Summary
- Some franchises thrive by focusing on a single iconic hero- Lara Croft, Max Payne, and Duke Nukem.
- The commitment to consistency with a lone protagonist has allowed these series to captivate players for decades.
- From Tomb Raider to Max Payne, these franchises showcase the depth and strength of some of gaming's most iconic lead characters.
As video games have evolved from 2D to 3D and even into virtual reality experiences, franchises have made efforts to include more than one playable character. But while games like Resident Evil and Final Fantasy have solidified their legacies around this concept, some franchises have opted to focus on one singular hero. It's this commitment to a single protagonist that has helped elevate them, as these franchises have become some of the industry's most successful and influential.
Characters like Lara Croft and Max Payne have headlined every game in their respective franchises, casting themselves as heroes for multiple generations. It's this commitment to consistency that has allowed these franchises to thrive. Focusing on a single hero for as long as some of these series have been around has showcased the depth and strength of some of gaming's most iconic lead characters. These franchises have become synonymous with their lone hero, and they continue to captivate players to this day.
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Shenmue
Yu Suzuki's Sprawling Epic Has Starred Ryo Hazuki Since 1999
Shenmue
- Released
- December 29, 1999
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Sega
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
After beginning development on the Sega Saturn during the mid-1990s, Shenmue would eventually see a hardware shift to the Dreamcast, combining elements of arcade game design with strong, sharp storytelling. At the heart of that is Ryo Hazuki, a brave young hero who goes on a quest for revenge against the insidious Lan Di after he murders his father in the game's opening moments.
Over the course of three games, Yu Suzuki and the immensely talented AM2 group would position Ryo at the heart of the Shenmue series. His journey of revenge and discovery was compelling, as the Shenmue franchise featured him at the center of each entry. Thanks to the massive crowdfunding campaign for the much-requested third entry, his story would continue for contemporary audiences. Shenmue went on to heavily influence the Yakuza series, proving the longevity of the franchise and Ryo's place in gaming history.
Perfect Dark
Joanna Dark Has Led The Series Through Multiple Generations
Perfect Dark (2000)
- Released
- May 22, 2000
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Animated Violence, Animated Blood
- Developer(s)
- Rare
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter, Stealth
After helping to start the revolution of FPS games on consoles with GoldenEye on the Nintendo 64, Rare went to work on a sequel, but after the James Bond license was sold to Electronic Arts, the developers had to shift focus. They wound up producing a spiritual successor known as Perfect Dark. The game continued the outstanding first-person shooting mechanics that GoldenEye had pioneered, and placed one of gaming's most incredible heroines at the center.
Starring an agent of the Carrington Institute named Joanna Dark, the franchise solidified this iconic video game woman as the head of the series. Joanna's role as one of the industry's most recognizable super spies has ensured that Perfect Dark remains a legendary IP to this day. Joanna was poised to return in a big-budget reboot for the Xbox Series X and S, but this was unfortunately canceled due to layoffs at Microsoft. Either way, Joanna Dark is still a fabulous heroine, as she has led the franchise from day one.
Duke Nukem
The Loud-Mouthed Boomer Shooter Hero Is The Lone Star
Duke Nukem 3D
- Released
- January 29, 1996
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M // Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence, Strong Sexual Content
- Genre(s)
- FPS
In terms of boomer shooter heroes from the past, Duke Nukem easily ranks as one of the absolute best, as this crude, loudmouthed slayer of aliens has been at the forefront of the legendary FPS series since 1991. The Duke Nukem franchise has historically been one not to be taken too seriously, as its reliance on outdated 80s action movie clichés and tropes is actually its strength. It's precisely this element that has made Duke one of gaming's most recognizable protagonists.
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Duke has been the star of some of the FPS genre's most outstanding releases. Duke Nukem 3D is still a landmark release for shooters, and his appearances throughout the franchise have helped establish his trademark one-liners and absurd world. Duke Nukem hasn't seen a mainline release since 2011, which is a shame, as its ridiculous, over-the-top antics are sorely missed in the industry.
Bloodrayne
Cult Classic Vampire Series Focused On One Protagonist
Bloodrayne
- Released
- October 15, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature
- Developer(s)
- Terminal Reality, Big Boat Interactive, Full Fat Games
- Genre(s)
- Shooter, Hack and Slash, Fighting, Action-Adventure
After toiling away on low-budget racing games for PC and sixth-generation consoles, developer Terminal Reality focused on a far more ambitious project, resulting in a single-player action-adventure game known as BloodRayne. Starring the titular Rayne, the BloodRayne franchise has become a cult classic vampire series that has consistently leaned into stark, ominous horror and a fabulous power fantasy surrounding eliminating Nazis and looking cool while doing it.
Rayne's role throughout the franchise has helped turn her into one of gaming's most fascinating vampire heroines. She has led the series wonderfully with her charming, anti-hero personality and evolution through each entry. BloodRayne has seen multiple sequels and spin-offs, as well as some excellent modern-day remasters, where she has starred in each one to wonderful results. The first two BloodRayne games were recently remastered for modern hardware, making them easier than ever to experience today.
Tomb Raider
Gaming's Most Iconic Heroine
Tomb Raider
- Released
- March 5, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Crystal Dynamics
- Genre(s)
- Action
There's no video game hero that defines the 1990s more than Lara Croft, the iconic lead of the Tomb Raider franchise who has been the star of one of gaming's most legendary franchises from day one. This slick, sharp-witted adventurer has dominated the industry for decades, starring in every Tomb Raider game from the beginning. She also helped to further diversify the industry by showcasing women in roles that they weren't typically seen in at the time.
From the classic titles that defined the series early on to the Survivor Trilogy, the Tomb Raider franchise has devoted itself to showing how malleable the character of Lara Croft can be, as she has adapted to whatever the industry needs her to be at any given time. Each version of Lara Croft has been a signpost for where video games were at the time, as the franchise has allowed her to soar to unprecedented heights. She has become one of the industry's most respected feminist icons, paving the way for future generations of women in video games.
Max Payne
Film Noir Hero Is The Solo Lead
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
- Released
- October 14, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment, Rockstar Vienna
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
Drawing from classic private eye archetypes and the era of 1940s film noir, the Max Payne franchise has tapped into some of humanity's most sinister aspects, with a combination of darkly comedic writing and astonishing gun fights inspired by Hong Kong action films. Max's journey through the criminal underworld has led to some of the most outstanding third-person shooters of all time, as each game has explored different parts of a damaged man looking for justice.
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Throughout all three Max Payne games, the franchise centered the focus solely on its titular character, as his ominous story is the heartbeat of each adventure. In a franchise filled with oddball characters like Jack Lupino and Nicole Horne, it's amazing that Max stands out as well as he does. He is the straight man of each game, relaying his film noir-style narrations in the midst of apocalyptic musings while the world crumbles around him. A full remake of Max Payne 1 and 2 is currently in development at Remedy, priming the industry for the return of one of gaming's most lovable protagonists.
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