When evaluating what makes a video game truly great, elements like its world-building, gameplay mechanics, graphics, and narrative all play crucial roles. However, the entire experience often coalesces beautifully when the protagonist – the central figure of the journey – feels well-developed and vibrant. The 2020s have already delivered a remarkable selection of exceptional games, many featuring equally impressive lead characters. So, let’s highlight some of these standout individuals, shall we?
This compilation strictly focuses on characters who made their very first video game appearance in the 2020s. Our apologies to established favorites like Cal Kestis, adult Kratos, Aloy, and Henry from Skalitz; despite your undeniable greatness, you won’t be featured on this particular list.
The Dark Urge – Baldur’s Gate III
It might seem too straightforward to include a player-controlled character on such a list, but in contrast to the archetypal blank slate adventurer or ‘Tav,’ the Dark Urge (or Durge) in Baldur’s Gate III offers a far more intricate and detailed persona. Endowed with a shadowed past and profound connections to the game’s world and antagonists, the Durge playthrough is uniquely compelling. Once you’ve experienced the narrative through the lens of a Dark Urge, it’s genuinely hard to go back to a generic custom character, largely thanks to the rich, pre-defined backstory you inherit. While players have the freedom to customize the Durge’s appearance and moral alignment – embracing pure evil or seeking redemption – the most memorable aspects of a Baldur’s Gate III campaign as the Durge are often the specific character-driven scenes. This character arguably stands among the greatest customizable protagonists of the BioWare era, allowing players to leave a deeply personal mark on the world while simultaneously being a firmly integrated part of it.
Andreas Maler – Pentiment
Andreas Maler, another character shaped significantly by player choices, transcends the typical protagonist found in most RPGs or video games. As the artistic heart of Pentiment, he serves as an ideal conduit for players to explore its vibrant world, given that the small town of Tassing is as novel to him as it is to us. Getting acquainted with the townsfolk, understanding the broader impact of 16th-century technological and social advancements in Germany, and unraveling complex murder mysteries all converge to craft an unforgettable narrative. This story is masterfully guided by a character who emerges as one of the most three-dimensional creations ever conceived by Obsidian’s renowned RPG developers.
Jin Sakai – Ghost of Tsushima
While I do appreciate Atsu, the progenitor of the entire ‘Ghost’ legend is truly hard to outshine. Jin Sakai’s tale of vengeance, stripped down to its core, is a narrative trope we’ve seen frequently in gaming. Yet, we journey with Jin across feudal Japan as he’s compelled to shed his former identity and embrace a new, darker path for the sake of his people and homeland. Initially, Jin might seem like a somewhat understated or conventional hero, but as you invest hours delving into his story, layers of his character are gradually peeled back, revealing an intensely compelling individual. There’s a strong reason why so many fans eagerly anticipated his return in the sequel, and it goes far beyond superficial reasons.
Saga Anderson – Alan Wake 2
Stepping into an already established world and narrative can be a daunting task. Even with a decade separating the original Alan Wake from its sequel, the latter still bore the fictional author’s name, leading to potential concerns that Saga might feel like an unnecessary addition. However, players who have experienced the game know this couldn’t be further from the truth. Saga’s role in Alan Wake 2’s story is not just essential, but deeply welcome. Throughout the narrative, we discover more about Saga, who must rapidly adapt after being plunged into the depths of a supernatural saga that initially seems far beyond her capabilities. By the game’s conclusion, however, it becomes clear that she grapples with the story as proficiently as Alan himself, ultimately positioning her as the one who will shape its ultimate outcome.
Astro Bot – Astro Bot
While other entries on this list are lauded for their compelling narrative utility, Astro Bot earns its spot as one of the most successful mascot creations in gaming in recent memory. Astro Bot feels as if he’s always been around, yet shows no signs of aging or becoming stale. He’s an adorable, friendly companion who happens to be the lead character in one of the finest 3D platformers ever made. Go figure. Astro Bot’s adventures consistently impress us whenever they grace our screens, and even if his next appearance doesn’t entirely blow us away, it’s hard to envision a future where we don’t adore this character design.
