Gaming Community’s Favorite Heroes and Villains of All Time

As we close out this year, I wanted to write a special piece like I do each year. My favorite pieces I write, usually include people from the gaming community and industry. This year, I went all out to bring in as many people as could from the likes of Seamus Blackley, Ralph Jodice Jr, Jason Ronald, Ben Kvalo, Tomas Sala, HipHopGamer, Jez Corden, Travis Northup, and many other great people. One article where we can share our love for gaming with no bickering and no console wars. Shout out to all these great people sharing their love of their favorite heroes and villains from all over the history of gaming. So let’s get into our favorite Heroes and Villains!

Andrew Ryan & The Nameless One

Creator of the Falconeer, Tomas Sala

First up kicking off the massive community piece is none other than BAFTA-nominated artist Tomas Sala. If that doesn’t sound familiar to you then I know the fact that he is the creator of the Falconeer might jog your memory. Every interaction with Tomas has always been great and he was more than willing to talk about his favorite hero and villain. This is what Tomas Sala shared with me.

I like great antagonists, and there have been plenty in my gamer history. Ultima’s Guardian, Admiral Thrawn in TIE Fighter, and your entire party in Torment are antagonists that change you. They are antagonists that make you think. Some antagonists follow a twisted reasoning to some logic but ultimately evil ends. For example like that moment at an ultimate showdown where you mentally go “In your shoes I might have done the same, but sadly tonight this ends.”

But the best are antagonists that make you reflect on your choices in a game. Andrew Ryan in the first Bioshock is my all-time favorite antagonist. I mean “Would you kindly” is perhaps the hardest meta reflection on games inside a game. You have no agency, you go where the designer wants you to go. Freedom of choice is just an illusion. The game boss just spits your role as a predetermined pawn back in your face.

Then there was his Protagonist

The mirror of that in a protagonist is often hard. This is because they do need to be somewhat of a blank slate for your fantasy and immersion as a player. But one player character protagonist does stand out for me. That is the “Nameless One” in Planescape Torment. What starts as another blank canvas for your fantasy and another dice-rolled DnD character turns out to be anything but. His entire body was filled with the stories of previous lives or perhaps playthroughs.

The Nameless One is every gamer rolled into one nearly-endless character. Showing us once more we are inhabiting vessels prepared for us by the game developers and the stories they prepare. I love both these examples as both amazing stories but also reflections on our art form. The act of which raises both games above entertainment and into the art of the highest pedigree.

Solid Snake & Andrew Ryan

LOGNET Editor-In-Chief, Mahmood Ghaffar

Mahmood is one of the most hard-working EICs I have ever met. Always in the trenches attempting to make each article as good as it can be. While keeping all the writers and editors on track to do our best work. He always goes out of his way to recruit new members to the team and guide them. I can tell you personally he’s the one that edits the majority of mine and he does excellent work. Mahmood has helped me learn a lot in my writing journey. He always has to ability to squeeze my skills to make my articles the best they can be. He also actually helped pick the idea for this piece. Mahmood shared this with everyone.

Though Kojima gets a lot of slack for being out there when it comes to his narrative, there is no doubt he has created immensely memorable characters. Especially Solid Snake, the iconic protagonist of the Metal Gear series. His complex personality, backstory, and internal conflicts add depth and humanity to his character, making him relatable to players. In addition, the Metal Gear gameplay mechanics complement his character quite well, often relying on stealth and tactical prowess to outsmart enemies. This combination of character development and engaging gameplay makes Solid Snake a truly fantastic protagonist.

Mahmood Shares His Favorite Antagonist

When it comes to antagonists, my hat is tipped to Andrew Ryan, the antagonist of Bioshock. He represents a different kind of brilliance. Ryan is a phenomenal antagonist because he is not simply evil for the sake of being evil. He is a complex and deeply flawed individual with a compelling ideology. His vision of Rapture, an underwater utopia free from government control, is universally appealing. However, his hubris and obsession with power ultimately lead to the city’s downfall. Ryan’s descent into madness serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of ethical considerations. His character challenges players to question their own beliefs and consider the consequences of their actions.

Cloud Strife & Xehanort

Co-host of What’s Up Playstation Podcast, Jay Bari Strife

For Playstation fans out there, Jay Bari is someone you should know. He’s had amazing interviews with Shawn Layden among others and continues providing continuous content to people out there with his Co-Host Persona on What’s Up Playstation. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Jay Bari a little at Pax East 2024 and he was a great person. It was great to break bread so to speak with him and Persona. Super knowledgeable and a good person and he had this to say about his favorites.

Cloud Strife is easily my favorite protagonist in video games for many reasons. Here’s a breakdown of why I resonate with him so much and why you should as well: Complex Character Development: Cloud’s journey in Final Fantasy VII is one of deep personal growth. Initially, he presents himself as a confident ex-SOLDIER, but as the story unfolds, I discover the layers of insecurity, vulnerability, and trauma that define him. His struggle to reconcile his true self with the persona he’s adopted is both relatable and captivating.

Emotional Depth: Cloud is far from a stereotypical hero. His emotional turmoil, including his guilt over past events, his grief for lost friends, and his self-doubt, makes him feel human. These qualities have connected him to me on a personal level, as his emotions mirror real-life struggles.

Iconic Design: Cloud’s spiky blond hair, massive Buster Sword (the best weapon in gaming), and soldier’s uniform make him one of the most recognizable characters in gaming. His visual design alone has cemented his place as a cultural icon.

Heroic Yet Flawed: Unlike many traditional heroes, Cloud is not infallible. His mistakes, moments of weakness, and growth make his triumphs more meaningful. Watching him overcome Sephiroth and his own inner demons is incredibly satisfying. It is some of the best character development I’ve witnessed in video games.

More and Cloud and His Favorite Antagonist

Symbol of Redemption: Cloud’s story isn’t just about saving the world; it’s also about saving himself. His redemption arc is inspiring, as he transforms from a lost, confused individual into someone who embraces his true self and fights for what’s right. To summarize everything, Cloud is my favorite protagonist, because his complexity, emotional depth, and growth create a lasting connection. He’s more than just a hero—he’s a character who feels real, with struggles and victories that resonate long after the game ends.

Xehanort is easily one of my favorite antagonists in video games. The reason he is the primary antagonist in much of the Kingdom Hearts series. He stands out as a compelling and memorable villain. Xehanort’s blend of philosophical ambition, manipulative brilliance, and personal stakes make him an antagonist who elevates the Kingdom Hearts series, adding layers of complexity to the epic tale. Xehanort’s sheer power and intellect make him a formidable foe. His ability to wield the Keyblade with unmatched skill, manipulate time, and create devastating plans ensures that the heroes must rise to their absolute best to defeat him.

Master Chief & Vaas Montenegro

Game Developer & Host of Pixelated Echoes, 3Bit

One of the most talented people I have grown to know is 3Bit. He is a specialist in the CG animation sector and you probably have seen a commercial or two he has worked on. 3Bit also worked in game development for multiple studios and doesn’t get enough credit for how talented he truly is. He also hosts his podcast with Fuzzy Belvedere, called Pixelated Echoes. 3Bit had this to say about his favorite Hero and Villain of all time.

My favorite gaming hero is probably Master Chief. Always liked seeing his progression as a character and how they humanize him over time. Seeing his story within the Spartan program is also so good! I grew up with him as a character and the faceless aspect, I see many moments of myself within the Chief. I hope over time we get to see the book elements in the games because the dude is very powerful, saves the universe (SEVERAL TIMES), and weighs 1000 pounds. Absolute beast!

The runner-up is Scott Pilgrim, who due to his cheating ways I wouldn’t call him a hero… But his funny humor and situations and shenanigans put him in a relatable category for me. Which might just be me loving the world he’s in written by O Malley. But always love diving into the world of Scott!

My favorite villain is a little tough for me. The immediate answer would be the Prophets of Truth in Halo. Especially, because of how they used their positions of power to influence the Covenant. Then brainwash the covenant into worshiping the Halo Rings as ancient religious artifacts.

But here’s the thing, Vaas Montenegro – was such a memorable character when I think of villains in videogames. “Definition of Insanity” is such a classic line and it was performed so well. I gotta give props to Ubisoft for the Far Cry franchise and making interesting villains so if I HAD to choose I’d go with him!

Magnus Gallant & Fredrick Raskin

Founder & CEO of Midwest Games, Ben Kvalo

Next up joining us as I pull the gaming community together is the CEO and Founder of Midwest Games, Ben Kvalo. Ben is a great person I’ve had to pleasure to interact with multiple times and all good experiences. Ben and Midwest Games have a plan to change “where” games come from by supporting under-represented and overlooked developers and regions, especially in the Midwest of the United States. Ben has even brought in some great people such as Larry Hyrb, formerly known as Major Nelson.

Obviously, like many, I was affected by the relationship of Mario and Bowser or Link/Zelda and Ganon. However, an obscure game from 1999 (2000 in North America) captured my attention more than most. Ogre Battle 64 has had me thinking for over 20 years. There was such an interesting dynamic between who you thought was the antagonist and who ended up becoming it, at least in my playthrough. As you might be able to tell, there are multiple endings so everyone’s experiences are different. In mine, I (Magnus Gallant) led a victory for the rebel forces under Frederick Raskin.

I was on the right side of history, right? I took down the Holy Lodis Empire! Alas, my gameplay ended with me being removed from the army and forgotten. He betrayed me for power! Frederick’s rule was short, but his death was quick. Without the great General Magnus to protect them, they were overcome. GAME OVER.  What a way to end a game. What a fool Frederick was. Why did I fight for this dude? Was he ultimately the antagonist all along? 24 years later, I still don’t know.

