Whether we’re saving the galaxy from an invasion of Insectoids, hunting pirate treasure with our long-lost brother, or delivering a child halfway across the country, video games have a way of drawing us in with their stories. Essential to that is the role of the protagonist. We view the world through their eyes — our decisions and actions led by their moral compass (or lack thereof) influencing who we champion and who we oppose.
A great protagonist isn’t always in the right — hell, they’re not even always a good person — but they’re always relatable. We identify and connect with them, celebrating their victories and mourning their losses. They become more than just a character on the screen.
Here’s some of our favourite video game protagonists, and why they’re so important to us:
Kratos – God of War
A man who has felled titans and punched gods in the face, escaped from the literal underworld, and punched more gods in the face; Kratos embodies strength and determination, defying all odds. He also has some of the most badass weapons in all of gaming. But that’s not what draws me to him the most; it’s his willingness to change and grow that make him such a good character.
During the Norse saga, we see a Kratos that is trying to put his past behind him, to be a better man, and not have his son walk the same path of rage and blood. Kratos struggles to hold onto Atreus, only to push him further away, ultimately making the decision to let him go to strike his own path. As a new father playing the game, his emotional journey resonated with me and showed just how far the character had come over twenty years’ worth of games.
– Shaun.
Sora – Kingdom Hearts
Sora is a brave and selfless character with a strong heart; his friends mean everything to him. He continuously finds the good in people and stops to help anyone and everyone when he can. What I love about Sora is that he doesn’t give up when it comes to the people he cares about; when Riku succumbs to darkness, he knows his friend is still there, and when Kairi is missing and in a blank state, he stops at nothing to find her and restore her again. Sora sacrifices so much, and despite the darkness, he remains optimistic, making him such an admirable character.
– Alex.
Cal Kestis – Star Wars Jedi
Order 66 marked one of the darkest moments in Star Wars history — the fall of the Republic, the rise of the Empire, and the near extinction of the Jedi. Among the survivors, Cal Kestis emerged as a beacon from a different corner of the galaxy. Guided by a former Jedi Master, Cal learns to harness his abilities and forge his own path.
As someone who’s loved Star Wars for as long as I can remember, Cal’s story resonates deeply. He delivers some of the saga’s most powerful moments, the adorable BD-1 by his side. Unlike the legendary Jedi of the films and TV shows, Cal feels grounded: flawed, learning, and relatable — yet still embodying the Jedi way: disciplined, resourceful, and deeply human.
– Julian.
Jak – Jak and Daxter
Jak starts off his journey as a golden-retriever boy, wide-eyed and ready for adventure. But after being imprisoned and experimented on with Dark Eco, he comes out of it with both a voice and a chaotic moral compass. That’s what I love about him: he’s not squeaky-clean, he’s not twistedly evil, he’s just a guy figuring out his place in the world… While also trying to save it.
Jak takes hit after hit — betrayal, loss, and literal torture — but he gets back up every time. To me, Jak isn’t just a character in a game; he is the reason I fell in love with gaming in the first place.
– Rose.
Geralt of Rivia – The Witcher
Geralt is cool, calm, and collected in the face of every foreseeable horror the world throws at him… Not to mention the unforeseen ones. When faced with a challenge — whether it be subduing a rampaging cyclops or exorcising a haunted manor — Geralt finds a way to break it down to its constituent parts and overcome it. But moreover, Geralt thinks about the true cost and outcome of his actions: often turning down a payday to help someone in need, or taking the time to investigate the reasons behind a monsters’ actions, with violence being a last resort.
As a person living with a disability, Geralt has also been a positive role model for me in terms of making the best with what life throws at you. He may be an outcast and a manmade monster, but he often shows more humanity than the people around him. He holds himself to the highest standards and never lets his pain or emotional turmoil come before doing the right thing.
Ezio Auditore da Firenze – Assassin’s Creed
When you think Assassin’s Creed, you think Ezio. A character so popular, beloved, and well-written that he’s helmed not one, not two, but three major AC games. Sure, he’s charming, confident, and ridiculously stylish, but what makes him stand out is his journey. Ezio starts off chasing revenge for his family, but over time grows into a Master Assassin driven by a thirst for the truth. Seeing him evolve — and look good while doing it — is what cements him as one of gaming’s most iconic leads.
– Sonia.
Daud – Dishonored
Daud’s journey is a masterclass in perspective: the villain becomes the protagonist, and our perception of him is forever changed.
Daud starts off as one of gaming’s most compelling villains, an assassin who killed an Empress, shattered a city, and then spent years grappling with guilt, trying to claw his way back from the Void. He’s a shadow in the alleyways, a voice in the darkness pulling strings for his own gain, but at what cost?
The Knife of Dunwall and Brigmore Witches DLCs flip the script and put Daud in the role of the protagonist. He’s still calculating, ruthless, and utterly capable, but he’s also plagued by regret and a gnawing search for redemption. His path is tangled with the Outsider’s cryptic whispers, his choices shaped as much by the player’s decisions as his own conscience. We’re given the rare chance to understand his choices, his doubts, and his attempts to make amends in a city where morality is as murky as the waters of the Wrenhaven.
– Elly.
Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 – Halo
Christmas of ‘01. My dad, with questionable foresight and excellent taste, handed my brother and I our first console: the original Xbox, bundled with Halo. Five days of straight gameplay later (family barely acknowledged) I’d found my first real hero. Back then, taking control of Master Chief was pure escapism: piloting warthogs, flinging sticky grenades at grunts, and fighting the parasitic Flood.
Only years later did I start to grasp the burden John-117 carried: humanity’s last hope, silent resilience under the helmet. That deeper side — his quiet leadership, steadfast moral compass, and refusal to quit — revealed itself gradually. Beneath the armour was a leader who never left anyone behind, carrying the weight of survival with unwavering resolve.
Even now, whenever I see Master Chief, that rush of childhood excitement returns. He’s the benchmark I measure every new protagonist against, and so far, nobody’s come close.
– Tim.
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