The Chosen One trope is a common narrative device in which a character is chosen by fate or destiny to save the world or fulfill a special purpose. This trope is often used in fantasy and science fiction, including video games. In video games, the trope is used to give players a sense of importance and purpose as they take on the role of the chosen one.
The chosen one is often portrayed as a hero or savior tasked with defeating a powerful enemy or restoring balance to the world. Examples of video games that use this trope include Final Fantasy 7, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and more. Moreover, some games mimic the trope by overusing it or creating humor. Let’s take a look.
10 The Bard's Tale
The Bard's Tale is a popular action-role-playing video game that pokes fun at the traditional "chosen one" trope. The game features multiple characters who claim to be the chosen ones, but most of them end up dying in various adventures. The game's humor lies in the fact that the supposed "chosen ones" are just ordinary people who have claimed without any real proof.
The Bard's Tale also includes other self-proclaimed chosen ones stuck in prison, unable to escape and fulfill their destiny. The Bard's Tale is a clever and entertaining take on a common fantasy trope, poking fun at the idea of a single hero saving the world and turning it into a comedic adventure.
9 Borderlands 2
Borderlands 2 is an action role-playing first-person shooter video game released in 2012. It is set in an open-world environment and played from a first-person perspective. The game features a unique art style inspired by cell-shaded graphics and comic books. Players choose one of four characters, known as "Vault Hunters," each with their special abilities, and set out on a quest to find a legendary alien vault and defeat the villain, Handsome Jack.
Borderlands 2 is known for its fast-paced, cooperative multiplayer and vast arsenal of procedurally generated weapons. Additionally, the game also pokes fun at multiple tropes. One such is the Chosen One trope, where players see arms dealer Marcus Kincaid influence a kid to buy a gun for two million.
8 D Is For Dungeon
D Is for Dungeon a classic dungeon crawler game that offers unique enemies and allows players to traverse 25 floors full of treasures, monsters, and puzzles. It is an indie title that developer Dinkledaberry created on RPG Maker and released in 2014. The game still receives updates, according to its official page.
D Is for Dungeonsavagely parodies The Chosen One trope by making players assume control of a baby who is the one. Therefore, the game truly makes the in-game dungeon crawling actual crawling because babies can’t walk.
7 Harry Potter
Harry Potter games are adaptations of the beloved book series by J.K. Rowling. The games often follow the story of Harry as the "chosen one," tasked with defeating the evil Lord Voldemort. However, throughout the series, the narrative hints that Neville Longbottom could also be the chosen one, as he possesses similar qualities to Harry and ultimately plays a crucial role in the defeat of Voldemort.
This play on the "chosen one" trope subverts expectations. It adds depth to the story, demonstrating that it's not just about one person's destiny but the power of community and friendship in overcoming adversity.
6 Assassin's Creed
Assassin's Creed is an action-adventure video game franchise that parodies the "chosen one" trope by focusing multiple games on the protagonist, Desmond Miles. Despite his significance as the protagonist and the "chosen one" in the early titles, Desmond is killed off in the third installment, challenging the typical expectations of the trope.
This moment subverts the typical storytelling in video games and offers a unique take on the "chosen one" narrative. The franchise has continued to expand and evolve its universe. Still, the killing off of Desmond remains a notable moment in the series, emphasizing the idea that no one character is truly indispensable in the grand scheme of things.
5 Dark Souls
The Dark Souls series is known for its challenging gameplay and dark fantasy setting. However, it often employs the common trope of the "Chosen One," a character chosen by fate to save the world. This trope is used in many of the Souls games' storylines, where the player character is destined to defeat the final boss and bring an end to the cycle.
While the Chosen One trope can add to the sense of importance for the player, it can also be seen as overused and cliché. The series' unique world and challenging gameplay are enough to set it apart, and relying too heavily on a trope may detract from its originality.
4 Elden Ring
Elden Ring is an action role-playing video game developed by FromSoftware, the studio behind the Dark Souls and Bloodborne series. The game is set in a rich, immersive world filled with dangerous creatures and mysterious ruins.
Like other FromSoftware games, Elden Ring also features the "chosen one" trope, where the player character is prophesied to be the one who can save the world. The player must embark on a dangerous journey, battling enemies and discovering secrets to unlock the power of the Elden Ring and fulfill their destiny.
3 Mass Effect
The Mass Effect games are a series of science-fiction role-playing games that follow the adventures of Commander Shepard, a human soldier tasked with saving the galaxy from a mysterious and powerful threat. The games utilize the "chosen one" trope, casting Shepard as the only one who can stop the threat and save civilization.
Throughout the games, Shepard must gather a team of allies and make difficult decisions determining the galaxy's fate. At the same time, the commander can also do some of the most random things or engage in petty side missions that pretty much poke fun at the “chosen one” trope.
2 South Park: The Stick Of Truth
South Park: The Stick of Truth is a video game based on the popular TV show. In the game, the player takes on the role of a new kid in South Park who is proclaimed the "Chosen One" and is tasked with retrieving the eponymous Stick of Truth.
South Park: The Stick of Truth pokes fun at the genre by having the player complete absurd and ridiculous quests while also lampooning popular fantasy franchises such as Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. The humor, writing, and overall design of the game make it a must-play for fans of both South Park and RPGs.
1 Undertale
Undertale is a popular indie game that uniquely parodies the "chosen one" trope. The game's protagonist, Frisk, is a seemingly average child in the world of monsters and is touted as the "chosen one" who will bring peace between humans and demons. However, as the player navigates through the game, it becomes clear that Frisk's destiny is not set in stone, and the player can choose to be either a destructive force or a force for good.
Undertale cleverly subverts the "chosen one" trope by showing that Frisk's actions and decisions determine their own destiny rather than a predetermined fate. The game challenges players to think critically about their choices and their impact on the world around them.