2020 has been a different sort of year, to say the least, but it’s had its moments in the world of video games. From brand new IP like Immortals Fenyx Rising to sequels like The Last of Us 2 and everything in-between, there have been some solid releases this year.
At the heart of the best of them, though, are characters. They are fundamental in telling a good story in any medium but can interact with said story in multiple ways. There’s no one way to create, write, and breathe life into a video game character, and that’s simply a beautiful thing. So, in no particular order, here are the 15 best video game characters of 2020.
15 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Basim
Basim raised eyebrows from the moment he was revealed, and indeed, he’s as compelling a character narratively as he is in design. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla‘s overarching story sees Basim take what is expected of the Hidden Ones and flip it on its head, tying together several elements of the plot all with one character. Indeed, without getting into spoilers, Basim is a character who not only shapes the story of Valhalla, but changes everything about the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
14 Cyberpunk 2077 – Johnny Silverhand
While there’s a lot of justifiable concern with the state of Cyberpunk 2077, many would agree that the story and characters of the game are its highlights. None accomplish this more so than Johnny Silverhand, who is played by Keanu Reeves. The relationship between he and V impact everything that happens from scene to scene, and it’s interesting to see CD Projekt Red’s storytelling prowess applied to new characters and a completely different setting.
13 Destiny 2 – Crow
Throughout Destiny and Destiny 2, Uldren Sov has accomplished a lot: he was one of the first to explore the Black Garden, he survived being shot down with Oryx’s Dreadnaught, he cultivated an army of Scorn, and was corrupted by Riven and infamously killed Cayde-6. Players get their revenge, but they soon learned that Sov wasn’t gone, having been resurrected as a Guardian.
Enter Crow, years later, who works for the Spider, helps in a quest to unlock Hawkmoon in Destiny 2, and more. Crow showed his face in 2020, but he’s not Uldren Sov anymore. Guardians have little to no memory of their past life, so Crow is more or less a rebirth of Uldren Sov, one that has finally propelled his personal story forward in a positive way.
12 Final Fantasy 7 Remake – Sephiroth
Sephiroth has been an intimidating icon for years, yet somehow, the Final Fantasy 7 Remake makes him even more terrifying. Not only is he beautifully brought to life on the PS4, but his character seems to be more aware of his destiny than ever before. With Sephiroth hellbent on changing the course of destiny by forcing Cloud and gang to fight the Whispers in FF7 Remake, implying that he knows the events of the original game, it adds a new dimension to an already well-developed character. Indeed, Square Enix saw the bar set by Sephiroth and managed to raise it even more.
11 Ghost of Tsushima – Jin Sakai
Ghost of Tsushima is arguably one of the biggest games of the year, led by a “force of personality” in Jin Sakai. He demonstrates all the traits expected of a samurai—kindness, sympathy, appreciation, humble, stoic, slow to anger—and operates smoothly within a powerful tale of how the Samurai’s code led to Komoda Beach and Castyle Kaneda, instead turning the way of the ghost. This inner conflict and decision-making helps Jin rise above many of other characters.
10 Hades – Zagreus
Zagreus interacts with the world around him, even as he tries to escape it, with every run through the under world taking relationships and stories further and further. Whether its his relationship with his Olympus counterparts, his own father, Nyx, or even the game’s own narrator, Zagreus is a character packed with personality and wit, and one who manages to shine at every story beat in Hades in the absolute best of ways. Because of Zagreus, Hades isn’t just one of the best indies of the year, it’s easily one of the best games of the year.
9 Half-Life: Alyx – Alyx
When a new Half-Life was announced, it was a major shock to many fans of the franchise. Although it’s not exactly Half-Life 3, Half-Life: Alyx took the franchise to VR and delivered upon franchise character, Alyx. With everything from hacking skills to combat proficiency, Alyx is the definition of a complex, yet interesting character who helps push a story forward instead of holding it back.
8 Immortals Fenyx Rising – Zeus
Immortals Fenyx Rising is a satirical video game about Greek gods and monsters, giving a run-of-the-mill setting in a fantasy world real life. The way that it doesn’t take itself so seriously actually allows it to tell a powerful character-driven story. There’s plenty of good characters as a result, including Fenyx themselves or even Hermes, but Zeus’ unique role helps players really understand his growth. While “dad jokes” are in the game through and through, it’s Zeus’ realization how his kids see him as a father that give him a powerful, enjoyable human quality.
7 Paper Mario: The Origami King – Bobby
Bob-omb, more commonly referred to as Bobby, is a more complex character than the simple, paper world of Paper Mario: The Origami King would let on. Haunted by a complex past and suffering from amnesia, everything from his interactions with Olivia to his approach to dialogue, story, and even combat make him a memorable character. In fact, Bobby does a swell job tugging on the heartstrings of players as he rushes to save Olivia, confronts his past, and eventually comes to his end. It’s a well-rounded character arc with a major impact on the story and the characters around him, and that’s all anyone can really ask.
6 Spider-Man: Miles Morales – Miles Morales
Miles Morales, the man behind the mask, is the second Spider-Man to grace PlayStation consoles, and that in and of itself has a major impact on the character. Miles expresses self-doubt and sees himself as the “second” Spider-Man, growing from that point to a more confident hero through a very personal and emotional story. Spider-Man: Miles Morales may be a short story, but it packs characters in with grace.
5 Star Wars: Squadrons – Captain Lindon Javes
Story elements such as a bad guy seeing the light and becoming good exist for a reason: it’s a good story. So while Captain Lindon Javes’ defection from the Empire to join the New Republic isn’t necessarily a surprise in storytelling, it’s one that gives the story form and function. Captain Lindon Javes’ change of heart sets him up as a major story component in Star Wars: Squadrons, and he sees it through.
4 The Last of Us 2 – Abby
From the get-go, The Last of Us 2 was sold as a dark, revenge story, and that’s exactly what it is. What separates this game from other revenge stories is its use of perspective. From Abby’s point of view in TLOU 2, Joel killing her father and destroying the Fireflies makes him a bad guy; her life is shaped and defined by these events. Yet, even after she gets her revenge, life has to go on and it shows that there are people, things, and ideas worth protecting. Her relationships in WLF, Lev, and more show greatly connected the world is, even as damaged as it is.
3 The Last of Us 2 – Ellie
On the reverse side, Ellie’s perspective means that Abby is someone who killed her father figure without rhyme or reason. Ellie learns about this throughout the game, yet fails to care in her lust for revenge but ultimately coming back from the brink at the very last moment. With Abby and Ellie, there is a satisfying push and pull in The Last of Us 2 that only well-written and executed characters could truly accomplish.
2 Wasteland 3 – Ironclad Cordite
Ironclad Cordite is a big, intimidating brawler with a belief in destiny. While his ramblings of fate matter, it’s how he interacts with the story and can even change it that makes Ironclad so important. He shines above other Wasteland 3 companions for his interactions, his unique storytelling, and his personal growth.
1 Yakuza: Like a Dragon – Ichiban Kasuga
Ichiban had a insurmountable task in Yakuza: Like a Dragon, one that he handles with aplomb. Following Yakuza‘s Kiryu, a character who made and defined the series for years, is something not easy said or done. But Ichiban manages to impress with his moral compass and lovability, making him a standout character in the franchise.
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