As the years go by, the list of the best video game characters becomes increasingly impenetrable, and delving into it is a daunting task without the benefit of nostalgia.
However, this doesn’t mean that recent, significant figures haven’t emerged, standing out for their journeys, moral lessons, or symbolism through interactive experiences that rival their classic predecessors.
In reality, the number of impressive main and supporting characters is as robust as ever; you just have to know where and what to look for to stumble upon figures that will stay with you for life.
So, in order to celebrate these contemporary entities that elevate the medium to the next level, I invite you to read this list of the ten best video game characters of the 2020s (so far).
10
Dollman — Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
The Pocket Voice of Reason
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, like its predecessor, is brimming with memorable characters, but the one who stayed with me the most upon its 2025 debut was the magnificent Dollman.
At first, I felt he was a rip-off of Mimir from God of War, giving me the impression Hideo Kojima had given us a companion to guide us incessantly, thus betraying the creative, spontaneous exploration of the first installment.
However, as the plot develops, not only do his appearances become smaller and more memorable, but he also takes on an eventual leading role in the unfolding events, especially after learning his backstory, which truly makes you connect with him.
It’s difficult to describe more without venturing into spoiler territory, so I’ll just say that, when it comes to permanent companions, I can’t think of any in this decade who do the job better than Dollman.
9
Blaidd the Half-Wolf — Elden Ring
The Most Faithful Shadow
Speaking of stories difficult to describe without spoiling the most interesting parts, Blaidd the Half-Wolf from Elden Ring has become one of my favorite characters in FromSoftware’s entire history, and that’s saying something considering their extensive repertoire.
Although it’s a much more populated game than its spiritual predecessors, the feeling of traveling alone remains as palpable as ever, though encountering Blaidd at key points in the story helps to find a well-deserved sense of camaraderie amidst so much cataclysm.
Characters like Melina and Alexander could easily be mentioned, but the various plot twists that torment Blaidd’s tale allow for a complete reinterpretation of the main narrative, giving it immeasurable relevance that resonates even on an emotional level.
From being a brother in arms to a character isolated by tragedy, the Half-Wolf haunts Elden Ring‘s story like the shadow he is, ultimately giving us yet another compelling reason to fall in love with its worldbuilding.
8
Yi — Nine Sols
Avatar of Vengeance
We all remember Nine Sols for boasting among the most polished and profound combat systems in recent video game history, but little is said about how vital Yi is to the overall feel of the campaign.
This practical god feels ethically obligated, driven by a colossal burden of conscience, to hunt down all his fellow deities in a bloody and fratricidal crusade that I can only think of as being rivaled by Kratos’.
Nevertheless, rather than requiring numerous installments, witnessing the transitions in wisdom that Yi undergoes throughout the story as he grows increasingly connected to the diverse cast of characters, whose bond is tied to the game’s true ending, makes for a tremendous journey of redemption in a single entry.
Nine Sols is among those rare cases where a story as good as the gameplay is relegated to the background, though it’s always worth highlighting it as a relevant reason to consider it an indie masterpiece.
7
Jin Sakai — Ghost of Tsushima
Exiled Codes
Instead of the revenge or redemption typical of modern male fantasies, Jin Sakai from Ghost of Tsushima offers a different kind of protagonism that truly sets him apart from his peers.
More than a power-hungry figure or a psyche tormented by past decisions, this character finds his main struggle against his own code, which he feels obligated to betray in order to save the only thing greater than himself: his people.
This shift in perspective, where the priority is not the protagonist or a direct relationship but a concept as abstract as the motherland, produces an intriguing dynamic, where we see Sakai grow and form his own judgment rather than blindly following the traditions that shaped his life.
Embracing tragedy to find a tormented peace, knowing it is the right thing to do even if it doesn’t feel that way, is what makes the story of Ghost of Tsushima feel so distinctive, and its protagonist so human.
6
Astarion — Baldur’s Gate 3
Theatrically Iconic
Similar to Elden Ring‘s case, you could take practically any character from Baldur’s Gate 3 and put them on this list, but I’m personally going to stick with my charismatic, theatrical confidant, Astarion.
It’s difficult to reduce the value of his presence to a few paragraphs because, like everything Larian has written, he’s full of nuances that make him as relatable as he’s real, as if you were watching the story of an actual human being.
Neil Newbon’s work shapes a trauma survivor whose imperfections form the foundation upon which his arc is built, with whom you vividly connect thanks to the way he evolves, shows his vulnerability, and contrasts with his more heroic counterparts.
