10 Best RPG Characters Of All Time

One character per franchise. Let's go.
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[@hamzahmohammed5491]

I think the appeal of Garrus is that if it weren’t for Shepard he’d probably be the main character…such a cool concept to have as a companion character

[@renamoda5450]

Garrus will take the top spot on this list once he finishes his calibrations.

[@whosaidthat84]

"I'm Garrus Vakarian and this is my rectum"

[@milodoiing2280]

How long will that take lol? Maybe when Mass Effect 4 comes out?

[@valetboy21]

What Bioware pulled of with Minsc in the original Baulder's Gate without the aid of cutscenes was truly remarkable. "Go for the eyes Boo!!!"

[@Frank_Torre]

Absolutely agree with Johnny being number 1. A perfect arch from unlikable to loved. I've got over 900 hours in Cyberpunk and unless I've blanked and missed it, Johnny is the only one to call V by name. To a point V says "Only people who truly know me can use my real name" and in that moment Johnny says goodbye to V using her/his name screams he knows V the best.

[@RichKnight36]

Frog from Chrono Trigger is by far one of the most badass charcaters in an RPG. You always feel like everything is going to be okay with him on your team.

[@ImperialWill421]

Agreed. Glenn best man in the entire party. Even showed some of the greatest amount of character growth overcoming his hatred of Janus and his grief for his beloved mentor. Through thick and thin, he was always one of the first to have your back. It is little wonder why Masa and Mune recognize him as their one true master.

[@jacoblawson972]

I would have definitely put Frog from Chrono Trigger on this list. I feel like a lot of Cloud Strife was inspired by Frog

[@makasete30]

really? I’m would never think they are similar at all, personally! Both very good, though. Frog/Glenn is more like Cyan from FF6, for me. From CT, I’d add Magus to the rest, really. Just a cool character and especially when you found out his backstory.

[@jacoblawson972]

@makasete30 I could also agree with Magus, especially when you use him at the end of the black omen and his theme overtakes the boss theme as he tells his mom off. My line of thought with frog/cloud was a more timid person who carries on the legacy of the death of their brave mentor/friendand carry a lot of shame for those they couldnt protect. Frogs speech before he cuts the mountain is very similar to what zach tells cloud before he dies. Im not saying its a 1 for 1 but it felt like a slight retelling of that story.

[@jfgme]

Best Girl Makoto truly is great!

[@PhaRoaH87]

Artyom from Metro Exodus is definitely the most charismatic character of all time

[@KingAwesome-lx5te]

Metro is my favorite post apocalypse game

[@myplatinumlife]

Honorable Mention for Parvati from Outer Worlds

[@SylvesterTemple]

I'm here to cheerlead for Mordin, and if he's not here I'm gonna go sulk.

[@boingthegoat7764]

I hereby nominate Deekin, the kobold bard from Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide. Everything that came out his mouth was hilarious and his off-key singing during battles was stupidly adorable.

[@paigemalloy4276]

HK-47 from KOTOR was *_iconic_* (For that matter, so was Revan but HK was just on another level 😂)

[@alexbarriga983]

good choice, meatbag!

[@TenaciousTalon]

Kotor 2's Kreia absolutely deserves a place. So many layers of meaning to everything she says, a fascinating sense of morality and I don't think any other star wars character has utterly despised the force in the way she does

[@JamesFluker]

She's be my numhe one choice.

[@user-nz1le6uj2q]

Nick valentine shouldve definitely made this list, especially with the inclusion of far harbor

[@landonewts]

I agree, Nick Valentine is an incredible character. Well written and well acted, and a cool companion. I even went through the DIMA puzzles for him. And that says a lot!

[@bamachine]

The anti-Preston Garvey.

