Video game developers relish in creating maliciously nefarious antagonists, poised to cause anarchy within their title. However, their ability to combat this evil with good, grants them even more satisfaction, oftentimes allowing the player to control this determined vigilante.
With most games nowadays consisting of brutally challenging enemies, it is only appropriate these heinous characters are met with force. Commonly masked, these individuals stretch far beyond meaningless battles, offering story-rich lore, intimate ambitions, and even personal vendettas. Despite not all carrying the same morals and values, these select few share the same interest that is taking the law into their own hands, solidifying their position as icons within the gaming industry.
9 Aiden Pearce – Watch Dogs
Unleashed in 2014, Ubisoft's Watch Dogs sought out dominance within the gaming industry, aiming to seize the throne with regard to hacking-related titles. This third-person RPG allows the player to take full control of the eminent Aiden Pearce, infiltrating the likes of trains, traffic lights, and security cameras via his plethora of high-tech devices.
Despite Watch Dogs' soft-sounding nature, the violently threatening antagonists, ctOS, retaliate with fatality when Aiden oversteps the line, consequently creating a destructive vigilante with a sworn vendetta. From his ingenious hacking strategies to his witty dialogue with NPCs, Aiden always manages to right what is wrong, whether that be a stranger's dilemma, or the vicious revenge he seeks, ultimately confirming his place as an icon among vigilantes.
8 Venom Snake – Metal Gear
Dating back to 1987, Konami's acclaimed stealth franchise Metal Gear has paved the way for gaming, establishing the action-adventure scene as fans may know it today. With the ultimate premise revolving around saving the world, players are tasked with controlling a special forces operative, famously dubbed Venom Snake, in a bid to prevent nuclear weaponed fanatics from destroying the planet.
Although vast, each member of the Snake Solid share the same mission: taking down the belligerent Outer Heaven enemy. Renowned for his covert nature, Venom Snake prizes himself on his stealth tactics, strategically concealing his identity while quietly yet violently assassinating his antagonists. Despite his crudely cut-throat persona, devoted fans of the Metal Gear franchise admire his vindictive outlook, placing him within the circle of iconic vigilantes.
7 Rico Rodriguez – Just Cause
Brandishing an explosive launch in 2006, Avalanche Studios erupted onto the scene with their highly-anticipated Just Cause franchise, granting players a chaotic, physics-defying RPG. From its profuse selection of gadgets and traversal methods to its destructive pyrotechnic weaponry, this lawlessly anarchic title is cherished by fans around the globe, mainly due to Avalanche Studios' renowned Rico Rodriguez.
Loyal to The Agency, Rico Rodriguez is placed within the heart of Just Cause's San Esperito, coarsely tasked with overthrowing the callous dictatorship of Salvador Mendoza. Despite his vicious nature when faced with corrupt military, Rico Rodriguez develops a vigilante persona, aiding those affected by the barbarous reign inflicted upon them. Combining elements of stealth, dialogue, and highly-intellectual strategy, Rico Rodriguez cements his place as a vigilante icon within modern gaming.
6 Jason Brody – Far Cry
With its initial release in 2004, Ubisoft's Far Cry franchise boasted a prosperous turn-out, swooping up awards along the way. Although a relatively common genre for titles at the time, Far Cry's assertive position within the RPG scene was evident, portraying aspects other developers had not dared to delve into. Gory, wacky, and downright bizarre, Ubisoft's open-world, first-person shooter had players enthralled within its landscape, character interactions, and traversal techniques, but most importantly, their prominently memorable Jason Brody.
Once an innocent thrill-seeker, Jason's overall character development can be viewed as an exemplar for including background history, as his ferocious nature, with regard to battling pirates, totally contrasts his persona at the beginning of the title. Although his vendetta against Vaas Montenegro is a brutal one, his vigilante essence is heavily prevalent, albeit through his NPC interactions. He is determined to rid the island of evil, solidifying his position as an icon within the gaming industry.
