale of _Twilight Princess_, ultimately mastering the skill to transform on demand.

3 The Hunter

Bloodborne

Exploring the eerie and terrifying landscape of Yharnam, where The Hunter confronts Eldritch abominations rooted in folklore, definitely seems like a tough assignment, and it indeed is. Games developed by FromSoftware aren’t typically the easiest for beginners, but they equip players with all the resources needed to gain an edge.

In Bloodborne, the primary city is afflicted by a disease that transforms many of its inhabitants into ravenous beasts. By using certain runes, the Hunter can choose to undergo this transformation as well. Certain Cursed Weapons even permit them to surrender completely to their bestial side, metamorphosing into different monsters and gaining novel abilities. While their potency may vary based on the player’s specific build, they remain exciting to test out and explore the sensation of becoming the very monster they hunt.

2 The Dark Urge

Baldur’s Gate 3

In the numerous adventures of Baldur’s Gate 3, nothing quite captures moral contrast like the backstory of the Dark Urge. Regardless of whether one yields to or completely resists these dark impulses, it is undeniable that they possess a propensity for killing people.

In due course, the Dark Urge is assigned the job of eliminating Isabella at the Last Light Inn, while exterminating all its residents simultaneously. If the player chooses to carry out this task, they receive a unique power: transforming into The Slayer, an immense monstrosity with a grotesque appearance and multiple sharp protrusions that clearly show its intent. This form can be used only once daily but can wreak havoc when utilized strategically. When activated, the player’s health bar is replaced entirely, granting them access to gruesome and potent skills for shredding Bhaal’s adversaries into pieces.

1 Torque

The Suffering

The “The Suffering” series stands out as an overlooked treasure in the horror genre. It offers intense battles, a grim atmosphere set on a penal island, and a thought-provoking plot revolving around the main character, Torque. This individual is condemned to death for the murder of his family, a crime that strangely seems hazy in his memory.

As the story unfolds, Torque finds himself wrestling with internal turmoil, caught between his longing to be a virtuous individual and the heinous act for which he is culpable. Frequently, we see glimpses of Torque falling into a frenzied state, resembling a berserker – these underlying emotions eventually manifest as the game’s insanity meter filling up. Once at capacity, this meter empowers Torque to fully succumb to his inner demons, metamorphosing into the monstrous Creature, sporting a machete for an arm. This transformation significantly alters the course of events in this challenging survival horror, often swiftly turning the tide of battle. It’s intriguing that when Torque transforms into the Creature, no one around him notices any physical alteration – is it all a product of his mind?

2024-10-31 05:05