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[Terbinator]

1.) Draven - League of Legends - "He does it all".

2.) Ellie - The Last of Us - Cool to play, genuine character and didn't feel like token woman/child angle.

3.) Nami - League of Legends - Bad ass support class with immense tool set and utility and can command a tidal wave.

 

[Newt]

1.) Draven - League of Legends - "He does it all".

.

 

[Jarmel]

1.Joel-The Last of Us
2.Ellie-The Last of Us
3.Trevor Phillips- Grand Theft Auto V
4.Booker Dewitt- Bioshock Infinite
5.Jetstream Sam- Metal Gear Rising

 

[Steel]

1. Alexi Stukov Starcraft 2 Heart of the Swarm: I've liked Alexi since brood war. A very cold, calculating character, yet still manages to have a moral code.
2. Kerrigan Starcraft 2 Heart of the Swarm: A perfectly ends justify the means character with a whole lot of hate(For good reasons), I've seen Kerrigan as a deep character since the original starcraft series. Her emotional conflict drives the plot forward.
3. Elizabeth Bioshock Infinite
4. Librom, Soul Sacrifice
5. Illecebra, Soul Sacrifice

Will add more later.

 

[theprodigy]

1. Luigi-Luigi's Mansion, etc. (it's his year man)
2. Lucina-Fire Emblem Awakening (the best, move over Chrom I don't need you anymore)
3. Ravio-The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (this dude is hilarious, yet there's much more to him than appears)
4. Link-Wind Waker HD (dat face)

will add more later....maybe

 

[Confused Cheeseburger]

1.Booker-Bioshock Infinite
Booker is not a nice man and the game does not pretend that he is. Booker is a well-excuted anti-hero but it's the layers and reveals in the game that entirely reshape his character and make him my top pick.

Spoiler

The reveal that Booker is actually comstock, and the unraveling of the time paradoxes at work pushed me to play the game again and the presence of two bookers essentially driving opposing forces of each other is probably the most unique character device I have seen this year

2.Brothers-Brothers: Tale of Two Sons
What makes the two main characters of Brothers so good is the game’s minimialism. It’s the direct effect of minimalist telling and constant showing that makes the duo worth caring about. The direct correlation between gameplay design and immersion gives the brothers a raw emotional characterization that couldn’t really be done interestingly any other way. Every jump, treacherous swim and bench vista adds value to the two brothers as characters. I’m might just be a softy, but there is something undeniable about a well-executed family story and the brothers in Brothers feel believable and fresh.The ending wrecked me emotionally, left me in tears and that's in part due to the bond between the brothers

3.Michael-GTAV
Michael is also not a nice man. In fact he’s worse than Booker in a lot of respects. He has moralized his moral bankruptcy. Michael is the first time, I feel, that Rockstar have made a legitimately nuanced character without lazily riffing off nothing but stereotypes.

4.Elizabeth-Bioshock Inifinite
Elizabeth is quite possibly one of the best NPCs of the generation. She is never a burden and by the end of the game you realize she is the star of the show completely in ways no one could predict going into the game untainted by info on the internet.

5.Richard Conway-Gunpoint
No love for Dick? Richard is full of the sly, witty dry British humour sensibilities
that have endeared people to British culture for decades.

6.Luteuce twins-Bioshock Infinite
Secretly planting cryptic hints at the true nature of Columbia, The Luteuce twins provide the entire game with a good dose of mystery and post-game dissection that makes every good game worthy of conversation.

 

[Card Boy]

1. Rufus

Should be a nomination for worst character of the year.

 

[Toa TAK]

1. Lara Croft- Tomb Raider
Easily one of my favorite re-imaginings of an icon. Went from a weak girl to a force of nature by the end of the game and the transformation was fun to watch.
2. Elizabeth- BioShock Infinite
3. Booker DeWitt- BioShock Infinite
4. Sergeant Rex Power Colt- Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon

 

[zkylon]

I didn't play that many new games this year so my list is pretty random heh

but at least I made pretty banners :3

1. Jinx - League of Legends
she's insane, I love everything about her

2. The Luteces - Bioshock: Infinite
can't believe I almost forgot about these two. my favorite thing of bio: infinite, so mysterious and creepy and weird. dam awesome chars

3. Elizabeth - Bioshock: Infinite
lizzy's pretty alright, she jumps around a bit too much in personality but she really drove the plot and her va is terrific. plus that song after the credits is amazing

4. Sam - Gone Home
really well written, and just a cool character overall with a nice story arc and stuff. gone home is such an impressive game overall, you really feel like you know sam by the end of it

5. Keith David - Saints Row IV
this guy alone was the redeeming factor of this game. I don't even like keith david that much, but he was hilarious in sr4

 

[KDC720]

1. Jetstream Sam (MGR:R) - The definition of cool, and one of the best rival characters in character action games.

2. Micheal De Santa (GTA V)- Somewhat of a change of pace from your standard GTA protag, the family aspect made him very interesting.