[@landonewts]

Currently playing Odyssey, and I absolutely LOVE playing as Kassandra. And yeah, in Mass Effect, Garrus is such a great character. He is my BFF in the games, and it’s true, the little moment target shooting at the top of the Citadel was just incredibly sweet - and I let him win every time. The voice actor, Brandon Kenner, knocked it out of the park. In Mass Effect, the alien companions are almost always the most interesting, although Kasumi and Zaeed are interesting to roll with.

[@vandaken3612]

Regis in the witcher 3 blood and wine,

[@ryancraig110]

Sorry but I will have to question you on clouds story being without parallel there are many characters that do what he does not just in final fantasy but other rpgs as well Cecil in final fantasy v for instance and a few super robot wars characters

[@DRCEQ]

The entire entry about Cloud could've also applied to Zidane, and he is MUCH more interesting. Part of the reason why FF9 is praised so much is because the story actually fleshes him out more than FF7 does for Cloud.

[@xxdiamond_godxx5012]

Cloud not making dumb jokes or being a goofball doesn't make him any less of a great character.

[@jortega1990]

False. Zidane is much more typical than Cloud. Cloud's arc is super well written and mature.

[@ashwean]

Sorry 7 is the better game always has been Cloud inspired alot of Zidane also the same as Squall from 8 theres a reason 7 got as many side games, the movie and the remake was rumoured for ober 20 years before it was actually done. Also before i get hate ive been playing the final fantasy series since the first

[@Sailor_alan]

Ichiban is honestly my favourite character of any game at the minute.

[@MattH-nd9qk]

LAD and IW were my first games, i fell in love with Ichiban and could actually sympathize with his character traits and morality. He is so wholesome and kind.

[@MikefromTexas1]

Am I really the only one that thinks Kassandra was WAY better as Deimos, and Alexios was best as the Eagle Bearer? Other way around just doesn't come off as well.

[@anthonysmurthwaite6258]

I disagree, in both roles the voice actor for Alexios sounds like a villain to me, but I do think the voice actor for Kassandra is better as protagonist and villain tbh

[@Animalover205]

Good to see both Kassandra and Morrigan getting their dues.

[@stickman4087]

Garrus is cool but Tali will always be my favourite

[@max2416]

Geralt of rivia #1 !!!!!

[@MattH-nd9qk]

Ichiban is the most lovable protagonist, you CANNOT find a single flaw in him. He puts everyone else before himself and is super loyal, and fights for justice and is so humble. He is literally the "hero" incarnation in a character.

[@frozenninja4030]

This long past the launch, I feel the only reason the number one pick would be remotely controversial is because 'Durrr Cyberpunk sux... ' It really does have some of the best worldbuilding and relationship development I've ever played and central to much of that was Johnny and V's friction at the beginning that slowly gels into a close friendship/partnership. It makes pretty much any of the end choices, Phantom Liberty or Vanilla game, freaking brutal.

[@DonkThikkness]

Some of my GOATs: Fei - Xenogears Robo - Chrono Trigger Mallow - Mario RPG Sabin - FF6 Edelgard - FE 3 Houses (whole cast is great though) Barret - FF7 Ryuji, Morgana, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, and Haru - Persona 5 (yes, I know that’s all of them, cuz they’re awesome.) Dana - Ys VIII Yuri - Tales of Vesperia (whole cast is great though)

[@westonlong]

Nick Valentine was cool as hell

[@markkuijpers3818]

"Statement: The ineptitude of meatbags never ceases to surprise me." Just kidding, great list

[@christianservera8362]

Top tier list. Thanks!

[@The_Nightsong]

Garrus!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤ he's the best spacebro ever!! No Shepard without Vakarian!!! (even though I'm a Thane-romancer myself). One of my favorite protaganists is Purple Hawke. S/he is just too hilarious 😂😂😂 PS. Astarion!!!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@cppblank]

Makoto was like my third or fourth favorite in Persona 5 and Royal.