Geralt of Rivia & The Joker

World of Gaming Host, Boxenberger

One person I always enjoy talking to and watching is none other than Boxenberger. Gracing the screen with enthusiastic energy and an intro clap that always gets me excited for the video about to come Boxenberger exudes so much positivity. I’ve never seen anything negative with him involved and he has always been great at providing amazing content along with Wandering Dutch on the World of Gaming. Boxenberger went into great detail about his favorite hero and villain.

When playing a video game we usually slip into the role of the hero and fight a villain. This is not just a core element of RPGs but of most video games where you take up a character. From Mario, Link, Lara Croft, Nathan Drake, Kratos, Marcus Fenix, or the Masterchief to well-known pop culture IPs like Batman or Spiderman – we battle as heroes against certain villains. Some stand out more than others and I’m honored to write about one of my personal favorite video game heroes and villains.

Those who know me might not be surprised that I write about Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher. Many characters stood out over the years, but the relationship I formed with Geralt the Witcher over the years is special. While the character is portrayed a bit differently in the games than in the books he is just a fantastic hero to play.

His strong and unbreakable will to do right by those he cares about, his relentless pursuit to fight for the greater good, and his emphatic refusal to get into political games make him such a lasting and memorable character. Even long after finishing the game. Just a hero that is so well written and portrayed that I can’t stop re-visiting him in the games…

Boxenberger gets into his Favorite Villain

As for the villains in games, they can make an equally strong and lasting impact on you as the heroes. A good antagonist is probably as important as a great protagonist. And boy do some make a lasting impression, e.g. Dutch in Red Dead Redemption 1 & 2, Sephiroth in Final Fantasy 7, and many many more! But I want to highlight one villain that isn’t just known in video games but also in other media like comics, movies, etc. And this character was best displayed in a videogame and that’s the Joker in the Batman Arkham games. The Joker has been played by insanely good actors such as Jack Nicholson, and Heath Ledger. And has been portrayed in the comics in many different ways.

Mark Hamill knocked it out of the park in the Arkham games. The pure madness, the humor, and the intense evilness in the Arkham games make him a villain that sticks with you – well after finishing the game. And think about it: Would the story and atmosphere of the Arkham Games have been as good as it was if it wasn’t for the insanely good Joker? Good guys and bad guys – they belong in games, they make us feel connected to the story and world. And they make us think about a game when not playing it or after finishing it. There have been some amazing heroes and villains over the years, so please let me know some of your favorites!

Clementine & Handsome Jack

Co-host of DPS Podcast, SloMoBackSlap

Next up we have my fellow Mass Effect brethren and Co-host of the DPS Podcast, SloMoBackSlap. Anytime I have one of these pieces where I am trying to bring the gaming community together, Slo Mo is one of the first people to jump on it. I think he has been in all of them and even the special Mass Effect ones that I have done. Slo Mo provides knowledge of gaming that has zero malice when he shares with others. Slo Mo has this to say about his favorite protagonist and antagonist.

My favorite protagonist took me a moment to settle on, but I believe it’s Clementine from Telltales The Walking Dead series. Throughout all of those games, you get to experience the growth of a character from an innocent child who needs to be protected, to a confident teenage badass who does the protecting. I chose her not simply because of her growth. But the awesome writing Telltale did to provide a character you had some agency in developing, while also having a distinct personality as well. Oftentimes, games like this leave the protagonist as a blank slate for you to mold, but Clementine being unplayable for roughly half the series provided the opportunity for Telltale to give us a well-written character that the gamer can say they had a hand in raising through a zombie apocalypse.

My favorite antagonist is Handsome Jack from the Borderlands series. In a lot of ways, the very unorthodox dark writing of Borderlands 2 works so well due to Handsome Jack being your big bad you have to bring down. Here’s a character that will make you laugh at the most inappropriate dialogue. He casually kills off characters from the previous game with an arrogance that makes you admire him, and yet at the same time, can’t wait to bring him down. And when you consider how those who’ve played the games have received the story of the whole series, Handsome Jack may be a large part of why the series has been so successful.

Joker (Arkham Series) & Master Chief

Host of the Xbox Expansion Pass, Insipid Ghost

The next person to share their thoughts with us is the host of the Xbox Expansion Pass, Insipid Ghost. If you like shows where they get great interviews, look no further than here. Insipid Ghost has had a plethora of amazing interviews with many people all over the industry. He is one of the people who enjoys shining a light on people out there who don’t normally get that opportunity. As well as many others. One of my favorite moments with Insipid which I’ve mentioned before was with a developer sharing their story about game development during wartime. He is always around to share thoughts with me and this is what he said.

Without a doubt, my favorite villain from a video game is the Joker from the Arkham series. His character has a comfortable throughline in every single Arkham experience from Arkham Asylum to the more niche titles like Arkham Origins: Blackgate and the recent Arkham Shadow. Joker’s appearance and dialogue are perfectly executed throughout the series with his being an ever-present plague on Batman while simultaneously growing as a character with depth and fortitude. His maniacal laughter is offset by his carefully thought-out plans and homicidal scheming. Both comedic and terrifying, Arkham’s Joker is without a doubt my favorite villain experienced in any game franchise.

Predictably my favorite hero from a game is John 117, The Master Chief. Spartan 117 is steadfast in his resolution to save humanity and exhibits growth in each entry of the series, to extend into the shared universe outside of games with comics and novels. John is a man of view words but intense conviction, intelligence, and ferocity. I believe my appreciation of Master Chief was most evident during Halo Infinite. Gone was the chance of victory. The battles had been lost, his friendship with Cortana had been destroyed, and yet her persisted because that’s what he needed to do. I find that heroic.

Senua & Oryx

Founder of Boss Rush Media & Host of multiple podcasts/interviews, Corey Hudson Dirrig

The next person up to bat is a friend I just met this year. Lords of Gaming was at Pax East 2024 and he saw us and stopped us for a picture and some great conversation about health, positivity, and gaming. Corey Dirrig and his team are all over the place putting in great work. The podcasts you can catch him hosting are The Boss Rush Podcast, Nintendo Pow Block, Tower Casuals: The Destiny Podcast, and Xbox Casuals. Boss Rush has a great site to check out as well. It’s like the man never sleeps. All this while touting positivity and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This is what he shared with us.

One of my favorite protagonists isn’t one of the usual icons from video games’ pantheon of heroes. It’s not the boy with the fairy, the super-soldier saving humanity, or the commander saving the universe from a sentient robotic threat. The hero I’ve connected with most in recent memory is Senua, the Celtic warrior from Ninja Theory’s Hellblade series. Her journey resonates deeply with me because of my own battles with mental health. Discovering as an adult that I’m on the autism spectrum, living with ADHD, and continuing to face long-term depression has been both challenging and eye-opening. Revisiting Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice for the first time since understanding more about myself, and continuing Senua’s story in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, made her struggles feel incredibly personal, almost as if I were walking alongside her in my own fight for understanding and acceptance.

Senua’s story and heroism are unique, not because of the enemies she faces or the big boss battles, but because it centers on internal battles. Her fight with psychosis, the voices, fears, and visions that distort her reality, reminds me of how depression and ADHD often disrupt my own sense of clarity and control.

The games portray these challenges with authenticity and care, capturing the chaos, isolation, and loneliness of living with mental health struggles with physical manifestations. Watching Senua confront these overwhelming odds while acknowledging her pain and vulnerability, gave me some sense of clarity and validation of the ways I feel a lot of the time. Her journey reassured me that these battles, though sometimes exhausting and overwhelming, don’t define weakness, but instead highlight incredible resilience, perseverance, and strength to continue forward.

More on Senua and then his favorite villain

What truly connects me to Senua is her determination in the face of fear and doubt. She isn’t a flawless hero, quite the opposite actually. She’s scared, uncertain, and sometimes feels broken. Yet she keeps moving forward, driven by love and the hope of finding strength and meaning in her pain. Like Senua, I’ve had to navigate moments of self-doubt and confusion, especially after learning more about my neurodivergence. Her ability to embrace her struggles and grow through them mirrors my own journey toward self-acceptance. Senua’s story is more than just a game. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there’s strength to persevere and find hope in our flaws as we continue our own journeys. 

Oryx from the Destiny franchise is easily my favorite villain. From my first encounter with him on Phobos to the final encounter in the King’s Fall raid, The Taken King solidified Oryx as one of gaming’s most iconic antagonists. Oryx isn’t just a villain, he’s a literal force of nature. His ability to “Take” enemies, twisting their essence to serve his will, is both terrifying and fascinating, especially as the game’s lore reveals the deeper purpose behind his power. The depth of his character, combined with his overwhelming presence, makes him stand out as a true terror. 

For me, King’s Fall is the most iconic raid in all of Destiny, and it’s here that Oryx truly shines as a villain. I’ll never forget entering the room for the first time after making our way through the Dreadnaught. Oryx appears on the outside of the ship, towering like a god while making his way to his beginning position. It was absolutely breathtaking and terrifying. The encounter itself was a true testament to our fire team’s communication skills, teamwork, and execution of our jobs. Defeating him for the first time and watching his massive corpse drift toward Saturn’s surface was a moment I’ll always remember as one of the most satisfying experiences in my gaming history. That’s why Oryx, and King’s Fall, will always hold a special place in my heart, not just because of who he is, but because of how much we had to earn our victory against this truly awesome god.

