Independent video games are on the rise with their heroes and protagonists skyrocketing in popularity, setting the benchmark for video games and even surpassing more AAA titles despite the fact that they are created by individuals or smaller development teams typically without the financial or technical support. The main characters in independent games have such lovable, charming, and unforgettable stories.
In this top 10 list, we are going to dive into these wonderful indie video games and their beloved heroes, saviors, and protectors, along with how and why they hold such a special place in our hearts.
Top 10 Main Characters In Independent Games
10. Bastion – The Kid – “A Fighter Indie Hero With An Arsenal Of Weapons”
The Kid is the mute type of video game protagonist but he makes up for it with his can-do attitude, equipped with an arsenal of weaponry from a hammer to a bow and a musket. He navigates the dangers of the land of Caelondia, operating from his home base of the Bastion to save the land from an event known as the calamity which has wiped out humanity turning people into ash or stone.
With nothing but his memories, his weapons, and his cog as his city’s crest to remind him of everything he has lost and everything, he hopes to remedy some of the pain his home has experienced. Exploring a variety of places, he intends to stop all enemies no matter the sacrifice and restore the land to its once former glory. The Kid displays tremendous bravery and courage and hopes that he will undo the events of the calamity and see his beloved city once again.
To see this video game protagonist in action and help him on his journey – check out Bastion, available on PS4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox 360.
Bastion was created by the developer Supergiant Games, if you want to learn more about their games, check out the Pyre review.
9. The Binding Of Isaac – Isaac – “The Indie Hero In Hell”
A child left to fend for himself in a hellish dimension after his own mother gave him up to prove her faith in God, Isaac has to crawl through dungeons with no clothes or weapons, the only thing keeping him company is his own intuition.
Constantly faced with opposition and eternal otherworldly doom in every direction, he refuses to give up. This is a mark of a true hero and Isaac’s story and character teach us a lot about real life and how we should not give up just because we are faced with challenges and obstacles that seem impossible to overcome.
Isaac is the perfect example of overcoming the odds and the realization that a person who has truly lost everything is capable of accomplishing anything.
Witness Isaac’s phenomenal story and how much he truly has to overcome to escape this hellish dimension. The Binding Of Isaac is available on PC and the remastered The Binding Of Isaac rebirth edition is available on PS4. The Binding Of Isaac Afterbirth+ edition is on Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
8. Super Meat Boy – Meat Boy – “The Iconic Meaty Indie Hero”
The indie hero Meat Boy is your super-lovable red cubed friend on a mission to save his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the evil Doctor Fetus. On his quest, he is faced with numerous challenges that involve him coming face to face with saw blades, crumbling blocks, and other dubious obstacles. Meat Boy is consistent and resilient and demonstrates that no trial is too difficult to prevent him from being with the Bandage Girl who he loves and cares about deeply.
Meat Boy displays charm, fearlessness, discipline, and courage on his journey and despite the bumps, bruises, and pain on the way, he does it all with a smile. showing that a hero does not have to be strong and does not have to be perfect but instead is just someone that is willing to do whatever it takes to save and protect the people they care about.
The video game protagonist Super Meat Boy now has a sequel. Super Meat Boy Forever expands upon the story and challenging gameplay mechanics, taking place a few years after the first game.
Will you help Meat Boy put the super in his name and save his beloved Bandage Girl. Super Meat Boy is available on PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
7. Cloudpunk – Rania – “The Indie Steampunk Heroine”
A delivery driver, Rania is fast mentally and physically with the help of a flying car named HOVA. She is intuitive, smart, and adaptable to any and all situations, she is the living embodiment of expecting the unexpected as she navigates the moonlight city collecting and delivering packages and passengers and taking them to where they need to go.
She is a heroine at heart. Working for the illegal company of Cloudpunk, she is willing to deal with the adversity, trials, and tribulations that come with the job. She is a reckless risk-taker who is on a mission to discover the truth and she is still willing to do what is right to ensure the safety and peace of her beloved city and home.
Are you willing to help Rania on her journey to save her beloved city? If so the indie hero game Cloudpunk is available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
6. Journey – The Traveler – “The Mysteriously Magical Video Game Protagonist”
The Traveler has a curious, inquisitive nature, He is on a journey of discovery as every hero must go on to find their purpose and identity. Very little is known about who The Traveler truly is and what his mission is but this aids his mysterious persona along with his robed garments.
Sometimes the hero of the story is not always the most obvious but instead is the silent voice at the back of the room that is willing to do what is right without fear or reward and make the necessary sacrifice for the greater good. The Traveler demonstrates that going on an adventure is not always about the destination but instead about what you learn, the people you meet, and the person you become on the journey to get there.
