[KnightofPhoenix]

So I've had a free day today and I've gone bezerk writing about anything. I've decided to write about my top 10 favorite protagonists (spoilers!):

10. Sam Fisher - Splinter Cell
9. Blacklight - Prototype
8. Adam Jensen - Deus Ex: Human Revolution
7. Niko Bellic - GTA IV
6. Tommy Angelo - Mafia
5. Geralt of Rivia - The Witcher
4. Raziel - Legacy of Kain
3. Kain - Legacy of Kain series
2. Altair Ibn-La'Ahad - Assassin's Creed series
1. Ezio Auditore da Firenze - Assassin's Creed

I'll update this page regularly.
People, feel free to post your own favorite protagonists, discuss my choices and whatever you like!

Needless to say, this is completely subjective on my part.

[Geralt The Riv]

I really dig the depths at which you delve inside your own self and your own experiences around you to analyze a topic thoroughly. Good reading!

[Bloth]

Pity Splinter Cell's from Ubisoft as I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot barge pole, always admired Ironside as an actor, has a certain gravitas a lot of modern day actors just cannot attain.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Blothulfur said:

Pity Splinter Cell's from Ubisoft as I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot barge pole, always admired Ironside as an actor, has a certain gravitas a lot of modern day actors just cannot attain. ›››

It's really not that bad imo. I know I only played Splinter Cell Conviction, so my opinion is very limited, but I think some of the hate it gets is not that justified. The stealth has been streamlined yes, and in some aspects it was dumbed down, but in other aspects it was made more fluid and no less fun. And one can play through most levels with pure stealth, that's what I do. It's not a very challenging game by any means, but I found it fun and enjoyable.

As for story, it's nothing ground-breaking, it's pretty basic. But it's the gravitas it brings that makes it fun, and as you mentioned Ironside is a great actor. Which is the primary reason why I am not excited for the newest Splinter Cell, as Ironside won't be doing the voice. Michael Ironside fucking is Sam Fisher ok!


For Witcher fans, Geralt is in the list!

[Ward Dragon]

KnightofPhoenix said:

For Witcher fans, Geralt is in the list! ›››

If the list was characters in general (not specifically protagonists) then I have a feeling he would get bumped for Radovid and Philippa

Anyhow I haven't played Splinter Cell yet but I picked up a few of the games on a Steam sale and I intend to play them when I get a chance. I usually don't like stealth games, so this streamlining might actually work out in my favor I haven't read your article yet because I'm worried about spoilers. Does it give away any major plot points in the game(s)?

[KnightofPhoenix]

Ward Dragon said:

If the list was characters in general (not specifically protagonists) then I have a feeling he would get bumped for Radovid and Philippa

Letho would for sure haha
And he'll be first place when I do my top 10 antagonists!

Quote

Anyhow I haven't played Splinter Cell yet but I picked up a few of the games on a Steam sale and I intend to play them when I get a chance. I usually don't like stealth games, so this streamlining might actually work out in my favor I haven't read your article yet because I'm worried about spoilers. Does it give away any major plot points in the game(s)?

Yes it is spoilerific, thanks for reminding me I should specify.
I mean the spoilers aren't that huge because there aren't any huge plot twists in the game. But still, it does spoil it.

Also, if you could play coop, do so. It's excellent, because it has a story set immediately before the game and it does explain certain elements. The dynamics between Archer (US operative) and Kestrel (a Russian one) is excellent. Playing coop with my brother made the game that much more awesome.

[Bloth]

Does Kain go in protagonist, antagonist or both?

[Ward Dragon]

KnightofPhoenix said:

Letho would for sure haha
And he'll be first place when I do my top 10 antagonists!

Woo hoo!

KnightofPhoenix said:

Yes it is spoilerific, thanks for reminding me I should specify.
I mean the spoilers aren't that huge because there aren't any huge plot twists in the game. But still, it does spoil it.

Also, if you could play coop, do so. It's excellent, because it has a story set immediately before the game and it does explain certain elements. The dynamics between Archer (US operative) and Kestrel (a Russian one) is excellent. Playing coop with my brother made the game that much more awesome. ›››

Ah cool, thanks I'll see if I can find someone to play it with when I get around to playing it

Blothulfur said:

Does Kain go in protagonist, antagonist or both? ›››

I would call him a protagonist of the anti-hero variety It's a bit murkier for the Soul Reaver games, but in the Blood Omen games he's definitely the main character so I consider him the protagonist.

[Costin Moroianu]

You won't put Thorton on that list? Really?

