10 Brilliantly Written Characters Ruined By Game Mechanics
2. The Gray Prince - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Although Bethesda's writing in Oblivion is quite robotic, sometimes it can surprise the player with an unexpected level of depth. The quest for the Grand Champion of the Cyrodiil Arena, the Gray Prince, does exactly that, though it doesn't quite stick the landing.
In the quest, the Gray Prince asks the player to find proof of his noble birthright. When the player investigates the prince's family castle, they discover he's actually half-vampire.
The revelation will horrify the Prince. He will consider his very existence a thing of evil and decide that he is not worthy of being the Grand Champion. After that, when the player challenges him for the title, the man will throw the fight and let you kill him.
This is a dramatic set-up that has the potential to make the player really question their actions. However, any sense of remorse is lost as due to Oblivion's stiff combat mechanics, the Gray Prince just sort of stands there as you slowly pummel him to death.
It removes any element of drama from the situation and makes the champion look like he's wondering what to eat that evening than anything worthwhile.