Narrative games provide some of the most story-rich and emotionally immersive experiences across the medium, with players leaning on their social skills and deductive reasoning, rather than their dexterity and reflexes to interact with the world and shape the plot.
Social relationships, meaningful choices and branching narratives are all core to the genre, so it’s no wonder that the characters in narrative titles stick with us long after the credits roll. Here are some of our all-time favourite characters from narrative games.
Grimley - The Pale Beyond
A man of few words, gruff and stoic, Grimley is the harder to read of the two brothers under your charge in Bellular Studio’s epic voyage against the ice. Although Grimley makes his opinions of you clear from the start, there’s more going on beneath his frosty exterior than meets the eye. Throughout the game, players may find a way to make either an enemy or an ally of Grimley… but perhaps just tolerating each other will do fine.
Evrart Claire - Disco Elysium
Complex, cunning and charismatic, Evrart Claire does everything in his power to blur the line between friend and foe. Claire works exclusively in the grey, using his considerable sway over the player to manipulate their actions towards his ends. He makes it clear that even as a friend he’s not opposed to pushing boundaries, a necessary evil in a harsh world, but it’s up to the player to decide where to draw the line.
Lucian Galade - Suzerain
Lucian Galade is Sordland’s Chief Strategist and a key ally to the player in their role as President of the troubled nation. Punctual, precise and punctilious, Galade has no tolerance for horseplay, especially in a role where the stakes are set so high. A trusted confidant demands respect though, and Galade’s loyalty may become strained if his by-the-book appraisals are too often overlooked.
Hyde - Coffee Talk
A deep character with an even deeper past, Hyde is a vampire struggling with his inability to connect and foster relationships with those unable to share his unusually long lifespan. He hides behind a guarded exterior, using his luxurious position as a model to cast judgement on others. The player’s relationship with Hyde may evolve into something more fruitful however, if the right blend of empathy, understanding and herbal teas can be achieved.
Hugo Mertens - Best Served Cold
Who says we can’t include one of our own characters? When Detective Mertens discovers the player’s illegal speakeasy bar in Best Served Cold, he’s quick to strongarm them into assisting him in his hunt for the infamous Bukovie Killer. Hungry for success and seeing the player through the lens of the law as a small-time rule-breaker, he coerces them to aid his personal aspirations. Regardless, he may be one of the few idealists left in a city that grows ever darker. Mertens keeps his trust in short supply, so building any kind of relationship may be tricky - but if the player could get him to open up just a little, perhaps a mutual respect could be formed?
Who did we miss?
Let us know your favourite narrative video game character (and why!) below ⤵️
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