It's actually credible to Rockstar's team that two of their flawed protagonists appear on this list. Niko Bellic is the primary protagonist of Grand Theft Auto IV and his story centers on a warped interpretation of the typical American Dream. He's also a man desperate for redemption and that creates something of a catch-22 situation for the hero. Niko's actions during an unnamed war in Eastern Europe are frequently mentioned and he clearly carries a lot of baggage. Moving to America is intended to be the turning point in his life, yet he quickly finds himself dragged back into the world of crime. Eventually, it gets to a point where his situation is so muddied that he has no choice but to continue committing horrible acts for even worse people in the vague hope that there's some sort of light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, it doesn't help that Niko was lied to by his cousin Roman, who filled his mind with a series of fabricated stories about how great living in America is. Despite this, it's questionable whether Niko would have ever been able to escape his past life; after all, if all he knows is killing, what could he expect to be doing in Liberty City? It's an interesting thought but it's not really one that's explored by Rockstar - Niko almost immediately returns to his instincts and we never really see him going out of his way to improve his or Roman's lives. Niko is a great character in many ways and we would be rooting for him in most circumstances, but do we really want him to succeed while he's helping some of the scummiest people in Liberty City? Unlikely. His most violent acts may be optional but Niko's quest for redemption only begets more misery upon himself and his family.
I have an addiction to achievements, a craving for new bands and a dream to become Captain America. I once finished second in a Mario Kart 7 tournament so I'm kind of a big deal.
