Every Rockstar Games Protagonist Ranked - From Worst To Best

2. Carl 'CJ' Johnson - GTA: San Andreas

CJ broke new ground, being the first non-white protagonist in a Rockstar game. His tale of loyalty, family, betrayal and redemption is one of the most compelling in any video game, especially due to its compelling setting - the vibrant and diverse San Andreas. Carl himself is a far more naturally likeable character than most GTA protagonists. The series' main men are usually cold-blooded, emotionless killers (like Claude), or raging psychopaths (I'm looking at you, Trevor). Whenever CJ is forced to kill, it's for a damn good reason, be it the protection of his turf, family or friends. Another reason Carl must be considered one of Rockstar's greatest ever protagonists is the customisation. San Andreas broke new ground by allowing the player to shape CJ's visual appearance. Going to the gym builds up his muscle mass and stamina, while eating too much Cluckin' Bell results in him running slower and visibly gaining weight. There's also a whole host of clothes, accessories, hairstyles and tattoos available, making CJ Rockstar's most customisable character by far. The success of CJ can be best scene when comparing San Andreas to GTA V. The developers tried to re-hash Carl's story in the form of Franklin - another good-hearted African American attempting to escape the Los Santos hood - but ended up with a far less compelling character.