Most Idealistic Horror Game Characters

Horror games always come with the intention of frightening their players witless, with the player character often being confronted with all sorts of terrifying monsters, unsettling locations, and horrific situations that will put both their body and mind through the paces. As such, it is all too easy for characters in horror games to become jaded, losing grip on all hope and optimism.

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But this isn’t the case for all characters in horror games, as there are some who rise above the challenge and keep that flickering ember of idealism alive in their heart. The dangers and death that surround them may even drive them to cling harder to their morals.

7

Laura (Silent Hill 2)

Believes An Apology Can Fix Everything

Survival Horror

Horror

Adventure

Action

Systems

Released

October 8, 2024

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence

Laura is one of the more surprising Silent Hill 2 characters, as who would expect to see a child running around alone in a town full of monsters? Still, Laura never seems to find herself in real danger, and she views James as a monster when she learns the truth behind Mary’s passing, though she can be a little mean-spirited, teasing Eddie and locking James in a room with a monster just for calling her a liar.

Still, she has those ideals that only a child lacking the experience of life can hold, as shown in one telling conversation she has with Eddie. Eddie reveals he had trouble with the law and is on the run for his wrong-doings, to which Laura questions why he doesn’t just apologize for what he did. This shows that Laura is someone who definitely would apologize when she is in the wrong, having a very basic grasp between right and wrong.

6

Jennifer (Rule Of Rose)

Shows Kindness Even To Those Who Would Not Extend Her The Same Courtesy

Survival Horror

Adventure

Systems

Released

January 19, 2006

ESRB

m

One of the most infamous PS2 horror games of all time is Rule of Rose. False rumors of its contents caused it to be banned in the UK, and the rarity of the game pushed its cost into the hundreds. Those who are lucky enough to have a copy have no doubt experienced the story of Jennifer and her torment at the hands Red Crayon Aristocrat Club, a group of students who have formed a club with its own hierarchy.

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Despite the amount of bullying and mistreatment Jennifer endures, she still remains one of the kindest and most caring game characters of all time, which truly shows the strength of her idealistic values. She would never even stand up to those who bully or humiliate her, as she believes everyone deserves kindness and is determined to remain polite to everyone around her.

5

Mayu Amakura (Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly)

Mayu is Prepared To Die To Save The Village

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterly

Released

December 10, 2003

ESRB

M

Fatal Frame 2 is often viewed as the best entry in the franchise, and it has gone down in history as one of the best horror games of all time. Frightening ghosts and a tragic story are both at the heart of the title, which sees twin sisters Mio and Mayu stumbling upon an old ghost town with the forlorn name of the “Lost Village.” As someone sensitive to the paranormal, Mayu is vulnerable to possession, which she suffers while she and Mio explore the village.

It is the possession that reveals the honest truth to Mayu: If she wants to be one with her beloved sister and save the village, the ritual must be completed. Though the willingness to embrace death as a solution is a rather nihilistic outlook, Mayu’s reasons are what make her so idealistic. She believes she can save the village, and she is more than willing to do so, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.

4

Samantha Giddings (Until Dawn)

One Of The More Compassionate Members Of The Group

Systems

Released

August 25, 2015

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language

Until Dawn was Supermassive’s first foray into horror. It plays on all the B-horror movie tropes and features one heck of a surprise twist that shocked many players, especially since most thought they had already sussed out the major twist of the game regarding the identity of the masked killer. Starring a group of high school students, the group reconvenes at the Washington’s mountain lodge on the anniversary of the disappearance of twin sisters Hannah and Beth. An exciting party turns into a massacre, however, when the group is beset by a masked killer and monsters.

Each character is designed to be entirely different from the others, with a few core traits making up the majority of their personality. There is the selfish and demanding Emily, the funny, lighthearted Chris, and the kind and compassionate Sam. As the final girl of the game, she is designed with the typical innocent yet tough final-girl persona and was one of the few characters who didn’t partake in the mean-spirited prank.

3

Fran Bow

Is Determined To Have Her Happily Ever After

Adventure

Indie Games

Puzzle

Released

August 17, 2015

ESRB

e

Poor Fran didn’t have an easy time of it, seeing her parents’ dismembered bodies in what should have been the safety of their home. She is taken to Oswald Asylum and administered medicine in order to help her deal with the psychological trauma of what she witnessed, only to see horrors that push the limits of human comprehension. She stumbles from nightmare to nightmare, visiting multiple other worlds that might be real or might be hallucinations brought on by her prescription.

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Despite all this, Fran never loses her inquisitive nature or her care for her beloved cat, Mr. Midnight, revealing an idealistic side to the young girl. Even after all she endured, Fran resolves at the end of the game to lead a happy life, and if she keeps this outlook up, she is sure to have her happily ever after.

2

Leon S. Kennedy (Resident Evil 2)

The Rookie Cop Wants To Save Everyone

Systems

Released

January 25, 2019

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Intense Violence

Resident Evil 2 saw Leon’s introduction to the franchise, where he played the role of a rookie cop preparing for his first day on the job at RPD. Though Leon becomes a little rougher around the edges in follow-up games, RE2 features the character when he was a fresh-faced and earnest young man, who likely took the job as a way of helping people on a day-to-day basis.

He could not have possibly been prepared for what awaited him as he reached Raccoon City, which was beset by hordes of flesh-hungry zombies and other monstrosities even inside the police station. Even so, Leon expresses an earnest desire to keep those around him safe, and he still believes in justice, going as far as to chastise a prisoner behind bars even in the life or death situation they are in.

1

Clementine (The Walking Dead)

Possess The Innocence Of Youth

Released

April 24, 2012

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language

The world of The Walking Dead leaves little room for idealism, as it has plunged into a full-blown apocalypse, and the dead rise from their graves to satiate their hunger for the flesh of the living. Even survivors sometimes turn to banditry and blackmail, stealing supplies from other survivors just so they can be assured of their own survival. This has been explored in both the TV show on numerous occasions and also in the Telltale game.

That is not to say that all survivors lose their humanity, and this is no more apparent than with Clementine, the young girl players take under their wing during the first season. As she is just a child, she is rather ill-prepared for the horrors she will have to endure, but she still maintains her big heart and an innocent mind-set of right and wrong, which can be seen when the survivors stumble upon a car full of supplies. Players see her develop and mature as the series goes on, but Clementine still remains idealistic at heart for those she cares about.

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