21 Best Character Debuts In Gaming History

By Scott Tailford /

10. Marcus Fenix (Gears Of War)

"Welcome back to the army, soldier" "Sh*t" If there's one enduring action-hunk archetype that never gets old, it's the gruff mercenary who's pulled out of isolation and into the fray for "just one more mission" - although in Marcus' case it's turned into a lifetime of enemy slaughter. In what was instantly one of the most instantly-badass introductions of all time, Fenix is initially presented all cloaked in shadow as he resides in what appears to be some underground jail - the reasons for which we do not know; we only know that the mysterious friend Dom is springing him out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR09dsge3vI#t=55 John DiMaggio's husky voice brought Marcus to life in the way that only videogame badasses can, and within a few lines of dialogue between both him and Dom we got hints of Marcus' past, along with a fantastic full-body reveal as he dons his armour and walks out of the shadowy cell, uttering one of the funniest lines in action game history when told he's back in the military's favour; "Sh*t."