The essence of a great game often lies in the richness of its world, the ingenuity of its mechanics, the quality of its graphics, and the depth of its narrative. However, it’s the protagonist, the very heart of the adventure, who breathes life into the whole experience and makes everything feel cohesive. The 2020s have already blessed us with remarkable video game titles, driven by equally memorable main characters. Let’s take a look at some of these unforgettable heroes.
It’s important to note that this selection focuses exclusively on characters who made their video game debut during the 2020s. Our apologies to iconic figures like Cal Kestis, Kratos (in his adult iteration), Aloy, or Henry of Skalitz; while they are excellent characters in their own right, they do not meet this specific criterion.
The Dark Urge – Baldur’s Gate III
Including a character largely controlled by the player in this ranking might seem simplistic. Yet, the Dark Urge, or “Durge,” clearly stands apart from a generic avatar or “Tav.” It offers significantly greater depth thanks to a dark, pre-established past, weaving profound connections with the universe and its antagonists. Once the Dark Urge experience has been lived, it’s difficult to return to a blank slate, so powerful is its narrative legacy. Although players can customize their appearance and choose between cruelty or redemption, the key moments of Baldur’s Gate III’s campaign as Durge will remain etched in memory. This character undeniably ranks among the most memorable creations in the BioWare legacy, allowing for both deep personalization and organic integration into the world.
Andreas Maler – Pentiment
Andreas Maler, another character whose influence from the player is paramount, surpasses many protagonists in role-playing or adventure games. He is the cornerstone of Pentiment, acting as an ideal guide for exploring the universe, as the small town of Tassing is as new to him as it is to us. Discovering its inhabitants, grasping the repercussions of technological and social advancements in 16th-century Germany, and solving dark murders: all converge to forge an unforgettable narrative. This story is driven by a character who proves to be one of the most nuanced and “three-dimensional” creations ever conceived by the RPG masters at Obsidian.
Jin Sakai – Ghost of Tsushima
Indeed, Atsu has her charm, but the originator of the Ghost legend remains unparalleled. Jin Sakai’s odyssey of revenge, in its most rudimentary form, is a motif frequently found in video games. Yet, it’s by accompanying Jin across Japan that we witness his transformation, seeing him abandon his past identity to embody a new symbol, serving his people and his homeland. Initially perceived as a discreet and classic hero, Jin reveals captivating complexity and depth over hours of gameplay. It’s no coincidence that so many fans wished for his return in the sequel, and this goes far beyond any superficial consideration.
Saga Anderson – Alan Wake 2
Introducing oneself as a new character into an already established universe and context presents a significant challenge. Although more than a decade passed between the first Alan Wake and its sequel, the title retains the fictional author’s name, raising fears that Saga might be perceived as a superfluous addition. However, those who have played the game know that the reality is quite different. Saga’s contribution to the plot of Alan Wake 2 is not only indispensable but also welcome. Throughout the narrative, we discover Saga, forced to adapt quickly as she is plunged into the twists and turns of a supernatural story that seems beyond her grasp. By the end, she demonstrates a mastery of the plot equal to Alan’s, thus becoming the architect of its resolution.
Astro Bot – Astro Bot
While the other characters on this list are often praised for their role as narrative pillars, Astro Bot stands out here as one of the first truly successful video game mascots in recent years. He gives the impression of having always been part of the landscape, showing no sign of wear. Adorable and endearing, he embodies the protagonist of one of the best 3D platformers ever created. Astro Bot’s adventures continue to impress with each new appearance, and even if a future iteration doesn’t surprise us as much, it’s hard to imagine a world where we wouldn’t appreciate this well-designed character.