Nathan Drake & Sephiroth

Industry Reporter & Features Writer for Game Rant, Daniel Amoroso

The next person we have is none other than former associate editor for Lords of Gaming, Daniel Amoroso. Even though Daniel is no longer part of the team, he remains family to us. Now a part of Game Rant Daniel continues to share his love for the gaming industry as well as the entertainment industry as a whole. He did amazing work when he was with us and now he is showcasing his amazing skills on a different platform. I’ve had to privilege to interact with him many times and Daniel is a great person. This is what he shared with us.

While the competition is fierce in this category, I would have to go with Nathan Drake. A modern-day mixture of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft, Nate is intelligent, resourceful, and resilient. While not having any sort of formal training, he is impressively skilled in both hand-to-hand and ranged combat, and his knowledge of ancient history means he’s always one step ahead of his enemies. He loves his friends and family (almost as much as the treasure he chases!) and his witty one-liners would give Harrison Ford a run for his money. Despite Uncharted 4 seemingly being Nate’s swansong, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for another appearance at some point!

Then the favorite antagonist is none other than Sephiroth. He has all the classic hallmarks of a great villain- he looks imposing, with his huge Masamune sword, and he’s incredibly powerful. Surrounded by an air of mystery; his mere presence is enough to get the player on the edge of their seat, and throughout the games he’s appeared in, his combat encounters are up there with some of the best!

Mario & Bowser

Creator/Host of Confessions of a Gamer Girl Podcast, Doomcutie

Next up is someone who has been trail-blazing in her attempt to make a safe space for women in gaming. I’m talking about none other than my friend Doomcutie. One of the many amazing hardworking women in gaming. She had been a guest on podcasts and was even a panel member, all leading up to the creation of Confessions of a Gamer Girl Podcast.

She is a prominent figure to me in helping organize and create a safe place to shine a light on women in the industry and gaming. You can’t forget about her work at Pax Aus either. Doomcutie is definitely a confident and hardworking person and always pleasant to interact with. This is what she shared about her favorite hero and villain of all time.

When I was first approached to contribute to this article, my mind flooded with game characters I have had the pleasure of experiencing over the years. But one hero/villain pair stood out to me the most. Not only is this duo one of the most iconic and recognizable, but they have stood the test of gaming time by being enemies for nearly 40 years! My pick for this article was Mario and Bowser.

One of the most gallant demonstrations of a hero would have to be saving a damsel in distress, and Mario has spent a good portion of his career as a hero saving Princess Peach. A hero must also have a vast array of characteristics like bravery – when Super Mario Bros. was released in 1985, Mario set out on his first mission to save her – navigating worlds filled with traps, enemies, and challenges. And who could forget his iconic boss fights with Princess Peach’s capture, Bowser, are some of the best end-game fights you have ever seen! Not even one moment of hesitation is felt as he slays his fire-breathing, gargantuan arch nemesis that also happens to be 3 times his size… brave might be an understatement here.

What are the qualities they need to have

A hero also needs to have special abilities, from special skills, powers, or tools, these are the things that make them stand out. In this case, Mario is best known for impressive jumping skills and insane power-ups, however more importantly he has a vast array of experience within multiple fields including a race car driver in Mario Kart, an athlete in Mario Sports games, and even a doctor in Dr. Mario! Is there anything he can’t do? Only a question for a real hero! A hero must be a leader, and Mario is exceptional at this. Whether he is leading his brother Luigi, or his friends Yoshi and Toad on an adventure or rallying the mushroom kingdom as it prepares for another invasion – Mario never fails to bring people together. However most importantly, a hero is a symbol of hope, and Mario’s cheerful and optimistic nature fosters this wherever his journeys take him.

Heroes cannot exist without villains and Bowser has certainly demonstrated this over the years. He takes his role as a villain very seriously, and the first place he starts would have to be his appearance. Arguably the largest character in this universe, he towers over everyone, combined with a spiked turtle shell, sharp claws, and teeth – he is certainly well-equipped physically. As for his skills, he can breathe fire, is incredibly strong, and can even use magic! A good villain also needs a scheme or plan of some sort, and Bowser is determined to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom and even marry its sweetheart, Princess Peach. He is power-hungry and ambitious, mapping out cunning plans to annihilate anyone who stands in his way – iconic villain behavior.

Villains often amass an army of minions through creation, indoctrination, or kidnapping, and Bowser is no exception. His vast and varied army is filled with natural inhabitants like Goombas, Koopas, and Magikoopas, as well as manufactured weapons such as Bob-ombs and Chain Chomps.

Bowser even recruits his relatives, including the Koopalings and Bowser Jr., to carry out his nefarious plans. It’s no wonder even just mentioning his name instills fear across the Mushroom Kingdom! Bowser’s combination of charisma, strength, magic, and relentless ambition makes him one of the best villains in gaming. 

Kefka & Ezio

Vice President of Xbox Gaming Devices & Ecosystem, Jason Ronald

If you ever heard the phrase “Wizard of Xbox” you know we are talking about Jason Ronald. Jason was part of the team that designed the Xbox Series X|S hardware. Not only did he design those consoles, but he was also a leader in the Xbox backward compatibility program. So when you boot up those older games you have to thank Jason and the team.

He is one of the many people at Xbox who love to interact and converse with the gaming community. Thankfully he is always willing to share his love of gaming and participate in these big community pieces each year. He might also occasionally catch him popping up on some podcasts. Can’t wait to have the chance to meet him in person at an event one day. This is what Jason said about his favorite protagonist and antagonist of all time.

My favorite protagonist is Ezio Auditore from Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations. Building upon the foundation set by Altair, Ezio showed what a well-developed hero in the Assassin’s Creed universe could be. He was also developed across three titles, both owing to the quality of the character as well as giving proper time to tell a larger story. His look became iconic and instantly recognizable and is still seen at game conventions. He set the bar for every main hero character in future Assassin’s Creed games, one that is still difficult to meet.

The greatest antagonist in video game history is Kefka from Final Fantasy VI. From your very first interaction with him, he appears to be unstable, yet a secondary henchman with limited importance. Very quickly he shows his true insanity and wanton love of chaos and destruction by poisoning an entire village. And let’s be real, he is a sadistic and mentally imbalanced clown, the archetype of so many great classic villains. Even within the constraints of the 16-bit SNES pixel art, his look is iconic and his maniacal laugh is memorable and timeless to this day, only further enhanced through many remakes and remasters. I remember the first time successfully defeating him, bringing one of the most epic stories to closure I had played up to that point in my life.

Great villains are at the heart of all great narratives and I still replay Final Fantasy VI every few years to relive the experience of battling against one of the most iconic and disturbing antagonists in gaming history.

Sergeant Johnson & The Grunt

Co-host of The Gaming Circle Podcast, K. Asante

K. Asante is another great member of the gaming community. You might see him popping up on other shows and podcasts around the gaming community, especially the Iron Lords Podcast. When he isn’t doing that, you can catch him co-hosting The Gaming Circle Podcast with Everborn Saga. The banter between the two on the show and online is hilarious and I thoroughly enjoy watching them. Especially when K. Asante pokes fun at Everborn about Sega. He had this to say about his favorite hero and villain of all time.

Halo has always had a special place in my heart. It was the first franchise that truly introduced me to what being part of a “fandom” meant. More than that, it showed me that gaming could be more than just a hobby—it could be a lifelong passion worth pursuing. I owe a lot to Halo, and specifically Combat Evolved on the original Xbox, for shaping the path I’ve been on for the last 23 years. I can’t put my finger on what it was about Halo that resonated with me more than any other game I’d played up until that point, but I’ve thought about it a lot over the years. Maybe it was the perfect blend of the dynamic, wise-cracking Covenant Grunts bantering on the battlefield, while Master Chief, the ultimate stoic, would occasionally break his silence with a well-timed one-liner.

That was something I connected with—those cheesy, over-the-top moments straight out of the action movies we 80s kids grew up on. And then there were the Prophets, the pompous, cruel leaders of the Covenant, who wrapped their malice in elaborate, almost poetic language. Characters like Sergeant Major Avery Johnson were the perfect blend of levity and gravitas, somehow managing to be both the comic relief and the emotional heart of the story. He wasn’t just a soldier; he was a leader who could inspire his troops at the most pivotal moments, pushing them to keep fighting even when the odds seemed insurmountable. But what really set him apart was his ability to deliver laugh-inducing catchphrases in the most inappropriate moments, seamlessly weaving humor into the chaos of battle.

How it taught him things

I still find myself recalling some of his catchphrases this day, often at the most random times, as if they’re etched into my brain forever. All of it, in its bizarre, strange, and sometimes ridiculous way, clicked with me as a young 20-something with stars in my eyes. And now, as a 40-something who’s way too susceptible to the pull of nostalgia, it still works. As I reflect on everything Halo has given me—memories, friendships, and a sense of belonging—it’s clear that this franchise has been more than just a game; it’s been a constant in my life.

It taught me about passion, community, and how something as simple as a video game can shape who you are and where you go. 23 years later, I’m still here, still playing, still caring about the same characters and moments that once captivated my younger self. In many ways, Halo has grown with me, evolving alongside my own journey, and reminding me of the joy that can be found in something so beautifully enduring. It’s more than nostalgia—it’s a bond that, at this point, feels almost timeless.

Arthur Morgan & Hansome Jack

Writer for IGN & Panel Member of the Last Word Podcast and Bitcast, Travis Northup

Next up we have the “best-dressed” person in the industry, Travis Norhtup. Travis also known as Tie Guy Travis is a well-respected writer within the gaming industry. You can catch him writing for IGN, talking about Destiny on the Last Word Podcast, and all industry topics on Bitcast. When I go to read reviews, news, and other things outside of LOGNET, Travis is one person I respect, and enjoy seeing what he has to say. On top of all this, he has beaten Ansley Bowden in a cooking competition. Travis had this to say about his favorite villain and hero of all time.

