Summary
RPG players are a passionate bunch. Join any discussion about series fromFinal FantasytoDragon Ageand you’ll soon be subject to countless thoughts on which characters would most gently rock you to sleep in their arms, among more practical debates of course.
But you know how it is. This is the world of video games. People are going to criticize, and almost every RPG, usually containing a merry band of party members, has a few black sheep that fans aren’t particularly warm to. But are these views fair? Maybe some of them actually deserve a second look.
10Wyll Ravengard
Baldur’s Gate 3
The companions inBaldur’s Gate 3quickly gained legions of enthusiastic fans even well before release thanks to the game’s long and prosperous early access period. But, for some reason, swashbuckling cutie pie Wyll Ravengard finds himself on the lower end of things far too often.
A common complaint is that he’s boring, which, frankly doesn’t make much sense. He’s a romantic and tragic hero who made a deal with a demon to save the people he loves, only to be rejected for his sacrifice. Plus, he gets flustered and has horns. Whole package.
9Karol Capel
Tales Of Vesperia
TheTales ofseries of RPGs enjoys a reputation for worlds-spanning adventures, epic tales, and consistently engaging characters, and few entries embody those qualitiesbetter than Tales of Vesperia. The thing is, with so many beloved characters, that means the standards are higher.
As such, newbie guild leader Karol was at a disadvantage from the beginning. Let’s face it, kids have a reputation for being annoying as characters, and Karol’s rather timid first impression didn’t do him many favors. But his story from scared boy to guild head is compelling, as are his cool alternate outfits.
8Ashley Williams
Mass Effect
Some unflattering reputations come with good reasoning behind them. In the case of Ashley Williams fromMass Effect, her rather overt prejudice against aliens nearly from the start soured many players, particularly since the brash Gunnery Chief can die in the first game, making getting to know her a tad difficult.
Sure, those with bigoted views aren’t automatically owed a second chance. But if you talk to Ashley throughout the series, you’ll see a ton of depth from her love of poetry to a frankly hilarious scene after a night of drinking inMass Effect 3.
7Ken Amada
Persona 3
Once again, the kids get the short end of the stick. Problematic romance path inPersona 3 Portableaside, Ken Amada is still the kind of character inPersona 3that many players will simply drift away from due to his age, even inPersona 3 Reload.
But you should give these games more credit. He’s got arguably one of the most tragic stories in the game, which is saying something in a Persona title. Plus, anyone who wields a weapon bigger than they are automatically deserves a high five.
6Carth Onasi
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
There may very well be a connection between people who hate Carth and people who hate Skyler in Breaking Bad. That’s not to say their opinions are invalid, it’s just that the criticisms seem oddly similar. This is admittedly not the ideal crossover between Breaking Bad and Star Wars.
Carth is your first party member inStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, but more importantly, he acts as your moral compass if you choose the light side path. Unfortunately, that can come across as preachy to some. But if you take the time to talk to him and understand his story, maybe you’ll sympathize with his stalwart anti-meanie ways.
5Sharla
Xenoblade Chronicles
It’s no secret that the firstXenoblade Chroniclesgame contains probably the least complex characters in the main trilogy. So Sharla, who quite frankly gets shafted when it comes to character development, can feel particularly lackluster especially compared to later entries.
Her story focuses a little too heavily on the loss of her fiance Gadolt, kind of robbing Sharla of some agency. So it’s understandable that some would be put off. But she’s absolutely worth having in your party for her banter with Reyn and the beautiful irony of a giant gun that can heal people.
4Jacob Taylor
Mass Effect 2
If you become a meme, it’s basically over for you as a serious character. Jacob Taylor, despite being a loyal and reliable party member inMass Effect 2, immediately ruined everything with his delivery of “heavy risk, but the priiiiiize” during a romance scene, and you know what? Fair.
But really,Black characters in video gamesalready have a hard time dealing with prejudice just for existing. So many fans hated Jacob from the getgo, and when he turned out to not only be largely unremarkable compared to others but also memeable? Deathblow. Give him a chance for his fascinating loyalty mission and just because he would absolutely be your friend in real life.
3Preston Garvey
Fallout 4
Jacob got his own meme in the Mass Effect fandom, but poor Preston Garvey permeated all of gaming with his pleas for you to help the settlements ofFallout 4. Every time you came back to talk to him, he had news of another procedurally generated quest. Reddit was never the same afterward.
Yep, another Black character unfortunately shuffled to the back of the lineup for petty reasons. The constant stream of minor quests is kind of funny, but the meme overshadows Preston’s numerous positive qualities. Aside from being a particularlyattentive Fallout 4 romance option, he’s just so darn pure and wholesome to have around.
2Oerba Dia Vanille
Final Fantasy 13
First impressions can do a lot of damage, and when the character specifically chooses to be energetic and almost gratingly chipper to cover for a lifetime of trauma, so many won’t be willing to explore past that. Thus is the tragedy of Oerba Dia Vanille,Final Fantasy 13’s manic pixie cult girl.
Vanille slowly reveals her story throughout the game, initially coming across all bubbly and carefree. But if you stick around and let the game tell its tale, you’ll likely be hooked by the time she stoically stands in front of Sazh saying “shoot me.” Her childhood friend, Fang, is also the coolest person ever, so Vanille deserves more respect just by association too.
1Sera
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Gamers constantly ask for more realistic characters in their games. Then someone like Sera comes along and proves those wishes were not properly thought through. Sera is the chaotic, loud,almost Robin Hood-esquelesbian inDragon Age: Inquisitionwho shatters expectations like she shatters random nobles' noses.
Sera is focused on helping the little people more than anything else, which should put her on everyone’s nice list. But she also vocally dislikes elves who are a bit too “elfy” about it for her tastes. Those views can get unreasonable at times, but overall, Sera’s levity is downright essential, and she’s the type of person everyone needs in their lives to ensure they never get too insufferably serious.
