Video game protagonists have long since evolved past stereotypical heroes. The modern gaming scene is diverse, and characters have been updated to reflect that. This keeps stories and scenarios fresh and opens up worlds to new adventures and missions. Games like Until Dawn and The Last of Us 2 even allow players to take control of multiple characters, purposefully highlighting the importance of a change in perspective.

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Some games take full advantage of the essentially limitless capabilities of video games and create peculiar protagonists in creative and unique settings. Sometimes, these games are more serious, making developed worlds and human-like societies with anthropomorphic animals. Other developers focus on creating completely distinctive planets full of unfamiliar and frightening creatures. There's an opportunity for serious narratives, fascinating perspectives, and absolutely hilarity. For players looking to branch out from human protagonists, there's a plethora of new heroes waiting to take center stage.

8 Fall of Porcupine

Pidgeon

Fall of Porcupine is a pleasant adventure game set in the small town of Porcupine, where Doctor Finley is working to help the injured anthropomorphic townsfolk. Players are given dialogue options during their interactions with different people, and Finley will slowly begin to uncover the shortcomings of the healthcare industry.

This game is a great option for casual gamers who prefer a story-based game and puzzle-orientated gameplay. It's an unassuming reflection of social injustices and the structural issues around healthcare. The art style is endearing and will easily make players fall in love with the cast of characters that live in Porcupine.

7 Untitled Goose Game

Goose

Untitled Goose Game is a riotously fun puzzle simulator where players assume the role of a menacing goose who is intent on wreaking havoc wherever they go. Gamers can pick items up in their beaks and run around various levels, completing tasks on a checklist in order to progress to the next stage. They can even honk to frighten humans, who might cower or drop something they were holding.

Untitled Goose Game is a great choice for gamers who want some silly, carefree fun. It truly emulates the chaotic, evil nature of geese everywhere and allows players to waddle their way through a range of enjoyable tasks. There's even a local co-op option that creates even more mischievous antics and allows gamers to work together to bring geese to the forefront of gaming.

6 A Short Hike

Bird

A Short Hike is a wonderfully charming open-world game where gamers play as Claire, an anthropomorphic bird whose main goal is to hike to the top of Hawk Peak - the only location in the national park with signal. Players can swim, glide, jog, and climb around the park, exploring the area and interacting with various other animals around. Many of these animals have side-quests that Claire can choose to complete.

A Short Hike is the perfect, peaceful game for players who want to chill and explore a delightful world with a calming art style. It's a brilliant example of low-stakes open-world gaming, and the side quests come with fun rewards that can aid Claire on her climb. At its core, A Short Hike has a lot of heart, complete with touching interactions and a simple but uplifting storyline.

5 Unravel & Unravel Two

Yarn

Unravel is an endearing puzzle-platforming game that follows Yarnys, lovable little creatures made of yarn, as they quest to maintain their homes. Yarnys are warming examples of using inanimate objects to convey sentiment, and they do a phenomenal job of enticing gamers to really invest in the world.

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Both Unravel games are ideal for casual gamers or any players who like fun games coupled with emotional storylines. The beautiful, homely art is wonderful to look at, and the stories of both games are genuine and very moving. The games have brilliant world-building and are great examples of well-polished, expansive works that truly understand the capabilities of gaming.

4 Cuphead

Cups

Cuphead is a tremendously unique game with old-fashioned, 1930s-style art. It follows the eponymous Cuphead and his brother Mugman after they lose a bet to the Devil and must repay their debt by collecting the souls of runaway villains. The various levels typically include a run-and-gun section, but the gameplay is largely centered around challenging boss fights that rely on pattern recognition and muscle memory.

Cuphead is infamously difficult, and repeat deaths are part of the game experience. Players are supposed to learn from their mistakes to adapt against enemies and gain new abilities to aid them on their journey. It's a good choice for players who want a challenge and enjoy the mechanics of a good old-fashioned game. Aside from the gameplay, the art style is phenomenal and unlike any other game currently on the market. Cuphead will make players nostalgic for a time period they never knew.

3 Night in the Woods

Cat

Night in the Woods is an adventure game that follows college dropout Mae as she returns to her hometown, Possum Springs. Mae struggles with the disconnect between herself and her life, including the disparity between how she remembers her hometown compared to how it actually is.

Night in the Woods is narrative-focused, and the gameplay predominantly consists of exploration and discussion with other townsfolk. It has an ominous, idiosyncratic art style that perfectly matches the bleak tone of the game, which is coupled with a deadpan comedy that makes it captivating to play. It's great for gamers who love story-heavy games and narratives that hold a fragmented mirror up to real life.

2 Octodad: Dadliest Catch

Octopus

Octodad: Dadliest Catch may be the best example of a game fully embracing the absurdity of an animal protagonist and applying it quite literally to every aspect of the game. Octodad is set in the real world, and players take the reins on an octopus who is trying desperately not to be found out. Players can move Octodad and grab various items with his tentacles, throwing them around and generally interacting with his environment.

Octodad does not pretend to be anything close to serious. The gameplay can be frustrating since an octopus is not equipped to function in the real world. Players will have to avoid being too suspicious around humans, but it's nearly impossible not to look like a fool while doing it. Overall, it's a ridiculously fun way to spend a few hours, and there's a heart-warming message at its center that will leave gamers feeling glad they played it.

1 Stray

Cat

Stray is a post-apocalyptic adventure game that follows an adorable ginger cat as it tries to escape the strange, dystopian city it's fallen into. The gameplay mainly consists of moving and jumping through the world and interacting with various objects in a puzzle-solving fashion in order to progress. B-12, a kind drone that assists the stray cat, has memories that can be unlocked throughout the game, which will provide further context for what happened to all the humans.

Stray was critically successful and provides a touching game that deals with complex subjects. The cat protagonist is vividly made, and their heartwarming realism makes players incredibly invested in protecting the lovable animal. It also provides a unique perspective on a dystopian setting, one that has barely been touched by any media. It's a wonderfully atmospheric game that's really a great choice for any gamer.

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