[@stickman4087]

I really wish they would remaster the Dragon Age games like they did the Mass Effect series

[@Docta_Tma]

Good list, but for FF I would chose Tidus, or Vivi, or maybe Zidane. 😮 I'm in the extreme minority in that I don't find Cloud all that interesting. 😂

[@sorahearts3317]

The fact you didn't include Sora is a crime in my eyes

[@nathandavids8412]

The witcher knees was really something i felt...bro cant jump down a speed bump without taking damage...but if you hit the jump button right before hitting the ground he'll do a tuck and roll and not take damage

[@PaJammies1025]

BRING BACK THE SIGN-OFFS!!!!

[@P.A.theDarkstar]

It makes the video seem incomplete without one. But we get plenty of intrusive ads, so there's that 😅

[@ArkhamJacks]

Here for the Kassandra supremacy 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻

[@rpgfairyplays9410]

totally agree with the list on the games I know... makes me want to go play the ones I haven't

[@devinreed21]

The Witcher 3 is my favorite game ever and Geralt is my favorite character of all time.

[@jaredstangenberg5674]

I’m glad cyberpunk 2077 was fixed to become the amazing game it is. The character writing is top notch, you spend a relatively short time with Jackie Wells but come to love him in that time. Takemura and Johnny both start off abrasive and adversarial, but come to be lovable in their own ways.

[@rahanken]

My favourite outside rpg - Dante, BT 7274, Rusty

[@TheBrodRoad]

I’ve always thought that Kazuma Kiryu is similar enough to Batman. Expert at physical combat. Usually serious. Doesn’t kill. Has a violent, laughing lunatic for a main rival. Ichiban Kasuga? He’s clearly Deadpool. 😂 Well, a Deadpool with more moral standards, but definitely off-kilter (and red-clothed) enough.

[@rjlack1975]

I always liked HK-47 from KOTOR. This droid literally hates everything about you (and who only thinly veils his disgust with his meatbag master) but you can't help loving him.

[@landismithCOJ]

Gerald, Sephiroth, Chrono (three of my favorites)

[@makasete30]

Chrono? Then you might as well add Link!

[@olivierh.7468]

If I have to choose one character by franchise, I'll go with: Albedo - Xenosaga Jowy - Suikoden II Joshua - Trails in the sky Terra - FF6 Aigis - Persona 3 Luke -Tales of the Abyss Fei - Xenogears Rena - Star Ocean 2 Alena - Dragon Quest 4 Goro Majima - Yakuza

[@Vaffi]

Damn. This list makes me wanna replay so many games...

[@Suspiria1253]

Yes, finally, someone remembers Morrigan… Claudia Black is awesome.

[@wannabikkit]

I bought Dragon Age Origins purely for the bickering between Morrigan and Alastair 🤣

[@Suspiria1253]

@@wannabikkit their banter is the best 🤣

[@tokiwartuthe]

Geralt and Cloud are probably my 2 favorites....and Garrus...3 those are my top 3

[@MrBassem96]

I can see why you went with Garrus but my vote is with Jack, she is kinda like Johny Silverhand, I also loved the mission in the facility she was kept and all the lore that we learn about her, also I am not sure if the the last two Deus Ex games are Rpgs or not but I have to say Adam Jensen is a badass.

[@Hve_]

I absolutely agree Johnny silverhand for the win

[@igitaq]

I have a thing for redheads and find a French accent undeniably bewitching. But the moment I heard Claudia Blacks smokey voice belittling me and being an overall unobtainable goth queen I knew she was the romance option for me. Am I broken? Yeah I am broken but Morrigan was the digital glue that made my playthrough feel complete.

[@igitaq]

The trend definitely continued with Baldur's Gate 3. As soon as Laezel insulted me and rolled her eyes I thought to myself, "Someday you will be singing my praises." I was committed to making her love me. Then I met the demonic muscle mommy with the heart of gold and infernal iron and was torn, probably quite literally.

