Change is a necessary force in the real world, but in fiction it’s possible to resist it to a certain extent. Fans often get very attached to their favorite games and characters, and can react very negatively when they are changed too much. However, sometimes that change is handled so well that everyone comes to accept it.
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Successorsare characters who are forced to walk in someone else’s shadow. Whether they be a new main protagonist taking over from the series’ iconic hero, or a smaller character taking over an important in-universe role, succession is hard to get right. The new character not only has to be as good as or better than their predecessor, but also avoid disrespecting their legacy. These are some characters that pull this off expertly.
8Off The Hook (Splatoon 2)
The firstSplatoongame was special for many reasons, such as the fact that it was dripping in style. The music and commentary offered by the game’s hosts was a big part of this. The Squid Sisters Callie and Marie were fan favorites from the start, butSplatoon 2decided to give someone new their role.
Off the Hook took over the host role, meaning they’d be in charge of greeting players,and hosting splatfests. They not only matched Callie and Marie’s popularity, but overshot it. So much so that even thoughSplatoon 3has new hosts, fans are still clamoring to see more of Pearl and Marina.
7Ellie (The Last Of Us)
It’s surprisingly rare for follower characters in games to get upgraded to playable status. Considering how much Ellie won over players inThe Last of Usthough, it only made sense to turn over the series main character role to her.
6Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy 7)
Final Fantasyhappens to be one of the few series in gaming that change protagonists on a regular basis. Being the protagonist ofthe 7th main entryin the series, Cloud is already a successor. However, that title fits him more directly in his relationship with Zack Fair.
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While Cloud was still a rank and file soldier, Zack was doing all the things Cloud is now famous for, like wielding the buster sword, and facing off against Sephiroth. Once Zack died however, Cloud inherited his sword, and his memories, helping him to become even more of a hero than Zack was.
5Iris (Pokemon Black 2 & White 2)
While the series has finally moved into the age of DLC expansions,Pokemongames of the past always received an updated rerelease that changed a few aspects of the game. This sometimes meant a change in gym leaders, and even champions. Iris was by far the best of these changes.
InPokemon BlackandWhite, Iris was just a young girl, and a dragon type gym leader. InBlack 2andWhite 2, she’s gone from her gym, only to be found in the champion seat. In the space of 2 years, she managed to beat Alder and take his spot, giving trainers in Unova a much more energetic and challenging final battle.
4Anduin Wrynn (World Of Warcraft)
The central conflict of theWorld of Warcraftuniverse has always been the forces of the alliance vs the forces of the horde; both of which players could join. At the start ofthe MMO’s story, Varian Wrynn was the respected leader of the alliance, before he died in battle.
Following this, it was up to his young son Anduin to rise to the occasion and take up the role of king and leader. Despite his age, Anduin accomplished this with flying colors, arguably outdoing his father’s popularity with fans. So much so that he was made one of the main playable classes inHearthstone, while his dad was relegated to a card.
3Jin Kazama (Tekken)
A lot of people actually forget that Kazuya Mishima was the original protagonist oftheTekkenseries. This only goes to show just how well Jin filled the role sinceTekken 3. Kazuya was always focused only on killing his father Heihachi, but Jin was introduced as a more heroic protagonist.
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InTekkenfashion, this didn’t last long, and Jin soon fell into the same immoral actions as his father and grandfather. As a protagonist though, he has been widely accepted as the new face of the franchise for most of its lifespan.
2Donkey Kong (Donkey Kong)
Donkey Kong is yet another successor that people often forget wasn’t the original. While 1981’sDonkey Kongintroduced the world to Mario and his primate opponent, that DK canonically aged into his current state as Cranky Kong, leaving room for his son to become the new DK.
While the timeline on all of this is messy, DK has completely dwarfed his father’s popularity. He’s taken over the role perfectly, and now his iconic red tie is what everyone thinks of when they hear thename Donkey Kong.
1Nero (Devil May Cry)
Dante didn’t feel like the kind of character that ever needed a successor. He was such a unique personality in gaming that it was hard to see anyone replacing him. However,Devil May Cry4proved that it was possible with the introduction of Nero.
In his debut game, Nero was very much an edgy teenager, but by the end ofDMC5, fully grew into the role of the series’ premier devil hunter. Not only didhis gameplay styleevolve to match Dante’s complexity, but he also managed to finally settle the feud between his father Vergil and Dante, as well as inheriting aspects from both brothers.DMC6might be a long time off, but when it arrives, it will be a joy to see Nero carving up demons again.
