Raziel is one of the most stunningly designed protagonists on this list, and is a clear superhero despite being a resurrected vampiric being. His image was based upon a combination of the creatures from German expressionist films like The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu, the beings described in Paradise Lost, and the Hindu god Vishnu. His appearances in the Legacy Of Kain series, most prominently in its Soul Reaver spin-offs, are regarded as some of the strongest character arcs in gaming history. His life story (from before his death and subsequent resurrection) is unveiled to both Raziel and the gamer in reverse as the narrative unfolds, meaning that both the character and the player learn about and react to the same events and emotions at the same time. Raziel wields the powerful Soul Reaver blade, which is inhabited by an ancient spirit that is strengthened by the souls upon which the vampire feeds. He is far from the perfect hero - at times coming across as incredibly arrogant, and featuring a chequered past to say the least - but as his story develops and his powers continue to grow, he increasingly begins to resemble the darker superheroes of DC/Marvel.
