The most overrated video game characters ever.

5. Master Chief

Really, what is special about this character? Nothing. Basically a generic space marine that got popular because the series got huge. You don't see his face and he is nearly a silent protagonist, so he has no personality. He just became an icon because the series he was in became a mjor multi million selling hit.

4. Kratos

Lowest common denominator. This character is the embodiment of everything wrong with video games...dumb sensless violence. Who cares about his somewhat "tragic" backstory, he is there just to kill everyone in his path, as violently as possible. And the stories in the God of War games are far from great, all style and very little substance. This character is what a teenager finds awesome and smart people find mindless.

3. Cloud Strife

Mediocrity put up on a high pilliar all because the game he was in was a huge breakthrough. Most of the cast of FFVII could be on this list, but since Cloud is the icon, he is on the list. There is really nothing special about him. Is he truly a better protagonist than a knight who seeks redemption for his actions, or am abusedmixed species girl who tries to find out what it means to be human, or a fallen young female general looking for hope, or that caring, happy go lucky thief with a tail? Nope. He is not a bad character, he is just average by comparison, with his only special traits being that he was in the game that got big and that he has a sword a size of a car trunkthat looked cool then but ridiculous now.

2. Gordon Freeman

I love Half Life and HL2, but c'mon people, Gordon Freeman is not a great character. He has no personality and no depth and considering he is a scientist, very rare protagonists in games, a huge oppurtunity was blown to make him more than an icon, but an actually character. Jack from Bioshock has more personality than Freeman does. He is also by far, not the greatest video game character ever. Not even close. For him to win the Gamespot contest was simply ludicrious. Main reason why he i son the list. Now, Alyx Vance...we have a great character there....

1. Sephiroth

The most overrated villain ever. The only thing that he really has is that he is a great foil to Cloud (and he is kind of menancing)...thats it. He lacks a motive, a huge plot hole in FFVII. Why does he want to become a god and devestate the world? Nope, all we get is fan speculation. People think he is the most evil villain ever, especially for killing Aeris....WRONG..there are far more saidstic and sinister villains in gaming, including that sociopath in the previous installment. Then there is people who think he is the ultimate tragic villain...nope, there are a bunch of better tragic antagonists. I can a name 20 video game villains better than Sephiroth.He is not the best video game villian ever,or the best Final Fantasy villain ever, and he is not even the best villain in FFVII.

***SPOILER***

Dude, it looks like you didn't have a proper childhood (jk). I agree with Master Chief, he is seriously overrated, the Arbiter was twice as badass, Kratos is da shit, nuff said, Cloud is an emo clown with a rage boner for Aeris, and regarding Sephiroth just wanna say:

Yeah, having a vacuum of cool is indeed impossible. Computers do a better job of being a villain than him. The Reapers of Mass Effect are just as ambiguous in their motives, but they are a sight more evil than the silver haired queen.

Though I agree that the Master Chief is overrated, he is not quite as dull as indicated. In the games he is, but the novels expand upon his character. Still nothing to write home about, but at least he's better than some other protagonists.

Never played Half-Life sadly, although I do somewhat agree with what was said about Master Chief.

I completely agree with the entire list. I've always felt that the main cast of Halo 3: ODST, especially Buck, were better characters than the Master Chief.

O_O

Well I got one:

Lightning.

Basically a Squall who decided to lob off his dick and dye his hair pink. Squall is so much better.

Am I missing something? Lightning? Overrated?

And for the topic, the OP nailed them.

Stop right there. Son, I do believe you know what to do right now. Fucking Magnets is correct that Freeman has absolutely no depth to him, but you cannot miss out on the games.

Pikachu.

Fuck that little rat. He sucks. You want a good lightning pokemon, get a Zapdos.
The show totally overrated it.

Ive never played half life before either. Please dont burn me

WHOA

WHOA

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[size=12]WHOA[/h]

....

[size=6]Whoa. [/h]

What's wrong with Lightning? She isn't overrated, she's just super sexy.

I agree. I love Squall, but I'm straight. So I can't fuck Squall. Lightning on the other hand...

Shame they don't do panty shots in Final Fantasy XIII, (or any Final Fantasy for that matter...) Cause there would've been plenty of 'em in most of the cutscenes in-game.

Indeed. With all the ecchi anime being released like crazy these days, you'd think maybe some JRPGs would have a good ecchi shot or two.

An electric pokemon that's weak to electric attacks? Kind of a drawback don't you think? ...now I wanna go find my old gameboy and copy of pokemon red.

I really wish I still had my copies of Red and Blue. I miss the old pokemon games.

Cool list.

Oh and btw
http://www.gamespot.com/forums/topic/27359672

He just got zinged. Yeah, I said it.