[@joshcharles2683]

Agree with most of this list. For my FF character, I'd go with Celes from FF6. Could you do a rgp villains list next?😊😊😊

[@timothyoswald8618]

The Nameless One from Planescape Torment. Best protagonist ever.

[@Polcocane]

"chill bill" -chill bill

[@Worthyofchaz]

I love Alastair from DA, but Morrigan is the solid well rounded choice for the series

[@ashwean]

No mention of Dart? Rose? Shana? Haschel? Or any of the other great cast from Legend of Dragoon?

[@medalwelder]

You put an Assassin’s Creed character at number 4? Did I hear that right? Smh oh my my my…..

[@iamskyfall]

Well, she’s not wrong and Kassandra is arguably the franchise’s way protagonist. I also like to pretend that there is no option to play as Alexios.

[@anthonysmurthwaite6258]

Of the 3 protagonist from the RPG AC games Kassandra is not even close to the best because Bayek was far better and had easily the best voice acting performance in the franchise

[@webhead4414]

Kassandra isn't even top 3​@@iamskyfall Ezio Edward Altair Bayek The rest are mid-trash

[@iamskyfall]

@@anthonysmurthwaite6258 that’s your opinion.

[@iamskyfall]

@@webhead4414 I’ll agree on Ezio and Edward being top 3, not Altair. He only starts to have the semblance of a personality at the end of Revelations.

[@Darkgryphonl0rd78]

My FF fave will always be Edgar from 3/6 (showing my age I guess lol)

[@adamezarik8929]

Good ol' Wei Shen

[@milodoiing2280]

My MC married Morrigan in Dragon Age.

[@tubensalat1453]

I need to calibrate my weapons.

[@Andrew-pr9xv]

Bayek is my favourite AC character, and the competition for that is fierce. Say whatever you want about the AC series, but the characters are superb.

[@lady_draguliana784]

I like to pretend Geralt (or any PC that dies from a 3' (1M) drop) is just wearing impossibly heavy armor so a short drop results in insane forces! like, imagine if it wasn't Thor's Hammer, but Thor's Armor?

[@trailblazerlazerrazerd9027]

Garrus is definitely my best bro. If I was Shepard he's the Best Man at my wedding, hands down. That being said I'd also wanna marry/be bonded to like 3-4 of the girls so moderation would be major, but it's cool since Garrus is the master of Calibrations. Lol

[@TheOmegaDragon]

I hear more about Tifa than Cloud honestly. My list: Lloyd Irving - Tales of Symphonia Tharja - Fire Emblem Awakening Odin Dark - Fire Emblem Fates Zero - Megaman X Command Mission Albel the Wicked - Star Ocean Till the End of Time Pyra - Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Honorable Mention: Tora) Shulk - Xenoblade Chronicles Eunie - Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Jill - Final Fantasy 16 Magus - Chrono Trigger Geno - Super Mario RPG Luigi - Mario + Rabbids Barret Wallace - FF7 Rebirth Edelgard - Fire Emblem Three Houses Alcryst - Fire Emblem Engage Darc - Arc the Lad Twilight of Spirits

[@mattcollins8117]

I gotta put out there that Aloy, Rost, or even Varl from the Horizon series should be an honorable mention

[@jortega1990]

Rost and Varl don't get enough screentime imo but Aloy is great.

[@ifrit1937]

The only glaring omission in this list, imo, is Giliath Osborne from The Legend of Heroes Trails series (specifically from Trails in the Sky 3 all the way up to Trails of Cold steel 4 (he's only mentioned in Sky 1 and 2 though he still plays a role in those events too I guess so you can even argue from Sky 1/the series start)). He's easily one of the best main antagonists

[@daleeaton9754]

I would have loved to see Franklin Clinton here as he has to deal with Michael and Trevor.

[@TheArchevil]

Must have been hard to not flood the list with only Bioware characters.

[@redmage7515]

HK-47 always lands on my list

[@CINEMARTYR]

Johnny rules!

