SPOILERS AHEAD
From noble heroes to scheming villains, faithful dogs and grumpy boars to perhaps the most adorable shark in all gaming, 2024 was filled with compelling and memorable characters. InFinal Fantasy 7,Aerith met her tragic and inevitable fate with her head held high, whileHades 2’sMelinoe andAnother Crab’s Treasure’sKril took their first steps on epic journeys asLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’sKiryu came to the endof his.
Each character on this list resonated with players in different ways - through humor, pathos, heart, a relatable nature, and so forth. Featuring humans, droids,Qunari,sharks, and more, andpresented in alphabetical order by video game title, here are the best video game characters of 2024.
Iris Kwan / ALLMOTHER (1000xresist)
Indie science fiction title1000xresistintroduces players to Iris Kwan, a complex, multi-layered character whose memories reveal a fascinating story. Once a simple ordinary teenager who felt othered due to her race and simply wanted to fit in with her classmates, Iris ultimately becomes ALLMOTHER, a godlike figure who rules over a society composed almost entirely of her own clones. Despite her now-godlike nature, Iris is a fundamentally human, relatable character, and the game is unafraid to explore her story from all angles, showing her strengths and her flaws in equal measure. Iris is the beating heart of1000xresist’sdeeply emotional and compelling narrative.
Kril (Another Crab’s Treasure)
Kril startsAnother Crab’s Treasureas a cowardly little fellow who just wants to get his shell back and gradually grows into a hero capable of saving the entire ocean. Throughout his journey, this adorable crab never loses his charm and grit, even when facing down foes ten times his size. He’s a delight no matter what shell he’s wearing - and even when wielding a gun capable of taking down enemies in a single shot. Truly embodying the phrase “small but mighty,” Kril is a relatable crab who doesn’t want to be a hero but is willing to stand up and become one when it’s what the world needs. Kril’s body may be tiny, but his heart, his humor, and his personality are nothing less than gigantic.
Zhu Bajie (Black Myth: Wukong)
One ofBlack Myth: Wukong’sgreatest strengths is how it explores the effects the legendary Journey to the West had on the characters who participated in it. Nowhere is this better shown than with Zhu Bajie, aboar and one of Sun Wukong’s original companions. Bajie retains his gruff, grumpy personality and the tendency to flirt that initially got him exiled from his former high-ranking position, but has become much more of a thoughtful strategist with a hidden kindness beneath his rough exterior. Bajie’s appearance as a boss while under the influence of a cursed needle is also memorable for its tricky nature and chilling, sinister atmosphere - a perfect fit for this powerful and experienced commander.
Taash (Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
Shokra toh ebra -through struggle, you find what you are. This simple phrase is at the heart ofTaash’s story inDragon Age: The Veilguard,as the Qunari dragon hunter struggles with their identity and place in the world. Torn between pleasing their mother and embracing their newfound realization that they are nonbinary, following the Qun or embracing the Rivaini culture in which they were raised, Taash’s journey is filled with conflict - but also with triumph, as they come to understand who they truly are. And that’s not even getting into their flirty, spicy, romance with Rook or the epic dragon battles during their personal quests. There are also implications for Qunari lore that Taash introduces to players, giving them just a little tease about the decay in Qunari blood, and if nothing else, it seems players probably haven’t seen the last of Taash (unless they died, of course).Veilguardis filled with fantastic characters, but Taash is definitely a standout.
Igon (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
Check Out Shadow of the Erdtree onOpenCritic
Elden Ringand itsShadow of the ErdtreeDLC are filled with larger-than-life personalities, from gods and monsters to living jars and prawn-loving merchants. But Igon stands out even among these. From the moment players first encounter him screaming at the top of his lungs aboutBayle the Dread, he is one of the most memorable charactersElden Ringhas ever produced. The embodiment of passion, Igon’s determination extends even beyond death. A fantasy equivalent toMoby Dick’sCaptain Ahab, Igon is a true warrior whose desire for revenge is one ofShadow of the Erdtree’smost compelling stories.
Aerith Gainsborough (Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth)
Theentire cast ofFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthshines, as they gradually go from allies thrown together by fate to a true family dedicated to taking down Sephiroth and Shinra. Aerith Gainsborough is the heart of the team, remaining grounded and positive even in the darkest of times. She’s the glue that makes these disparate personalities work together, and it’s no surprise that Sephiroth targets her to disrupt the team (and because of the threat she poses to his plan). Her sacrifice is a tragic and poignant one, made more so by the fact that players have spent so long getting to know this sweet, spunky, brave, and infinitely kind woman before having to see her torn away from them.
Wuk Lamat (Final Fantasy 14)
Check Out Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail onOpenCritic
A candidate to lead the country of Tural, Wuk Lamat is a warrior princess who seeks the aid of the Warrior of Light inFinal Fantasy 14’s2024 expansionDawntrail.Outwardly brash and boisterous, Wuk Lamat secretly feels insecure about her role in the royal family, the conflict with her siblings, and what the future holds for the country of Tural. Her journey throughoutDawntrailis a well-written and powerful one, showing her mature into the kind of person who can lead a country with pride and confidence without losing any of the kindness and charm that she has possessed from the beginning.
Melinoe (Hades 2)
Hades 2 is in Early Access But Already Has Great Scores onOpenCritic
Melinoe had some pretty big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps ofHades’Zagreus - something she did with ease. This passionate, animal-loving magic user will do anything in her power to defeat Chronos and save her family, no matter what gods or monsters may stand in her way. Melinoe, in no way, feels like a copy of her older brother, establishing herself immediately as a unique protagonist defined by her great power, interesting relationships with characters like Nemesis and Moros, and unwavering commitment to revenge that can bring her into conflict even with her allies. WithHades 2still in early access, fans can look forward to even more of Melinoe’s adventures in future updates.
Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle)
Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones Jr. was first introduced to the world in film, but he has had several video game outings in the past. The latest of these, 2024’sIndiana Jones and the Great Circle,features a faithful recreation of the iconic adventure based onarchival footage of Harrison Ford in the early Indy movies.Great Circle’sIndiana Jones is an accurate one - he’s got his passion for the past, his strong sense of justice, his general obliviousness to being flirted with, and, of course, his fondness for his trademark whip. This rollicking adventure starring Indiana Jones in his prime is a great way to both introduce new fans to the character and let longtime Indy enjoyers step into the shoes of this classic character.
Zelda (The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom)
Check Out Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom onOpenCritic
After decades of primarily staying in the background, Princess Zelda finally gets her chance to shine asthe protagonist ofThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.It’s refreshing to get to see Zelda finally flex her long-held Triforce of Wisdom-based powers, and her combat - based around creating “echoes” of monsters and objects - is clever and unique. Zelda shows herself to be a capable and confident ruler, solving disputes between rival Zora tribes, aiding her subjects when their homes are destroyed, and much more. It was high time Zelda got her chance to rescue Link for a change, and she did it with unmatched style and panache.