A major issue with video game protagonists is that they either serve as mostly empty vessels for you to put yourself into (e.g. Master Chief) or have no defined character traits to allow for player choice (e.g. Commander Shepard). Arthur Morgan, on the other hand, is a character you only begin to truly understand and appreciate after spending dozens of hours with him. He’s complex, troubled, and filled with rage. And deeply depressed, and your chaotic decisions as a player never feel out of place for someone who’s so clearly struggling with questions of morality, redemption, and freedom. Robbing banks and wrassling gators is fun and all, but I kept playing Red Dead Redemption 2 because I wanted to see how Arthur’s story would end, and that’s the mark of a great protagonist.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for foul-mouthed, sarcastic sociopaths, and Handsome Jack is truly the Cadillac of video game jerks. Video game villains are often not particularly interesting, as most of the focus is spent on the heroes and their cohorts, but Borderlands turns that formula on its head by making its villains the stars of the show, and in Handsome Jack’s case that makes for a non-stop hilarious ride, as you listen to monologues about him scooping people’s eyes out with a spoon, and listen to him giggle as he kills a beloved pet. But perhaps the best argument in Handsome Jack’s favor is that he’s a villain so good that his in-game death all but buried the franchise under a bar they could never get back up to. SMDH.

Arthur Morgan & Kothun Khan

Host of Games Talk Live, Jay Fonzerrelli

When you think about people with a voice for radio, you have to think about Jay Fonzerrelli. Fonz has a voice I truly believe could be excellent for many games if he decided to voice act for them. He also hosts a great podcast called Games Talk Live. On Games Talk Live he goes over some of the latest and greatest news from the gaming industry. And if you’re like me, you love his little game show on the podcast called “5 Questions.”

Fonz is a great friend and one of the first two people that followed me when I came back to social media and has shown me the utmost respect ever since. This is what Fonz said about his favorite protagonist and antagonist of all time.

I find Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2 to be my top pick for a protagonist because he’s not just another cookie-cutter hero. He’s got depth, he’s made mistakes, but he’s also on this quest for redemption, which is super compelling to me. Seeing him go from blindly following the gang to starting to question his own path is a type of growth you don’t often see in games. And even with his personal issues, Arthur’s choices to look out for those he cares about, regardless of the personal cost, really give his story this emotional weight. His rough exterior hides a heart that cares deeply, and the moments where he’s kind or reflective make him someone I can really relate to, making his journey in Red Dead Redemption 2 unforgettable for me.

As for the villain, I’m a big fan of Kothun Khan from Ghost of Tsushima. Khan brings this intense, multifaceted threat to the table. His character isn’t just about being evil for evil’s sake, there’s a complexity to his motives that makes him intriguing. He’s got this commanding presence, strategizing like a chess master, always several steps ahead, which keeps you on the edge of your seat. Kothun isn’t just a force of destruction; he has a vision, and whether you agree with it or not, you can’t help but respect the depth of his planning. His charisma, combined with his ruthless ambition, makes every encounter with him a thrilling experience, and his backstory adds layers that explain, if not justify his actions. That’s why I find him such a fascinating and memorable villain.

Geralt of Rivia & Solas

Host of the Scumcast Podcast, The Ashen Luca

If you think of Queen of Soulsborne games, Luca is the person that comes to mind. Spanning multiple generations her love of games such as Dark Souls, Demon Souls, Bloodborne, and others is great to see. She is never afraid to share her love with others and that is something I love to see in the gaming community. You can also find her hosting Scumcast and occasionally Scum On One. Luca, like Fonz, is one of the first few people in the gaming community to follow and interact with me, so like with Fonz, I’m super grateful for that. The Queen had this to say about her favorite hero and villain of all time.

When it comes to heroes in video games, one name that really stands out for me is Geralt of Rivia. The Witcher 3 was my first Witcher title and I didn’t know much about it when I first heard of the game. I picked it up after hearing about the wonderful aspects of the RPG mechanics and I was eager to sink my teeth into another long-form RPG. What immediately stood out to me about Geralt was that though his expression was generally stoic, you could tell that there was a depth of emotion behind his gaze. He’s a man who loves his adoptive daughter, the mother of his child, and cares deeply for his companions. I was able to immerse myself and really step into Geralt’s shoes. I will always appreciate my experience and my 4+ times beating The Witcher 3.

As for villains, someone more recent that comes to mind is Solas from Dragon Age Inquisition and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Though introduced as a companion, Solas ends up betraying the main character of the Inquisition. Eventually, he reveals his ultimate goal during the Trespasser DLC. That being to destroy the Veil separating the spirits (demons) from the rest of the world. This would bring about chaos and death on a massive scale. His reasoning for why he wants to bring down the veil is that he’s the one who erected it. It was never supposed to exist in the first place. Unfortunately given that it’s been a few hundred years since he first brought up the veil, there are more than a few complications with his plan.

The thing I really enjoy about Solas is how much he irritates me. Known as the Dread Wolf, God of Lies, Treachery, and Rebellion, Solas truly lives up to his nickname of being able to emulate empathy, holding his hand out in truce with one hand while holding a dagger behind his back. One of the best-written antagonists in a series I’ve played so far

Max Payne & The Reapers (Mass Effect)

Host of the Septic Sauce Youtube Channel, Gaz Lehri

If you want an impressive energy that is hard to find then look no further than Gaz Lehri. Gaz known for his Septic Sauce Youtube channel as well as his hilarious “SAUCE” videos provides an energy that some people might think, Is this guy insane? NO, Gaz is just very entertaining whether it’s the videos on his channel or appearances on podcasts. Wherever Gaz shows up, you better believe the “SAUCE” is coming too. This is what Gaz Lehri wanted to share.

It took me a while to think of a ‘favorite protagonist’; in the end, I picked Max Payne. He shares the same type of angst Kratos does in many ways but without the benefits of being a Demi-God. He does have one superpower though and that is to slow down time. But you have to wonder; is Max Payne really slowing down time or is it just his perception of it? After all, the gratuitous intake of painkillers prompted by the player as the primary means of getting some ‘health back’ is quite telling. By the time you get to Max Payne 3, he is a full-blown addict blazing through Brazil of all places; the climax of his massive alcohol and drug-laden addiction. To me, the story is intriguing because I think most men would want to do the same thing if they could if they ever suffered what Max Payne did at the start of the first game.

Max Payne died the moment the first game began and he opened the bedroom door to his dead wife. What you’re just witnessing is the explosion of the events thereafter. And on top of that, Max Payne decides to be courteous enough to narrate his own monologue over that explosion. A guided tour that he presents to all of us to witness how it all ends for him. In the end, to me, Max Payne is a storyteller more than anything else. How can you not like that? I feel like people mistake Max Payne for the gaming equivalent of Die Hard but it’s more along the lines of Man on Fire, the difference being that Denzel gets the benefit of one last hurrah before a convenient and (mostly) comfortable end.

Then Gaz was undecided on his antagonist

There haven’t been many singular antagonists that come to mind beyond the more obvious ones. In
gaming, the antagonist that poses the most existential threat resonates with me and these tend to be a collective more than a singular figure. So I’m torn between The Flood from Halo, the Reapers from Mass Effect, or the Hive Mind from Dead Space. I think in the end the win goes to the Reapers. Their design was so imposing, looking like giant hands that extend across the horizon, their monologue in the first holo encounter was incredible and their threat felt almost impossible.

There is something quite chilling about universal superspecies just playing God and deciding to hard reset the entire universe when they choose to. “We are Legion!” Oh, and a close second would be Isshin, the final boss in Sekiro: Shadows Die twice but not because of his story. I don’t even know what his story is but after such a grueling, incredible, satisfying, and brutal encounter. How could such a considerable foe not get a mention? One of the best if not the best boss battles I have had the pleasure of encountering in gaming.

Atriox & Kal Kestis

Co-Host of the GWG Podcast, “LA” Boogie

Up to bat now is one of the great ladies from the GWG Podcast known as “LA” Boogie. You can catch her chopping it up with the other ladies of GWG. She also throws it down on a bunch of different games. She and the GWG team even had a meet-up at Pax West last year. One of the many great ladies of the community shining bright in these content streets. This is what Boogie had to say.

Atriox from Halo Wars 2 is hands down my favorite video game villain. He’s not just your typical bad guy; he’s got a rich backstory and a serious strategic mind. Starting as a grunt in the Covenant and rising to command the Banished, Atriox showed off both resilience and cunning. He’s a vicious villain who commands respect and fear, keeping everyone on their toes with his next move.

As for my favorite hero, being a big Star Wars fan, it’s got to be Kal Kestis from Jedi: Survivor. His journey is all about bouncing back from tough times and staying hopeful within the light. Escaping Order 66 and then crawling his way back to rebuild the Jedi Order, was amazing to play through. He’s relatable because he deals with doubts and struggles, but he keeps pushing forward. I know that it is because of all this that we will see this character make the jump to the live screen soon.

Max Payne & Nicole Horner

Member of TSWS YouTube Channel Hamsolo05

Another great friend from the community is Hamsolo. When he isn’t supporting other people’s podcasts and shows you can find him hosting and being a part of his own. You can catch him on Bullsittin or hosting Behind Them Sticks. Hamsolo has interviewed many great people from the community and is always a great conversation. He is also a member of Lords of Gaming these days as well. This is what he said about his favorites.

Just like many, I Hamsolo in my mid-thirties was a huge fan of Rockstar. I know they are known for their Grand Theft Auto series, but when it comes to protagonist and antagonist, I feel like the first thing that I thought of was this Rockstar-published game Max Payne by Remedy. I was like this embodies insanity while giving reason.

