Bowling obsessed cousins, barmen who love Sci-Fi memory beds, pawns of a black suited breathing apparatus - Here are a few game characters which, you may or may not have heard about hated, but in truth, should have more respect and praise.
Game characters are what make games. If you have a narrative that is compelling, you need characters that are deep and relatable. Not all characters have to be though. Some can be quiet, some can be big headed, and some just love bowling so much they have to ring you in the middle of a police chase. (I know right, they should add an ignore button to certain people, huh?) Yes there are some great game characters, but some are often mistreated or misjudged. Some, are meant to be hated and misjudged but in truth help the game along in more ways than some of us realise, and others just turn up and die, and people criticise them for it. Here are a few which have had a bit of mud slung at them, but hopefully should garner a little more respect after these posts. Alright, bowling is expensive, you can hate him as much as you like.
5. Roman Bellic
Let's this 'fat slob with a bladder control problem' out the way early shall we? You've just come from a long history of bad decisions on a working ship, an immigrant looking to live the American dream, looking to invest in a good new life, one that's clean and easy. One where you can go mostly unnoticed, and just have a bit of quiet in your life. And then, you step off the boat and a man who looks to represent the whole stereotype of failing to live the American dream greets you. Yes, Grand Theft Auto IV truly was one of the greatest game's the current generation has had. But Roman Bellic was one of the pesky annoying little things about it. Think of a fly that just won't stop buzzing near your face and no matter how much spray you use, and how many times you swing that newspaper, he always comes buzzing back. I can't name the amount of times I've gotten a phone call, Roman on the other end being quite sad, asking where his cousin is. Still though, we have to show him respect, he is family after all. We all have one; That one friend who wants to tag along, that one friend who says "hi" EVERY time you go on Facebook, that one friend who always follows your trends. Roman to a point is the most relatable character in the game, and the fact he is so annoying and idiotic, actually adds humour to the game. I never answer him properly, but I like the sudden reality of having friends and family in a game, and at the end of the day, the American dream comes slightly more into focus with him. Whenever I see a character in a game or movie answer a phone, I automatically go, "HEY COUSIN! WANT TO GO BOWLING?" That is Roman Bellic's honest legacy.