5 Side Characters So Good They Deserve A Game of Their Own

A great protagonist is only a part of the puzzle. Every great video game always has an equally incredible supporting cast to shoulder the narrative. That said, sometimes the side characters are so appealing that you end up wishing you could play as them. This is where spin-off games featuring side characters emerge. We’ve had a lot of those in the video game industry, from Hollow Knight: Silksong, where you play as Hornet, to The Witcher 4, which will pass the torch on to Ciri after Geralt.

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At the same time, there are so many more awesome side characters that haven’t yet had a game of their own. This includes characters that could star in prequels to those that can lead franchises going forward. So, if you’re a fan of compelling side characters, here are the best picks for those that deserve a game of their own.

5) Joon-gi Han – Yakuza

Joon-gi Han is initially introduced as a skillful gangster in Yakuza: Like A Dragon. He’s stoic, witty, and a master of hand-to-hand combat. Players actually fight him first, and he’s a really tough boss to beat. Later on in the story, though, Joon-gi Han joins Ichiban’s crew, and players are then able to utilize his unique Hitman Job.

As a Hitman, Joon-gi Han fights with guns and a karambit. His skills are a mixture of moves that inflict status effects and massive damage. Joon-gi Han’s combat style is perfect for a spin-off game centered around the legacy beat ‘em combat as opposed to the current turn-based system. Gameplay aside, Joon-gi Han is also written really well. He’s introduced as a gangster with ties to the Geomijul and the Korean mafia. Then Joon-gi Han joins Ichiban’s crew, and we learn more about his mysterious persona.

A Yakuza game set before the events of Like A Dragon that shows the Geomijul’s origins would be a solid spin-off idea featuring Joon-gi Han. He’s a character that oozes style and aura, and those are traits that are just about mandatory for a Yakuza protagonist to have.

4) Vergil – Devil May Cry

Vergil isn’t a newcomer to Devil May Cry. In one way or another, he’s always been involved in the plot of almost every mainline game. That said, while Vergil has been made playable through extra content, he’s never been featured as a protagonist in the franchise’s history. In fact, the last time Vergil was seen in Devil May Cry 5, he was the main antagonist. Later, through another DLC upgrade, he was made playable.

Vergil’s skill set and personality are just as good as Dante’s. To many, he’s the best character in the Devil May Cry universe. And since he is Dante’s brother, his power is right up there. Vergil is like the Vegeta of the Devil May Cry universe, yet he’s never been given the opportunity to take center stage. So, with Vergil having all the hallmarks of a protagonist already present, it’s about time Devil May Cry portrays him in a positive light.

A potential Devil May Cry 6 or spin-off game should showcase Vergil’s personal growth. Specifically, he is atoning for his wrongdoings, bonding with Dante and Nero, and playing a central role in the story as a hero this time around. Now that’d be jackpot storytelling.

3) Tomorrow – Death Stranding 2

At the end of Death Stranding 2, another catastrophe is averted. In one of the final cutscenes, Tomorrow is seen wearing a porter outfit while still being able to use her powers. This scene implies that Tomorrow will continue Sam’s legacy. How and in what way, though, we don’t know. For that, Tomorrow will need to have a game of her own. And considering Sam will be taking a back seat, Tomorrow will most definitely be the protagonist of Death Stranding 3. If there ever is one that is.

2) Zeus – Hades

Zeus is one of the many members of Olympus who help Zagreus on his journey. As Zagreus tries to escape the underworld, his family members, including his uncle Zeus, send boons his way. The events of Hades depict Zagreus’ journey to find his mother and the struggles that come with it. That said, of course, the world of Hades has lore stretching hundreds of years back before the events of the first game.

As such, a prequel centred around Zeus seems like a natural idea. In Hades 2, Chronos, the Titan of Time and Zeus’ father, returns to take his revenge against the Olympians. Now that begs the question, how did he get imprisoned to begin with? Every game or show based on Greek mythology has drawn up its own interpretation. The world of Hades should have one of its own backstories, too. So, since that would make for an interesting tale, Zeus featuring in a prequel to Hades is definitely a game worth pitching.

1) Quiet – Metal Gear Solid 5

Metal Gear has always been that kind of franchise where the next supporting character is weirder than the one before. Ocelot, Skull Face, Psycho Mantis, the list never ends. That said, one of the more interesting side characters has been Quiet from Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. Quiet is originally an assassin sent to kill Big Boss, but then an accident happens and she gets burned. Her injuries are healed through parasite treatment, but that leaves her with the side effect of only being able to breathe and drink via her skin. Hence, the minimal clothing, otherwise she’d suffocate.

After trying to assassinate Snake once again, Quiet is defeated and imprisoned at Mother Base. She eventually changes sides and joins Big Boss as a member of Diamond Dogs. As for playstyle, Quiet is an elite sniper. She seldom misses her mark and can perfectly time shots from hundreds of meters away. Given the stealth-driven nature of Metal Gear, Quiet being the lead in a spin-off just makes sense.

She can stealth kill, sneak about bases, use weapons masterfully, and she has the lore needed for a good character. If Konami ever considers expanding on the Metal Gear series, a Quiet spin-off definitely makes the way forward easier.