Summary
Open-world games have a rich, diverse selection of personalities to interact with, whether antagonists, story-centric characters, or NPCs thatbring open sandboxes to life. Protagonists - hero-like characters central to the narrative of their respective worlds - often play the good guys, sometimes dancing the fine line between right and wrong.
These complex and story-driven video game characters have played a prominent role inshaping open-world gaming experiences. Whether players take on the role of the infamous Witcher Geralt or wield the master sword as Link, protagonists are critical components of open worlds.
TheLegend of Zeldaseries has numerous prominent and recurring villains and protagonists. Series hero Link is known for being the core protagonist of theZeldafranchise alongside his female counterpart, Zelda.
WithinTears of the Kingdom, Link steps up as the savior of the kingdom of Hyrule by defeating the evil Ganondorf in single combat, besting the dark Lord even as he turns into a giant demon dragon. This encounter is Link’s finest moment asone of gaming’s greatest heroes. Alongside Link and Zelda, the game features other exceptional protagonists, such as Tulin and Sidon.
Grand Theft Auto 5,orGTA 5,is the latest game in theGrand Theft Autofranchise and is unique in that it allows players to play as three main protagonists: Trevor, Franklin, and Michael. Each protagonist is distinctive in their personalities and backstories.
The game follows each of the three characters as they navigate the crime-filled world of Los Santos. During the events ofGTA 5, the three characters cross paths with each other, plotting tocommit a brazen heist. Each character’s story and the plot twists shape their development in unexpected and daring ways, makingGTA 5a leading open world game in terms of having the best protagonists.
Set in Middle-earth, between the events ofThe HobbitandLord of the Rings,Middle-earth: Shadow of Warfollows the series protagonist, Talion, as he looks to create a new ring with the wraith Celebrimbor to defeat Sauron. The game features a vast open world and fan-favorite characters such as Shelob, Nazgul, and even the corrupted Isildur.
The game highlights a continual struggle between Celebrimbor and Talion as they navigate how to destroy the ‘Lord of the Rings,’ resulting in Talion eventually becoming a Nazgul.Shadow of Warfeatures a great story and two excellent protagonists, making it one of thebestLord of the Ringsgames ever.
Red Dead Redemption 2has a strong selection of protagonists, ranging from the complex and often brutal Arthur Morgan to John Marston from the first game. The core protagonists ofRDR2are complicated and often toe the line between good and bad, making players question whether the characters they are playing are the good guys or not.
RDR2has one of the strongest lineups of protagonists in open-world games, with complex, detailed backstories that showcase the narrative brilliance of the series in making gamers care about characters who areoften on the wrong side of the lawfor the right reasons.
Everyone’s favorite neighborhood superhero, Spider-Man, returned in the 2023 sequel to the hit 2018Spider-Mangame developed by Insomniac.Marvel’s Spider-Man 2features Peter Parker alongside his counterpart and series favorite, Miles Morales, in an epic adventure to stop the evil Venom and other villains fromdestroying New York.
The game dives into the complexities of both protagonists as they navigate how to balance their friendship and superhero persona as they fight their greatest foes.Spider-Man 2is a great open-world game with world-class performances from two protagonists that showcase how to create a top-tier superhero game.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagfollows the journey of the game’s protagonist, turned pirate and assassin Edward Kenway, who looks to make a name for himself in the West Indies asthe sea’s most terrifying pirate.
Kenway is long regarded as one of the best protagonists in theAssassin’s Creedfranchise, with a great narrative arc that sees the characterbump into legendary pirate characterssuch as Black Beard and Benjamin Hornigold, whom are intricately tied into the story. Kenway, as a character, alongside a mythical list of protagonists, makesBlack Flagone of the best open-world games in terms of the quality of protagonists on offer.
Set after the originalMetal Gear,Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Painis known forits immersive and tactical gameplayand prevalent protagonists that make up its narrative. Venom Snake is the game’s main protagonist - a field medic infamously loyal to his various affiliations, such as the Militaires Sans Frontieres.
Alongside Venom Snake, the game features protagonists such as Ocelot and Kaz. The cast ofPhantom Painis superb, adding life to the protagonists as some of the best in the open-world genre.
Developed by Sucker Punch andset during the feudal erathat saw the Mongolian Empire attempt to invade Japan,Ghost Of Tsushima, with its stunning visuals and realistic gameplay, captured the magic of what it could be like to be a samurai at war. The game’s story follows the journey of protagonist Jin Sakai as he balances being a samurai and a brutal assassin, as well as a cast of other lead characters, such as Lord Shimura, Yuna, and Masako Adachi, as they defend their homeland against Mongol invaders.
Featuring excellent performances, dynamic stories, and a rich narrative with several memorable characters - each with their own distinct challenges -Ghost Of Tsushimafeatures some of thebest protagonists in open-world gaming.
