10 Video Games with the Best Character Designs

Gameplay and storylines are all well and good, but what can truly make a game like Elden Ring, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, or Cyberpunk 2077 memorable is the character design. Whether it’s the authentic portrayal of the world the developers have built or the grotesquely detailed monsters that make any gamer’s skin crawl, character design plays a pivotal role.

Below is a selection of video games that have nailed character design. Each features protagonists, NPCs, and enemies that go a long way in immersing players in their worlds. From distinct factions and towering behemoths to original concepts that seamlessly interact with both players and the game world, these characters often leave a stronger impression than the stories themselves.

10 Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Offers Impeccable Authenticity

This 2025 RPG Is One of the Most Immersive Games of All Time

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a true feat of video game fidelity. The world of medieval Bohemia is teaming with life, all of which has a well-fleshed-out backstory inspired by real-life events, areas, and people. This sequel sees Henry in the service of Sir Hans Capon, as they travel to a neighboring land in the hope of getting new allies for the war effort.

The design of the characters’ equipment in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is second to none, with certain pieces of armor only being usable with the correct corresponding parts. All of this creates characters and enemies that seem like they have been plucked straight out of this medieval war, with each spot of dirt or tear in a tunic telling a story.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Systems

Released

February 4, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity

Developer(s)

Warhorse Studios

Publisher(s)

Deep Silver

9 Dragon Age: Inquisition Builds a World Full of Life

It’s Arguably the Best Game in the Dragon Age Franchise

Dragon Age: Inquisition has some of the best character customization in a video game, but the player character isn’t the only one who looks great. Every character in Inquisition looks fantastic, whether they’re a companion, enemy, or an NPC. It’s easy to see how much thought and care went into every aspect of the game’s world.

Iron Bull is a battle-hardened warrior, Solas perfectly embodies the quiet and reclusive mage, and Dorian brings effortless charm to every scene. Each character in this title fits their backstory seamlessly, making it easy for players to form strong emotional attachments. Dragon Age: Inquisition‘s designs complement the personality of every character, and they make Thedas feel like a real place.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Systems

Released

November 18, 2014

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language

Developer(s)

BioWare

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Engine

Frostbite

Volgin, Ocelot, and the Cobras Are the Perfect Adversaries

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is a legendary title that lets players witness how the original Snake rose to the status of Big Boss. Players can explore a semi-open world brimming with Cold War-era atmosphere and intrigue. Along the way, Snake must confront each member of his mentor’s former unit, the Cobras.

Each member represents a different emotion in battle, with their designs reflecting that theme. The Fear, for example, looks to be inspired by Christopher Lee’s portrayal of Dracula, while The Boss is clad in white to symbolize a tarnished legacy in the final showdown. This game remains one of the most underrated pieces of fiction ever created, and the enemy designs are one of the things that make it so special.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)

Released

November 17, 2004

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes

Developer(s)

Konami

Publisher(s)

Konami

Engine

Unreal Engine 5

7 Dead Island 2 Makes Zombie Battles Colorful

It’s One of the Most Interesting Zombie Games Ever Made

Dead Island II was trapped in development for eight years, but when it was finally released, players were treated to another gore-filled adventure through hordes of undead. Even though the focus of the game is killing zombies, each of the protagonists is unique and has a style all their own.

While the playable characters look great, where Dead Island II truly shines in character design is with the incredibly gross zombie variants. The burster zombies, for instance, explode in a disgusting shower of goo when killed, and every member of the undead can be sliced apart at the player’s leisure thanks to the new F.L.E.S.H. system developed for the game. Every zombie looks decomposed and terrifying to behold in Hell-A.

Dead Island 2

Systems

Released

April 21, 2023

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs

Developer(s)

Dambuster Studios

Publisher(s)

Deep Silver

6 Skyrim’s Characters Are Legendary

This Elder Scrolls Game Is Iconic for a Reason

Skyrim has remained popular for years thanks to its mission variety, immersive world, and wide range of characters. The sheer number of playstyles, the depth of its lore, and the incredible selection of mods are all reasons why the game continues to be beloved, but the characters also play a crucial role in that lasting appeal.

Character creation is one of Skyrim‘s best features, with each race offering unique stats and appearances that reflect their distinct histories and cultures. Beyond that, the game is filled with memorable beings and creatures. From some of the most convincingly designed fantasy creatures in gaming to the well-crafted citizens of the northern land, every character in Skyrim feels like a true individual.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

Systems

Released

October 28, 2016

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol

Developer(s)

Bethesda Game Studios

Publisher(s)

Bethesda Softworks

5 Baldur’s Gate 3 Brings D&D to Life

It’s Hard to Top Baldur’s Gate 3 When It Comes to Fantasy Character Designs

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a critically acclaimed RPG developed by Larian Studios that’s set in the rich fantasy world of the Dungeons & Dragons universe. As a spiritual successor to the classic Baldur’s Gate titles from the late 1990s and early 2000s, this modern reimagining expands on the legacy with some of the most in-depth character-driven storytelling in modern gaming. At the core of Baldur’s Gate 3’s excellence is its character design, both in terms of visual execution and narrative depth.

