Top 10 Call of Duty Characters

#10: Simon “Ghost” Riley

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Some ghosts shouldn't be trifled with. Riley, formerly a lieutenant for the British Special Air Service, now serves as one of several field commanders for Task Force 141. His loyalty to the unit and dedication to the mission is matched only by his anonymity – Riley keeps his face covered with an iconic skull-embroidered balaclava and red sunglasses. He's also never without his headset, which helps him stay within arms' reach of his team.

One man's will, as it turns out, can be quite a handful. Such is the case with Makarov, the first of Four Horsemen sought by America and Britain for terrorist activities. The man has quite the rap sheet in a short time – he lead a massacre in a Moscow airport, incited war between Russia and the United States, and continually evaded capture by Task Force 141. Indeed, in the wake of his mentor Imran Zakhaev's death, Vladimir Makarov truly is the world's most dangerous man.

Good men fall far, and no one knows this like Alex Mason. An Alaskan native and former Marine captain, Mr. Mason is a loyal American citizen whose dedication is tested when he is captured during the Bay of Pigs invasion. For two years life is torturous, as his mind is used to test Soviet brainwashing technology – as a result, Alex is continually tormented by agonizing visions and the prospect of being a Soviet sleeper agent. Yet through the pain and uncertainty, Alex still manages to stand by America and refuses to give in to despair.

Rarely is evil so potent, or so sympathetic. This Ulysses-quoting visionary began as a simple child whose family was embroiled in the drug trade, which brought only devastation to him. Little by little, Menendez has had to deal with the constant impact of the CIA on his life, culminating in the loss of his eye and the death of his dear sister Josefina. In the present day, Menendez has become an icon to the impoverished – though this ultimately just a means of exacting his revenge. Not that we blame him.

You certainly can't kill Woods. Being a veteran of the Korean War, it naturally made sense to call upon him to work as an operative of the Studies and Observations Group in Vietnam. However, Frank soon found himself bound to the vengeful quest of friend Alex Mason, which brought him to the brink of death. Even then, Woods is remarkable in how loyal he is to his friends and how easily he finds a way to make a wisecrack – even in his later years.

#5: Gaz

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Whether in voice or in action, this man knows how to keep his team motivated. Lieutenant Gaz, known only by that singular name, serves with the 22nd Regiment during their mission to stop the Russian Ultranationalists' machinations. Throughout increasingly grim and morbid circumstances, Gaz maintains a sort of dry wit – questioning the moral stance of Russians, for instance. He's not without a serious tone, but his priority is of to make the dark reality surrounding his team a little easier to handle.

Played by Kevin Spacey, this seemingly sterling entrepreneur has a dark side to him. Irons, founder of the private military contractor Atlas Corporation, prides himself on camaraderie and compassion; in the aftermath of his son's tragic passing, he offers his son's friend Jack Mitchell a job at Atlas and a fancy new arm to boot. In public and with his employees, the man is aloof and amicable – but behind the scenes, Irons is scheming for world domination, crossing moral lines and building up his own power base. It's no wonder he was so flippant with the UN.

#3: John “Soap” MacTavish

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Apparently embarrassing nicknames build character – who would have guessed? MacTavish was just a simple recruit of the SAS, brought on board to fill out the 22ndRegiment. Soon, however, the Scottish newcomer made a name for himself as his team's expert sniper and demolitions man. When Task Force 141 was formed, MacTavish was named Field Commander based on his expertise. And to top it off, the man refuses to die – be it stab wound to the chest, falling from high buildings, or explosive blowback, Soap is a survivor.

None embody tenacity and the survival instinct like Viktor Reznov. Our first encounter with the Russian soldier is in Stalingrad, where he narrowly avoids a Nazi massacre and comes back swinging. From there, it's one crisis after another – everything from losing a finger, to watching a comrade die by flamethrower, to participating in the Battle of Berlin. Even after the war Reznov is tested by loss and suffering, yet he remains driven and never ceases fighting for his freedom. It is this drive, ultimately, that ensures his memory will live on. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Nikolai General Shepherd Sergeant Roebuck Staff Sergeant Griggs Captain Gideon

The man, the myth, the legend – for Call of Duty, there is no other. John Price is something of a legacy character, a moustachioed British soldier who finds himself embroiled in several campaigns across time. In World War 2, he's a captain who butts heads with his men yet remains loyal to the mission. In the present, he's an extreme but impassioned warrior ready to walk into hell and back, especially for those he's lost. Across all versions of the game, one thing is for sure: Price will always answer the call. Do you agree with our list? Who's your favourite character in the wide Call of Duty menagerie? For more dutiful Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.