10 Video Game Characters That Deserved To Die (But Didn't)

10. Roy Earle - L.A. Noire

In the tradition of the film noir genre, L.A. Noire is a video game where truly likeable characters are in desperately short supply, but there's one despicable character above all others who, for all his transgressions, still makes it to the end credits with his life in tact.

We're of course talking about Roy Earle, the partner of protagonist Cole Phelps and Chief Detective of the LAPD's Vice department.

He plays a major role in the climax of the game, using Cole's extra-marital affair with Elsa in order to distract the media from an impending corruption scandal in the Vice Squad he was deeply involved in.

Ultimately Earle manages to walk away scot-free, but not before delivering an infuriatingly disingenuous eulogy at Phelps' funeral, posing as his bereft partner and friend, causing a distraught Elsa to storm out in disgust.

That's not to forget his casual displays of racism and misogyny throughout the game, as well as his flippant use of violence when following up leads. Were he not so smug and savvy, his lack of punishment wouldn't be quite so infuriating.