[KnightofPhoenix]

Blothulfur said:

Does Kain go in protagonist, antagonist or both? ›››

I've thought about it for quite a while, which is a testament to how good he is. But ultimately I decided to consider him a protagonist. He only plays the role of an antagonist fully in Soul Reaver. In Soul Reaver 2, he's not really an antagonist, more like a character doing his own thing, that Raziel grows to accept and even joke with on one occasion.

Kain will feature highly on my top 10.

@ Costin
Yes, because he's not a set character. While he has a set name and set looks more or less, he can still end up a very different character, with different origins and extremely different mannerisms.

But I am thinking of making another series about my favorite magnificent bastards, so I might honor MY Mike with a piece. Will put Kane and Kerrigan in there as well, cause I will not consider them antagonists.

[Dragon'sDream]

KnightofPhoenix said:

Kerrigan ›››

OMG I love Kerrigan! My favorite magnificent bastard and antagonist (IMO) of all time. Would love to see a piece on her. Glad to see you think she's great too.

"Yeah, I'm still the queen bitch of the universe."

[Ward Dragon]

Dragon said:

OMG I love Kerrigan! My favorite magnificent bastard and antagonist (IMO) of all time. Would love to see a piece on her.

"Yeah, I'm still the queen bitch of the universe." ›››

Indeed She's like my virtual daughter. I raised her from a cocoon and now she's all grown up Seriously though, I think she'll always be one of my favorite videogame characters, although I have no idea whether to class her as a protagonist or antagonist since her role changes based on the perspective of which race you are playing.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Dragon said:

OMG I love Kerrigan! My favorite magnificent bastard and antagonist (IMO) of all time. Would love to see a piece on her. Glad to see you think she's great too.

"Yeah, I'm still the queen bitch of the universe." ›››

She's awesome, always been one of my favorites! Disliked her in SC2 though.

The reason I won't have her in my top 10 antagonists is because strictly speaking, she wasn't really an antagonist, she was a faction like all the others. She was the antagonist in SC2 but she was crap there so.

Now I realize I have way too many things to write haha. 10 protagonists, 10 antagonists, and an unspecified number of magnificent bastards from all mediums. What did I get myself into....(I'll enjoy it)

[FoggyFishburne]

Hey this is awesome. I had the exact same idea some time ago. Gotta find that list! Very much intrigued to see what other people think about protagonists and which ones are their favourites.

Though about Sam being an amazing character, how much is that due to the character, and how much is it because Michael fucking Ironside is voicing the man!! I mean Michael fucking Ironside! That man and his voice is godlike. Whether it's Darkseid or Sam Fisher, listening to him is an absolute joy! I love that training scene in the beginning of the first game, where he strangles a guy to get some information. He strangled him a little too hard though and the guy says that Sam should let up a little. The way Michael retorted is just priceless!

Ah man, I'm gushing! But he is truly beyond fantastic and I'm gonna miss him in Blacklist...

[KnightofPhoenix]

Then write it!
Or if you want, you can list them here. I think it's fun to compare our favorites.

[SystemShock7]

I can't remember a protagonist in a video game as complex as Geralt that really stood out in recent years... Sam Fisher, I played all of the SC games but the last one because of the online-all-the-time DRM thingy, but I didn't find him that compelling a character. I love the original Hitman trilogy, but Codename 47 has the personality of a clone, truly.

If I have to make a list of my top 10 protagonists in video games, I'd put:
1. Geralt.
2. Gabriel Knight from Sins of Our Fathers and The Beast Within
3. Manny Calavera from Grim Fandango (si!)
4. Garret from the Thief series.
5. Bloodrayne (don't judge )
6. Tex Murphy
7 Agent Pearson from Black Dahlia
8. Altair from AC 1
9. Sam Fisher
10. Tobias Reiper (Codename47)

[Veleda]

I don't think I've played enough games that made an impression on me to even create such a list. I'll be interested to see your picks, KoP.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Number 9 is up!

Blacklight from Prototype.

[KnightofPhoenix]

Number 8.
Adam Jensen, Deus Ex: Human Revolution

[Ward Dragon]

KnightofPhoenix said:

Number 8.
Adam Jensen, Deus Ex: Human Revolution ›››

Awesome I skipped #9 because I haven't played Prototype yet and didn't want to see spoilers. However I really enjoyed your article about Adam

And yeah, I also thought the mirror thing was really cool. I remember discovering the messages to and from his landlord about the mirror and piecing together what had happened.