10 Times Changing Protagonists Killed Video Games
DmC's emo Dante is the perfect case of "don't fix what isn't broken".
A game's protagonist is the bridge that connects a player to the game.
Especially as franchises continue, fans become attached to the heroes they've played as for countless hours. Whether it's Geralt, Link, or Master Chief, these characters' endearing personalities and distinctive designs have made them intrinsic to their respective franchises.
However, it's not unusual for developers to change things up for sequels. Alongside taking players to new locations and adding new gameplay ideas, some follow-ups likewise give players a different protagonist. In the case of Assassin's Creed or Grand Theft Auto, these new characters allow the developers to tell vastly different stories that make each instalment feel fresh. In the case of The Last Of Us: Part II, switching protagonists can even be fundamental to exploring a game's themes.
Alter things too much, though, and developers risk undermining what made their franchises so popular to begin with. Whether it's replacing fan-favourite heroes with duller alternatives or overhauling classic characters so much that they become unrecognisable, changing the protagonist has proven to be the downfall of plenty of titles.
10. Prototype 2 (2012)
An underrated gem from the Xbox 360 era, Prototype took place in a New York City overrun with a virus that turns its denizens into mutated monsters. Players take on the role of Alex Mercer, an amnesiac who discovers the virus has given him shapeshifting powers.
Throughout his quest for answers, players use Alex's abilities to wall-run and glide their way through the city, eviscerating any infected or military personnel who get in their way. It was pure blood-soaked carnage, and it was just as exhilarating to play as it sounds.
Prototype was a hit, and a sequel was released in 2012. Set one year later, Prototype 2 followed new protagonist James Heller as he sought revenge on Mercer for killing his family. Though the sequel was as visceral as its predecessor, Heller's generic tough guy persona was a huge downgrade from brooding antihero Mercer. The result was a game that was as bland as its new protagonist.
Prototype 2 sold so poorly that Activision shut down developer Radical Entertainment later that year. Following the underwhelming reception to the series' remastered Biohazard Bundle in 2015, it's unlikely Prototype will be revived anytime soon.