It’s award season here at Twinfinite! Let’s look back at the best characters from 2017. Voted on by our editors, these characters stood out as the best and most memorable from games this year. Let’s start our top vote-getting honorable mentions, runner-ups, and finally, of course, our overall winner!
Honorable Mention: Kat – Gravity Rush 2
Best Video Game Characters of 2017
I’m pretty sure its physically impossible to dislike Kat from Gravity Rush 1 and 2. She is one of the most charming and believably optimistic characters you’ll ever come across in video games. Her personality is such that she carries an experience that wasn’t always as smooth as the first one. Yes, Gravity Rush 2 improves on a lot, but it also takes some steps back with some frustrating segments such as grossly out of place stealth missions.
That said, for every moment that you want to throw your controller in frustration over something stupid Gravity Rush 2 is making you do, there’s an even more powerful moment in the story where you fall in love with Kat’s infectious personality all over again. I’m not sure how the developers managed to make a character so likable and cheerful without being super extra and annoying about it but the did it. And while Gravity Rush 2 isn’t a perfect game, just experiencing its beautiful watercolor-like world alongside Kat at least one time is worth the price of admission.
Honorable Mention: Chloe Frazier – Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Best Video Game Characters of 2017
She may not be new to the scene, but The Lost Legacy brought Uncharted fans more of what we were all desperately craving: Chloe Frazer. She’s so cool, y’all. She’s just the fun loving rascal archetype, but in a badass character. In fact, the entire standalone expansion could have just been called Uncharted: Two Badasses Walk Around Being Badasses And Find Solace In Their Budding Friendship – The Game. It might be a mouth-full, but it’s definitely a good summary of the game.
You’re not only playing it because it’s more Uncharted, but because of the characters. Chloe, in particular, wrecks shop in that department. She went from just a second Nathan Drake to a character with depth and feelings, who’s a good friend, family member and excellent adventurer.
Chloe finally got her chance to shine in the sun after being gone since Uncharted 2, and the performance from Claudia Black, as well as the excellent writing for the character, all helped mold this unforgettable heroine (as well as her partner in crime).
Second Runner-Up: 2B – NieR: Automata
Best Video Game Characters of 2017
Just like the first game NieR: Automata is a game all about characters, in particular the YoRHa androids 9S and 2B. At the beginning of the game 2B is a cold and calculating soldier, only dedicated to her mission and unwilling to feel anything outside of her give parameters, including emotion. Part of what makes Automata so memorable is the intense growth that each of its main characters go through, and how multilayered they turn out to be.
2B’s journey in particular is inspiring and heart wrenching all at the same time, as we see her grow into her own personality and emotions, as she and 9S begin to unravel the truth. There’s real depth and emotion put into her character both through the writing and a phenomenal voice performance from Kira Buckland. Most importantly, however, 2B takes the stage as a strong female protagonist and the main driving force in the game’s narrative.
In a year with quite a few strong female heroes, 2B easily manages to stand near the top, and this well written character along with her relationship to 9S, is what really breathes life into the narrative of NieR: Automata.
First Runner-Up: BJ Blazkowicz – Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Best Video Game Characters of 2017
BJ Blazkowicz has changed quite a bit over the years even completely changing looks, but Wolfenstein The New Order and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus give us a version of the hero that’s incredibly compelling to follow. When Wolfenstein II starts BJ has been through the ringer, he’s nearly dead and he’s lost the ability to walk. BJ’s perseverance is admirable, and he’s always ready and willing to get his hands dirty and do what’s right.
What really makes BJ interesting though, is his willingness to show emotion. This is a far cry from your usual burly masculine hero, as BJ cares deeply about his people and his cause, and mourns over their losses. BJ is a broken hero, mentally and physically, and Wolfenstein II isn’t afraid to show the fragility and weakness of its main protagonist. It’s through his fragility though that BJ becomes more relatable, and easier for the audience to get invested in. Of course, we also need to mention the strong performance by Brian Bloom, who lends his gruff tone well to the character.
Wolfenstein II is a unique shooter that really takes time to flesh out its characters, and their relationship with the messed up world around them. BJ is easily one of the most fascinating, relatable characters of the year, and Wolfenstein II’s narrative is one of the best.
