Sequels are great, even if some are terrified to admit it. Deep down we all love revisiting the worlds that swirled through our imaginations and the characters that once captured our hearts and our minds. While we all may have spent thrilling moments this year with Ezio Auditore and took a look through Sam Fisher's goggles once more, there were some truly marvelous new characters introduced in 2010. Some of our new favorites are already making their return next year, while a few have already reached the end of their respective journeys. [Keep in mind this list is dedicated to entirely new characters that have not graced any source material before the year 2010.]
10. Agent Francis York (Deadly Premonition): Some circles might call Deadly Premonition the worst game of 2010, while others might cast it into the light as their favorite. Either way, the game has built an odd cult following, especially around the lead Agent York. All the the time I invested into the weirdest game of 2010, was highlighted by York’s one-sided conservations with his alter-ego “Zach.” Agent York spewed out some pretty weird babble including finding letters in his coffee along with copious amounts of random movie trivia. While Agent York might be slightly psychotic, I can only hope that 2010 is his first and last year in the spotlight.
9. Captain Smiley (Comic Jumper): No matter the quality of the gameplay, Twisted Pixel are masters of creating a world and the characters that populate it. Captain Smiley is no exception to the rule, even if his first attraction was quickly worn thin by monotonous mechanics. Smiley easily stole the show with his outrageous ringtone, wimp-like demeanor, and an outstanding final chapter that featured Smiley laying waste to everyone, heroes and villains alike. Smiley’s witty, sometimes unintelligent commentary made the game well worth seeing through to the end. One can only hope that next time he lights up our screens, it will be in a much stronger game.
8. Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII): Lighting may have been the lead in one of the lesser games in the Final Fantasy series, but she easily takes the cake as one of the most intriguing female characters in the series. While most girls/women in the series have been consistent with a bubbly nature and mostly inadequate of handling themselves without looking like a ditz, Lighting was certainly the direct opposite. FFXIII starts with Lighting doling out damage in copious amounts, kicking all kinds of ass, all while hardly muttering more than a few words. Not only that, but Square Enix avoided using sex appeal to make Lightning an intriguing character who can be appreciated by both genders. Lightning was also a rare occurrence in a FF title, since she carried the mantle of being the lead character, a spot typically known to feature a male.
This feature top 10 list continues on the next page, please click below to see our next couple choices for the top 10 new video game characters of 2010.
