Summary
- Video games shine with charismatic leaders who inspire squads or embody player power fantasies.
- Charisma can build loyalty or spiral into a tragic downfall, making leaders compelling and unpredictable.
- From noble saviors to cultists and tyrants, these leaders define stories and deliver unforgettable moments.
Video games are rife with charismatic figures that are a joy to interact with. Sometimes, these characters end up being the player, which makes for a fun power fantasy.
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Other times, players interact closely with a leader who rallies the pack and is someone people can get behind. While this may work out in most instances, there are times when these leaders experience a downfall that is either tragic or cathartic to witness, based on their personality.
Commander Shepard
Leads A Squad Of Competent Soldiers To Save The Galaxy Time And Time Again
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
- Released
- May 14, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
The original Mass Effect trilogy run is GOATed because of the protagonist. Commander Shepard can be molded into whatever image players wish, but their magnetic charisma never dies.
Their no-nonsense attitude doesn't strip them of a personality, and their capable attitude ensures that squadmates will rally behind their cause. Whether Shepard is a benevolent or cruel squad leader is up to the player, but he can always convince people to follow his cause with his strong words and impactful actions.
Dutch van der Linde
Until Hosea Was Alive, His Leadership And Charisma Helped The Camp Stick Together
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Dutch's plan was easy to believe at first, even if the Blackwater heist had gone south. Thankfully, after holing up for a few days in Colter during a storm, they reach Horseshoe Overlook, and Dutch gets a lot of time to shine as a charismatic leader. He can inspire people with mere words and has a group so loyal that they have no problem drawing their guns when the Pinkertons come knocking.
However, after Hosea's death, Dutch loses his way. Perhaps he always did after the botched Blackwater job, but Arthur and John realize that Dutch is far from the man they knew. His downfall as a leader is cemented in the first Red Dead Redemption, when John hunts down his former leader and guns him down.
Elisabet Sobeck
Took Precautionary Measures So That The Faro Plague Wouldn't Decimate The Entire Population
Horizon Zero Dawn
- Released
- February 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Horizon Zero Dawn is a great debut title that introduces one of the most compelling worlds in a video game. The mystery behind this apocalypse is what drives players to explore the world and go through the story, hoping to find some clues along the way.
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Elisabet Sobeck is the gifted scientist who led Project Zero Dawn to ensure that humanity could bounce back after the Faro Plague. She was a sympathetic and altruistic leader who did everything she could to save her race and undo Ted Faro's mistakes.
Saskia The Dragonslayer
A Leader Who Can Guide Upper Aedirn To Prosperity
The Witcher 2
- Released
- May 17, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Saskia is a powerful warrior who led the rebellion of Upper Aedirn during the events of The Witcher 2. However, it turns out that she's a dragon, something Geralt learns most painfully. She fabricated a backstory with Iorveth and uses her legend of slaying a dragon to attract a large number of followers from various races. It's clear that she was a powerful, charismatic leader, given the support she generated in no time.
Depending on how the Battle of Vergen plays out, she can become an independent ruler in this realm. Fans of the books will be delighted to know that her father is none other than Villentretenmerth, also known as Borch Three Jackdaws in his human form.
Joseph Seed
A Charismatic Cult Leader With Many Mindless Followers
Far Cry 5
- Released
- March 27, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Open-World
The Far Cry series is full of challenging leaders who are a joy to interact with, and many people find Joseph Seed to be the most riveting of the lot. Unlike Vaas, he's around till the end, and he makes far more of an impact than Pagan Min as an antagonist.
Even after taking out his family and arresting him, Joseph Seed has the final laugh. His followers were clearly devoted to him on a disturbing level, and the fact that he could launch a nuke to obliterate Hope County is a testament to just how much power and influence he wielded.
Shao Kahn
Leads The Netherrealm With An Iron Fist
Mortal Kombat 1
- Released
- September 19, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
Mortal Kombat is full of iconic characters, and Shao Kahn is no exception. This character is a brutal emperor who has no remorse for his enemies and is notorious for being the hardest challenge to conquer in every Mortal Kombat game. Unlike most other leaders, Shao Kahn demands respect from his subjects and doesn't tolerate any form of insubordination, using his power to prove time and time again why he's fit to be a leader.
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Seeing Shao Kahn lay waste to some of Earthrealm's strongest fighters makes it clear why this villain is feared by many. He's a monster in every sense of the word, and players usually rely on cheap strategies or exploits to take down this brutal emperor.
Senator Steven Armstrong
Has Ambitions To Become The Next President Of The United States
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
- Released
- February 19, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action
Armstrong is one of the greatest villains in video game history. His presence alone turned Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance into one of the most memorable video games of all time, with this Senator boasting lofty ambitions to become the next President of the United States. The way this powerful political figure used war to enact his goals makes him the perfect depiction of a corrupt, deluded politician who believes that the end justifies the means.
He embodies the chaotic charisma of a classic Kojima villain, with the scene of him showing off his nanomachine-enhanced body becoming a meme for obvious reasons. As challenging a boss as he may be, players will love overcoming his might after numerous failed attempts.
General Ketheric Thorm
An Undead Leader Of The Cult Of The Absolute With A Tragic Backstory
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3 is arguably where the game peaks, with players finally getting to see the Shadow Curse firsthand. The antagonist of this arc is also one of the greatest video game villains, who must be defeated to save the Shadow-Cursed Lands. A ruthless, relentless leader who is a perfect fit to lead an undead army that only respects power, there's more to this captivating villain than what meets the eye.
Voiced by J.K. Simmons, General Ketheric Thorm is a character both intimidating and tragic in equal measure. His death may be necessary, but it is something that fans will be deeply affected by, especially after seeing that the villains of Act 3 don't hold a candle to this amazing antagonist.
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