It’s interesting to see games that do the opposite of what players expect, like these great games where the player is the side character.
In a lot of video games, the player is the main character who drives the major plot. Most games try to give players a sense of control and agency by letting them change the game world and story through their actions. Players usually see the story from the main character’s point of view. They make choices that affect the plot and interact with other characters to move the story along. This method puts players in the world of the game and gives them a sense of control and ownership over the story, which can make for a compelling and enjoyable gaming experience.
But some games break this rule by letting the player play as a side character instead of the main character. These games give players a new view of the story and force them to look at it from a different angle. Players may be asked to help or be friends with the main character instead of being in charge of the story. Games that go against the idea that the player is the main character can be a lot of fun, and the best ones in this category are listed below.
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
As independent games become more popular, many of them take unique risks that end up paying off in a big way. In VA-11 Hall-A, players take on the part of a bartender in a dystopian cyberpunk world.
By making drinks for customers, players learn about their lives and the world around them. Their choices affect how the story goes. Even so, the player is just another person living in this world. And the lives of the other characters they interact with are definitely more interesting.
Final Fantasy 12
Final Fantasy 12 has a world with a lot of depth and complicated political drama. Players go on a big journey with epic battles, unique characters, and an innovative “gambit” system that lets them change how the AI behaves in combat for each member of their party.
Even though Vaan is the main character, the Star Wars-like story makes it hard to understand why he is a sky pirate. Most people would say that Ashe is the main character. Since most of the story of the game is about a civil war that helps her get her power back.
Viscera Cleanup Detail
In this strange simulation game, players take on the role of space cleaners who have to clean up after violent alien fights. With careful attention to detail, players must scrub, mop. And throw away the mess, which makes for a unique and oddly enjoyable way to play.
In Viscera Cleanup Detail, it’s clear that players don’t have anything special to do, which is exactly what makes the game so fun. The good guys and bad guys have already fought. And cleaning up after them can be really interesting and even hypnotic at times.
Coffee Talk
Coffee Talk is a friendly story-driven game in which players take on the normal, unremarkable role of a late-night barista in a unique fantasy setting. They make drinks and listen to the stories of the many different people who come to the coffee shop. They also give tips and give them insights into their lives.
The game’s slow pace and personalities that are easy to relate to make it relaxing and easy to get into. The game is similar to VA-11 Hall-A in many ways. But the story has been changed to a modern fantasy world, which is a big difference.
Spiritfarer
This sweet independent game is about helping ghosts get to the afterlife. Players take on the part of the main character, Stella, the Spiritfarer. They explore a beautiful hand-drawn world, make friends with passing spirits. And help them deal with their pasts before they die.
The figure you can play as doesn’t say anything and is mostly just there to stand in for you. The spirits that players keep happy on their barge are what make the game so interesting on their own. This game can also be played with a friend, with the second person taking control of the main character’s cute cat friend, Daffodil.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Players take on the role of a young Miles Morales in this superhero action-adventure game. With thrilling combat and high-flying acrobatics, players swing through New York City, meeting challenges and figuring out how to be a superhero.
Even though Miles is a great figure, it’s clear that he’s still not as important as Peter Parker. In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, players can only wait and see how Miles changes. This is sure to be a great game. Insomniac has learned a lot from making the first Spider-Man game. And the changes in the second game are likely to be very fun to play.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
The Lost Legacy is a stand-alone game in the famous Uncharted series. It has exciting gameplay and beautiful graphics. Players go on an action-packed journey with treasure hunters Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross in India. They solve puzzles, fight enemies, and find out ancient secrets.
Even though they aren’t important to the story as a whole. The writing in Uncharted makes sure that all of the characters are interesting in their own way. Uncharted’s action-packed gameplay is on full show here, which makes it one of the best PlayStation-only games out there.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi is one of the most well-known side characters ever. Even though they have the same genes, Mario’s brother is a little taller and wears bright green clothes to make him look different from Mario. Players can enjoy this character and his personality in the famous Luigi’s Mansion game.
The third game in the series is a great one. Luigi captures ghosts in a haunted hotel and tries to save his friends in a scary and funny journey.Players use one-of-a-kind tools to get rid of ghosts, solve tasks, and explore the hotel’s floors, which are full of creative and spooky settings.
Gotham Knights
In Gotham Knights, players can take on the parts of Batman’s many helpers and defend Gotham City from dangers. Geometry Dash Subzero game was meant to be a great continuation of Arkham’s legacy, but it turned out to be one of the biggest letdowns in the history of video games.
Even though the story is going in a half-decent direction, the major characters’ personalities aren’t very interesting, which doesn’t help. Overall, Gotham Knights is a mediocre open-world action game where the main heroes feel like side characters in the worst way possible.
WarioWare: Get It Together!
The WarioWare series is known for its fast-paced and crazy “microgames.” These are small tasks that test your reflexes and wits. As the name of the game suggests, Wario, one of Mario’s enemies who looks a lot like Mario but is more evil, plays a big part in it.
With its unique and strange art style, players can expect a fast-paced and funny game as they race against the clock to finish each strange mini-game. The newest game in the series, WarioWare: Get It Together!, is another great addition. And it puts this side character and his friends back in the spotlight.