Character Writers, Take Note
Video games are full of characters who seem easy to figure out when you first meet them, whether they're annoying sidekicks, suspicious villains, or seemingly helpless people who need rescuing. As the story unfolds, however, their motivations, personal histories, and unexpected decisions can completely change how you feel about them. Sometimes, you realize that the character you couldn't stand was dealing with more than you understood.
1. Astarion From Baldur's Gate 3
Astarion is a character you can view as quite selfish, as he'll take any opportunity he can to benefit himself. As you learn about his centuries of abuse under Cazador Szarr, though, his behavior becomes easier to understand, and his personal quest reveals how much his desire for freedom shapes his choices.
Niranjan _ Photographs on Unsplash
2. Micah Bell From Red Dead Redemption 2
At the beginning of the game, Micah seems like your average tough guy who will do whatever it takes to survive in his line of work. He could have easily been viewed as another annoying character in Dutch's crew. As the story progresses, his manipulation and self-serving behavior become increasingly obvious, making those early warning signs look much more significant in retrospect.
3. The Illusive Man From Mass Effect 2
The Illusive Man appears to be a sophisticated leader who understands the threat facing humanity and has the resources to fight it. You can see him as an ally who can help defeat the Reapers because of the amount of technology he has available to him. He believes humans should be above all other races, so when his plans become more drastic, you may question whether he's on your side or not.
4. Dutch van der Linde From Red Dead Redemption 2
At the beginning of the game, you see Dutch as your average outlaw who wants to provide his gang members with a life outside the laws of society. Many characters follow his every word as if he's a god, and the way he speaks makes you believe his plan will work out. As his judgment deteriorates and his decisions become more dangerous, players start questioning whether Dutch is still the leader they believed in.
5. Kreia From Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II
Kreia will not teach you right from wrong or encourage you to stick to your Jedi ways. Her teachings become more interesting as you discover her complicated relationship with the Jedi, the Sith, and the Force itself, forcing you to reconsider what you've accepted about the Star Wars universe.
6. Shadowheart From Baldur's Gate 3
There are some things Shadowheart will not tell you early on in the game. She holds back information from you because of her god, Shar. As her personal history unfolds, players discover how much of her identity has been shaped by manipulation, making her journey toward self-discovery one of the game's most significant character arcs.
7. The Boss From Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
The Boss was trained under the eyes of Naked Snake, who saw her as one of the greatest soldiers of her time. Once the story reveals that she has run away from her country, she seems to have done the unthinkable. The truth behind her orders reveals that her loyalty was far more complicated than the official story suggested, transforming the meaning of the game's final confrontation.
8. Sylens From Horizon Zero Dawn
Sylens will provide information that you may not be able to find on your own while playing Horizon. Because he's a bit mysterious, you're never sure if he wants to help Aloy or not. As more of his actions become clear, players recognize that his curiosity and ambition frequently matter more to him than the consequences of satisfying them.
9. Andrew Ryan From BioShock
Andrew Ryan is a great example of someone you start to like at first but quickly come to despise later. He has good intentions in creating a utopia where everyone can do what they please, with no laws holding them back. The ruined world around him eventually exposes the contradictions in his philosophy, showing how his commitment to freedom breaks down when he can't control the people who live by his rules.
10. Mordin Solus From Mass Effect 2
When you first meet Mordin, he's talking about how he helped modify the genophage to keep the Krogan from wiping out all life in the galaxy. You may think he's just another crazy scientist who doesn't care about anyone else but himself. His loyalty mission reveals the personal and ethical conflicts behind his work, showing a man who understands the damage involved and struggles with what responsibility requires of him.
11. Handsome Jack From Borderlands 2
Handsome Jack's humor and exaggerated confidence can make him seem like an entertaining villain who's mostly interested in showing off. His frequent jokes and theatrical insults often distract from the cruelty behind his actions, particularly when he treats other people as disposable obstacles. As the story reveals more about his past and his need to justify his behavior, his cruelty becomes even more apparent.
Dmitry Dzhus from London on Wikimedia
12. Solas From Dragon Age: Inquisition
Solas initially appears to be a knowledgeable elven mage who offers valuable insight into the Fade, ancient history, and the world's magical problems. His reserved personality can make him seem like an ordinary intellectual companion, even when he expresses unusual opinions about spirits and the nature of reality. The revelations surrounding his identity and long-term plans completely change how players interpret his earlier conversations.
13. The Arbiter From Halo 2
The Arbiter starts off as an honorable member of the Covenant who gets demoted after allowing Installation 04 to be destroyed. If you came from Halo 1, you probably thought he was just another grunt who wanted to destroy the human race. His perspective gradually exposes the religious deception and political manipulation within the Covenant, making his struggle against its leadership a central part of the larger conflict.
14. Ellie From The Last of Us Part II
We all knew we loved Ellie from the first game. When you see her trying to avenge Joel's death, you can see how this girl we once loved can do such horrible things. Watching her struggle with grief and the consequences of her actions encourages players to separate understanding her pain from agreeing with everything she does.
15. The Stranger From God of War (2018)
As soon as the Stranger walks into your home, you know he's going to cause trouble. At first, he seems like your run-of-the-mill bad guy. As the story reveals his identity and the circumstances behind his behavior, his hostility becomes more understandable, even though it doesn't make his actions harmless.
Evgeniy Kondratiev on Unsplash
16. Vaas Montenegro From Far Cry 3
When Vaas is first introduced in the game, he seems like he wants Jason dead at any cost. He will do anything it takes to prove that Jason is now insane. His fixation on insanity, control, and Jason's transformation adds psychological tension to their encounters, making him more memorable than a typical antagonist who relies only on physical violence.
17. Abby Anderson From The Last of Us Part II
When Abby is first introduced in the game, we all know we're not going to like her. That's because she took away someone we cared about. Most people who started the game with a fresh copy of The Last of Us will automatically dislike her. Playing through her perspective reveals her grief, loyalty, and personal struggles, challenging players to recognize the humanity of someone they were encouraged to hate.
18. Barret Wallace From Final Fantasy VII
When Barret is introduced in the game, you think he's a crazy guy who wants to take down Shinra by any means necessary. He'll do whatever it takes to take down this corporation that's destroying our planet. As the story explores his relationships and the consequences of his choices, his commitment to protecting the planet and the people he loves becomes much clearer.
19. Gale From Baldur's Gate 3
Gale's friendly demeanor, magical knowledge, and tendency to talk at length about his past can initially make him seem like an overly confident wizard with an ego to match. His connection to Mystra and the dangerous magical condition he carries reveal that his history involves much more than academic ambition. As you learn about his mistakes and the consequences of his desire to prove himself, you begin to understand the struggles behind his confident exterior.
20. Sephiroth From Final Fantasy VII
Sephiroth is initially presented as a legendary SOLDIER whose extraordinary abilities and reputation make him an almost mythical figure within the world of Final Fantasy VII. His transformation into the game's central antagonist can make his motivations seem like those of a powerful villain who simply wants to destroy everything.