3. Elizabeth (Bioshock Infinte)- I like watching her grow and mature, as well as her relationship with Booker.

4. Trevor Phillips (GTA V)- He's an incredibly despicable human being, his antics wore a bit thin near the end, but he was the most honest and loyal of three leads.

5. Garron Paduk (Gears Judgement)- One of the most interesting characters the franchise has ever produced, forced to fight for the coalition he hates with a passion.

6. Sgt. Rex Power Colt (Blood Dragon)- Voiced impeccably by Michael Biehn, he is the best 80's action hero we never got.

 

[DavidPR]

Francis York Morgan from Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut. It's hard to be more eccentric than Twin Peak's Dale Cooper, but York somehow pulls it off.

...7. York Morgan - Deadly Premonition Director's Cut

1) York Morgan - Deadly Premonition Director's Cut: I really like how his character is so nonchalant about everything that happens, and how he takes the cases so professionally. Also, dat smile he do[e]s...

Go Team York!!!

 

[Beth Cyra]

1. Lara Croft. Mainly because I liked her VA and her friendship with her photographer.

Honestly that was the only character I liked. If I had to pick a second it would be Jetstream Sam.

 

[Can Crusher]

1. Joel - The Last of Us
2. Ellie - The Last of Us
3. Elizabeth - Bioshock Infinite
4. Lettuce Twins - Bioshock Infinite

Really the only characters that I would say are genuinely well written and completely fit the world they are in, and their story arc. These rise above game writing standards, and I don't think any other character out there this year did that.

 

[Violence Jack]

1. Ellie - The Last of Us
Quite possibly the best written video game character in history

2. Francis York Morgan - Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut
Made me break out the Twin Peaks DVDs. He's one of my favorite VG characters ever. I still miss Agent Cooper.

3. Elizabeth - Bioshock: Infinite

4. Edward Kenway - Assassin's Creed

5. Joel - The Last of Us

 

[Pein]

1. Joel - The Last of Us
2. Ellie - The last of Us
3. Elizibeth - Bioshock Infinite
4. Lutece twins- Bioshock Infinite
5. Dante - DmC
6. Raiden - Metal Gear Rising
7. Booker Dewitt - Bioshock infinite
8. Lara Croft - Tomb Raider
9. Drippy - ni no kuni
10. Jetstream Sam - Metal Gear Rising

 

[Voidance]

1. Ellie - The Last of Us
Great character development with incredible acting and a believable script.

2. Elizabeth - Bioshock Infinite
Again, good character development (transition from naïve to... Something more was awesome) and she had extremely useful abilities.

3. Trevor - Grand Theft Auto V
Lunacy to the Nth degree. I enjoyed playing as him, though his interactions with Michael wore thin by the end.

 

[BolognaSoup]

1. Ellie - The Last of Us (Exhibit A: best cutscene I've ever seen in a game. Spoilerish.)
2. Joel - The Last of Us
3. Luigi - Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon
4. Bill - The Last of Us
5. David - The Last of Us
6. Princess Peach - Super Mario 3D World
7. Samantha - Gone Home

 

[Mar-Mar]

1. Leia Rolando - Tales of Xillia: I really really like her cheerful personality and the way she handles

Spoiler

her unrequited love to Jude

. The first and probably only vote for her in this thread.
2. Ellie - The Last of Us: I think people already told enough about her in this thread.
3. Joel - The Last of Us: see above
4. Drippy - Ni no Kuni: that one story about him in the book made me cry so much ;_;
5. Myrtle - Ni no Kuni: Another character in this game that made me cry
6. Lucina - Fire Emblem Awakening: Great design and strong character
7. Rowen J. Ilbert - Tales of Xillia: Wise and human personality; I love old persons like him
8. AZ - Pokémon X/Y - Somehow a very sad and understandable character, really liked the picture-book-like story of his past
9. Edea Lee - Bravely Default: I like her conflict

Spoiler

because she betrayed her kingdom for her ideals; I actually didn't finish the game yet, but I think her black-white-view on things will soon begin to totter and I'm looking forward to this. Maybe I will edit this post later and change her position.

10. Ringabel - Bravely Default: He is so fabulous and has an amazing special attack theme; Ringabel Ringabel Ringa all the way~

 

[Strider]

1. Ellie - The Last of Us: So easy to like. Mostly because she made me laugh when I didn't expect it at all.

Spoiler

"Holy shit Joel"

or

Spoiler

"I shot the hell outta that guy huh?

. Throughout the story I really got attached to her.

