In recent times the uber-tough, powerful, near-unkillable super-soldiers of classic video gaming have been joined by more sentient, emotionally-aware lead characters who will aid in a developers ability to create a vivid and encapsulating narrative. Notable examples of these more complex characters include Ethan Mars (Heavy Rain), Yorda (ICO), Cole Phelps (L.A Noire) and Lee Everett (The Walking Dead). However, just because video gaming as an entire medium has become ever more complex and sophisticated doesnt mean there is no longer room for a badass to come onto our screens and distribute a satisfying beat down to a squadron of enemies, making full use of their implausible muscles, improbably large guns and world-class combat skills. For the purposes of this list and in the interest of fair-conduct, we have taken the approach of imagining a Battle-Royale-style situation (as seen in 2000 action-thriller film) where a large group of the very toughest characters in all of gaming have been placed on a remote island and been instructed to fight to the death. The Ethan Mars' and Cole Phelps' of the world would quickly be annihilated, but eventually the toughest would rise to the top. The last 20 survivors would receive a coveted place on this Whatculture list of the 20 Toughest Characters in Video Gaming History:
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
