I was just responding in a topic regarding mostly Japanese Visual Novels in which I spouted some hatred around regarding typical Japanese characters and exclaiming I'd prefer more Western orientated visual novels.
Yet, while I wrote that, I just realised that I'm completely fed up with most Western orientated characters as well. This extends not just to video games, but movies and series as well and I was wondering whether the community feels the same, which characters they like and/or what makes a good character.
Typical Western characters I hate:
- The standard bad ass GI Joe character you'll find in "modern shooters", war movies and TV series. "You don't fuck with me, I'm a one man army that occasionally bangs available women since I'm that wanted. Long live *insert nation here which is usually the USA*.
- The womanizer/douche of which his entire life is revolved around sex. Californication or anything Charlie Sheen does comes to mind.
- Righteous/holier than thou types that are mostly concerned that others aren't doing it the way (s)he does. Suits, House and crime fighting series come to mind here.
For women:
- The slut that can only influence the story in 2 ways. Seducing others and dragging others down with them. Laurie of the Walking dead, too many female characters in Game of Thrones and any female character in Rome comes to mind.
- The "strong" woman that loses all personality once she gets fucked or perhaps even kissed once. The standard Bond girls and the standard love interest in games come to mind.
Characters I personally like:
Lee and Clementine of the Walking Dead. Your average citizens that remain human during their entire screen time.
Any male character in Rome. I'm a sucker for historical characters, but I like the political intrigue, the battles, the charm. Especially the guy that plays Julius Ceasar seems to have a natural charisma.
Phoenix Wright. Sense of humor, good at what he does but remains humble.
Lyndis of Fire Emblem 7. Strong independent woman that doesn't need overcompensating to be depicted "bad ass".
Bilbo Baggins of the Hobbit. Simple "man" that would travel the world for the sake of friends. Basically anyone in the Lord of the Rings universe acts because he has to, instead of doing things because he just feels like it. Very old fashioned of me perhaps, but I prefer the former.
So, in general, I prefer humble down to earth characters with a sense of humor I suppose. Perhaps I'm raising the bar too high, but I personally feel it's time developers would seek past these stereotypes. Question that remains of course is whether how much the community feels the same and what makes a good character according to you.
Yet, while I wrote that, I just realised that I'm completely fed up with most Western orientated characters as well. This extends not just to video games, but movies and series as well and I was wondering whether the community feels the same, which characters they like and/or what makes a good character.
Typical Western characters I hate:
- The standard bad ass GI Joe character you'll find in "modern shooters", war movies and TV series. "You don't fuck with me, I'm a one man army that occasionally bangs available women since I'm that wanted. Long live *insert nation here which is usually the USA*.
- The womanizer/douche of which his entire life is revolved around sex. Californication or anything Charlie Sheen does comes to mind.
- Righteous/holier than thou types that are mostly concerned that others aren't doing it the way (s)he does. Suits, House and crime fighting series come to mind here.
For women:
- The slut that can only influence the story in 2 ways. Seducing others and dragging others down with them. Laurie of the Walking dead, too many female characters in Game of Thrones and any female character in Rome comes to mind.
- The "strong" woman that loses all personality once she gets fucked or perhaps even kissed once. The standard Bond girls and the standard love interest in games come to mind.
Characters I personally like:
Lee and Clementine of the Walking Dead. Your average citizens that remain human during their entire screen time.
Any male character in Rome. I'm a sucker for historical characters, but I like the political intrigue, the battles, the charm. Especially the guy that plays Julius Ceasar seems to have a natural charisma.
Phoenix Wright. Sense of humor, good at what he does but remains humble.
Lyndis of Fire Emblem 7. Strong independent woman that doesn't need overcompensating to be depicted "bad ass".
Bilbo Baggins of the Hobbit. Simple "man" that would travel the world for the sake of friends. Basically anyone in the Lord of the Rings universe acts because he has to, instead of doing things because he just feels like it. Very old fashioned of me perhaps, but I prefer the former.
So, in general, I prefer humble down to earth characters with a sense of humor I suppose. Perhaps I'm raising the bar too high, but I personally feel it's time developers would seek past these stereotypes. Question that remains of course is whether how much the community feels the same and what makes a good character according to you.