Sight is one of the essential senses which people use the most. It's only natural to want to trust them. That said, not everything is as it appears. Storytellers know that and have used it in various entertainment mediums, gaming included.
As such, several titles use mistaken identities in their narratives. They keep players in the dark by drawing their attention to one character, possibly as the perpetrator of a crime. In reality, though, it's another character who's responsible. Of course, that doesn't stop everyone else from chasing the wrong guy. Whatever the circumstances, mistaken identities are surefire ways to heighten the tension.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
7 Yakuza 3
Sometimes, it's hard to escape the past. After leaving the Tojo Clan and starting an orphanage, former yakuza enforcer Kazuma Kiryu finds himself pulled back to Tokyo. The new leadership prompts a power struggle that threatens those close to him. At the heart of it all is an assassin who looks like his late father figure, Shintaro Kazama. This imposter is actually Shintaro's twin brother, whose presence unveils a plot deeper and farther-reaching than Kiryu thought possible.
In typical Yakuza fashion, the narrative is densely detailed. It holds the audience's attention for every twist and turn. Granted, playing through the tale is a bit of a chore. The gameplay feels dated due to the Kiwami remakes of the first two titles. Thankfully, the story is enough to carry Yakuza 3 to the finish line.
6 Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time
On the surface, A Crack in Time is more of the thrilling run-and-gun adventure that fans have come to expect from Ratchet & Clank. For better or worse, though, the Future series puts more emphasis on straight-faced sci-fi tropes. Ratchet's ties to the lombax people are key to that. It's what fuels Lord Vorselon's attack on the Quantos planet. He thinks Ratchet is Alister Azimuth: a legendary survivor of the Tachyon's lombax purge.
The hero recruits this mythic figure to stop Dr. Nefarious, who seeks to rewrite history using the Great Clock. Ironically, Azimuth himself wants the same thing, albeit to save the lombaxes instead of ruling the universe. This is where the two characters ultimately differ. Ratchet comes to understand the gravity of time travel. Still, these two furballs couldn't look more different, so the fact that Vorselon confused them at all is pathetic.
5 Sonic Adventure 2
At this sequel's start, Sonic is a wanted rodent. A speedy hedgehog is committing crimes all over Central City. The authorities think it's Sonic, but the actual perpetrator is Shadow. This black hedgehog was engineered as the ultimate life form and now strives to enact vengeance on the world for a loved one's death.
This kicks off a thrilling fugitive tale and electric rivalry. Sonic Adventure 2 improves its predecessor's 3D platforming with tighter controls and more satisfying speed. It uses these in a dual story with an intriguing new character. Still, the real mystery is how anyone confused Sonic and Shadow in the first place. The characters make the same mistake in the 2006 anniversary title with Silver. Apparently, all hedgehogs look the same.
4 God Of War: Ghost Of Sparta
Fear is a powerful motivator, even for gods. The Greek deities in God of War are wary of a particular prophecy: a marked warrior will bring the destruction of Olympus. They believe the warrior in question is a Spartan kid named Deimos due to his birthmark. However, it's really his brother, Kratos, who tattoos himself to match his unfortunate sibling. Needless to say, seeing his brother suffer doesn't sit well with Kratos.
That anger forms an epic odyssey of vengeance. Ghost of Sparta offers the exhilarating God of War experience that fans love, complete with brutally fluid combat and mythical iconography. On top of that, though, lie more personally affecting stakes for Kratos. These organically lay the foundation for most of the God of War saga, making Ghost of Sparta essential playing for any would-be warrior.
3 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Fans seem to control a random soldier in this RPG, but they soon discover an affinity for the Force. This is normal for Star Wars games, as it often facilitates growth in the title's framework. What makes Knights of the Old Republic different is the apprehension surrounding the protagonist. People are oddly suspicious and even afraid, laying the groundwork for a mind-blowing twist.
It turns out the nameless protagonist is actually Revan, the former Jedi who began the Sith Empire. In the process, he shaped galactic history. Everything suddenly becomes clear, and players' choices have far more weight. Now, instead of building a hero out of a blank slate, they must decide whether to become the monster everyone thinks they are.
2 Spider-Man
This Marvel extravaganza starts by firing on all cylinders. After half of New York witness Spider-Man steal a revolutionary device from a reformed Doc Ock, the webhead becomes Public Enemy Number One. However, it's all a ploy by the mad doctor, who's enlisted Mysterio and his illusionary abilities to frame the hero.
This sets the stage for a high-octane comic book thrill ride that never lets up. Spider-Man spends as much time chasing villains as the police spend chasing him. These scenarios lead to an incredible variety in how players use his intuitive web-slinging powers. They never know what lies around the corner, but they can be sure it's an inspired set piece right at home with the webhead's other iconic escapades. Because of that, this remains a treasured title among Spider-Man's friendly neighborhood fans.
1 Final Fantasy 7
Here's another instance where the hero mistakes his own identity. The iconic protagonist of Final Fantasy 7, Cloud is a genetically enhanced fighter from the SOLDIER division. He's certainly got the skills to prove it, being a consistently reliable fighter within the strategic turn-based combat. Unfortunately, he has a few gaps in his memory. That's because he was never a member of SOLDIER.
Cloud is really experiencing the memories of Zack Fair, a SOLDIER operative who took the kid under his wing and protected him while they were both on the run. After they both acted as unwilling subjects in Shinra experiments, Cloud's cells absorbed Zack's essence, gaining many of his skills and memories. This means his recollection of events is unreliable. The twist is a brilliant subversion of the "tragic backstory" cliché found in tough characters. It paints Cloud in a more pitiful light and arouses fans' curiosity about Zack. That curiosity was enough to fuel a whole new game.