Summary
Being a video game hero isn’t all fame and glamor. A lot of the time, being a hero means taking on near-impossible battles for the greater good without so much as a “thank you.” Taking the role of the main character in a video game is often agrueling, thankless job.
Even if a job doesn’t pay monetarily, recognition can often be enough for some. However, some video game protagonists don’t even have the satisfaction of having their name plastered on every wall in celebration, simply because some protagonists don’t have a name to call their own! Whether it be to help players feel immersed in their role as the main character or to create a sense of mystery, here are some of the best video game protagonists that do not have an official name.
Papers, Pleasetells the story of a man who lives in the Communist country of Arstotzka. After being one of the lucky winners of the October labor lottery, the main character (often referred to as the Inspector outside the game) and his family uproot their lives from the small village of Nirsk and move to East Grestin in hopes of a better life now that they have a source of steady income.
Papers, Pleasetruly shines a spotlight on the working class as the selfless heroes of their household, following the Inspector as they push through theirdangerous (and tedious) workdayfor the sake of taking care of their family. There are indeed a few different endings/outcomes for the Inspector, but regardless, the nameless Inspector begins his journey in hopes of being able to finally provide for his sick family.
Who would ever think that a simple game likePowerWash Simulatorwould havesuch deep lorebehind its straightforward gameplay? While most people know the game for its simplistic gameplay that delivers a soothing and satisfying experience, there is in fact a rather monumental story going on in the background.
The story revolves around the protagonist who is called many different nicknames; such as “Dirtfinder,” “Doc,” and “Wishy.” Not only is the nameless protagonist without a true identity, but they also remain faceless for the entirety of the game as they are never seen without their full-body protective gear. Despite being as mysterious as they are, the Dirtfinder begins their journey as a humble pressure washer cleaner and ends with using their trusty equipment to help extinguish a dangerous volcano!
Later Alligator’smain story is the perfect mix of dire and goofy. The story revolves around Pat, a worried little alligator who lives in Alligator New York City. The main playable character is Pat’s incredibly kind-hearted friend, who decides to help Pat ease his worries about the mysterious “Event” Pat’s family has been talking about.
There are little to no details revealed about the Detective; their name, face, and voice are all left up to the imagination. Other than theirspiffy pinstripe suit, organized briefcase, and dapper leather gloves, their appearance is a complete mystery. In a picture of Pat and the Detective together, the Detective is seen without a head! Perhaps the mystery of the Detective’s true identity is even bigger than Pat’s big “event.”
The famous hero of theFableseries may be known by his title"The Hero of Oakvale,“but at the end of the day, the title is very different from an actual name. While Link from theZeldaseries is known as the Hero of Time, he was still given a name at birth just like anyone else.
However, theFableprotagonist is a different story. While the player can still add a bit of customization by adjusting/changing their Hero Title in-game, they remain fundamentally nameless. Perhaps keeping their true identity secret is the right way to go, since the life of a hero can be dangerous and is best kept private.
Bastionis very well-known for itsamazing voice acting. However, as strange as it is, none of that spectacular voice acting was from the star of the show, the protagonist.Bastionis a story set in the city of Caelondia, told by an entrancing narrator. This narrator (first introduced as “The Stranger”) is named Rucks and is the very first survivor of the Calamity that the player encounters.
While the beloved narrator has a proper name, the player character is given the informal nickname of “The Kid” since he remains nameless throughout the game. While The Kid is still a nameless and silent protagonist, he is far from cold, as he still manages to show off his selfless compassion towards any fellow survivors he encounters.
DespiteHotline Miamipainting Jacket as a terrifying heartless killer, he somehow came off to audiences as a badass hitman, skilled withboth blunt objects and firearms, able to take out just about any target. He eventually became a fan favorite, earning his name from fans themselves (due to his signature varsity jacket) and eventually leading to it becoming his official name retroactively.
Most of Jacket’s personality is seen through his apartment, which he later shares with his girlfriend, who also does not have an official name (often referred to as “Girlfriend”). However, a different (kinder) side of him is seen through his wholesome relationship with Girlfriend, which slowly progresses through the game.
Doomguy never truly had a real/official name from the beginning of theDoomseries as an intentional choice for the sake of immersion. The main character ofDoomwas to be the player and act simply as a stand-in for the audience to feel more connected and invested in the story. However, after time passed, fans simply began calling the nameless marine “Doom Guy” (as in “the guy from Doom”) or “Doom Slayer” (due to his viciousness).
Eventually, all debate over theDoomprotagonist’s name ended in 2020 (a whole 27 years later) as series creatorJohn Romero finally revealed that the official name for their protagonist was in fact “Doom Guy”.
