Summary
PlayStationholds an impressive library of exclusive games to their consoles, and an impressive cast of characters, ranging from different backgrounds and moralities that make them interesting and memorable. Some of the bestPlayStationcharacters don’t just exist in a realm of black and white, good vs evil, some go beyond that concept and exist as anti-heroes.
PlayStation anti-hero characters might not exhibit all of the traits seen in a hero or a villain, as they may commit some questionable acts, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t do the right thing every now and then. PlayStation has presented some iconic antihero characters throughout the years, leading to some memorable games.
Victor Sullivan wasn’t always Nathan Drake’s best friend. In fact, pretty early into theUnchartedseries, he would often betray Nate, only to come back to his side towards the end. Whilst this little stint was often short, and Sully’s character evolved into a caring mentor and father figure, that doesn’t mean that Sully is all good.
Sully is pretty much an anti-hero, and he’s not afraid to steal, cheat, or kill anyone who is in his way. Whilst he prefers to be a small talker, he’snot averse to some action, especially if it threatens the people he cares about, but in comparison to other characters, Sully’s deeds, and body count, don’t stack to the rest.
Jin Sakai was once a noble samurai and the future prospect of House Shimura. Yet,the Mongol invasion of the island of Tsushimashowed him that to win this war, Japan did not need honorable samurai to face these battles, but a Ghost, one that could sneak through the shadows, and eliminate the Mongolian invaders in darkness.
Using tactics that are seen as dishonorable, Jin Sakai poisoned Mongols, killed them with their backs turned, and became a dishonorable fighter amongst the samurai, all for the sake of freeing his people. Jin Sakai is a hero to the people, but a criminal to his government.
Joel Miller has been through some horrors inThe Last of Us. After losing his young daughter, Sarah, on Outbreak Day, he has lived with nothing but resentment and disinterest in the lives of others, going forward only with survival instincts. That was until he met Ellie, a young girl who was immune to the infection that ravished the world. ThroughoutThe Last of Us, Joel remembers what it’s like to be a father, and his paternal instincts help take Ellie across America to create a cure.
Yet, Joel’s past is uncovered, and the terrors of his background reveal that he’s not a righteous man, and what he does is for survival, not for heroism. It’s his last act in the game that solidifies this, as he forsakes humanity, killing the Fireflies and the potential for a cure, just so Ellie does not die. A controversial act that is still talked about to this day, Joel’s action was as a father, sois that really villainy?
When Delsin Rowe discovers his powers, he’s ecstatic to show them off. That is, until he realizes that humanity doesn’t take kindly to Conduits, and the strict anti-conduit government of Seattle has Delsin fearing his safety, and the lives of those he cares about, even after he finds out that he is not alone, and many conduits do exist within Seattle.
Delsin is faced withmany choices across the game, on whether or not he should do the right thing, potentially exposing himself and those he cares for, just to save people. It’s a hard choice, but ultimately, Delsin does what the player decides, and his anti-hero antics come from his ability to kill the just and unjustly alike.
Sly Cooper has a funny way of showing morality, as despite this righteous behavior of not taking from working citizens, he still steals, and thievery isn’t exactly a noble act. Nevertheless, this humanoid raccoon does it for a living, and it’s been a tradition for his family for years, so much so that he even has his friends in on his schemes.
Whilst Sly Cooper is a friendly and beloved character, he’s not exactly a hero due to his behaviors and thievery, even if his self-righteous nature does come into play more so than his own acts of criminal activity.
A bike courier who became a superhuman due to the devastating explosion in Empire City, Cole must navigate the now destroyed and depressing city, using his newfound powers against those who threaten him as he attempts to find his girlfriend and discover just what happened to him, and what mysterious parcel he was set to deliver that caused this entire thing.
InFamousdoes something interesting, where players can make choices that drastically alter the protagonist and the world. Yet, even in a canon playthrough, Cole is considered an anti-hero, as heuses his powers to kill many, deserving or otherwise.
Ellie’s journey throughThe Last of Usseries has been without innocence. From her introduction, she is forced to fight andkill her way through to a better lifethat never comes. Yet, she really comes to shine inThe Last of Us Part 2, where she takes the stage as the protagonist, seeking vengeance against those who murdered Joel.
Ellie’s character takes a dark turn in this game, where she is struck with grief, going through complex emotions that cause her to take an odyssey steeped in revenge, where she kills anyone in her way, regardless of their relationships, their aspirations, or even if they are pregnant with child.
Kratos is by far the best anti-hero in a PlayStation game. Hailing as thelead in allGod of Wartitles, Kratos began his journey as a Spartan, to the God of War himself, usurping Ares, and venturing across the Greek pantheon out of vengeance for what they did to him, only to end up in the Norse realm in an effort to break the cycle with his own son and not genocide an entire populous of gods once more.
Kratos is a tragic character, and he is often consumed by rage and guilt surrounding his actions. Kratos has killed many, some deserving, many who were not. Yet, Kratos’ road to redemption has been long and winding for the character, but perhaps soon he will lead not as the God of War, but as the God of Hope.