The antagonist Nicole Horne didn’t even feel like an antagonist until the end and she plays you like a puppet while weaponizing the city against you with no hold barred. It’s a wild ride I shouldn’t have taken as a child but one I don’t regret!

Dracula & The Belmonts

Host of Double Barrel Gaming, Mr Boomstick XL

When you think of people in the community that do multiple shows, one name that will always come to mind is none other the Mr Boomstick. Even though he is running 4-5 shows every week, he always finds time to immerse himself in his favorite video games. He is always giving back to the gaming community while trying to maintain a positive space. Even getting into similar ventures like ILP in the Valari Gaming Pillow. This is what Boom wanted to share.

As I sat here, I was pondering which “Hero Vs Villian” duo I could write about, I’m thinking of what to write. Link versus Ganon is too easy. Snake versus Liquid Snake, what’s the fun in that? Mario versus Bowers, nah. Then, after wanting to write about something close to my gamer’s heart, I decided to go with The Belmonts versus Dracula, and here is why. This feud has raged on for generations and continues to this day. The Belmont clan has had its long list of heroes that date back to the NES release in March of 1987 with the lead being one of the most famous heroes, Simon Belmont.

He saw a total of 4 full releases and has been only one of two from the Belmont clan to fight Dracula twice. Another famous Belmont is Richter who saw his first appearance in Castlevania: Rondo of Blood on the PC Engine aka the Turbo Graphix 16, he also was spotted during Castlevania Symphony of the Night on the PS1. It’s difficult to simply pick one of the Belmont family as the entire bloodline pushed forth to stand in the way of evil.  

More on the history

Every game release has seen both old and new fans returning and/or finding the series for the first time. Even though the main protagonist has always been Dracula, one of the biggest draws for me has been the exploration that comes with new abilities, stronger weapons you find along the way, and the even bigger challenges with boss battles that range from Death itself to creatures that are big as the 2D screen you’re on. Since the original Castlevania, there have been over 30+ games in the series that span the NES, Super NES, and various editions of the Nintendo Gameboy through current generations.

The Belmont family’s legacy of keeping Dracula and his hordes of evil at bay with continue and with a recent surge of fiscal success that Konami has seen and the recent team-up with Ponicle of Vampire Survivors fame, I’d imagine that a new edition to the long-running franchise is upon us and once again, the Belmont clan will be called into service. 

In closing, as great as it’s been to see the Castlevania series make it to the small screen on Netflix, longtime fans are looking for and hoping for a sequel to the 1997 Playstation classic, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night starring Alucard. Considering the last new Castlevania title to release was nearly a decade ago with Lords of Shadow, it has been too long of a hiatus and it would be awesome to see a revival of one of the best series in gaming make its triumph return. 

Arthur Morgan

Assistant Editor for Lords of Gaming & Interview Co-Host for 4GQTV, Cerebral Paul

If there was a ranking of people that represented the Xbox Ambassador program in a positive light then Cerebral Paul is one of them on the list. Dubbed the “Lord of Accessibility” Paul goes out of his way to have the most fun with as many people as possible.

When not editing for LOGNET you can find him Co-Hosting on 4GQTV. You can even catch him streaming on Twitch where he was even recently streaming for charity. This is what Cerebral Paul said about his favorite hero and villain.

My all-time favorite character in any game can either be viewed as the hero or the villain depending on the choices you make within the game. Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption II can be considered an “anti-hero”. Throughout your play-thru, you are asked as Arthur do you do the “right” thing, or to do what might be viewed as the “greater good” for the group as a whole. No matter how you choose to play it the story of Arthur Morgan feels very real and the story ends in a way a new player may not see coming. Out with a whimper instead of a roar.

Ichiban Kasuga & Kazuya Mishima

CEO of LOGNET & Host of the Iron Lords Podcast, Lord Cognito

When it comes to my writing journey there is one person that initiated it and has always had my back. That person is none other than the Mr. 24/7, The Shinobi, Lord Cognito. Lord Cognito is the hardest-working person I know. The man got out of the hospital and then while recovering still went to Pax West last year. It doesn’t matter where the event is, he is always trying to be there and bring the best possible content with the rest of the Lords.

You can catch him and the rest of the Lords on the Lord’s Day, bringing multiple content creators and industry people to give them their flowers and celebrate gaming in general on their YouTube channel. Cog always has my back and continues to motivate me to be the best possible version of myself. He is definitely someone I look up to and have no idea what I’d be up to if I didn’t have him around having my back. This is what Cog had to say in a short video.

Luke fon Fabre & Fou-Lu

Host of the Culgan YouTube Channel, Culgan

Next up is someone I’ve come into contact with over the past couple of months. Culgan like myself is a fellow enjoyer of the JRPG genre as well as an avid lover of the Suikoden series. Culgan has some of the best videos on his YouTube channel where he goes in-depth on Suikoden lore. You can also find out a lot about the history of the games as well as a couple of tier lists Culgan goes over. He is a really fun person to talk to and this is what he said about his favorite protagonist and antagonist.

My favorite protagonist of all time is Luke Fon Fabre from Tales of the Abyss. He’s a breath of fresh air that breaks so many JRPG protagonist norms. He’s not your typical righteous goody-two-shoes, he’s a spoilt jerk. When Luke was a child, he was kidnapped. An event that left him so traumatized that he developed retrograde amnesia, causing him to lose his memories of everyone and everything, requiring him to relearn even the most basic of life skills. Now, I know what you’re thinking, this sounds a lot like the typical amnesia blank slate character, but you’d be wrong. After this ordeal, Luke was forced to live a sheltered life in his family’s manor where he had a very spoilt and pampered upbringing.

Because his mental and emotional development isn’t that of his age, combined with his spoilt upbringing, he’s a total jerk with little care or consideration for those around him. That’s not exactly the personality you’d expect out of a protagonist, but that’s what makes him so refreshing. He’s different. As the game progresses, the truth of his kidnapping and the reason for his lack of memories are revealed, leading to him suffering an existential crisis which leads to phenomenal character growth as he tries to find his place in the world.

Luke goes from being a pampered jerk that you despise, to gradually maturing and becoming a good-hearted, respectable character that you love. He has the most amazing journey that any JRPG protagonist has ever had, and he truly is a breath of fresh air.

Then he talks about his favorite antagonist from Breath of Fire 4

As for my favorite antagonist, I’ve always had a soft spot for antagonists with sympathetic backstories. A villain whose shoes you can easily put yourself in, and relate to. One whose reasoning you not just understand, but you almost feel like they’re justified for doing what they’re doing. It makes the character feel more real, and it creates a far more compelling story. One such character, and my favorite antagonist of all time, is Fou-Lu from Breath of Fire IV. Fou-Lu is an Endless, God-like being who was summoned to the world, but the summoning ritual was incomplete and his soul split into two. After founding the Fou Empire, Fou-Lu would slumber for 600 years until his other half appeared.

Upon awakening, he would find the Empire that he founded to be rotten and corrupt, whose Emperor would repeatedly attempt to kill him in an attempt to cling to the throne, instead of returning the throne to him. Fou-Lu was gravely wounded during one of these attacks but was nursed back to health by a farm girl called Mami. Away from the corruption of the Imperial Army, Fou-lu would begin to see the good in humanity, and would even begin to enjoy the simple pleasures of life in a peaceful farming village where he would start to develop feelings for Mami. While Fou-Lu was away from the village, the Imperial Army burned the village to the ground and tortured and killed Mami, which would renew Fou-Lu’s hatred for not only the Empire but also humanity.

Fou-Lu is a villain that I not only sympathized with but one whom I actively cheered for to an extent. They showed him the absolute worst of humanity. The Empire betrayed him, they stole everything from him. They tore away what little shred of humanity he gained and everything he held dear. If ever a villain was justified in their actions, it was Fou-Lu, and that’s why I love him so much. Nothing tops a villain whose shoes you can put yourself in, and one you can sympathise with.

Zidane & Handsome Jack

Head of Lv1 Gaming, David Whitaker

Next up is none other than the head of Lv1 Gaming, David Whitaker. I met him this year and Pax East and his team were putting in the work at one of the booths bringing people in and showing off games. We got to have some great conversations, take a few pictures, and hang out during the event and it was a great time. You might even catch other team members streaming at these different events as well. This is what he had to say about his favorites of all time.

Handsome Jack is my all-time favorite video game villain for several reasons. His combination of humor and brutality is what makes him iconic. He’s got this sharp wit that’s impossible to ignore—his one-liners and taunts often bring a smile, even when he’s in the middle of doing something horrific. But beneath all that humor, Jack is absolutely terrifying when he wants to be, and that balance is what makes him so memorable. What sets him apart, though, is the complexity of his character. His motivations, while extreme, for some, are understandable.

Jack truly believes he’s doing what’s best for the world, even if his methods are completely flawed. He’s a tragic character at his core, and that tragedy is what makes him even more compelling. Throughout the Borderlands series, we learn about his past—a man who was once driven by ego and ambition, until he was betrayed by the people he trusted. That betrayal broke him and sent him down the path of madness. Seeing that slow descent makes him more than just a typical villain—it adds layers to his character that I think make him stand out.

Then we get into his favorite hero of all time

My favorite hero in video games is a bit of a throwback and that’s Zidane. He was such a breath of fresh air as the protagonist in Final Fantasy IX. He is a super chill guy who’s always cracking jokes and keeping things light, but he also has a big heart for a little guy. Zidane is one of those characters you can’t help but like. He’s got a laid-back, easygoing, and fun vibe that makes him stand out from the more serious heroes in other Final Fantasy games.

