Top 10 Video Game Characters With Amnesia

Top 10 Video Game Characters With Amnesia

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There's something notable about these characters... but we can't remember what. Oh, wait. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we countdown our picks for the Top 10 Video Game Characters With Amnesia. For this list, we're taking a look at notable examples of characters in gaming who are specifically indicated to be dealing with the consequences of amnesia, and memory loss. Thus, we're not including Cloud Strife from “Final Fantasy VII” because he believes himself to be someone else, and does not appear to be suffering from amnesia. Also, in light of certain character details being plot-relevant in a number of games, there will be spoilers, lots of them.

As the tale of “Cave Story” unwinds into something far more intriguing, so too does its main character Quote. Awakening in a cave within the depths of an island, this unassuming pale being goes forth with no recollection of his past. Quote's interactions with the island's inhabitants, a race of bunny-like creatures called Mimigas, slowly reveals Quote's true nature as a robot seemingly sent to destroy the Mimigas... except not quite. Though portrayed as a silent protagonist, Quote's role in the game's backstory and not-at-all-accidental heroism wind up imbuing him with an interesting presence and greater significance than expected.

Nothing like a good investigative urge to uncover one's past. In the 1988 graphic adventure game “Snatcher”, players are put in the role of Gillian Seed, an investigator tasked with hunting down human-like robots called snatchers. On top of detective work and dealing with estrangement from his wife Jamie, Gillian is also coping with his loss of memories prior to awakening from cryo sleep. This single detail makes Gillian's search for answers amid conflict and conspiracy all the more endearing – and adds a bittersweet element to the final reveal.

They say he's a cool cat around town. The red suit-wearing, deadpanning man known as Sissel quickly established his aloofness in the opening of “Ghost Trick” - as well as indicating that he's a ghost. Given only until sunrise to solve his murder and pushed to help those in need, Sissel shifts over time from a self-centred individual into a kind and compassionate figure. Thus, the audience is given reason to care about Sissel's missing memories and hope for the truth to come to light. We're certainly amused and enthralled by the guy.

#7: Zero “Mega Man Zero” series (2002-05)

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From villain to hero, and beyond. The robotic soldier known as Zero began his existence as a servant of the evil Doctor Wily, only to suffer amnesia and switch sides after a particularly brutal battle. Though acting as an amicable partner to X in the “Mega Man X” games, Zero would eventually be placed into hibernation and revived 100 years later. Plagued by further loss of memory, as well as fading emotions and the loss of his original body, Zero nonetheless strives to fight for those he believes in. It is as inspiring as it is ultimately tragic.

Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. Case in point: Daniel, a young archeologist from London, awakens in a Prussian castle with no significant clues to his past save for a note telling him to kill a baron. Over the course of “The Dark Descent”, Daniel gradually regains his memories while evading a shadowy force... which reveals Daniel to be a substantially flawed, borderline villainous figure. Yet this makes him more interesting, both because of the gruesome lengths to which he has gone for self-preservation and the powerful desire to atone he possesses as a result.

#5: The Nameless One “Planescape: Torment” (1999)

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Nothing is certain when it comes to immortality of this sort. At the start of the cult classic role-playing game “Planescape: Torment”, gamers were introduced to The Nameless One, a warrior who was granted amnesia-inducing immortality long ago. As he traverses the various realms to learn about about himself, The Nameless One's secret comes to light: each time he dies and revives, his personality changes. Witnessing him come to terms with each of his incarnation's actions on the multiverse makes for a great narrative thrust, and gives weight to the player's choices.

When you've never known freedom, what happens when you suddenly have it? This is a question faced by Terra Branford, a highly-valued magic user and soldier for the Gestahlian Empire... who was indoctrinated with a slave crown. Terra is freed from her superiors' control, however, when an attack leads to the deactivation of the crown. As events proceed, the audience witnesses Terra come to terms with her past, struggling with amnesia caused by physical and emotional trauma. But in the end, her determination and desire to atone for past misdeeds shines through, and we are left with an inspiring self-made heroine. Terra beat out Tidus from FF10 for this spot, since he was technically faking it.

#3: Geralt of Rivia “The Witcher” series (2007-)

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Also known as Gwynbleidd, meaning “White Wolf”, this slayer of monsters doesn't lack for problems. Geralt's adventures in “The Witcher” commence with the famed monster hunter being dragged to the stronghold of Kaer Morhen, with little in the way of coherent memories. From there, Geralt ventures forth to deal with a conspiracy involving his fellow witchers. What makes Geralt's particular situation work is that he maintains roughly the same traits throughout; he's dry-witted, skeptical and more focused on his present situation than on digging into the past. Amnesia can't dent his patented snarky dialogue, or undermine his surprising moments of humanity, as evidenced by the fact that he’s got his memory’s all back by the time the 3rd game begins.

Conspiracies can be a challenge to overcome, doubly so when lacking information about them. Thus, we have Jason Fly, an amnesiac man who washes up on a Brooklyn shore and is soon-after pursued by attackers. Piece by piece, “XIII” shows us that Fly is but a pawn in a larger game, having served as part of an effort to undermine the United States government. That doesn't stop us from sympathizing with Fly, largely out of a desire to see Fly escape the madness and find his own path. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Cammy “Street Fighter” series (1987-) Kaim Argonar “Lost Odyssey” (2007) Robin aka The Avatar “Fire Emblem Awakening” (2013) John Vattic “Second Sight” (2004)

Nothing quite compares to a sudden swerve of a twist. In the backstory of BioWare's game “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic”, great emphasis is placed on the impact of Darth Revan, a former Jedi who fell into darkness and raised a Sith army. It all appears to be in the past, however, as Revan was said to have died in a space battle... except that's not the case. Instead, the gravely wounded Revan was mind-wiped by the Jedi, becoming the player's seemingly random character (Yes that means you. Sorry for the spoiler but this game is over 12 years old). From our view of Revan to our choices thereafter, this is a case of amnesia being masterfully used. Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favorite amnesiac game character? For more commemorative Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.