From Solid Snake To Master Chief, Here Are 5 of the Greatest Protagonists In Gaming History

Whenever you set off on an adventure in a brand-new digital world in gaming, you take command of sole individuals such as Solid Snake and Master Chief, who are the heroic avatars. When gamers experience a story, they tend to remember and love these protagonists.

Some of these protagonist heroes are just straight-up likeable people that are not possible to hate. Others are so well-written, and their journeys are some of the best video gaming medium has to offer.

Regardless of why they’re held in such high esteem, here are the top 5 greatest protagonists we’ve witnessed in gaming history.

5. Solid Snake

It’s a known fact that the Metal Gear franchise has always been a step ahead of the competition in terms of storytelling, all thanks to its main hero, Solid Snake. Even in the character’s earliest iterations, he always added to Metal Gear‘s plot and stylings. Metal Gear Solid brings even more to his character, fleshing him out as one of the most beloved ones.

Solid Snake often finds himself struggling between his enjoyment of violence and his commitment to peace. He wants to be a better man than villains such as Liquid Snake and Big Boss throughout the entirety of MGS. He brings undeniable charm and a personality that’s much deeper than what appears on the surface.

4. Lara Croft

Tomb Raider undoubtedly made history with its protagonist, Lara Croft. She’s truly the most iconic woman in all of gaming and a perfect representation of female protagonists. She adds many layers to the iconic franchise, elevating it beyond a mere treasure hunt. She’s quite capable, charismatic, stubborn, witty, and much more.

The Tomb Raider franchise isn’t afraid to give her negative traits, such as her self-destructive behavior. However, this has never devalued Lara or hurt her character. Her determination to carry forward her father’s legacy is an incredible motivation to justify her actions.

3. Trevor Phillips

Trevor Philips is for sure one of the best protagonists we’ve seen in a Grand Theft Auto game since he’s a total jerk! He perfectly displays the satirical nature of Grand Theft Auto 5‘s Los Santos. The gaming community has always criticized Rockstar because its characters in GTA games don’t line up with the actions of players.

Therefore, Trevor proves to be the best type of protagonist for a game like this. When gamers want to fool around and cause havoc in GTA Online, it feels like Trevor could be right up there with them! He’s quite ambitious and clever but extremely chaotic without caring for anything in his life. Trevor understands everything that’s happening around him, and he’s truly the product of what Los Santos brings out in people.

2. Dante

There’s no doubt that Dante from Devil May Cry is the culmination of confident heroism and stylish combat. The man has been busy stabbing, shooting, and slaying demons since the release of the original title back in 2001. Each battle against his enemies brings fun for Dante, and it takes a huge threat for him to get serious.

However, over the years, Dante has gone from a cocky demon hunter to a mentor and a calm middle-aged man. Although this attitude does come through sometimes, he reveres the stakes, usually at hand, and goes the extra mile to protect his team. He cares deeply about the people around him.

1. Master Chief

Halo wouldn’t have been a legendary game without the Master Chief, John-117. This Spartan II is the playable protagonist of all the Halo games.

The entire franchise is regarded as one of the most fun shooters we’ve ever seen. Getting to play as Chief while going off against hordes of Arbiters and Grunts is truly an experience that everyone would die for.

He is a super soldier but also a human, showcasing in Halo 4 and 5. While his humanity allows us to connect with the soldier to a greater degree, it’s what his butt-kicking ability with his rifle puts him on the radar.

From the exact moment he woke up from his cryo-sleep, he sent the Covenant back their bomb and beyond and took the fight to whatever threat humanity faces.

What do you think about these characters from the gaming industry? Let us know in the comments what you think.