As a huge Dragon Ball fan, Zidane hits all the right notes for me. He’s got that tail, those moments where he powers up like he’s going full Super Saiyan, and—let’s be real—he’s just as much of a goofball as my guy Goku. He’s always joking around, getting into trouble, and keeping things fun even when the stakes are sky-high. That mix of being ridiculous and still managing to be a hero you can count on is what makes him one of my favorite characters ever.

Juggernaut & Spiderman

4GQTV Producer, Italian Clownz

Next, we got another great person from the gaming community, Italian Clownz. You can find him producing different content for 4GQTV on YouTube and TikTok. He travels around to multiple different conventions and events. I even had the pleasure of finally meeting and chatting with him at Pax East this year. One of the great things he does is try to give everyone a chance from gamers, to developers, and even cosplayers. That is one of my favorite things is he always likes to shine a bright light on others. He had this to say about his favorite game of all time.

This took me a while to think about. My life has revolved around resonating with a specific hero and a villain. The very first one that comes to mind is the Juggernaut. He has been in arcade games, movies, and comics. He has been around a lot longer than I have but what I find unique is that everyone is always trying to stop the unstoppable Juggernaut. To some extent, this feels like my life, and maybe most people can relate. Every time I am on the up with doing good at something, somewhere along the way someone doesn’t want me to succeed.

People have deeply tried to thwart me off my path but I keep on breaking barriers and walls. Spiritually, I don’t give up. I do not view roadblocks as a stopping point, but rather a detour to continue on my path but on a different route. Nothing in life comes easy or gets handed to you. You have to make an effort to be an unstoppable force for what you want to achieve. If success was easy no one would stop. That’s why it’s important to have an Unstoppable mindset. Live your life the way you want and don’t stop achieving.

A super hero Clownz can relate to

Now for superheroes, there’s one that has been in all forms of media and that is Spider-Man. Spider-Man fits me well. People have overlooked me and doubted me, but I always come through in times of need. No matter how many times I felt like I was falling and couldn’t swing forward, I would eye a different angle to achieve what some would say was impossible and land on my feet. I have been through so many ups and downs like Peter Parker, lost my dad at 16, and chose a specific path in life against the advice of others but there was no giving up. EVER.

Spider-Man is iconic in the fact that Parker may be viewed as frail, but Spider-Man is viewed as quick, smart, and quirky. To some, I may appear like Peter Parker but don’t ever doubt my Spider-Man. I could have had a cushy life and my early childhood to teens was easy. I learned at the hardest time to be a man without a father during my late teens. And I took the road far less traveled to give up a complex but financially secure one for a healthy spiritual one. The shadows will always be around, but like Spider-Man I don’t have to live in them, and like Juggernaut, they won’t stop me from a happier life.

M. Bison & The Long Piece From Tetris

Formerly Xbox PR & Now The Head of PR for XREAL, Ralph Jodice Jr.

As I dive more into VR, MR, and AR I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing XREAL Glasses. Which you can hear all about from the Head of XREAL PR Ralph Jodice Jr. Recently, the Iron Lords had Ralph on the podcast to talk about his history as an Xbox PR guy from 2012 to 2023. The show did have a big focus and his job at XREAL. As someone who is fascinated by VR, AR, and MR I always enjoy seeing what Ralph has to say and I remember a quote from that ILP episode. Ralph said this:

XREAL is one of the top two AR glasses on the market, and let me tell you we ain’t number two!

This is what Ralph had to say about his choices and one is pretty unique:

My favorite protagonist of all time is the Long Piece in Tetris. Shoot, the Long Piece has a real name, and it’s “Hero”! It’s a perfect name because that’s exactly what Long Piece is, it’s a damn hero! That’s probably an answer that super ages me, but man, I destroyed Tetris on Windows 3.0 and Game Boy for hours and always lit up when the perfectly timed Long Piece would show up!

Building your perfect wall of tetrominoes requires skill and patience, and of course, that wall is tall and strong, with a long blank column just waiting for the Long Piece to show. It was the ultimate thrill to perfectly place your long-awaited long piece, see the blocks flash, and then disappear. You did it! The Long Piece has always been the ultimate protagonist, saving us in our times of need, and I for one will always salute the Long Piece. But if I’m thinking about my favorite truly narrative protagonist, it’s Senua!

A fighting antagonist

My favorite antagonist of all time is M. Bison. This villain had THE POWER, he had THE LOOK, and he had THE ATTITUDE. M. Bison is the greatest of all time. Throughout your progress in Street Fighter, M. Bison looms like a giant. You know this big boss fight is coming and even after you defeat Zangief and E. Honda, you’re still questioning if your skills are enough to take down Bison. His strikes are too powerful!

Add to Bison’s larger-than-life presence and lore across the Street Fighter games, we rarely get a motion picture performance that elevates a character across mediums, especially in the 1990s! But believe me when I say, that what Raul Julia did for the M. Bison role in ’94 was nothing short of god-like! Putting Raul Julia as THE M. Bison in my headcanon across the games and the masterpiece movie – that’s what solidifies M. Bison as the GOAT. Maybe for you, he’s just another antagonist, but for me….it was Tuesday. IYKYK.

Spiderman/Peter Parker (2018) & Dr Octopus (2018)

Iron Lords Podcast Member & Host of Xbox Frontline News, King David

Next up we have a man who needs no introduction, but I’m going to give you one anyway. We have King David one of the “Four Horsemen of Gaming” and a member of the Iron Lords Podcast. You might have seen him holding the line regarding the Activision/Blizzard/King deal. Or maybe you have seen him advancing the line with his YouTube channel Xbox Frontline. He’s the King of the Statues and someone who I have had to pleasure to have many great and important conversations with. Regardless of all that, he is a great community member. King has always had my back and had this to say about his favorite protagonist and antagonist of all time.

Well, I would have to go with 2018’s Spider–Man/Peter Parker for my favorite protagonist. I can’t go with the latest Spider-Man because I don’t feel as if that was a strong enough character. I felt as if that one was too submissive to Mary Jane. I thought 2018’s Spider-Man was the game of the year and the reason why is because you saw the duality in which Spider-Man and Peter Parker had to co-exist inside that world. He was my favorite when it came to his ability to juggle both of the personas. This causes conflict in his life, but with great power comes great responsibility.

And you saw that on full display because his powers weren’t a hindrance to him like some other heroes. It was actually an asset and an escape from his day-to-day life. He was being plagued by regular figures of his everyday life the same way that we are. You also saw the lack of a father figure because Uncle Ben died pretty early on and he didn’t really know his parents. The whole delivery system which fleshes out the character which is Peter Parker and then the Icon which is Spider-Man and him staying grounded when he’s Spider-Man shows true humility and the duality of both. That was exacerbated when you got to the DLC because it really showed the duality of the situation.

Favorite villain from the same world

Now for my favorite villain, I’d have to go with Dr. Octopus. So I’ll take it right back to 2018’s Spider-Man. Dr. Octopus was suffering from what he thought was “closure of his brilliance.” His brilliance was actually incredible, but he was suffering from not being acknowledged. He had a protege that he understood how incredible he was with his mindset. And the thought of being replaced easily removed that he was being passed by, but he did have contributions to humanity being downsized. Those things played a huge role in how he felt and how he went across as being the villain. You gotta remember Peter was looking up to him and he had to balance that out with being a supervillain.

But also getting all those villains and manipulating each of them to go after Spider-Man, not knowing he was Peter Parker a kid who he loved dearly. He had so much hate for Spider-Man, but so much love for Peter Parker that at that moment he realized that Peter Parker was Spider-Man that you could the conflict within him. But at that moment he was at his villainous high that he couldn’t walk back all the stuff he had done as a villain. I think you actually got a chance to see a villain’s arc change. Someone who wanted to give so much to humanity and who wanted to be that much of a great person. That right there transcends everything and I believe we got to see a true villain arc. That one bad day could actually destroy your life.

Joel Miller

Host of the PS Trophy Room, Joseph Moran

When it comes to someone who might have a preferred console brand, but loves all gaming in general look no further than Joseph Moran. He is the host of the PS Trophy Room where he goes over all things about PlayStation. We had to pleasure of running into him like many others at Pax East this year and getting some pictures while chopping it up. Joseph Moran is also a giant Halo fan. This is what he had to say about his favorite antagonist, but wasn’t sure about a protagonist.

Villains are some of the hardest characters to write for. I feel like the cliche of “ultimate power” or “destruction of the world” just feels tropey at this point. A good villain is someone you relate with; someone you can even partially agree with, but the ways that they go about it are sinister. A good villain shouldn’t just have the protagonist question their morality, but they should have them question yours as well. They should leave both you and the protagonist changed by the end of the story. That’s why Joel from The Last of Us is one of my favorite villains in video games. Because no matter how you slice it, he does the wrong thing. He goes on his hero’s journey, but at the very end, chooses selfishness and justifies it through selfish reasonings.

His fate is tied to what he chooses to do by the end of the TLOUP1 and what carries on into part two. But we convinced ourselves that he was in the right because we went on that journey with him we saw the bond they made and we thought the ends justified the means. A lot of people disconnect from part two‘s version of Ellie. They say that’s not the girl from part one. And it’s not because Joel‘s decision changed her at a core. That girl died the moment Joel told her the truth. Joel damned the world so that he could have a second chance. Because in his words, if the Lord somehow gave him a second chance, he do it all over again. Joel teaches us that love isn’t a noble emotion.

