Video games are a gateway to many emotions and feelings for players. The stories that they tell, the gameplay that is felt, and the characters that are introduced, help players to build deep connections. Some of these video game characters are incredibly strong, and feature unique powers to them. However, they all share one common theme: hiding their strength.
These powerful characters hide their strength for many factors. Perhaps, it is to protect the ones they love, or themselves. Or, it is because they are unaware of the true power that they hold. Whatever the reason, some of these video game characters are iconic for a reason, and their power is a fraction of their being.
8 Darth Revan – Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Players that begin their journey into Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic will find themselves entering a much larger world. A galaxy writhes with Sith and Jedi, and one where they have taken their first steps into the communion of the Force.
However, as the story progresses, the player discovers that they are not just a new Jedi, but Darth Revan with amnesia. Revan hides his true strength as a mighty Sith because they did not know who they were, or what they were capable of until remembrance in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
7 Ciri – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Ciri doesn’t hide the fact that she has the fighting skills of a Witcher, but she does hide the ultimate power that she has. In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Geralt is searching for Ciri, who has had to run because of the Wild Hunt due to her powers unique to only herself.
This unique power allows Ciri to traverse across space and time, opening gateways for herself across dimensions and worlds that others fail to see or utilize. However, in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Ciri must hide these powers, as some lust for them or fail to understand them.
6 Agent 47 – Hitman
Agent 47 is one of the deadliest assassins in the world. There isn’t a target in the world that Agent 47 would not be able to kill. Although his powers are not supernatural, they are indeed honed to such perfection that he can disguise himself in any situation, and turn anything into a weapon.
In the Hitman games, Agent 47 hides his strength and talents through his disguises and stealth. No one truly sees Agent 47 in action during the Hitman games, because he is so good at what he does, that no one needs to see his true strength.
5 Max Payne – Max Payne
It may be for video game mechanics, but Max Payne has an ability that others do not possess. This ability is in his “bullet time”, in which his reaction speeds are far greater than anyone else. It makes Max Payne an icon for gun-slinging and a great fighter against those that seek to get in his way.
Max Payne may not hide his strength for the safety of others, but he hides it because it just is not necessary. The Max Payne games hold many narratives, and his strength is tested throughout them. Perhaps one-day audiences will experience the Max Payne games again.
4 Senator Armstrong – Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Underneath that tight suit, Senator Armstrong harbors an incredible strength, one that has his skin invulnerable to sword slashes and other strikes. Why? Simple. Nanomachines, son. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance has been ripe for content, whether that’s means or simply joys that the game offers and Armstrong is one of those joys.
Armstrong is a U.S. Senator from Colorado who puts his nation and patriotism above all else. His goal may be to reclaim the American dream, but he doesn’t care who gets hurt to make it happen. He hides his strength with nanomachines out of fear of controversy in his political agenda, one that ends in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance because of Raiden’s skills.
3 Corvo Attano – Dishonored
After being imprisoned and framed for the murder of the Empress, Corvo Attano was left rotting in his cell, grieving, and seeking vengeance in Dishonored. His wish would come true as he was visited by The Outsider, a being of immense power that branded Corvo with his mark, giving him amazing powers.
Corvo hides his powers from the public, as they would fear him. Yet, to his enemies, this strength is something they deserve to fear. Corvo focuses on stealth in Dishonored, hiding his strength in the shadows, where it truly thrives.
2 Steve – Minecraft
As ridiculous as it may sound, Steve is a highly powerful being in Minecraft. Whether that is through Creative Mode or Survival, Steve is capable of almost anything. Steve is immortal, and can constantly respawn. Steve can build amazing contraptions in Minecraft, ones that make life easier in many ways.
Steve’s strength is hidden, because there is no one to truly witness it. There is no one in the world to understand Steve’s strength. Whether it’s in the power to build a city alone or to destroy the Ender Dragon with just a sword. Steve has great strength, hidden in isolation.
1 Kratos – God of War (2018)
In pained memory of what he has done, and what he can do, Kratos begins his journey through the Norse lands in God of War (2018) by hiding his strength. Kratos can battle dragons with his fists, and lift trees from their roots, but the shame of his past, and the grief of his identity make him hide it for as long as possible.
Kratos’ hidden strength is represented in his inability to open up to his son, Atreus. In the hiding of his Blades of Chaos, and the bandages that hide the scars that bind him to his past life. God of War features many emotional themes, and Kratos hides his strength for many reasons.