In a high fantasy setting, the dichotomy that characters like Astarion help to highlight is vital, which is why I think we’ll remember him for decades as one of the best supporting characters ever created.
5
Abby Anderson — The Last of Us Part 2
A Reverse Heroism
The maturation of video games, exemplified by titles like The Last of Us, has helped create increasingly diverse and complex characters, though I believe the one who truly stands out in this franchise is Abby Anderson from The Last of Us Part II.
This duality presented in Naughty Dog’s latest installment, with its protagonists facing two opposite journeys, allows us to re-evaluate the character of Ellie Williams, but also the other side of the coin.
Masterfully, The Last of Us Part II allows you to empathize with the person you might initially want to antagonize, showing you her reverse ascent towards what, in the series’ post-apocalyptic context, we could define as heroism.
Without clear-cut good guys or bad guys, the game is a constant demonstration of humanity’s most unfortunate facets, so seeing Abby defy the norm, despite having reasons not to, is genuinely moving.
4
Zagreus — Hades
Divine and Charismatic Whims
Sometimes, more than a shattered psyche or ambiguous morality, what we need is a charismatic icon unlike any other in history to enchant us from beginning to end, which is precisely what Zagreus from Hades does to perfection.
The cast of characters in Supergiant Games’ title is wonderful despite not really being a campaign with anything at stake, except for the interpersonal relationships its protagonists, with Zagreus at its core, maintain.
Watching him transform from an irreverent youth into a prince aware of his reality, as well as his love affairs, rivalries, friendships, worries, and everything else, is absurdly endearing, almost like watching a younger brother become a decent human being.
The laughter, reflections, memories, moments, arguments, worries, and other instances that take place in each of the hundreds of dialogues in Hades, a narratively revolutionary game in the Roguelike genre, stay with you and never let go, even if you forget them.
3
Hinako Shimizu — Silent Hill f
A Symbolic Tragedy
Silent Hill f is an extremely difficult game to digest because of everything it demands of you to uncover all its layers, but I think it’s precisely that laborious and frustrating effort that makes discovering Hinako Shimizu‘s true story so impactful.
Ryukishi07 is known for his horror stories and stark portrayals of personal trauma, though the way he leverages the game’s interaction to amplify his critique of the cultural oppression women face in Japan is simply otherworldly.
The countless symbols that underpin the reflections in Silent Hill f, ranging from family abuse and social burdens to the objectification of women and the entrenched patriarchy, transform Shimizu into the embodiment of a rejection of the establishment, a figure whose levels of frustration are matched only by her will to fight until she breaks free from her chains.
Having to play through the game three times to see everything is awful, as it’s not a particularly replayable experience, but just for the plot crumbs they give you every few minutes in each playthrough, it’s totally worth it.
2
Andreas Maler — Pentiment
Between Fulfillment and Grief
That a story begins as a search for meaning within art and ends as a detective-like spiral to find the murderer in a remote village is frankly impossible to forget, so Pentiment is not the kind of work that passes through your life in vain.
Accompanying Andreas Maler during his experiences in Tassing is among the decade’s most intriguing experiences because, regardless of the facet of his life, helping him make the decisions that will shape it makes you connect with him as if you were one.
A painter unjustly implicated indirectly in a murder during the diverse period of the 16th century offers far more ramifications than it seems because, during the process, we see every facet that makes us human, represented through a character drowning in imperfections and shortcomings.
Connecting with other beings, finding our path in life, grieving our beloved people, creating communities around passions, reflecting on the metaphysical, valuing the origin of civilizations, appreciating art and its influence… Pentiment is about many things, and Andreas Maler is the best possible herald to encompass such a complex plurality.
1
Verso — Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
An Unsustainable Lie
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has become a masterpiece for numerous reasons, though the one that’s particularly relevant here is its characters, as it boasts remarkable protagonists like Maelle and Verso who, frankly, could easily swap places at the top of this list.
However, I ultimately prefer Verso for embodying the greatest number of plot twists I can recall seeing in a single character, exemplifying the profound truth that we know absolutely nothing about the world we inhabit.
Slowly peeling back the layers of the mysterious Verso to uncover his background and motivations becomes a compelling driving force for the player, who can’t help but gravitate towards him, largely due to Ben Starr‘s impressive performance.
He’s charismatic yet tormented, wise yet isolated, funny yet melancholic, good yet evil… He’s, quite literally, the chiaroscuro of the game’s title, providing a character you can analyze for hours and still never reach a definitive conclusion.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a tremendous turn-based action game, but even more so a glorious narrative about identity, loss, and guilt, distributed throughout main and secondary characters who are, at the very least, unforgettable.
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