Joel Miller

Host of the Crossfire Podcast, MOOCH

When it comes to Mooch, I have been listening to him since I entered the podcast space. Mooch is a great friend to many people and an avid game lover of all genres. I’d be remiss if I also didn’t mention that Mooch is the king when it comes to food comparisons as well. You can find him hosting The Crossfire Podcast where people fire back and forth as they talk about games and things going on in the industry. Mooch has great energy he brings when discussing games, hobbies, and the Mets of course. He wanted to tell us about his unique protagonist and antagonist which is the same person.

As many might be aware I have been extremely vocal on how one of my favorite games of all time is The Last Of Us. I’m a massive fan of post-apocalyptic worlds where a sense of adventure exists coupled with survival, the fear of the unknown, and a chance to start over again. The Last Of Us has a hero in Ellie but as great as a character that she becomes, I have a different hero in that of Joel Miller. Joel, a once hard-working single dad back before the breakout occurred, became a missionary soldier to make ends meet as he faced the end of the world. He eventually stumbled upon a young girl, Ellie, and was tasked to escort her to a militant group known as the Fireflies.

They would care for her from that point going forward. In that journey, Joel becomes my favorite hero/protagonist. He fends off numerous “infected,” and soldiers in an attempt to bring a young girl he’s never met before across the country to a group he actively doesn’t like (The Fireflies). His resilience and strength, along with what begins to build their father/daughter relationship, is very powerful. It should be noted that Joel Miller loses his own daughter during the first night when the outbreak occurs. This is in fact why the relationship and struggles that Joel and Ellie face together are so persevering.

In addition to his daughter, Joel also loses Tess, a love interest and his best friend. Joel was a renegade and a loner, so losing the one person that he cared for most (post-apocalypse) was extremely damning for his soul and spirit. However, it’s that never-give-up attitude that makes Joel Miller my favorite protagonist. No matter how many times while playing the game, you as the player may say “That’s it, I can’t go on”, yet the character continues without any hesitation. The combination of the character’s resiliency along with the hand-to-hand combat and gunplay makes for a truly amazing experience as a gamer. This all leads to why Joel is one of the most diverse and developed characters in games today.

How Joel Miller is his favorite antagonist too

This choice of favorite antagonist might surprise some and may be very unorthodox for an article such as this. When it comes to my favorite villain/antagonist I choose Joel Miller. Before you critique my choice, just hear me out. Joel does something so sinister that it is almost unforgivable. He destroys all hope of restoring humanity and life as we knew it pre-apocalypse. That is probably the worst villain of all time and you as the gamer are forced to make that decision. However, as awful as that was a decision to make, you also felt like it was your duty and responsibility to protect what now felt like your daughter and someone you would risk your life for.

In one brief moment, Joel kills off the only surgeon (known at the time and till this day) who could have successfully removed the Cordyceps that have been with Ellie from birth. The Cordyceps were the life-saving key to creating a vaccine that would have saved humanity, but their removal would have killed Ellie. It may be easy to discern from a gamer standpoint that saving humanity is much more important than one life.

But when that one life is someone near and dear to you that decision becomes much more difficult, if not impossible, to make. However, in the end, Joel does in fact kill the doctor and save Ellie. No matter our feelings, Joel will always be known as a villain on paper but when you play the game and experience the journey and the growth of his relationship with Ellie it’s easy to understand how and why he made that choice. And no matter how many times I play the game (which I’ve played many times over), I do not doubt that Joel Miller would make that choice 100 times out of 100 opportunities.

Arthur Morgan & The Covenant

Host of the Fun Speculation YouTube channel, Fun Speculation (Mav)

The next person sharing their thoughts is none other than Fun Speculation. Fun Speculation, also known as Mav, has been family to me and a big supporter of mine for a long time. He has invited me to his shows and is always willing to talk to me about anything. Mav hosts a plethora of shows on his YouTube channel such as FSP, PM In The PM, and Xbox Ultimate. Then when he isn’t podcasting you can catch him streaming there. Mav is one of the many “pillars of positivity” in the gaming community and this is what he had to share.

Favorite Protagonist? Definitely Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2. The best part of his story is watching him change for the better as he thinks about his life. It’s never too late to do the right thing. But he is also someone you don’t want to mess with, one of those guys that just seems to know how to handle things.

Favorite Antagonist? I’d have to say The Covenant as a whole. Just a religious cult misled by its leaders the Prophets. Blinded by their belief they do not care who gets in their way on their great journey! Plus the grunts are hilarious.

Cloud Strife & Adam Smasher

Executive Editor at Windows Central and Co-Host of Xb2 & Unshackled Fury Podcasts, Jez Corden

Now, someone I have looked forward to having in one of these for a very long time is none other than Jez Corden. Jez is a man of many hats, so to speak. He is the Executive Editor at Windows Central and co-hosts the XB2 Podcast alongside Rand al Thor, which has an Xbox focus. That isn’t the only podcast he co-hosts; he is also a co-host on the Unshackled Fury Podcast, which talks about World of Warcraft. Jez has been on ILP multiple times and is someone I respect within the industry. This is what he had to say.

I know it’s cliche and a popular choice, and probably strewn through a lens of infinite nostalgia for me, but the iconic Cloud is the first character I think of when people ask me who my favorite protagonist is. Immature and brooding, he to some degree represents the confusion of the player dropped into a hostile and mysterious world where you’re made to feel small and insignificant in the face of much more terrifying and powerful forces.

As the game goes on, finding out the truth about Cloud is a rare betrayal typically befitting of an antagonist rather than a protagonist. Cloud ultimately overcomes his past and his demons and becomes a better person for it, ultimately to protect his friends and the planet itself. He’s more interesting to me than the squeaky-clean heroes we’re often fed, and although he represents many popular tropes in pop culture, Cloud was my first exposure to them as a kid. FF7 forever cemented my love of gaming as a result.

Favorite antagonist showing some CyberPunk love

My favorite antagonist is Adam Smasher. There’s not much complexity with this one. Adam Smasher is a walking tank of pure evil manifest, cyberpsychotic, and unrelenting. While the original boss battle undersold him a bit in Cyberpunk 2077 I feel … it was made up for in the Edgerunners cartoon, which elevated my intrigue about his lore and back story.

Adam Smasher is an uncanny blend of the darkest self-serving human will with an unstoppable Terminator-like mechanical killing force. He’s a hulking 8ft machine with a minuscule amount of human tissue left, although it’s perhaps all the more disturbing that being fully chromed hasn’t made him any more psychotic than he was previously. The very extreme end of what it means to be a mercenary, the total lack of empathy and mercy combined with cybernetically enhanced intellect and strength makes Adam Smasher an antagonistic nightmare.

Kratos & Sephiroth

The Goat of the Game, Gerard “HipHopGamer” Williams

When I tell you HipHopGamer something else that is an understatement. I couldn’t even describe him in the header because this man is out here in the streets doing so much to change the game. You know whim from Hot97. You can catch him on his YouTube and Twitch channels. HipHop has even written a children’s book called “Game Time Gaming.” Gerard even had the brainchild of the “Playmakers” program which is being adopted by some NYC schools. This program’s motto is to meet children where they are at, doing something they love.

His energy is contagious even from the first moment I met him. He pulled me in before he even knew my name and was treating me like we’d been friends for ages. I could go on, but I wouldn’t know where to end, Gerard “HipHopGamer” is making big moves and helping the next generation and is someone I hold in high regard. This is what he had to say.

Kratos is my favorite character of all time because of the story and energy behind what makes him the God Of War. For him to give his soul to Aeres, then Aeres makes him kill his own family and wear the ashes of his family as skin, is crazy but yet also symbolic of how a lot of people feel being black and the skin color they have by default causes problems for their life because of racism is one and the same, meaning that you’re living a daily nightmare simply cause of the skin you have as a reminder of pain.

Sephiroth is my favorite villain because as he discovers the truth about his mother and his true nature and what was done to him he actually becomes what he hates as a way to survive what he lost and that representation was presented in such a powerful a way especially seeing Sephiroth walk through the fire, it was one of the most powerful moments even in a videogame dating back to 1997.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Creator of the Everborn Universe & Co-Host of the Gaming Circle Podcast, Everborn Saga

Now coming to the stage we have the other Co-Host of the Gaming Circle Podcast, Everborn Saga. He isn’t just a co-host, he is the the creator of the Everborn Universe. His late entry into the series did surpass its goal on Kickstarter. You can also find Everborn at events like NYCC 2024 showing off the latest and greatest of his world creations. He also has an unwavering love for Sega. This is what Everborn shared about his favorite protagonist.

Sonic the Hedgehog has been my favorite video game hero ever since I was first introduced to him in the early nineties. My Sonic fandom began with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the Sega Genesis, (my first game console) Sonic 2 was more than just a game for me—it transformed me into a lifelong “Sega Kid.” Back in the nineties, there were a ton of mascot platformers but one in particular was set apart from the pack. Whether it was the Michael Jackson-inspired beats of the soundtrack or Sonic’s iconic idle animations—folded arms, tapping foot, and all—it was clear that Sega had created a character with personality. He wasn’t just fast; he was cool.

Adding to the magic was the early Sonic cartoons, where Jaleel White (aka Steve Urkel) brought Sonic to life with the perfect mix of wit and charm. But it wasn’t just Sonic’s character that won me over—it was Sega’s daring underdog spirit. Their bold “Sega does what Nintendon’t” campaign made it clear they were here to take on Mario and Nintendo’s empire. And while the gaming landscape has changed, I love to think that rivalry lives on, even today. From games to movies, Sonic and Mario are still ducking out to this day.

