15 New Video Game Heroes - Ranked From Worst To Best

4. Ciri (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt)

Geralt misses the cut thanks to originally appearing playable in 2007's first Witcher game. Instead I'm highlighting Ciri, a long fan-favourite from Andrzej Sapkowski's books, who in Wild Hunt, is attempting to flee the menacing Wild Hunt.

The Hunt themselves are a band of demonic Sauron lookalikes hellbent on assumedly killing Ciri to both understand and acquire her power, but Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon (her full name) manages to outwit them at every turn.

A very strong and feisty individual, Ciri is blessed with a great number of abilities, using them to warp between groups of enemies at ease, or take down hulking griffins otherwise baying for blood. Atop her natural talents, she's a Witcher, schooled in the various ways to hunt the worst creatures around, looks out for her fellow human, isn't afraid to weaponise that latent power to devastating effect, and even willingly sacrifices herself to save the realm at the climax of the story.

Part of Witcher 3's magnificent scope is subtly tracking how you treat her over the course of the game, but if you let those most inherently individual components come through naturally, the happiest ending sees Ciri continue to protect the Continent, journeying off as an accomplished Witcher all her own.