Top 10 Memorable Video Game Characters of the 2010s

Video game characters have certainly come a long way. Welcome to http://www.WatchMojo.com as we conclude our opening series on the Most Memorable Video Game Characters with the Top 10 Memorable Video Game Characters of the 2010’s. For this list, we’re taking a look at video game characters that achieved their iconic status in the past five years onwards, If you didn’t see a character you thought should be here, make sure you check out our previous videos in the series to see if they made it there.

“Beyond: Two Souls” is evidence that video games have become as filmic as ever with cinematic cutscenes and big-name actors starring. Our leading lady here is Ellen Page in a powerful performance as Jodie Holmes, a young woman one heck of an invisible friend. As surreal as the game gets, Jodie’s strength, sympathy, and humanity gives the experience a genuine spirit. By the time the player learns the secrets behind Jodie’s unusual gift, they’ll feel like their soul has become linked to hers.

Say what you want about the games, there’s no denying that Freddy’s been prolific these days. Freddy Fazbear is like one of those animatronics from Chuck E. Cheese’s or ShowBiz Pizza, only a million times more terrifying. This demented brown bear is every child and security guard’s worst nightmare, coming to life with his fellow Splash Mountain rejects when the lights at the pizza parlor go out. Freddy has exploded in popularity so rapidly that he’s already been the focus of multiple sequels and Let’s Play videos. Something of the ultimate screamer, you wouldn’t want Freddy jumping out at you in the middle of the night.

This outlaw is torn between the good, the bad and the ugly when the FBI forces him to take out his former wild bunch in exchange for his family safety. John Marston desires nothing more than to leave his life of crime behind, but that’s unfortunately not in the cards just yet. His road to redemption can at times feels like a road to perdition, all the while committing murder and grand theft stagecoach. Overall Marston emerges as one of the most complex antiheroes of this medium, challenging whether the ends justify the means and looking like a total boss in the process.

Arriving in the US and Europe right at the very start of this decade, Bayonetta’s reminiscent of a character out of Zack Snyder’s “Sucker Punch,” only fun, funny, and complete with a refreshing personality. At first, this shape-shifting witch might seem like a fan service sex god, but Bayonetta unexpectedly sneaks up on the player as a character. With a very complicated backstory and empathetic connections towards those closest to her, Bayonetta becomes incredibly appealing on both the outside and inside. Throughout her over-the-top adventures, you can count on her being witty, flexible, and able to get out of any scuffle with a cheeky grin.

While The “Borderlands” games are full of wisecracking characters like Handsome Jack, the one that’ll likely stick with you the most is this general-purpose robot. The rapid-talking Claptrap never shuts up, but that’s acceptable because he’s constantly stealing the franchise’s best lines. Due to his programming, Claptrap usually comes off as chipper, excited, and optimistic, even when he’s extremely depressed. His larger than life presence leaves you wanting even more, which is why Claptrap got upgraded to playable character in “Borderlands: Pre-Sequel” and the star of his own web series.

It would have been easy for the developers of “BioShock Infinite” to make Elizabeth another annoying escort mission or A.I. companion. Instead, they created one of most intriguing and likable females in video games. Cooped up like a caged bird for years, Elizabeth is wide-eyed and curious, but also intelligent, resourceful, and always around to throw you extra ammo. She quickly becomes the driving force that gets the player through the game, resulting in a mind-blowing conclusion where they learn this mysterious woman is capable of more than ever imagined. Plus, she gets a super happy ending in the expansion, Burial at Sea.

We’re just going to say it. The characters in Telltale’s “The Walking Dead” are way better than the ones on the TV Show – come at me bro. The most captivating character of all is Clementine, a little girl that season one protagonist Lee Everett swears to protect. In season 2, Clementine takes center stage and grows up right before our eyes. Although “The Walking Dead” gets more tragic and shocking with each passing episode, Clementine’s will to survive keeps us going. Strong, smart, and caring, she’s one of the most believable child characters in fiction.

The gaming industry has given us a number of memorable villains, but few are as legitimately spine-tingling as Vaas Montenegro of “Far Cry 3.” Why? Because he feels like a person that could exist in the real world – and thanks to Michael Mando, he technically does. Holding our heroes captive, everything about this madman, from his body language, to his “Definition of Insanity” speech, to his unpredictable tendencies, rings true to a genuine psychopath. Each word that emanates from his mouth chills the player to the bone, particularly a monologue regarding insanity that’ll haunt you to your final game over screen.

Obscene, immoral, and with a surprisingly large vocabulary, Trevor Phillips leaves behind a trail of carnage wherever he goes. That’s exactly why he’s such a perfect fit for the “Grand Theft Auto” universe, though. This criminal is the human incarnation of a car wreck. He may be hard to watch, but you simply can’t look away as Trevor beats, tortures, and kills people in a fit on anarchy. He doesn’t care what others think of him and that’s actually kind of refreshing. Being bad never felt so good with Trevor in the driver’s seat.

Before we level up to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Adam Jensen
“Deus Ex" series (2011-)

Shovel Knight
“Shovel Knight” (2014)

Alan Wake
“Alan Wake” (2010)

Shulk
“Xenoblade Chronicles” (2010)

Om Nom
“Cut the Rope” (2010)

Joel, a surly survivor seeking redemption, and Ellie, a fourteen-year-old possessing the answers to mankind’s future, are such authentic individuals that they practically feel like flesh and blood. The action set pieces in “The Last of Us” are an afterthought compared to the quieter moments where these two simply connect as human beings. When enemies do attack, however, we’re 100% committed to making sure that the people we’ve grown love endure. The relationship Joel and Ellie develop is truly a breakthrough in how meaningful and important video games can be.

Do you agree with our list? Which recent video game character left an impression on you? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.