Ratchet & Clank and Bowser

LOGNET Assitant Editor, Robert Kellet

Last time he was a Lords of Gaming writer, but now Robert Kellet is an Assistant Editor for the site. If you know anything about Robert you would know he is a huge Sonic fan. Ever since he started he has shown enthusiasm and taken the bull by the horns. I’m sure you have seen him hanging out in the Iron Lords Podcast chat and showing support for them.

Starting as a humble mechanic aspiring to leave his backwater planet and eventually becoming the hero of the Solaris Galaxy, Ratchet from Ratchet & Clank is a heroic character who I feel stands tall in the world of many video game icons. It’s rare to see a platforming mascot character go through such an ongoing arc for nearly a decade, but Ratchet is one of the few who has. He originally was quite the angry fellow, being brash and even fighting with his partner Clank a few times in the original R&C, but throughout the series, he grew up.

He learned how to be a hero when others couldn’t step up to the role. And he even had to come to grips with his family, accepting major losses in the PS3’s Future Saga. And as of Rift Apart onward? He is a mature hero who still has many adventures ahead of him. With Naughty Dog and Sucker Punch leaving their platforming icons behind, seeing Insomniac continue exploring Ratchet’s character is amazing. And who doesn’t love a character who has a seemingly endless arsenal, including a gun that can turn you into a sheep? Nuff said.

One of the OG antagonists

Bowser, King of Koopas. The dragon turtle that always loses to the Jump Man. He is a legend in the gaming space who has been in hundreds of video games over the years. But despite his ‘simple’ role as Mario’s bad guy, he is a character with a level of depth most don’t realize. Starting with Mario RPG on the Super Nintendo and future RPG titles like Paper Mario and the Mario & Luigi series, Nintendo’s angry turtle has developed into quite a charming character.

He can crack jokes, is one of the strongest forces out there, and most importantly, he’s a proud father. He loves his son and adopted kids (The Koopalings) and would fight alongside his army until his dying breath. His most iconic moment has to be the final battle of Bowser’s Inside Story, where the king of koopas became the hero of his own story. He fought to protect the Mushroom Kingdom so that he could rule it for himself one day.

Marcus Fenix & Handsome Jack

Panel Member on Xbox Ultimate and SHOP Podcast & Co-Host of PM in the PM & Living Splitscreen, Pong Soul

I know everyone has heard the phrase at some point separated at birth before. Well if Pong Soul and myself were the same age many people could say that about us. There has never been another person that I know of who has had as many similar gaming interests and a similar mindset to me as Pong. He exudes so much positivity and energy you can’t help but get hyped up or laugh when Pong Soul is around.

Pong is a panel member of multiple podcasts, but many of you might watch him every Saturday with his Co-Host Steel Reign on Living Splitscreen. He and Steel usually can go four or even five hours talking about many topics within the gaming realm. Pong has been one of the people there anytime I needed someone to talk to and even helped me through a dark time a couple of years ago. Pong is a major pillar of positivity and like he says:

It’s the Golden Age of Gaming! Play what you love and love what you play!

This is what Pong Soul shared with me:

You will never force me to pick just one favorite protagonist and antagonist from my decades of playing video games. Too many characters from both sides live on in my memories, and I have developed my definition of “great” examples to distill down.  Instead, I will throw a couple of mental darts for this assignment and see which of the many names pop up first.

First up: the Protagonist, the central character, the savior, the champion of righteousness, and the HERO. Marcus Fenix. The man who became so much more than just the jacked and gruff leader of the infamous Delta Squad in Gears of War. A man who never quit in the face of personal loss and adversity, who held a band of brothers together despite overwhelming odds, defied and challenged death, who showed compassion and loyalty while maintaining his quick-witted one-liners. Marcus was that DUDE. Just like the original Gears of War trilogy, the more I got to know Marcus, the more I appreciated the levels of complexity and deep story arc that made the video game character complete and not just a forgettable bunch of pixels, and the more I cherished him as one of my all-time favorites.

Then a brief description of his antagonist

Next: The Antagonist, the yang to the hero’s yin, the adversary, the evildoer, the BAD GUY. Handsome Jack.  I admit, the latest hints that a Borderlands 4 teaser could be shown soon probably influenced this one, but good ole Handsome Jack is one of my all-time favorite “enemies”. An antagonist that embodies the phrase; “a person I love to hate,” Jack combines madness, a twisted sense of justice, charisma, and mocking humor into unforgettable scenes that steal the show.  Very few, if any, bad guys surpass Handsome Jack’s sheer value of entertainment that he has given me during my adventures through Borderlands.

Hiro Protagonist & “A Unique Villain”

Creator and Designer of the Original Xbox, Seamus Blackley

As we come to our last two people this person is the godfather of the original Xbox. I am talking about the one and only Seamus Blackley. Seamus was the creator and designer of the original Xbox and also put the team together once it was approved by Bill Gates all those years ago. I remember one Christmas all I wanted was an Xbox. I even petitioned my entire family to all go in together to get it for me. It turns out that Christmas would be my favorite holiday memory ever, all thanks to Seamus. He also represented video game developers for several years at “Creative Artists Agency.”

Blackley took a post running the research and development team for the augmented reality startup Daqri to explore methods of producing more powerful holograms and in 2018 became the CEO of tech startup Pacific Light and Hologram. This is what the legendary Seamus Blackley shared with me.

My favorite protagonist is, naturally, Hiro Protagonist from Snow Crash. It might surprise you that there are reasons for this that are above and beyond the obvious— which if we are honest should put him automatically at the top of all protagonist rankings without further comment. Chief among these is the fact that he was created by my dear friend Neal Stephenson who, in many ways, represents spiritually if not in actual fact all that is best about Hiro. But I have it backward here, I met Hiro long before I met Neal, and if I’m honest it’s actually because of Hiro that I was curious and brave enough to meet Neal. Neal taught my son how to cut through tatami mats with a katana. Neal taught Hiro how to live in a tsunami of change and abstract conflict while maintaining a human and ethical soul.

A very unique perspective on villains

I’d really like to think that the reason we enjoy villains so much is because we see in them those aspects of ourselves that we regret and that we might try to learn from. But more often I think we instead see freedom: freedom to run with our worst desires, freedom to not care for those around us, freedom to not take responsibility, freedom to do what feels good. And ultimately we revel in characters who succeed and thrive absent the weight of societal pressure. It’s possibly the therapeutic value of allowing ourselves to root for these characters that makes them so attractive. A guilty pleasure. What we love best in them is what we worry about in ourselves. So, it’s us. We are my favorite villain.

Riou & Luca Blight

Community Manager for Lords of Gaming, Chris Jones

Now last, but not least we have me. When I tell you this was a difficult choice, I’m sure people who know me would just say throw down some Suikoden hero and villain, and boom. It isn’t just that easy because I resonate with so many characters and certain ones I enjoy tremendously. I did narrow it done to a few before my final choice for my favorite hero. We had Commander Shepard who I resonated with a lot based on how I played him so I ruled him out because of the “blank slate” dilemma.

Then there were Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu who I thoroughly enjoyed their stories and characters. Also, I always loved Yuri from the Shadow Hearts series. Ultimately, after much deliberation, I chose Riou from Suikoden 2.

I felt Riou was the perfect character that I resonated with and could see myself in from beginning to end. Early in his life, he was left as an orphan due to the wars and was adopted by Genkaku. I might not have been an orphan, but after my dad and stepmom split up and I moved in with my uncle around high school I felt like I never really belonged there. Nothing against my uncle, he was the best, but I kind of indirectly was homeless in a way. I was rarely home, and always with my friends and their families. Their moms, grandmas, etc kind of looked out for me in a way and provided some insight as I finished high school. Along with my stepmom even to this day.

Then Riou and Jowy ultimately had a similar goal to a point, but went about different paths to try and achieve those. I was chill, laid, back, gamed, and partied a lot for many years as I continued toward my ultimate goal of just being successful in my life with a job, family, etc. At some point, one of my friends decided he wanted to get his stuff together and he joined the army.

He went to college. He served the country. He did great things. While I also did some good things like helping with Hurricane Katrina relief and a few other things, we achieved the success we have now via different paths. His and my roads have and always will be interwoven just like Riou and Jowy. Then just like Riou and the other Suikoden heroes I want to bring people together to do great things and make the world a better and more enjoyable place. I believe I do that in many ways.

There is only one greatest antagonist of all time

When I think of the greatest villains or protagonists, I can agree there are many good choices. However, there is only one person who can hold this title and that is the maniacal Luca Blight. Luca Blight was kind of a normal kid until an event changed the way he thought about things and led him to kill people at a young age. Luca Blight has killed hundreds if not thousands of people and laughed about it. Luca sacrificed an entire city to the Beast Rune. He burned down a village and a villager was begging for her life. He said then oink like a pig, so she obliged. Then afterwards asked if that was good.

He was like yes NOW DIE PIG! He poisoned his own father, so he could become king and keep the war going. If anyone ever tried to stop him they surely would have been slaughtered family and all. He didn’t care if it was a man, woman, or child if he wanted to slaughter them he would have. Then step over their body and continue about his merry. He is the first person in a game that made me go “Oh crap” I hate this guy and he needs to be stopped. As a kid, I gasped at some of the PS1 cutscenes. He more than likely would have attempted global genocide if he wasn’t stopped by Riou. So to me, no one comes close to who he was or what he could or would do!

Closing Thoughts

Gaming is very important to many people for different reasons. Some it’s an escape from the world. To others, it might be a learning experience. If used in a hospital it could help with healing. Gaming can be used for many different things. I was glad to be able to bring so many great people from the community and industry to share their thoughts and stories with everyone. I take pride in bringing people together to share our love of gaming!