Video Game NPCs That Stole The Show

Non-player characters are as important to the flow of a game's storyline and development as the all-important player character. From memorably colorful villains to lovable companions, plenty of NPCs have cast a long shadow over the games they appear in.

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NPCs can make or break a game's world. The following ten games are filled with interesting NPCs that add significant personality to their worlds.

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By  Mark Smith

Through top-notch storytelling, engaging interactions, and dynamic personality development, the best NPCs manage to shine brightly amidst their virtual world setting. Appealing qualities such as well-crafted dialogue, wit, and rich backstories allow such characters to connect with players, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Whether conventionally likable or not, the following NPCs managed to light up their respective games and stick in the memories of players and fans for many years after they first arrived on the scene.

6 Joshua Graham Is A Scary Yet Sympathetic Figure In Fallout: New Vegas

The infamous Burned Man is one of the Fallout series' most complex and tragic figures, providing players with a character who can seemingly shift between very good and very evil on the karma scale in the blink of an eye. The first Legate of Caesar's Legion, the creepily invulnerable Graham is considered one of the deadliest, cruelest warriors to have ever walked the wasteland.

On the other hand, however, as players discover upon meeting him in Fallout: New Vegas' Honest Hearts DLC, the former Mormon missionary is also capable of great leadership, compassion, and repentance. Over the course of the expansion pack's main narrative, players must decide whether the charismatic Graham's militant ambitions in standing up to a heartless tribe and saving a well-preserved national park is the right way to go for the relatively pacifist communities he lives with. It's a thoughtful, well-executed moral decision that can lead to The Burned Man legend either giving way to redemption or fully succumbing to his most terrifying urges.

5 Elizabeth Is A Likable, Interesting Companion In BioShock: Infinite

The unforgettable companion character of the third entry in the beloved BioShock series added a great deal of emotional depth and complexity to the game. The rescue of Elizabeth is the primary plot instigator of the game, setting up player character Booker DeWitt's journey to the floating, steampunk city of Columbia.

Sporting a neat design and effective, expressive animations that bring her to life effectively, Elizabeth provides players with a fascinating, complex character arc. Her journey from isolation to liberation is an emotionally resonant piece of writing. Gameplay-wise, her time-altering powers lend to the intensity of the action, opening tears in time that add another captivating element to Booker DeWitt's combative journey through the game's mysterious setting. Between her imaginative, unpredictable powers and endearing personality, it's hardly surprising she's proven to be such a big hit with BioShock fans over the years.

4 Deckard Cain Is One Of The Diablo's Series' Most Beloved And Fascinating Characters

The rich lore of Deckard Cain's troublesome backstory has left an indelible mark on the world of Sanctuary in the epic Diablo franchise. Sporting a knowledgeable, oddly charming demeanor, Cain has served as one of pop culture's finest examples of the wise old mentor archetype over the years.

Seemingly the last of the Horadrim - a powerful, wizardry brotherhood - Cain has a dark past of loss and doubt, often struggling with his place in the Horadrim prophecies. By the time players meet him in the first game, however, he has grown into a scholarly adviser, helping the player character make their way through the dangerous world on offer. A compelling, scene-stealing character in both Diablo and Diablo 2, Cain was at the center of controversy in Diablo 3. The fan outcry stemmed from the shocking decision to kill Cain off in Act I, as he succumbs to injuries inflicted by the Dark Coven and their leader, the villainous witch Maghda.

3 GLaDOS' Role As Both A Guide And A Hindrance To The Player Is A Key Aspect Of Portal's Entertainment Value

This rogue AI has arguably served as the complex heart of the eccentric Portal series over the years. Introduced as a straightforward guide to help the player at first, it quickly becomes apparent that there's more than meets the eye with Genetic Lifeform and Disk-Operating System.

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Players eventually discover that GLaDOS has a bizarre, rich backstory involving an earlier life as a human, and a vengeful feud with the cruel scientists who developed her in the first place. Along with her compellingly mysterious origins, GLaDOS has stood the test of time as a classic, memorable NPC due to her acerbic wit and darkly humorous antics. Her cleverly written dialogue provides much of both Portal and Portal 2's offbeat brand of humor, with the combination of her distinctive robotic voice and sarcastic remarks helping to form one of the gaming medium's most distinctive and seminal AI characters.

2 Solaire Of Astora Is A Bright Light In The Glum World Of Dark Souls

In the bleak, haunting terror of the notoriously difficult Dark Souls series, Solaire of Astora stands out as an unconventional bright light among all the macabre fare on offer. A shining bright light of optimism, the brave, well-meaning Solaire quickly captured players' imaginations with his surprising decency and sense of honor for the player character.

A sun worshiper, Solaire made the eyebrow-raising decision to become undead in the pursuit of acquiring his own sun in Lordran. Consistently good-humored and cheerful in the face of often terrifying adversity, Solaire has enjoyed a strong reputation as a beloved fan favorite since his appearance in the original Dark Souls installment back in 2011. With his memorable dialogue, intriguing backstory, and unconventional journey, this eccentric, potential companion to the player character is a major highlight of one of modern gaming's most seminal and influential entries.

1 Sephiroth Is A Seminal Final Fantasy Villain

The legendary villain of the classic Final Fantasy 7, Sephiroth has firmly established himself as an iconic video game NPC. With his striking silver hair, menacing presence, and enigmatic charisma, he quickly established himself as the most intriguing figure in the classic 1997 RPG.

Sephiroth manages to exude a chillingly powerful aura which is enhanced by his tragic backstory and insatiable hunger for grim revenge. A former soldier of Shinra, Sephiroth's fearsome powers stem from DNA-altering experimentation done to him by the corporation. The One-Winged Angel is a fearsome foe to contend with in the game thanks to his fearsome fighting skills and earth-shattering powers, adding to his well-developed final boss energy. Overall, of the many classic Final Fantasy villains over the years, none have quite managed to capture fans' imaginations long-term quite like Sephiroth.

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