You Can’t Handle The Edge
There’s a delicate art when crafting a brooding badass in video games. After all, having a character mired in sorrow and darkness can certainly pave the way for some intriguing development. Then again, if you go overboard, you might end up with examples like these. While they have their moments of brilliance, they also really need to learn to lighten up!
#5: Dante
“DmC: Devil May Cry†(2013)
Sometimes you look at a character and know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they flip off authority figures, smoke behind the bleachers, and spray graffiti on the walls. Much like Bomberman, this was not the reimagining fans were expecting, especially when the Dante they’d come to know was an over-the-top badass full of a cheesy, endearing sort of charm. We got some of that far out, pizza flying through the air charm, and we definitely got the fast-paced action, but overall, DmC’s Dante came off as a moody edgelord — the kind your parents try and keep you away from.
#4: Adam Jensen
“Deus Ex†series (2000-17)
We don’t wanna assume that he’s a stoic loner based on looks alone but… yeah, he’s a stoic loner, isn’t he? They say not to judge a book by its cover, but with Deus Ex, you know what you’re in for as soon as you grab the box. Cool dude dressed in all black, equipped with sunglasses, a gun, and a futuristic cityscape behind him? Yeah, that’s a decent amount of edge, but Adam Jensen turned up all the notches in 2011. Black clothes, sunglasses, shattered bits of glass with intense game titles AND a tragic backstory? That, dear Mojoholics, is the very definition of edge.
#3: Reaper
“Overwatch†(2016)
His name is Reaper. Need we say more? He’s got Hellfire Shotguns and can step between shadows. What, still need more? He walks around with a hood over his head and a skull mask. His past is shrouded in mystery. He’s known for being so treacherous on the battlefield that it’d be easier if he killed you instead of leaving you to survive the carnage and the eventual nightmares you’ll be haunted with. He can drain your health. He has a wraith form where he can pass through his adversaries. We’re not saying that he’s the edgiest angel of death, but if the shotgun fits? Fire it.
#2: Shadow the Hedgehog
“Sonic the Hedgehog†series (1991-)
Oof. You knew this one was coming. Shadow is the very definition of trying way too hard to be cool, and honestly? You can’t help but love him. Serving as a rival hedgehog to the fastest thing alive, he is the polar opposite of the blue blur. He’s not gonna make way past cool quips and eat chili dogs, no, none of that. He’s gonna stand in the corner with his arms crossed, brooding as he goes through an existential crisis where he wonders who he really is. Fortunately, he’s got grunge rock, a motorcycle, and a machine gun to see him through.
#1: The Antagonist
“Hatred†(2015)
You know when you hear someone talking about how video games are a bad influence? Hello, and welcome to Hatred. The cover alone is enough to ward off, well… everyone, but if you can get past the long haired angst lord you find out that his name is (3:30)… oh, ok, his name isn’t important, he’s just a man who hates humanity because… reasons? To him, the world is so awful that the only solution is to kill everything — himself included? We’re fairly certain that when people mock edgelords this is the exact character they have in mind… that’s probably why he wants to kill us all, huh?
Be sure to check out the video below to see our picks for the Top 10 Failed Video Game Copycats.
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