People don't usually praise Ubisoft for their heroes. Not only do many of the studio's games deal with gunplay and assassinations, but the assembly line release schedule means a ton of characters get introduced every year. It's possibly due to that high quantity that few of these faces have much quality. Occasionally, though, inspiration strikes in this area.
A few iconic heroes have spawned from Ubisoft's lineup. That's not to say they win any awards for altruism. No one's perfect, after all. Instead, what makes them stand out is how they buck trends commonly seen in gaming. Ubisoft has even perpetuated these patterns. That said, they've created some unique and unforgettable leads. That's why these heroes have stuck with players long after their debuts.
5 Ezio Auditore (The Assassin's Creed Series)
Regarded as the best Assassin's Creed protagonist, Ezio starts as a brash punk whose only concern is the next woman he beds. His family's murder sets him on a path of revenge, inspiring him to join the eponymous Assassins. Over time, though, he comes to see the bigger picture. He believes in what the Brotherhood stands for and dedicates his life to protecting it. This endeavor takes him into his twilight years as he ensures his work continues through the generations. By the end, he's practically unrecognizable.
That journey is what makes Ezio so engaging. Fans watch him gradually develop over three games: Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations. His successes and failures shape the man he becomes and give his growth its due gravitas. That's why no AC star has topped this Italian Assassin.
4 Rex Colt (Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon)
The Far Cry protagonists are usually bland and boring--blank slates for players to project themselves onto--but the Blood Dragon hero puts them all to shame. Rex Power Colt (yes, really) is a cyborg mercenary straight out of an '80s action flick. With a vast arsenal of sci-fi weapons, he mows down anyone in his way. He then fires off a one-liner for a final insult. His routine never gets old.
Not only is it amusing in the moment, but it spits in the face of modern gaming conventions. Most action protagonists wallow in self-pity. They're disgusted by their deeds and strive to deliver some ham-fisted message about the horrors of war. This is counterintuitive to the genre and undermines the point of games, which is to have fun.
Rex embraces that fun. He practically lives for the chaos of combat. Because of that, fans can identify with him more than any of his Far Cry peers. He embodies players' mindset and looks cool while doing it. He even goes so far as to cuss out the repetitive tutorials at the start. Now, that seals the deal and cements his place in gamers' hearts.
3 Sam Fisher (The Splinter Cell Series)
Tom Clancy characters often deal in espionage and other covert ops. The Splinter Cell star is a prime example, even if he's not exactly in his prime. Sam Fisher is a grizzled veteran. Rather than be riddled with regret, he uses his experience to do his work as effectively as possible. He believes in practicality. His black ops assignments often go toward the world's betterment, but he has little patience for the political side or ethical ramifications. This means he's willing to go off-mission if innocents are at risk. This gives him a blue-collar appeal despite his morbid profession.
Throughout the Splinter Cell series, Fisher does whatever it takes to get the job done how he sees fit. That sometimes presents a dichotomy, but he's been around long enough to have a sense of humor about it. The killer cracks the occasional dry joke at the expense of others and the situation. Such self-awareness lends humanity to what could have been a one-note stereotype. It makes Fisher hardcore and satisfying without being inaccessible to audiences. Rather, it just inspires all the more confidence in him.
2 Aurora (Child Of Light)
This displaced princess is refreshing for a different reason. The titular Child of Light is a pure soul. Though she's lost in an unfamiliar and melancholy world, her tentative optimism makes her happy to aid anyone she comes across. One might expect a character with such naïveté to become jaded as she gets older. Misfortune befalls her throughout the story, and that could lead to cynicism. Thankfully, that's not the case.
If anything, Aurora's greater perspective increases her capacity for kindness. As she shares her allies' emotional journeys, she becomes wise to the ways of the world and the tragedy in her own background. Amid all this misery, she recognizes the need for heroism and benevolence. She even extends a helping hand to her enemies. This intriguing arc makes her hard not to love.
1 Rayman (The Rayman Series)
Though his species is a mystery, it's amazing how defined Rayman is. His laid-back personality is an amusing foil for the weirdness around him. At the same time, his design benefits beautifully from that weirdness.
Rayman's look lends itself perfectly to platforming action. He literally throws punches, sending his fists flying into faraway foes. He can also use this gift to grab and swing from grapple points. For other jumps, he always has his trusty helicopter hair to glide safely down. That's right. He spins his hair like a helicopter. It's certainly an odd mixture of elements, but it grants him a mobility unique from other platforming mascots. That distinction is not only exhilarating to play but it's helped Rayman maintain his cult following for decades.