8 Heroic Video Game Characters Who Didn't Actually Affect The Plot

2. Nathan Drake (Uncharted: Drake's Fortune)

Quip-happy loveable rogue Nathan Drake is the nearest thing to a new-age gaming icon, yet his debut effort actually mimics Indiana Jones' Raiders of the Lost Ark, in that the main character doesn't contribute to the plot whatsoever.

Think about it: Everything from the pirates arriving on the island to the Spanish Descendants reanimating, to even Navarro successfully excavating the treasure ALL happen without Nate successfully interfering. In essence, Drake spends the majority of the game chasing his antagonists' collective tail, getting Sully shot, being imprisoned and only just rejoining the overarching story when it's about to finish.

Even then, the final showdown only happens because Elena boots one of Navarro's men out the side of a helicopter, causing some wayward gunshots to bring it down, marooning the golden statue on a tanker with the helicopter itself teetering on the edge of a helipad. It's here where Nate finally does something, beating Navarro in a fight before shoulder-barging the helicopter to send it and the statue down into the sea.

Still, everything relating to the treasure itself, the Descendant's curses, major character exchanges and betrayals all happen with Drake on the back foot. And let's face it - Elena could've easily pushed an already half-over-the-edge helicopter into the brink, too.