Will – Metaphor: ReFantazio
One can call him whatever they wish, but his official English name is Will, and that’s what we’ll stick with. Just edged out by Astro Bot at the 2024 Game Awards, Metaphor: ReFantazio has proven to be an excellent RPG, offering a charming fantasy foray in the vein of Atlus’s beloved Persona franchise. Fiercely loyal, always ready to go the extra mile, and at times almost candidly innocent, Will never felt like a mere blank slate or a generic hero, unlike many of his JRPG counterparts. While he retains some archetypal traits, his personal story and unique perspective on the events of Metaphor: ReFantazio kept me interested throughout the dozens of hours the main quest lasts. Of course, the secondary characters provided valuable support, but I never wished to play as any of them instead of Will.
Grace Ashcroft – Resident Evil Requiem
A very recent but highly deserving newcomer to this list, Grace Ashcroft effortlessly integrated into the Resident Evil franchise as if she had always been a part of its universe. The temptation was strong to include the aging, badass version of Leon Kennedy, and while he certainly contributes greatly to Resident Evil Requiem‘s excellence, the game wouldn’t reach such a level without Grace. Angela Sant’Albano’s masterful performance brings Grace to life, initially depicting her grappling with the understandable fear and terror one would inevitably feel in such a scenario. Then, as she adapts throughout the story, we witness the completion of her character arc. Let’s hope this isn’t the last time we encounter her in Resident Evil, as she has already won over the fans.
Mae and Cody – It Takes Two
Hazelight Studios clearly excels in cooperative magic, although their narratives can sometimes be a tad predictable. This isn’t a flaw in itself; not all games aspire to an Oscar-winning screenplay. And even if It Takes Two‘s story might be the most predictable of all, the game remains fundamentally enjoyable thanks to the doll-transformed human characters we get to embody. Mae and Cody, despite their frictions that can sometimes annoy the player, form a healthy and endearing couple even amidst their fiercest arguments. It’s unlikely that a franchise will be built around them, especially since the It Takes Two film project seems to be in limbo, but they are memorable enough to leave a lasting impression.
Melinoë – Hades II
Between Zagreus and Melinoë, either of Hades’ rebellious children could easily feature here, but my preference, swayed by recency, goes to the goddess of nightmares and madness. While Zagreus is immediately endearing, his stakes might seem lesser compared to the magnitude of what Melinoë faces. Immense pressure rests on her shoulders: to introduce a darker narrative and serve as an emotional anchor when we can no longer converse with the familiar and beloved characters from the first game. Supergiant has masterfully succeeded in making both protagonists deeply sympathetic, but I found myself rooting more strongly for Melinoë throughout my journey in this sequel.
Maëlle – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Another relatively recent addition, but we’re talking about titles released over the last five years, or even a bit more. If you haven’t yet discovered Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or even reached its epilogue, you might think that Gustave or Verso are its central figures. However, only those who have persevered to the end know that Maëlle is the true heroine of this adventure. And what a heroine! Without revealing plot details, all major twists revolve around Maëlle, and by the story’s conclusion, my immersion was such that I chose the ending I considered the “worst,” simply because it seemed to align better with her character’s evolution. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may emphasize future generations, but I can only admire the work of Jennifer Svedberg-Yen and Jennifer English for bringing such a character to life.
V – Cyberpunk 2077
Allow me to share a little secret to conclude this list: I deeply enjoyed Cyberpunk 2077 from its release. Certainly, the game was riddled with bugs. Certainly, it perhaps didn’t offer the total open-world freedom of a GTA-like sandbox experience. But its fundamental structure was incredibly solid. CD Projekt Red once again shone through its character and narrative work, with V at its heart. V can take multiple forms in Cyberpunk 2077, and the real feat lies in the fact that each incarnation feels authentic and deeply engaging. Whether you play as Valerie or Vincent, Corpo or Nomad, V appears as an almost ideal protagonist: while giving the player the freedom to shape crucial moments and the nuances of their story, it also gives the impression of being a pre-existing character into whom one delves. V is a proactive actor in the world, rather than a mere observer. It is this ability to transcend the traditional protagonist role that CD Projekt Red masterfully achieved in Cyberpunk 2077, from day one.