[@meesey93]

Why isnt the owlbear cub on this list?

[@ThePayneKiller]

This is probably a divide, but I really do see Red Dead Redemption 2 as having enough RPG elements to qualify an honorable mention for Arthur Morgan...

[@Razi-e]

Plus Cloud looks great in a dress 🤣🤣🤣

[@nortoro1]

You forgot Geno, Mallow, and Jonathan Jones from Mario RPG

[@larskunoandersen5750]

Geralt should be higher on the list

[@camtimmy9905]

My only issue and its a personal one that i will get over soon but i dont like turn based fighting games and like a dragon throw me off the franchise all together but i want to get back into it just need to get use to it cause i hear its great

[@thenewbaka]

I'm just glad Kim Mitsuragi made the list

[@aaronsmith9181]

Morrigan over Varric is crazy.

[@NizarElZarif]

this is a great list, if i would remove cassadra/alexios (still great characters but not top 10) from this list and i would add 2B/9s/A2 from nier automata

[@LadyKattrina84]

Number 10 - the universes best game husband XD

[@P.A.theDarkstar]

Wild to elect for Ichiban and NOT Majima in the Yakuza world

[@ransomdekafenya2584]

Nobody from either Kotor so if you were expecting the greatness that is Treia you're wrong.

[@coreyl813]

Umm... Arthur Morgan?

[@chaint1000]

Red Dead redemption 2 is not an RPG

[@DietersYT]

Missed Balthier 😢

[@mattwegenke8833]

Of all time? I'd say more of the last few years.

[@MagusSin]

Commenting at the start, If Kiryu Kazuma isn't on this list you know it's a bad list.

[@MagusSin]

Ichiban is good too.

[@NigelWatersFWA]

Don't find Morrigan likeable? Wait till she coyly says "It's cold and dark in my tent all alone..." Just reply "Well we can't have that!" ;) PS: I haven't played the game in awhile, so I might not have her words 100% correct, don't nitpick. You get the jist.

[@3k-ace271]

You choose kassandra and not bayek from origins? Disgraceful

[@anthonysmurthwaite6258]

Bayek is my favourite character in the franchise by far tbh, Kassandra was good, definitely alot better than Eivor but Bayek outshines Kassandra in almost every meaningful way

[@SuperLocrian]

Well I got about 500 hours in The Witcher III.. the most time I've ever put one character. However, I'm about 250 hours into my first playthrough of New Vegas (Who Vegas Mod), and I can see spending several hundred hours more in this beautiful? wasteland!

[@kostadintimov5092]

Deacon from days gone

[@sinswhisper9588]

xena ... oops i mean cassandra is also the canon character according to Ubisoft

[@roccaflocca4312]

The best character in Baldur's Gate 3 is the Narrator

[@wannabikkit]

Her outtake videos are hilarious!

[@user-lr2zi3ph2m]

eyyyyy is that an arkansas shirt? that's my home state yo! get it for the eclipse? that was awesome wasn't it?

[@FrostyFate]

Dogmeat is best boy! DOGMEAT!!!

[@lady_draguliana784]

Great way to illustrate how individual tastes differ: in BG3, only Karlach is not insufferable to me... the rest are such selfish whiners I have to constantly convince myself that I'm not built for a solo run and leave them behind and kick them out of camp...

[@DrkMggt69]

YEAH, JOHNNY'S #1!!!

[@milodoiing2280]

Of course Chrono from Chrono Trigger and Kid from Chrono Cross.

[@Sterlingme]

I really enjoy this list. You should really go back to a sign off though. Abruptly ending the video is jarring.

[@Pillock25]

"Kiru didn't actually die" you'd know that if you actually played Yakuza 6.

[@mikevos4460]

Yeah and she mentions that

[@Pillock25]

@@mikevos4460She says it like he does die, but you only find out he didn't, when you play the new Like a Dragon game. That's the way I understood it anyway.