Summary
Rockstaris a developer whose reputation precedes it. Responsible for several of the most iconic and successful single-player games of the past two decades, the company is best known for its strong writing, detailed open-worlds, and the breathtaking realism ofrecent releases likeRed Dead Redemption 2.
That said,Rockstar’s games can take many different forms, despite their many overlapping elements. For instance, whileGTAandRed Deadare both series that pride themselves on broad open-world environments and side content, the latter is far more sober and self-serious, prioritizing realism over bombastic action set pieces or over-the-top theatrics, which can’t be said for mostGTAgames. This flexibility has allowed Rockstar to approach its many stories with distinct intentions, making them tonally and narratively varied, and leading to a wide array of stories starring all manner of main characters, some beingmore captivating than others.
The following tier list will only focus on the more notable Rockstar games; the protagonists oflong-forgotten IPs likeSmuggler’s Runwill not be making an appearance.
S-Tier Rockstar Games Protagonists
Arthur Morgan is not only the best protagonist of any Rockstar game, butone of the greatest video game protagonists of all time. His sorrow, guilt, and self-loathing are nuanced and complex, yet still easy to understand, making him simultaneously relatable, likable, and detestable, and his journey from calloused outlaw to penitent hero is ceaselessly compelling. Brought to life by the incredible voice work of Roger Clark and the true-to-life facial movements courtesy of Rockstar’s animators, Arthur is the best part ofRed Dead Redemption 2, and among Rockstar’s greatest achievements.
Not far behind him isNiko Bellic, the star ofGrand Theft Auto 4. In a game that takes a decidedly more grounded approach than its predecessors, Niko injects the story with life thanks to his deadpan sense of humor and undercurrent of cold, clinical violence, which he only uses as needed and without revelry. Like Arthur, he is troubled by a traumatic past, having experienced war in his home country. He chases the American dream, and is betrayed and disappointed a number of times, but his heart of gold gleams through the story’s darkest moments, exemplifying his resilience in the face of adversity.
A-Tier Rockstar Games Protagonists
TheiconicRed Dead Redemptionhero John Marstonwould have made the cut for the S-Tier, were it not for his successor Arthur Morgan outshining him. Still, Marston shouldn’t be discounted, as his solo story sees him set upon a dusty, messy warpath, attempting to make up for his past mistakes and provide a better future for his family. His tragic end, coupled with his expanded characterization inRed Dead Redemption 2, helps make him a memorable and multifaceted hero who, while not as complex as Morgan, is nevertheless engaging. His heartwrenching and cruel fate may be unfair, but it cements him as a redeemable man who simply couldn’t outrun his past.
There are a lot ofgreat protagonists in theGTAseries, not the least of which being CJ and Tommy fromGTA: San AndreasandGTA 3, respectively. Tommy has the honor of beingGTA’s first voiced protagonist, and while he isn’t anywhere near as complex as Niko Bellic, his story of revenge and ascension through the criminal underworld is entertaining and reminiscent of classic mob flicks likeGoodfellas. CJ, on the other hand, channels West Coast gangster culture, and his experience with violence and poverty are what drive his criminal behavior. He is motivated by justice and grief over the death of his family members, allowing audiences to connect with him and forgive some of his more unsavory actions.
B-Tier Rockstar Games Protagonists
Perhaps it can be chalked up to his age, butBully’s protagonist is notably less complex than many other Rockstar heroes, even if there is more to him than first meets the eye. Jimmy’s presence inBullyshows more potential than anything, with him being remarkably mature for his age, but otherwise a fairly standard, youthful hero in an unfortunate set of circumstances.
Similar criticisms can be leveled againstL.A. Noire’s Cole Phelps who, while not without his personal demons, is something of a boilerplate detective character, prioritizing justice and truth above all else. Admirable, yes, but not consistently interesting.
Trevor and Michael suffer from having to share the spotlight inGTA 5. They are easy to understand and often highly entertaining, but also one-note and unlikable. This is especially true for Trevor, who is usually more of a source of shock or gross-out humor than a fully fleshed-out, multifaceted character. They work forGTA 5’s over-the-top tone and setting, but would likely struggle in stories that take themselves more seriously.
C-Tier Rockstar Games Protagonists
Franklin Clinton, while certainlythe most likable of the threeGTA 5protagonists, is also the most one-dimensional; Michael at least has his family struggles to beef up his narrative, and Trevor’s unpredictability makes him fun to watch, but Franklin is a bit too milquetoast by comparison. The game hints at certain struggles in his life, but these aren’t treated with the reverence or attention needed to make them evocative.
If Franklin is bland, then Claude is totally flavorless. A silent protagonist, he is more of a vessel through which the character can experience the game world than a character in his own right. His desires and motivations are shrouded by his silence, and while this gives him a certain allure, it hardly elicits an emotional response.
Red Harlow, though not a silent protagonist, is similarly stoic, and his hardened exterior and quest for revenge are derivative of other Western stories. Lacking the vulnerability of characters like John and Arthur, he isthe weakest protagonist in theRed Deadtrilogy.