What really sets the character design apart is the interplay between visuals and personality. Each companion has been visually crafted to reflect their internal conflicts. Astarion’s aristocratic features mask a monstrous hunger, Lae’zel’s harsh githyanki armor reinforces her no-nonsense persona, and Gale’s refined robes hide a volatile secret. Subtle animations and facial expressions add layers of emotion to dialogue scenes, aided by excellent voice acting and motion capture.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Systems

Released

August 3, 2023

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

4 Cyberpunk 2077 Is Bursting With Unique Character Ideas

Night City Feels Incredibly Lived In

Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way since its buggy launch and now offers a phenomenal gaming experience. Players are thrust into an impossible situation as V, a mercenary who wakes up in a landfill and discovers they’re sharing their mind with the digital ghost of Johnny Silverhand. Over the course of the game, V encounters a wide range of characters from all walks of life and across various factions, who all add complexity to the world of Night City.

Standouts include the Voodoo Boys, who carry an almost supernatural aura, along with Maelstrom, a chaotic gang of drug-fueled, cyber-enhanced individuals who embody everything a gang in the Cyberpunk world should be. The Tyger Claws wear striking masks and cyberware that perfectly reflect their identity, while the nomadic Aldecaldos are a compelling blend of ex-military grit and biker culture. Every interaction and character feels memorable and impressively authentic despite Cyberpunk 2077‘s futuristic setting.

Cyberpunk 2077

Systems

Released

December 10, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Developer(s)

CD Projekt Red

Publisher(s)

CD Projekt Red

3 The Gears of War Franchise Has a Deep, Dark Beauty

Gears of War’s Character Designs Don’t Get the Appreciate They Deserve

Gears of War feels somewhat underrated compared to other long-running franchises, despite its numerous releases, extensive lore, iconic multiplayer modes, and genre-defining storytelling. Across the series, players step into the massive boots of the Gears, which are the towering, Warhammer-inspired soldiers of the COG army built like tanks.

Each character is crafted with incredible detail, much of which is expanded upon in the accompanying novels. For example, Marcus Fenix’s facial scar was earned during his time in prison. Bernie wears fur-lined armor made from cats she hunted while making her way back to the COG after the initial Hammer of Dawn strikes. The enemies are just as intricately designed, from the skittering Wretches and towering Corpsers to the relentless Drones and Dredges. The bulletproof Berserker was already terrifying, but its Lambent variant takes the horror to another level.

Gears of War

Created by

cliff bleszinski

First Film

Gears of War

Cast

John DiMaggio, Lester Speight, Fred Tatasciore, Liam McIntyre, Eugene Byrd, Laura Bailey, Ali Hillis

Movie

Gears of War

2 Elden Ring Is One of the Most Popular Games of All Time

The Monsters in Elden Ring Are Awe-Inspiring

Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki and enriched by lore contributions from A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin, Elden Ring is a sprawling dark fantasy epic filled with cryptic lore and awe-inspiring visuals. Set in the decaying realm known as the Lands Between, the game invites players to explore a fractured world once ruled by demigods.

The enemy and boss designs in Elden Ring are especially memorable. Each major boss, like Starscourge Radahn or Malenia, is crafted with a distinct visual flair that blends mythological grandeur with body horror and sorrow. Malenia, for example, is both graceful and terrifying, with her Valkyrie-like appearance concealing one of the most punishing boss fights in recent memory.

Elden Ring

Systems

Released

February 25, 2022

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Developer(s)

From Software

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software

1 Bloodborne Sets a High Bar for Character Design

It’s Arguably the Best FromSoftware Game to This Day

Another legendary game directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, Bloodborne set the standard for how good character design could and should be in a FromSoftware title. The Hunter’s attire options alone showcase a remarkable variety of silhouettes, textures, and historical influences. These outfits aren’t just cosmetic; they reflect the ideologies and affiliations of Yharnam’s various factions, such as the scholarly Byrgenwerth, the militaristic Executioners, or the fanatical Healing Church.

Enemy and boss designs in Bloodborne are even more striking. Early-game foes like diseased townsfolk and rabid dogs wear soot-stained, tattered clothing that illustrates the plague’s grip on everyday citizens. Standouts like Father Gascoigne, Lady Maria, and Gehrman are haunting blends of humanity and tragedy. Where Elden Ring demonstrated the grandeur of character design, Bloodborne showed its raw, visceral power.

Bloodborne

Released

March 24, 2015

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence

Developer(s)

From Software

Publisher(s)

Sony

Engine

Havok