As another wild year of gaming draws to an epic close, it’s time to spotlight some of the fictional faces that captured our hearts and imaginations along the way. From awe-inspiring heroes to complex villains, 2023 gifted us a stellar lineup of video game characters that left their mark on players.
In this article, we’re ranking our definitive top 10. We combed through countless titles from the past 12 months, weighing factors like depth, impact, innovation and more to land on the elite crew you’ll meet below. Fair warning: narrowing it down was no easy feat.
Whether you’ve already adventured alongside these characters yourself or you’re discovering some new virtual BFFs, we think you’ll dig the diverse range of personalities headed your way. So pick up your controller, grab some snacks, and let’s jump right into the countdown!
The following odyssey takes you everywhere from the cyberpunk streets of Night City to the mystical landscapes of Hyrule and beyond. Come get better acquainted with 10 of gaming’s most exceptional characters from the past year. They definitely gave us ample reason to keep on playing in 2023.
10. Solomon Reed (Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty)
If we’re talking breakout characters of 2023, Solomon Reed has definitely earned some street cred. This chromed-out newcomer crashed the Cyberpunk party in Phantom Liberty, instantly winning over players with his authorization and charismatic edge.
As the steely-eyed leader of a secret federal squad, Reed uncovers a sinister conspiracy threatening the delicate balance between New United States factions. His mission pulls our cybernetic merc straight into the crosshairs, but Reed takes it all in confident stride.
We get a front-row seat to the agent’s captivating blend of capability and camaraderie as he aids the investigation. Even with his almost legendary status among special operatives, Reed still vibes with V like they’re choombas who go way back. His morals may bend, but his relatable personality and principled dedication make Reed a standout character we can’t help but root for.
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9. Lilith (Diablo 4)
Since storming onto the scene in Diablo IV, devious demoness Lilith has carved out a prime spot for herself in franchise lore. As the exiled daughter of Mephisto and proclaimed “Mother of Sanctuary,” her backstory already drips with intrigue before factoring in her bid for godlike power.
Ruthlessly pursuing her birthright, Lilith wages war against the forces of Hell itself, condemning countless mortal souls in the process. Her ambition knows no bounds and the ensuing carnage shocks even longtime fans.
Yet the same epic tale that cements this villain’s destructive legacy also hints at redemption on the horizon. The player helps entrap Mephisto, enabling the Prime Evils to safely resurface in Sanctuary someday. A telling Diablo vision seems to foreshadow exactly that, making Lilith key to the series’ future. For better or worse, her complex arc has just begun.
8. Clive Rosfield (Final Fantasy XVI)
Final Fantasy XVI charges onto the scene with a lead hero whose dedication never falters, even when the odds seem hopeless. Enter Clive Rosfield, the disgraced elder son of Archduke Rosfield, stripped of his birthright and forced into mercenary work after a brutal coup.
Despite the raw deal life handed him, Clive’s heroic spirit stays strong as he carves his own path to redemption. Seeking to avenge his fallen brother Joshua, he joins forces with Resistance members also defying the expanded Rosarian Empire. Clive selflessly puts the people first time and again, winning freedom for those oppressed by tyranny.
Top-notch voice acting by Ben Starr makes this determined fighter even more compelling. Square Enix also ups the ante by infusing Clive with their signature style. Echoing legacy faves like Cloud and Squall, his tormented past collides with steadfast principles, forging a complex character arc that has Final Fantasy fans cheering.
7. Saga Anderson (Alan Wake 2)
FBI agent Saga Anderson brought some much-needed composure and capability when unnatural forces plunged Alan Wake 2 into chaos. As one of the two playable protagonists, her supernatural skill set enhances the otherworldly action while her grit keeps the tension locked tight.
Saga investigates the return of Alan Wake alongside him, only to discover a dark dimension that defies all logic. Though struggling to make sense of an increasingly irrational reality, she responds with steel-minded resolve rather than panic. Special abilities like telepathic communication and astral projection unlock new story threads for her to tug at, untangling knots in the thriller plot.
By the finale when two timelines collide, Saga steps forth as co-author of the ending itself, quite literally determining the fate of multiple worlds. Her critical role sets up an inevitable return with Alan Wake that fans eagerly anticipate. Agent Anderson has more than earned her place among Remedy’s most badass characters.
6. Sarah Morgan (Starfield)
Leading Constellation space explorers takes serious smarts and grit, but Sarah Morgan makes it look easy. As an accomplished scientist and Starfield’s most fleshed-out romance option, she also brings brains, beauty, and botany expertise along for the ride.
Despite her high-ranking status, Sarah’s thoughtful nature and curiosity about alien worlds make her super approachable. She’ll even gift you rare plants found on her excursions and geek out over analyzing samples together. But when raiding ruins does turn hairy, this botanist blasts foes with unwavering laser precision too.
Her layered backstory and evolving relationship dynamics add rewarding depth to interactions, upping the role-playing potential. Whether Sarah stays your loyal companion or becomes something more, her refreshing blend of talents never stops blossoming. Morgan remains a standout across Starfield’s stars.
