Most games feature premade characters as the main protagonist who have established personalities of their own and don't really have to conform to the thoughts and viewpoints of the player. This isn't a negative thing in the slightest, with many games doing a great job of molding a story and letting these characters express their personality in a manner that makes them quite relatable without being too detached from the player.
Of course, there are times when a self-insert character is simply too good to be ignored. Games do a great job of letting players fulfill their fantasy of creating a completely fresh character that absorbs the game world with them, serving as the perfect driving force for people to explore these games and react in a manner that is completely natural to them. Here are some of the best self-insert characters in games that fans absolutely love.
10 The Inquisitor (Dragon Age: Inquisition)
Each Dragon Age game features a main character that reflects the player's personality in some way or the other. Depending on what path players choose, they can work on the side of justice or be evil and selfish.
Dragon Age: Inquisition has a great take on a custom character, with players being able to roleplay as several races. It's a great way to be immersed in the world of Dragon Age: Inquisition and its overarching narrative.
9 Frisk (Undertale)
Undertale is one of the best indie games ever made. The game takes a unique look at the nature of violence in video games, subverting expectations and giving the player a harsh wake-up call if they treat this title like any other game.
Frisk is a character whose personality can completely change based on the actions of the player. Given how wildly different events can play out depending on whether players opt for a Pacifist or Genocide route, it's easy to see why so many people love this game.
8 The Courier (Fallout: New Vegas)
Fallout: New Vegas is considered by many to be the best game in the series. It combines the best of the role-playing aspects of past Fallout games and the action-oriented gameplay of the 3D Bethesda titles.
The fact that the Courier is pretty much a blank slate means that players can place themselves in their shoes even more. Depending on the stats a player invests in, they get to unlock and experience varying dialogue options as well.
7 Joker (Persona 5)
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Persona 5 is the latest title in this JRPG series that took over the world by storm. The amazing art style is one of the game's biggest selling points, with the story and characters slowly growing on the players over time.
Joker is the protagonist of this tale, playing the role of a student who was falsely accused by a high-ranking official out of spite. After his life was upturned, Joker went to Tokyo and initiated a series of events that would see players forming meaningful relationships with many characters in the world.
6 The New Kid (South Park: The Stick Of Truth)
The South Park games are truly brilliant in their own right and perfectly capture the essence of the show. While The Fractured but Whole is a great game in its own right, most people consider its prequel to be the superior title.
The Stick of Truth introduces the New Kid, who barely speaks throughout the game even if the plot revolves around him. The fact that he utters Cartman's signature phrase at the end of the game is the icing on the cake that is a seminal experience.
5 Jack (BioShock)
BioShock is a game everyone remembers for its mind-bending narrative, putting Ken Levine on the map as one of the most celebrated video game auteurs around. It's a testament to the quality of the game that even a silent protagonist becomes a critical part of the narrative.
The game takes a unique spin on the idea of a player accomplishing objectives mindlessly just because someone else has told them to. The phrase "Would you kindly?" has been burned in the minds of many players long after they've finished this experience.
4 The Reader (Pyre)
Pyre is one of the more experimental titles Supergiant Games has developed. The idea of a sporting tournament deciding the fate of certain inmates is pretty unique indeed.
It helps that Pyre has one of the more unique takes on a narrator in a video game. The player essentially takes on the role of the Reader, deciding player teams and choosing the fates of its members if need be.
3 Commander Shepard (Mass Effect)
Commander Shepard is one of the most iconic characters in gaming history. This legendary figure almost single-handedly saved the entire universe from extinction and is a self-insert character who can be molded in whatever manner the player sees fit.
Shepard wastes no time in showing their leadership skills and combat aptitude in battle. It's great that players have complete control over their morals and ideologies, making this experience as immersive as can be.
2 The Dragonborn (The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim)
Bethesda games prefer to focus on the world they develop, with the narrative serving as another excuse for players to see more beautiful vistas in their world. Skyrim is no exception to this rule, with the Dragonborn serving as the perfect protagonist for this experience.
The Dragonborn might lack some personality of their own, but most people won't mind as long as they can explore the world without feeling pulled out of the experience. The release of Fallout 4 proved that a player character with too much personality might actually break immersion instead of aiding it.
1 Custom Character (Divinity: Original Sin 2)
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is one of the greatest role-playing games ever made. Larian Studios has developed a masterful title and proven to everyone why they deserve to develop the long-awaited sequel to Baldur's Gate 2.
While players can control an Origin Character in the game, people who like to immerse themselves completely in a game can opt for a custom character instead. There are enough unique personality traits to personalize most interactions in the game without worrying about losing out on a lot of unique interactions.