Delve deep into a whimsical world filled with magic and brimming with a rainbow of color as you and explore a land that makes you feel ethereal peace with a powerfully emotional story that will resonate with your heart.
Follow the journey of the traveler indie hero and support the developers, the game is available on Playstation 4 and PC
5. Transistor – Red – “The Angelic Voice Sword Wielding Indie Heroine”
Welcome to Cloud-bank, where Red once was a singer with a sensational angelic voice and a smooth talker who could get herself out of any predicament. Now she has a sword called Transistor that has stolen her voice and happens to contain the consciousness of a dead man that was killed with it. On the run from a robotic rebel force called the Process, with no voice and an unknown man’s conscious as a guide, she must overcome all odds before she risks losing everything.
Red is a heroine with unparalleled determination to find all the answers, to uncover the mysteries of an extraordinary weapon of unknown origin, get her voice and life back, while also preventing the city of Cloud-bank from being destroyed. Red is adaptable and a fast learner, quickly adjusting to the powers of the Transistor, she will have to fight her way out if she hopes to survive.
Will you help Red survive her journey and get her voice back? Transistor is available on PlayStation 4, PC, and Nintendo Switch
4. Celeste – Madeline – “The Most Agile Indie Hero You Will Ever Meet”
Madeline is the most agile indie hero on this list that is the best, known for jumping and climbing along with having the unique ability to perform a mid-air dash in eight different directions which have 4 different enhancements from a super-dash all the way to an ultra-dash! Madeline is reckless and prone to ignoring warnings, although she is susceptible to getting herself into troubling and challenging situations. She is also adept and intuitive to quickly get herself out of those same situations. On top of all that, she is very persistent and adamant when it comes to getting what she wants regardless of the possibilities.
Madeline’s personality, charm, and heroism are the perfect balance to how a video game protagonist needs to be and as you experience Madeline’s story it is guaranteed that you will fall in love with her character on her quest in the colorful world of Celeste.
Celeste is available on PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and now is also coming to Stadia
3. Shovel Knight – Shovel Knight – “The Actual Knight in Shining Armor Video Game Protagonist”
Shovel Knight is everyone’s knight in shining armor, spending his time casually collecting treasure or stopping an infamous group known as the Order Of No Quarter all whilst grieving his beloved who has been cursed by an all-powerful enchantress.
This indie hero knight is a savior and protector who will go on an adventure to the ends of the earth with nothing but his armor and trusty shovel in hand. He is willing to sacrifice everything to save his shield maiden and restore balance, order, and peace to the kingdom. This is a sign of true heroism.
Shovel Knight is available on Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
2. Cuphead – Cuphead And Mugman – “Would You Make A Deal With The Devil?”
These heroic brothers are a dynamic duo, showing that if you have a family by your side, you can achieve anything. These brothers are kind, caring, and are a formidable force when together. With one being overly reckless, impatient, and having the heart of a warrior and the other being cautious, reasonable, and having a heart of gold, they keep each other in check.
Cuphead and Mugman are the video game protagonists that have heroism, gallantry, fearlessness, and valor all wrapped in their straws ready to face boss after boss and save their town from the all-powerful, all-seeing Devil and his partner in crime King Dice.
Traditionally throughout the 80s and 90s era. video game difficulty was brutal and unforgivable and offered enough challenge and was addictive to encourage and motivate you to want to play them and beat them and gain an immense amount of satisfaction. Cuphead has authenticated that video games in this era can be challenging but also really enjoyable to play.
Are you prepared to make a deal with the Devil? Cuphead is available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC.
1. Hades – Zagreus – “Become The Son Of The Underworld”
Zagreus is a video game protagonist that quite literally is the prince of the Underworld, which may set the precedent for him being a villain. While you might believe that, have you ever believed that you could be a better person or that you were meant for something greater because Zagreus does. He must go on a journey of self-discovery to find his identity and purpose to realize and understand that just because he was born and raised under ill-fated circumstances does not mean that he does not have the capability to be a hero.
Zagreus teaches us that becoming a hero does not happen overnight and requires determination and resilience. You cannot expect yourself to do everything on your own and if you have support and encouragement you can accomplish extraordinary and godly feats.
Hack and slash your way through the Underworld and discover if this video game protagonist deserves redemption. Hades is available on PC and Nintendo Switch.
Did you enjoy this list? Who is your preferred hero or protagonist? Will you play any of these games or have you already played them? What did you think? let us know in the comments and for more news on video games, check out all of the NerdStash content and keep coming back for more.