5. Karlach (Baldur’s Gate 3)
When it comes to stealing Baldur’s Gate 3 players’ hearts, few did it better than the whirlwind tiefling warrior Karlach. Her enthusiasm seems truly boundless, whether praising your triumphs or unleashing foul-mouthed fury upon unfortunate foes. What can we say – she makes quite the first impression.
Despite her rough edges, Karlach’s moral compass stays true, guided by empathy toward the downtrodden. She charges headfirst into helping those in need, taking no crap in the process. And while subtly layered writing hides inner vulnerability, her surface-level passion still shines bright enough to spawn memes galore.
Karlach gives zero f***s about her fiery fate if it means protecting others. But dedicated players can guide her to a more uplifting destiny, an emotive odyssey earning her widespread adoration. However you spin it, this uniquely vibrant hellraiser claimed her rightful spot among Baldur’s Gate legends this year.
4. Shadowheart (Baldur’s Gate 3)
Don’t let the mysterious aura fool you – behind Baldur’s Gate 3 companion Shadowheart’s guarded exterior lies incredible depth, earning her the top spot among our wizarding adventurers. As an acolyte cleric devoted to Shar, goddess of darkness, Shadowheart initially comes across prickly and reserved. But the secrets she hides run deeper than lightless catacombs.
With time and care, trusting dialogue options allow more dimensions of this multifaceted character to shine through. We learn of trauma and inner turmoil tied to her worship of Shar, struggles which mirror her battles in Larian’s acclaimed RPG. Shadowheart plays a pivotal role in the game’s central questline as she reckons with the woman who shattered her life.
How players support Shadowheart through this personal crisis determines her ultimate destiny. Does she fully embrace the night or carve her own enlightened path? Either way, her nuanced arc delivers heavy emotional payoffs, bolstered by excellent voice work. Shadowheart rewards those who look past superficial perceptions and give her complex spirit room to blossom.
3. Miles Morales (Marvel’s Spider-Man 2)
Someone clearly forgot to tell Miles Morales that with great power comes great possibility to slack on responsibility. Because in the blockbuster sequel Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, this superpowered prodigy doubles down on defending the innocent with unwavering optimism and selflessness.
Whether rocking the iconic suit as his web-slinging alter ego or just geeking out over science projects as mild-mannered Miles, his relatable passion makes you want to cheer this kid on. And the story wastes no time raising the stakes, putting his budding heroism to the test from all angles.
One tense chapter places players directly in Miles’ oversized shoes as he saves the city solo with Spidey senior Peter Parker away. Meanwhile, a risky partnership with the volatile Roxxon corporation pits his principles against opportunity. Both poignant arcs depict Miles coming into his own, cementing his status among gaming’s most uplifting heroes.
2. Zelda (Tears of the Kingdom)
Launching the sequel to a genre-redefining masterpiece like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild poses no small challenge. Yet Tears of the Kingdom confidently picks up the mantle, retaining the spirit of innovation that made its predecessor an instant icon. And at the soul of this magnificent return quest lies Princess Zelda herself, radiating courage and wisdom earned through tribulation.
While Ganon’s resurrection as Calamity Ganon abruptly severs her long-awaited reunion with heroic champion Link, Zelda refuses to cower in captivity again. Instead, she embarks on her own parallel journey of liberation, one which weaves profound mythology expansion into the fabric of this fantasy realm.
We may not spend as much direct gameplay time with the princess this go-around. However, her expanded backstory and continuous off-screen influence reinforce Zelda as the beating heart propelling Link’s motivations forward. More confident than ever in her royal role, her steadfast resolve now fortifies our hero’s rather than relying solely on his protection.
And when the princess ultimately returns to stand tall beside Link for an emotional climax, it becomes clear Hyrule’s future shines brighter than ever thanks to Zelda reconnecting with her divinely ordained power. Tears of the Kingdom portrays arguably the most dynamic version of this iconic figure yet – one ready to lead her kingdom toward hope reborn.
1. Alan Wake (Alan Wake 2)
Even surrounded by psychotic altered reality and eldritch abominations, Alan Wake demonstrates unflinching poise in Remedy’s horror-thriller sequel. His grizzled grit stands out all the more after prolonged entrapment in the paranatural Dark Place. But behind a bolder exterior, Alan’s perspective has expanded through self-reflection too.
Longtime fans meet a Wake worn down yet undaunted by his rescuer-turned-tormentor predicament. Though still plagued by the “Dark Presence” and its murderous manifestations, Alan analyzes his trials with a tempered philosophical eye rather than pure panic. He documents observations in-game via flashback therapy sessions, retaining his practical approach to processing the increasingly bizarre.
As lead protagonist, players experience the tense, unforgiving gameplay through Alan’s eyes as well. So that persistent mental fortitude in the face of hopelessness makes him the perfect avatar representing our struggle. Each hard-fought revelation inches Alan closer to escaping this off-kilter realm on his own terms.
And when his redemption finally arrives alongside a fitting farewell, players fully appreciate everything Alan Wake endured to reach its emotional catharsis. By boldly diving deeper into his own darkness, Alan earns the return to light he works toward since the very first game. His epic homecoming assures his rightful place among gaming’s greatest heroes.