2. Iota - Tearaway: Delivered the sweetest little message.
3. Joel - The Last of Us
4. Luigi - Mario and Luigi Dream Team plus others
5. Elizabeth - Bioshock Infinite
6. Trevor - GTAV
7. Rex - Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
8. David - The Last of Us
9. Drippy - Ni No Kuni
10. Lamar - GTAV

 

[Korosenai]

1. Trevor Phillips - Grand Theft Auto V: Just an awesome character. Constantly made me laugh and every scene he was in was pure gold.
2. Luigi - Luigi's Mansion 2
3. Batman - Batman: Arkham Origins
4. Joker - Batman: Arkham Origins

 

[Jagsrock]

1.Elizabeth -Bioshock Infinite: So much personality here, she was a fantastic companion in the game which would feel bare without her.
2. Trevor Phillips- GTA 5: This guy is balls out crazy still manages to make sense every once in a while. He's hilarious and really adds to the experience and in many ways is every thing that made us fall in love with GTA in the first place.
3.Lara Croft- Tomb Raider: Great portrayal of the character
4.The Pikmin-Pikmin 3: These adorable,lovable, feisty little guys will melt your cold cold heart.
5.Luigi-Mario luigi Dream team: Gotta love the guy
6.Toon Link-Windwaker HD: For someone who doesn't say a word he's got a lot of personality. Those facial expressions are perfect.

 

[neohwa]

1. Linca - Atelier Ayesha

2. Linca - Atelier Escha & Logy

I fell in love with her. She should be the next guest character in Soul Calibur 6.

 

[darkwing]

1. Ellie - The Last of Us

because of winter

2. Joel - The Last of Us

because of spring

 

[Aaron-Lagann]

1. Tharja - Fire Emblem Awakening.
Waifu power carries characters.

2 .Raiden - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
Nobody beats that sexy Quinton Flynn voicing.

3. Hatsune Miku - Project Diva F.
Weekender Girl is just a really fun song.

 

[Thezez]

1. Elizabeth - Bioshock Infinite

2. Trevor Phillips - GTAV

3. Ellie - The Last of Us

 

[ProfessorMoran]

1. Joel - The Last of Us
2. Ellie - The Last of Us

 

[neto]

1. Luigi - Luigi's Mansion 2 (its his year and also I love him)
2. Chrom - Fire Emblem: Awakening
3. Cranky Kong - DKC:TF (The game is still not out but the reveal and all that was funny)
4. Sumia - Fire Emblem: Awakening
5. Riley - COD: Ghosts

Will probably edit/add more later

 

[Servbot24]

1. Ellie - The Last of Us
2. Joel - The Last of Us
3. Kapp'n - Animal Crossing
4. Pikmin - Pikmin 3
5. Lucina - Fire Emblem Awakening

 

[Leeness]

1. Ellie - Last of Us
2. Joel - Last of Us
3. Phoenix Wright - Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies
4. Tess - Last of Us
5. Apollo Justice - Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies
6. David - Last of Us
7. Athena Cykes - Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies
8. Bill - Last of Us
9. Simon Blackquill - Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies
10. Bobby Fulbright - Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies

 

[redcrayon]

Chrom from Fire Emblem: Awakening.

Just the right mix of stoic bravery, charm, class and reasonableness, without succumbing to the endless tedious one-liners and trying-too-hard-to-be-cool that lead characters are often afflicted with. Entirely believable as a friend and a leader, and why people follow him.

 

[Slixshot]

1. Joel - Last of Us
2. Chrom - FireEmblem Awakening
3. Dante - Devil May Cry

I thought the voice actor for dante played him perfectly: a smug asshole who was actually a good person trying to help the people he cared about (which was mostly himself)

 

[Larson]

1. David - The Last of Us

A phedofile rapist that is creepy and yet intriguing.

Spoiler

Maybe the best villain i have played against

2.Ellie - The Last of Us

She is just perfect as a video game character.

 

[Dawg]

small bump for more people to see

 

[todd360]

1. David - The Last of Us

A pedophile rapist that is creepy and yet intriguing.

Spoiler

Maybe the best villain i have played against

2.Ellie - The Last of Us

She is just perfect as a video game character.

The pedophile rapist is the

Spoiler

bad guy.

Really?

 

[elhav]

1.The two brothers from Brothers: A tale of two sons- Two phenomenal characters, with fantastic characters traits, and their story is one of the year's best.
2. Luigi from Super mario 3d world- Just because I like Luigi
3.Globox from Rayman:Legends- Globox is a really funny character in all Rayman games and it's no different here.

 

[Nestunt]

Jetstream Sam - Metal Gear Rising Revengeance

if I was a kid, that guy would be my hero

so cooool

 

[The One and Done™]

Ellie - TLOU

 

[educator]

1. Artyom - Metro: Last Light

There is only one Artyom.

