Open-World Games With The Best Protagonists

Key Takeaways

• Tears of the Kingdom showcases Link as a heroic protagonist defeating evil villains.
• Grand Theft Auto 5 features three distinctive protagonists with interconnected storylines.
• Red Dead Redemption 2 highlights complex protagonists who blur the lines between good and bad.

Open-world games have a rich, diverse selection of personalities to interact with, whether antagonists, story-centric characters, or NPCs that bring open sandboxes to life. Protagonists – hero-like characters central to the narrative of their respective worlds – often play the good guys, sometimes dancing the fine line between right and wrong.

These complex and story-driven video game characters have played a prominent role in shaping open-world gaming experiences. Whether players take on the role of the infamous Witcher Geralt or wield the master sword as Link, protagonists are critical components of open worlds.

8 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Link’s Best Adventure

The Legend of Zelda series has numerous prominent and recurring villains and protagonists. Series hero Link is known for being the core protagonist of the Zelda franchise alongside his female counterpart, Zelda.

Within Tears of the Kingdom, Link steps up as the savior of the kingdom of Hyrule by defeating the evil Ganondorf in single combat, besting the dark Lord even as he turns into a giant demon dragon. This encounter is Link’s finest moment as one of gaming’s greatest heroes. Alongside Link and Zelda, the game features other exceptional protagonists, such as Tulin and Sidon.

7 Grand Theft Auto 5

Triple Protagonists With Dynamic Character Arcs

Grand Theft Auto 5, or GTA 5, is the latest game in the Grand Theft Auto franchise and is unique in that it allows players to play as three main protagonists: Trevor, Franklin, and Michael. Each protagonist is distinctive in their personalities and backstories.

The game follows each of the three characters as they navigate the crime-filled world of Los Santos. During the events of GTA 5, the three characters cross paths with each other, plotting to commit a brazen heist. Each character’s story and the plot twists shape their development in unexpected and daring ways, making GTA 5 a leading open world game in terms of having the best protagonists.

6 Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War

Dual Heroes In An Iconic Middle-Earth Tale

Set in Middle-earth, between the events of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, Middle-earth: Shadow of War follows the series protagonist, Talion, as he looks to create a new ring with the wraith Celebrimbor to defeat Sauron. The game features a vast open world and fan-favorite characters such as Shelob, Nazgul, and even the corrupted Isildur.

The game highlights a continual struggle between Celebrimbor and Talion as they navigate how to destroy the ‘Lord of the Rings,’ resulting in Talion eventually becoming a Nazgul. Shadow of War features a great story and two excellent protagonists, making it one of the best Lord of the Rings games ever.

5 Red Dead Redemption 2

Complex Antiheroes With Rich Backstories

Red Dead Redemption 2 has a strong selection of protagonists, ranging from the complex and often brutal Arthur Morgan to John Marston from the first game. The core protagonists of RDR2 are complicated and often toe the line between good and bad, making players question whether the characters they are playing are the good guys or not.

RDR2 has one of the strongest lineups of protagonists in open-world games, with complex, detailed backstories that showcase the narrative brilliance of the series in making gamers care about characters who are often on the wrong side of the law for the right reasons.

4 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Dynamic Heroes With Heroic Complexities

Everyone’s favorite neighborhood superhero, Spider-Man, returned in the 2023 sequel to the hit 2018 Spider-Man game developed by Insomniac. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 features Peter Parker alongside his counterpart and series favorite, Miles Morales, in an epic adventure to stop the evil Venom and other villains from destroying New York.

The game dives into the complexities of both protagonists as they navigate how to balance their friendship and superhero persona as they fight their greatest foes. Spider-Man 2 is a great open-world game with world-class performances from two protagonists that showcase how to create a top-tier superhero game.

3 Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

Iconic Pirates With Legendary Encounters

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag follows the journey of the game’s protagonist, turned pirate and assassin Edward Kenway, who looks to make a name for himself in the West Indies as the sea’s most terrifying pirate.

Kenway is long regarded as one of the best protagonists in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, with a great narrative arc that sees the character bump into legendary pirate characters such as Black Beard and Benjamin Hornigold, whom are intricately tied into the story. Kenway, as a character, alongside a mythical list of protagonists, makes Black Flag one of the best open-world games in terms of the quality of protagonists on offer.

Tactical Gameplay With Strong Character Dynamics

Set after the original Metal Gear,Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is known for its immersive and tactical gameplay and prevalent protagonists that make up its narrative. Venom Snake is the game’s main protagonist – a field medic infamously loyal to his various affiliations, such as the Militaires Sans Frontieres.

Alongside Venom Snake, the game features protagonists such as Ocelot and Kaz. The cast of Phantom Pain is superb, adding life to the protagonists as some of the best in the open-world genre.

1 Ghost Of Tsushima

Unforgettable Samurai Protagonists With Deep Backstories

Developed by Sucker Punch and set during the feudal era that saw the Mongolian Empire attempt to invade Japan, Ghost Of Tsushima, with its stunning visuals and realistic gameplay, captured the magic of what it could be like to be a samurai at war. The game’s story follows the journey of protagonist Jin Sakai as he balances being a samurai and a brutal assassin, as well as a cast of other lead characters, such as Lord Shimura, Yuna, and Masako Adachi, as they defend their homeland against Mongol invaders.

Featuring excellent performances, dynamic stories, and a rich narrative with several memorable characters – each with their own distinct challenges – Ghost Of Tsushima features some of the best protagonists in open-world gaming.