Some video game characters feel like they stepped out of a different game. Even though these characters are popular and their games are successful, it’s hard not to picture them in a completely different franchise.
Characters like Nero from Devil May Cry feel like they could slot in seamlessly to a game like Kingdom Hearts, and Duke Nukem might have been a better Doom protagonist than the Doomguy himself. These heroes go to show that some of the best video game characters are misfits.
Nero from Devil May Cry Feels Like a Kingdom Hearts Character
Making his debut in Devil May Cry 4, Nero served as the main protagonist of the series’ then-new revival. He’s since become a beloved character, but those talents might fit even better in a different hack-and-slash adventure, like Kingdom Hearts.
Nero’s combat style, powers, and quiet, cool persona could play well against the whimsy of Disney fairy tales. Since Dante has serious star power, Nero never really had room to fully shine in Devil May Cry. In Kingdom Hearts, though, Nero could stand out as the edgy counterpoint and potentially become an icon within that Disney-meets-anime space.
Frank From Dead Rising Would Be Better in Left 4 Dead
As the original protagonist of the Dead Rising franchise, Frank stands out as a particularly eccentric character compared to later heroes like Chuck and Nick. For some players, Frank’s personality undercut some of the original game’s scarier moments. It would be great to see Dead Rising get another sequel, but in the meantime, maybe Frank should move to a different game franchise.
Left 4 Dead feels better suited to Frank’s vibe and gameplay style. Paired with three other survivors to balance his larger-than-life energy, and set against a rampage of more monstrous enemy types, Frank could easily become a fan favorite alongside characters like Zoey and Bill.
Lee & Clementine Could Have Starred in The Last of Us Part II
Telltale’s The Walking Dead: Season 1 earned tons of recognition from fans and gamers alike. Lee and Clementine stood out not just in their season, but across Telltale’s catalog, at least until Ellie and Joel arrived in The Last of Us, whose fandom seemingly dwarfed that of their click-and-scroll counterparts.
While many fans rate The Last of Us Part II as a masterpiece, it also sparked major backlash. There will always be debate over the direction Ellie and Joel’s story took in the sequel, but adding in a second duo like Lee and Clementine might have helped soothe the rage. They could’ve given TLOU Part II a touching love story that tied into the franchise’s original themes.
Coach from Left 4 Dead 2 Could’ve Worked in GTA V
As the standout character from Left 4 Dead 2, Coach is one of the few in the series who could carry a single-player campaign. Still, zombies might not be the best fit for his chipper, cool-uncle personality. Taking Coach out of the zombie FPS space could do more to flesh out who he is.
Grand Theft Auto usually centers on hardened, tragic criminals who feel removed from everyday life. Dropping Coach into the concrete jungle of Liberty City could make him stand out. Next to GTA’s more sinister leads, Coach could be the kind of breath of fresh air the series needs. An out-of-shape gym teacher trying to find a new purpose after a world-shattering event could make for a fun open-world story.
John Marston from Red Dead Redemption Belongs in the Fallout Universe
Red Dead Redemption II introduced the now-beloved Arthur Morgan, who ended up outshining the previous game’s star, John Marston. Marston is a more stereotypical Clint Eastwood-style protagonist, better suited to a more straightforward world than the one Arthur inhabits.
A better fit for Marston could be Fallout, another open-world series with Old West DNA. As shown in RDR‘s zombie-themed Undead Nightmare DLC, Marston works well in a more fantastical, apocalyptic scenario. His razor-edge personality and no-nonsense style could mesh nicely with the Wasteland. Maybe he can make a cameo in Fallout 5.
Duke Nukem Should Take Over the Doom Franchise
The Duke Nukem franchise is often hard to separate from Doom. Duke, while beloved by some, never had the legs to stay relevant in an industry that keeps moving. At the same time, Doom has thrived with hardcore gamers, but the lack of a more defined story and protagonist can make it harder to latch onto for casual fans.
A simple fix would be blending the best of both: Doom’s lore and addictive gameplay with Duke Nukem’s bold personality and unmistakable identity. Making Duke the face of Doom could boost both brands and might even push the franchise closer to true mainstream status, like Halo or Call of Duty.
Kratos Should Star in a Devil May Cry Game
God of War has reached the highest heights of the AAA world, but it was once seen as a counterpart to the Devil May Cry series. After Dante’s adventures had wound down, Kratos could’ve been the star of a reboot. Bringing him in as the lead character in Devil May Cry 4 could’ve helped spark a full return for the franchise.
With DMC’s deep mechanics and challenging level design, Kratos’s godly powers and bare-knuckle brawler style would’ve been a great contrast to Dante’s Matrix-inspired gunplay. By weaving in Greek lore and leaning into Kratos’s rage against the gods, Devil May Cry 4 could’ve taken the series in a direction fans would’ve loved.
Nathan Drake from Uncharted Belongs in a Star Wars Game
Nathan Drake from Uncharted is a recognizable pop-culture name, even getting referenced in blockbuster movies like Star Trek. Fans also compare Drake’s sarcastic, ladies’ man persona to Han Solo or Lando Calrissian. Drake’s larger-than-life vibe would be a perfect fit for Star Wars.
It’s easy to picture Drake as a swashbuckling treasure hunter in a galaxy under the Empire’s rule. Star Wars also fits because of its kinship with Indiana Jones as a George Lucas world. Bringing those two Lucas concepts closer together could make Uncharted’s Indiana Jones comparisons feel less obvious and more playful.
Alan Wake Feels Like a Resident Evil Character
Alan Wake’s flashlight-focused gameplay and Stephen King-like storylines have helped the series build a devoted following. Still, even though Alan Wake is popular, it’s been criticized as lacking the foundation for a long-running franchise, highlighted by the decade-plus gap between entries. Alan’s strengths might be better used in a more established series.
In Resident Evil, Alan’s take on horror could stand out against heroes like Jill, Chris, and Leon. Dropping him into a haunted mansion or a deserted rural town could push the franchise in a fresh direction by leaning into Wake’s nightmare-driven gameplay. Bringing Alan Wake into Resident Evil could boost his profile while also helping the series keep evolving the survival horror genre.
Trevor from GTA V Would Wreak Havoc On the Fallout Wasteland
It’s undeniable that Trevor fits perfectly in the world of Grand Theft Auto. Without him, the franchise likely wouldn’t be the same. Despite that, there’s another setting where Trevor could thrive, one that might suit him even better than the sun-soaked streets of Los Santos. The wastelands of Fallout would be a perfect fit for Trevor, and his larger-than-life personality could make for an unforgettable campaign.
With a mission style similar to GTA V’s Strangers and Freaks, Trevor could fill a role like the Ghoul in the Fallout TV show: a hardened survivor known across the wastes for violent escapades. Some open-world games are even better than GTA, and bringing a fan-favorite character like Trevor to Fallout would make the series even more iconic.
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