Amnesia is a popular video game trope in which the protagonist or a side character will have memory loss. What makes amnesia such a compelling condition for a game, is that both the character and the player can unravel the mystery of the protagonist’s identity and past events, together.

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Some iconic video game characters have amnesia, and their determination to discover who they were, and are, makes them better characters. As the game goes on, the mystery behind who they unravel, and sometimes it’s better to forget the truth, or otherwise not.

8 Shadow The Hedgehog (Sonic The Hedgehog)

shadow the hedgehog game

Shadow gives the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise a fresh and new sharp edge. The character is gritty, and perhaps one of the most violent and merciless characters that the franchise upholds. Shadow is certainly a fan favorite, and his amnesia makes him a compelling character. His power and lack of weaknesses are subdued by his lack of memory.

There is nothing Shadow won’t do to uncover the truth about himself, and learn about his mysterious past. This leads Shadow on some chaotic adventures, as he assists Dr. Eggman, and even Black Doom, with the promise of learning about himself. This makes Shadow easily manipulatable, but fear him once his memories regain.

breath of the wild link

Nintendo’s nineteenth entry into the Legend of Zelda series had a rather unique spin on the franchise hero. Link awakens after a deep sleep, only to discover what remains of the ruined kingdom of Hyrule. The series’ interesting twist is that Link and company lost to Calamity Ganon, and Link has spent 100 years at the Shrine of Resurrection.

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Solving the game’s mystery is up to the player, as they explore new areas and shrines. Link is plagued with flashbacks and memories of old friends coming back to him as he continues on his fated path to save Hyrule. Link’s amnesia is integral to the story and shows his mental strength as he continues to fight, even without his memory.

6 Daniel (Amnesia: The Dark Descent)

amnesia the dark descent monster

It wouldn’t be quite right to have a character in a game called Amnesia, not have amnesia. Daniel is the anti-hero, and protagonist of the game Amnesia: The Dark Descent. This game is shrouded in mystery, on who the player is, and what their purpose is. Daniel awakens in a castle, with no memories of himself or his life.

There is only one thing that spurs Daniel on his quest. A mysterious and enigmatic letter from his past self, which guides him for one purpose: to find and kill Alexander. The game is filled with horror, tension, and mystery, as the player seeks to survive and discover just who they are.

5 Jason Fly (XIII)

jason fly from xiii

Players of the game XIII find themselves as Jason Fly, the protagonist of the game’s campaign. This title also recently received the remake treatment. As an American soldier involved in ominous espionage, Jason Fly is much like the amnesiac character Jason Bourne. The story kicks off with Jason Fly, waking after surviving a gunshot wound, and finding himself in the deep end with the U.S government, as the FBI hunts him for the assassination of the American President.

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As the story unfolds, players will find themselves learning more about Jason Fly, as does the protagonist. Using an array of tricks and skills, the player will be able to survive and truly discover the identity hidden from Fly, and the epic narrative reveals something more.

4 Alex Mason (Call Of Duty: Black Ops)

alex mason call of duty black ops

Alex Mason was more of a brainwashed victim than an amnesiac, but his lack of memories, and inability to remember important events that he was involved in make for a compelling and iconic character in the Call of Duty franchise. Alex Mason was the protagonist of Black Ops, and the game opens with him being tied and electrocuted to a chair in an interrogation room.

Alex is forced to remember the events across his military life, to help himself and his interrogators find the truth behind his eyes, and how badly his brain was altered and abused by the enemies of the United States. Throughout Alex’s journey, he comes across allies like World at War’s Viktor Reznov and discovers the truth behind the numbers that plague him.

3 Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy 7)

cloud strife final fantasy 7

Cloud had a bout of amnesia in Final Fantasy 7, but not to the degree of other amnesiacs. Cloud suffered from a complexity of memory disorders, one of which involved his memory becoming distorted, and creating a false reality for him to live in. It makes Cloud all the more compelling, knowing that his mind can’t be fully trusted.

Part of the plot of this Final Fantasy involves trying to restore Cloud’s memories to their truth. The inconsistencies and holes that plague Cloud’s mind make for an interesting character, and the harsh toll it takes upon his mental state and relationships with other party members make for a great story.

2 Geralt of Rivia (The Witcher)

geralt of rivia the witcher 3

Geralt is one of the most iconic videogame characters and even has his live-action debut on Netflix with The Witcher. In the first game, Geralt is found near Kae Morhen, wounded, and lacking memory. He doesn’t fully recover his memories until the end of The Witcher 2. Geralt’s story is rife with mystery and twists and he discovers who he is, and never lacks the power to be one of the greatest witchers.

What makes Geralt iconic as an amnesiac, is that by the time of The Witcher 3, he has fully recovered from his memory loss, and is at his most powerful and determined state, as he seeks out Yennefer and his daughter, Ciri, who is being hunted by the ghastly Wild Hunt, the company of powerful beings to whom Geralt once served. Perhaps with the latest sequel, even more, will be revealed.

1 Darth Revan (Knights Of The Old Republic)

darth revan knights of the old republic

Despite being over nineteen years old, some Star Wars fans have yet to experience The Knights of the Old Republic and understand its game-changing plot twist. If Star Wars fans don’t want spoilers on who exactly Darth Revan is, then turn back.

Darth Revan is revealed later in the game to be the player this entire time. What makes Revan such an iconic amnesiac is that despite the loss of his memories, he is still far more powerful than people know. As he plunged the galaxy into a Jedi civil war, the new Revan has no idea of his true power. Despite being a pawn for the Jedi, the amnesiac Revan can seek redemption for his life as a Sith, and save the galaxy.

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