2. Agent 47 - Hitman: Absolution

Extremely lethal and a sharp dresser.

 

[foobarry81]

Shouldn't it be for characters introduced in 2013? If not, characters like link and Mario will win every year.

That could cause problems. What about games with new characters that were for example released in the US in 2012 and in Europe in 2013 or vice versa?

 

[Cyberia]

1. Ellie - The Last of Us
2. Joel - The Last of Us

 

[oconnomiyaki]

1. Riley - Call of Duty: Ghosts
2. Trevor Philips - Grand Theft Auto V
3. Lara Croft - Tomb Raider
4. Elizabeth - BioShock Infinite
5. Edward Kenway - Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

 

[djtiesto]

I liked Drippy and Swaine from Ni No Kuni, haven't played too many other games released this year though.

Of course, #1 will be Megurine Luka (Project Diva F came out this year for PS3!)

 

[Danielsan]

1. Ellie
2. Joel

I can barely remember any other characters from this year. Aside from Booker and what's her face from Bioshock.

 

[Flandy]

The

Spoiler

pedophile rapist

is the

Spoiler

bad guy.

Really?

It's a lot more complicated than that. TLoU spoilerz

Spoiler

He never really out right does anything to Ellie but it's seriously implied. Not going to say anything more

Also, that dude you quoted should spoiler tag himself imo :\

 

[Ce-Lin]

1. Elizabeth - BioShock Infinite
2. Ellie - The Last of Us
3. Jodie - Beyond: Two Souls

 

[darkziosj]

Trevor Philips - GTA V : crazy but awesome.

 

[Haunted]

1. Dirge, the Undying - Dota 2
2. Jorji Costava - Papers, Please
3. Oliver - Ni No Kuni
4. Cha-Cha - Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
5. Joel - The Last of Us
6. Abathur - Starcraft II Heart of the Swarm
7. Rosalind Lutece - Bioshock Infinite
8. Jim Peyton - Lost Planet 3
9. Völgarr - Völgarr the Viking
10. Spelunky Guy - Spelunky


Honourable mention to Ellen Page for her performances in The Last of Us and Beyond.

 

[Burgerface]

Trevor Philips - Grand Theft Auto V

 

[John Harker]

1. Ellie - The Last Of Us (might be one of the best realized interactive characters ever)
2. Jodie Holmes - Beyond Two Souls (we grew up with her. She was a fantastic character.)
3. Lara Croft - Tomb Raider 2013 (what a great reboot/re-characterization. Lara finally felt alive)
4. Elizabeth - Bioshock Infinte (Wasn't a big fan of Booker, but thought Elizabeth was very endearing - I'm also factoring in Burial at Sea)
5. Edward Kenway - Assassin's Creed 4 - f(or being such a different take on what it means to lead an Assassin's Creed main title. And to be so clear in your motivations. Also, kind of a dick. Also, blonde hair? and an accent? for a lead male?!)
6. Iota - Tearaway - (what a cute, super well designed little guy)
7. Captain Toad - Super Mario 3D World - (ready for adventure! can't jump in a Mario game and still be awesome?)
8. PNF-404 - Pikmin 3 - (what a beautiful, amazingly designed, living/breathing world!)
9. Chase McCain - Lego City Undercover (hilariously written and acted)

I only picked one character per game, who I thought was the best overall characterized/endearing.

Couple key findings:

What a great year for women in gaming!
I can't recall a time at all when you'd have such strong female leads on top of a list like this. I didn't even realie it till I finished, but 4 of my top 9 are all women, and the first 4 all are. amazing.

Also, great year for Ellen Page

Last, can a planet count? I'm counting it.

 

[Kurtofan]

1.Cranky Kong-Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D; It's fucking Cranky Kong.

2.Wonder Red-Wonderful 101; Unite Up! cool game with cool characters, my fav.

3.Luigi-Luigi's Mansion 2, NSLU, Mario 3D World; It's the year of Luigi

4.Mario-Mario 3D World- Move over Mario.

5.Ganondorf-Wind Waker HD. Badass

6.Link-Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds; It's Link come on.

7Lucina-Fire Emblem Awakening, I like the whole cast mostly.

8.Clementine-The Walking Dead Season 2.

9Globox-Rayman Legends

10.Bigbsy-The Wolf Among Us

1. Luigi - Luigi's Mansion 2 (its his year and also I love him)
2. Chrom - Fire Emblem: Awakening
3. Cranky Kong - DKC:TF (The game is still not out but the reveal and all that was funny)
4. Sumia - Fire Emblem: Awakening
5. Riley - COD: Ghosts

Will probably edit/add more later

You can vote for Cranky, he's in DKCR 3D!