Top 10 Video Games With The Best Character Development
#10: “Life Is Strange” (2015)
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In the seaside town of Arcadia Bay, Max Caulfield discovers she has the ability to rewind time after experiencing a disastrous vision. With her newfound power, she saves the lives of two of her friends and works to uncover a murder conspiracy. Although the game progresses based on player choice, and Max can use her ability to undo certain decisions, the characters never fail to be captivating. We feel for the sensitive Max as she confronts each dark encounter, and her relationship with the far more outspoken Chloe is often as compelling as the central mystery, if not more so. Immensely positive reception to their development led to several sequels, but there’s nothing quite like the first.
#9: “Metal Gear” Series (1987-2018)
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The “Metal Gear” series is defined by espionage and politics, with plenty of shady characters both good and evil. So, naturally, its character development is pretty strong. With the move to 3D gaming, Hideo Kojima injected cinematic DNA into “Metal Gear Solid,” making it more character driven than most games at the time. As the plots grew more complex and the stakes rose higher, players only grew more enraptured by its heroes and villains. Ties of loyalty, love, and hatred are carried between each installment, sometimes spanning decades, making for one of the most fleshed out worlds in video games. If only Konami realized how important it is to the medium…
#8: “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” (2000)
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Most “Zelda” games keep things relatively simple, but the same can’t be said about “Majora’s Mask.” In the strange land of Termina, Link has 3 days to stop a cursed moon from crashing down and killing everyone. For a Nintendo game released in 2000, it has surprising depth when it comes to its characters. Most NPCs keep specific schedules across the 3 day loop, which change depending on when and if you help them. This entry has been praised for showcasing themes of grief, love, family, sacrifice, and uncertainty, which are all on tremendous display within the troubles and desires of its characters. Never had we wanted to save a helpless town so badly.
#7: “Persona 5” (2017)
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There are a handful of reasons that “Persona 5” became the most popular entry in the franchise so quickly. And its wonderful character development is one of them. Players control Joker, a high schooler who moves to a new town. Upon discovering he has special powers, he forms a vigilante group with others like him. While Joker is a silent protagonist whose personality is based on your decisions, every other character is so deep they practically leap out of your screen. Whether it’s the overly confident, cat-like Morgana, the roguish Ryuji, the troubled Futaba, or literally any other team member, these characters are all captivating and flawed in their own unique way. The evolving team dynamic is one of the best in any modern JRPG.
#6: “Final Fantasy VII” (1997)
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Despite being released more than two decades ago, “Final Fantasy VII” is thought by many to be the crown jewel of the series. Even gamers who have never played it know the names of Cloud, Sephiroth, Tifa, and Aerith. The plot focuses on a group of eco-terrorists striving to stop the vile Shinra corporation from using the planet’s essence as an energy source. Cloud, with his layers of PTSD from being a genetically engineered soldier, is an engrossing protagonist. Aerith’s compassion for others was only matched by her adorable, bubbly personality. Sepiroth’s atrocities ensured he’d remain one of gaming’s best villains for years to come. No matter where the focus was, players were enthralled.
#5: “The Walking Dead” Series (2012-19)
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Like “Life Is Strange,” events in Telltale’s “Walking Dead” series depend on the player’s decision. But no matter what, you’ll be confronted by engaging villains, horrific encounters, and charming allies that you really shouldn’t get attached to. Each season focuses on Clementine, a young girl who must grow up in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. From her tragic companionship with Lee in the first season to her love and fierce protection of AJ in later ones, we were thrilled and saddened to experience her story. No matter which decisions you made, the writing and character development was always superb. Though the studio essentially shut down in 2018, we were incredibly grateful Clementine’s story was allowed to finish.
#4: “Mass Effect” series (2007-)
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Being a ridiculously in-depth RPG with a ton of characters that carries your decisions from game to game, you best believe “Mass Effect” has some pretty strong character development. Set in a far off future where the entire Milky Way galaxy has been colonized, players controlled Commander Shepard in his fight to stop the return of ancient evil machines called Reapers. Part political thriller, part sci-fi adventure, players were immediately sucked into its world. Which characters joined your cause and how they acted towards you depended on your choices in vastly branching dialogue wheels. You could be as evil or as righteous as you wanted, but the supporting characters never failed to enchant us.
#3: “God of War” (2018)
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We love ripping apart monsters and deities in the original trilogy. But it wasn’t until Kratos traveled to the Norse realm where characterization took center stage. With his new love dead, the God of War and his son set out to fulfill her final wish. Although, the journey was anything but a smooth one. Kratos’ strained relationship with Atreus was surprisingly personal, beautifully showcasing his failures as a father while dealing with his own trauma. Atreus’ own struggle of inadequacy in his father’s eyes and the responsibility of his godhood was also expertly explored. Even the comedic relief characters and villains brought more layers to how family can both lift us up or pull us down.
#2: “Red Dead” Series (2004-)
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Although the series began with “Read Dead Revolver,” Rockstar didn’t truly transport us to the time of the Wild West until “Red Dead Redemption.” John Marston’s hunt for members of his former gang to save his family is filled with characters dastardly, heroic, and all manner of in between. Its prequel? Even more so. John got more development alongside new protagonist Arthur Morgan. It chronicled the last days of the Van Der Linde gang preparing for a final heist as members dealt with an informer, the government, and other gangs. The series has been praised for its accurate portrayal of the time period. But it was the misfit characters who kept us coming back. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Celeste” (2018)
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“Disco Elysium” (2019)
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“Fire Emblem: Three Houses” (2019)
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#1: “The Last of Us” (2013)
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There are few releases in gaming history that can match the impact of “The Last of Us.” While the gameplay is thrilling, the world is extremely detailed, and the enemies are the stuff of nightmares, it’s the characters that have led to its legacy. Joel is a deeply flawed and broken protagonist, doing whatever it takes to survive in a hate-filled world. Ellie is bursting with life, whether she be telling us corny jokes or refusing to back down from authority and villains alike. That’s just the main characters. Every supportive role feels just as tangible and realistic, such as the angry loner Bill or the emotionally devastating brothers Sam and Henry. No game characters have felt as fleshed out as those here.