Will – Metaphor: ReFantazio
While players can name him as they wish, his canonical name in the English localization is Will, and that’s what we’ll stick with. Having just been edged out by Astro Bot at the 2024 Game Awards, Metaphor: ReFantazio has proven itself to be an outstanding RPG and a delightful fantasy complement to Atlus’s beloved Persona franchise. Fiercely loyal, always willing to go the extra mile, and occasionally bordering on naive, Will feels less like a blank slate or generic hero than many of his JRPG counterparts. He still embodies elements of those character types, but his unique backstory and perspective on life and the unfolding events of Metaphor: ReFantazio kept me thoroughly engaged throughout the game’s tens of hours-long main story. As always, the supporting cast greatly enhanced the experience, but I never wished to play as anyone other than Will.
Grace Ashcroft – Resident Evil Requiem
A very recent and highly deserving addition to this list, Grace Ashcroft has seamlessly integrated herself into the Resident Evil franchise as if she’d always belonged. It was tempting to feature the aging, battle-hardened Leon Kennedy here, and while he undeniably contributes significantly to Resident Evil Requiem’s appeal, the game wouldn’t achieve its exceptional status without Grace. Angela Sant’Albano’s stellar performance imbues Grace with life, initially portraying her grappling with the understandable fear and terror one would surely experience in a Resident Evil scenario. Then, as she adapts alongside the game’s unfolding narrative, we witness Grace’s compelling character arc reach its full potential. We sincerely hope this isn’t her last appearance in Resident Evil, as she has already earned widespread acclaim from fans.
Mae and Cody – It Takes Two
Hazelight Studios consistently delivers cooperative magic, that much is certain, though the studio’s narratives can sometimes be somewhat predictable. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that; not every game requires an Oscar-worthy screenplay. Even if It Takes Two boasts perhaps the most predictable story of them all, it remains utterly delightful, largely thanks to the doll-transformed humans we get to embody. Mae and Cody aren’t afraid to get on your nerves a little during the game, yet they somehow remain a wholesome and endearing pair, even when they’re squabbling most fiercely. While we might not see a vast franchise built around them, especially with the It Takes Two film adaptation seemingly in limbo, they are memorable enough to leave a lasting impression.
Melinoë – Hades II
Zagreus or Melinoë – honestly, you could feature either of Hades’ rebellious offspring in this slot, but recent bias sways me towards the Goddess of Nightmares and Witchcraft. Zagreus is an immediately likable protagonist, though arguably with somewhat lower stakes, whereas Melinoë confronts a far greater burden. Significant pressure rests on her shoulders to introduce players to this darker, new narrative, and to serve as an anchoring presence when we can no longer converse with the familiar faces we’ve come to know and love from the first game. Supergiant has done an incredible job making both protagonists highly endearing, but I found myself rooting more emphatically for Melinoë throughout my time with this sequel.
Maelle – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Another relatively recent inclusion, but we are discussing games from the past five years and beyond. If you haven’t yet played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or haven’t reached its credits, you might assume Gustave or Verso are the game’s protagonists. However, those who have completed the journey will know that Maelle is our true central character. And what a character she is! Without delving into detailed spoilers, the core narrative twists and turns all revolve around Maelle. By the end, I was so invested in her journey that I opted for what I knew was arguably the ‘worst’ ending, purely because I felt it resonated most powerfully with her character arc. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may focus on those who follow, but I don’t envy anyone who has to match the incredible work Jennifer Svedberg-Yen and Jennifer English put into bringing this character to life.
V – Cyberpunk 2077
Let me share a little secret to cap off this list: I absolutely loved Cyberpunk 2077 right from its launch. Sure, it had its bugs. And perhaps it didn’t offer the boundless open-world freedoms of a sandbox experience like GTA. But the underlying framework it presented was incredibly robust. CD Projekt Red once again captivated audiences with their exceptional character work and storytelling, with V at the core. V can manifest as a multitude of different personalities and backgrounds in Cyberpunk 2077, yet the brilliance lies in how each feels valid and profoundly engaging. Whether you play as Valerie or Vincent, a Corpo or a Nomad, V feels like an almost perfect protagonist. As a player, you’re empowered to dictate pivotal moments and background details, yet there’s also a pervasive sense that you’re stepping into a pre-established character’s shoes. V plays an active, driving role within Night City, rather than simply observing the world unfold. This proactive engagement elevates a protagonist to the next level, and it’s a feat CD Projekt Red achieved masterfully in Cyberpunk 2077, right from the very beginning.