5 Soldier: 76 – Overwatch
Issued in 2016, Blizzard's Overwatch franchise burst onto the scene with immense force, offering players a vast selection of playable heroes, each unique in ability. From its in-depth lore to its drastically competitive battles, Overwatch has confirmed its place as a first-person shooter classic within modern gaming, setting the bar high for seeking contenders.
Within the ever-evolving roster sits the beloved Soldier: 76, an original member of the cast from Blizzard's lucrative launch. Equipped with a destructive Heavy Pulse Rifle, Soldier: 76's history gives reason to his iconic stature among vigilantes. Sworn to serve Overwatch, his undying loyalty to protect innocent lives from the villainous Talon contrasts his harsh persona, as he constantly places himself within great peril in order to save the world. In terms of iconic vigilantes, Soldier: 76's placement within this collective group is a deserving one.
4 Miles Morales – Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Insomniac Games' 2020 release of Spider-Man: Miles Morales was everything the superhero community asked for, and more. Players were amazed by the sheer level of customization offered, in terms of suits, weaponry, and fighting combinations, and the freedom granted to carelessly swing around New York City. Gamers were engrossed in this title.
Loyal to the comics, Spider-Man: Miles Morales accurately depicted Miles Morales' most admirable qualities, fiercely defending the rampant city from malicious antagonists. As per the other iterations of the cherished superhero, Miles Morales takes no credit for his commendable efforts, nor does he reveal his identity, securing his position as a vigilante icon.
3 Batman – Batman: Arkham Asylum
Continuing the theme of superhero vigilantes, Rocksteady Studios saw the impactful launch of Batman: Arkham Asylum in 2009, boasting an acclamation from devoted fans. This immersive RPG places players at the heart of Gotham City's mental asylum, poised in having to face Batman's arch nemesis, the Joker.
Although reiterated within Batman: Arkham Asylum, Bruce Wayne's secretive persona Batman springs to most players' minds when contemplating vigilante icons, reminiscing on his highly-efficient skill set. Armed with a plethora of technologically-advanced equipment, Batman takes the vigilante motif to another level, not once tarnishing his concealed identity, nor taking acknowledgment for his actions, conclusively defining him as a memorable vigilante icon.
2 John Marston – Read Dead Redemption
The reshaping of the gaming industry was partially achieved through Rockstar's historical Red Dead Redemption franchise, released to the public in 2010. Directly positioning themselves upon the throne of RPGs, Red Dead Redemption has inevitably classified itself as a critically acclaimed title, curating the foundations for game developers alike.
Set in 1911, players are propelled into a lawless Western North America, depicted through the eyes of John Marston, a former outlaw. After his family is captured, his personal vendetta is fueled by anguish, consequently reviving his gun-slinger mindset into a frenzied rage. Whether on foot or horse-back, John Marston consistently rights what is wrong, albeit during circumstances that best suit his nature, whether that be aiding NPCs in great danger or distress, or even bringing criminals to justice. As far as ruthless cowboys go, John Marston's heroic actions speak for themselves, solidifying his position as an iconic vigilante.
1 Ezio Auditore da Firenze — Assassin's Creed
Arguably one of the most honorable franchises of all time, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed took to the stage in 2007, treading through unmarked territory within the gaming industry. Brandishing a grippingly immersive storyline, Assassin's Creed boasted elements of parkour and stealth in an attempt to dominate the RPG genre, inevitably resulting in a masterpiece within modern gaming.
Determining iconic vigilantes in games may be a meticulous task, but a certified name would be that of Ezio Auditore De Firenze, an Italian master assassin, member to the extremely covert brotherhood. Equipped with various damage-inflicting apparatus, this Renaissance killer never fails to mask his identity, blend within crowds, and bring those who pose an evil threat to justice, undoubtedly approving his place as an icon among vigilantes.