The 6 Best Protagonists From Open World Games

Open world games are built on vast landscapes, branching quests, and countless distractions. But no matter how impressive the world is, players still need a strong protagonist to anchor the experience. A memorable lead brings personality to the adventure, gives emotional weight to the choices you make, and ensures that the story feels more than just a backdrop to exploration.

The best open world protagonists are not faceless avatars. They are layered characters with distinct voices, motivations, and arcs that stay with players long after the credits roll. Some embody the freedom of the world around them. Others challenge genre conventions by showing vulnerability, humor, or morality in unexpected ways.

Here are six of the greatest protagonists from open world games, why they resonated so deeply with fans, and the impact they left on gaming as a whole.

1. Geralt of Rivia (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt)

Geralt of Rivia is one of the most fully realized protagonists in gaming. A monster hunter by trade, he walks a fine line between professional detachment and personal involvement. What makes him memorable is not just his skill with a blade or signs, but his dry humor, moral ambiguity, and sense of loyalty. He is a character defined by choices, and those choices are what players experience alongside him.

In The Witcher 3, Geralt’s story is one of searching and protecting. His bond with Ciri gives the overarching narrative emotional weight, while his relationships with Yennefer and Triss offer complexity and replayability. Even the smallest side quests feel enhanced by Geralt’s presence, as his voice lines and outlook bring personality to stories that could otherwise feel generic.

Beyond the game itself, Geralt became a cultural icon. Thanks to the novels, Netflix adaptation, and the strength of The Witcher 3, he is now one of gaming’s most recognizable faces.

• Why He Stands Out: A morally gray, fully voiced protagonist who feels human despite his supernatural background
• Player Connection: Every decision shapes Geralt’s fate and the lives of those around him
• Impact on Gaming: Raised the bar for how RPG protagonists should be written and performed

2. Arthur Morgan (Red Dead Redemption 2)

Arthur Morgan is proof that open world games can tell stories as powerful as any film. Introduced as a hardened outlaw, Arthur begins as a loyal enforcer of the Van der Linde gang. But over time, cracks begin to form. His loyalty is tested, his ideals are questioned, and his sense of morality grows more complex. By the end of the story, Arthur’s arc is one of redemption, making him one of the most beloved characters in gaming.

What makes Arthur so special is how his personality shines through both scripted cutscenes and player-driven moments. His journal entries, optional conversations with gang members, and even the way he greets strangers reveal a man struggling with identity and legacy. The honor system ties his arc even more closely to the player, shaping whether Arthur is remembered as a ruthless outlaw or a man who tried to set things right.

Critics and fans praised Arthur as Rockstar’s greatest protagonist to date, eclipsing even John Marston from the original Red Dead Redemption. His story left players emotionally invested in a way few open world heroes manage.

• Why He Stands Out: Nuanced, vulnerable, and layered with emotional depth
• Player Connection: Dialogue choices and honor system make Arthur feel personal to each player
• Impact on Gaming: Proved that open worlds can deliver storytelling on par with cinema

3. Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn)

When Guerrilla Games introduced Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn, she instantly stood out in a genre often dominated by male protagonists. Raised as an outcast, Aloy’s curiosity and determination drive her to uncover both the mysteries of her own origins and the truth behind a world overrun by robotic creatures.

Aloy’s strength lies not just in her skill as a hunter but in her empathy. She is intelligent, resourceful, and principled, making her a role model for many players. The dialogue system lets players influence her tone – compassionate, pragmatic, or direct – but her core identity remains consistent and strong.

Her popularity extended far beyond the game itself. Aloy became a PlayStation icon, appearing in crossovers like Fortnite and Genshin Impact. She showed the industry that female protagonists can lead blockbuster franchises with confidence.

• Why She Stands Out: Intelligent and empathetic heroine with a clear sense of purpose
• Player Connection: Dialogue choices shape her responses but never compromise her integrity
• Impact on Gaming: Helped establish Aloy as a modern gaming icon and strengthened representation in the genre

4. Link (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)

Link has always been Nintendo’s silent protagonist, but in Breath of the Wild, his role evolved into something far greater. In a game designed around freedom and player choice, Link serves as the perfect vessel. His quiet determination allows players to fully immerse themselves in the world, projecting their own playstyle onto him.

What makes Link so effective in Breath of the Wild is how he embodies exploration. Climbing mountains, gliding through skies, or experimenting with physics-based puzzles, he is less about speaking and more about action. His silence is intentional, allowing the focus to remain on the player’s journey through Hyrule.

Despite his lack of dialogue, Link remains one of gaming’s most iconic characters. His design, bravery, and role as the eternal hero of Hyrule make him instantly recognizable across generations.

• Why He Stands Out: Iconic and timeless, perfectly suited for exploration-driven gameplay
• Player Connection: His silence lets players fully embody his role as the hero
• Impact on Gaming: Reinforced the idea that protagonists can be powerful even without words

5. V (Cyberpunk 2077)

V begins as a customizable mercenary, but as Cyberpunk 2077 unfolds, they grow into a protagonist with surprising depth. Whether you create a street kid, corpo, or nomad, V’s journey through Night City is deeply personal, shaped by choices that affect relationships, alliances, and endings.

What makes V so memorable is their bond with Johnny Silverhand, brought to life by Keanu Reeves. The dynamic between V and Johnny creates tension, humor, and reflection, making their story one of shared identity and clashing ideals. V also has the option to pursue romances and friendships, making them feel even more grounded in the world.

By the time the credits roll, V feels like more than a player avatar. They are a character defined by sacrifice, ambition, and the choices you made along the way.

• Why They Stand Out: Customizable yet deeply tied to narrative and relationships
• Player Connection: Endings, romances, and alliances make V feel unique to each player
• Impact on Gaming: A strong example of how open world protagonists can balance customization with narrative identity

6. CJ (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas)

Carl “CJ” Johnson is one of the most beloved protagonists in Rockstar’s history. Returning to Los Santos after his mother’s death, CJ is thrust back into gang life while struggling to protect his family and find his place in a corrupt city. His story mixes personal stakes with the over-the-top chaos GTA is known for.

What set CJ apart was his relatability. He wasn’t a professional criminal from the start, but someone caught between loyalty, survival, and ambition. His humor, charm, and growth throughout the game made him one of the most charismatic GTA leads.

Players also loved the progression system that let them shape CJ’s appearance and abilities. From working out at gyms to customizing his style, CJ felt more personal than most protagonists of his era.

• Why He Stands Out: Charismatic and grounded, with a strong focus on family loyalty
• Player Connection: Customization gave players ownership of his growth and look
• Impact on Gaming: Set a high bar for protagonists in urban open world settings

Final Thoughts

Great protagonists do more than carry a story. They define how players experience an open world. Geralt brought moral ambiguity and sharp wit to every corner of The Witcher 3. Arthur Morgan showed how an outlaw could also be vulnerable and redemptive. Aloy proved that female leads can anchor a blockbuster franchise with strength and empathy. Link reminded players that silence can be powerful when paired with freedom. V showed how choice and customization can still produce a protagonist with emotional weight. And CJ demonstrated how humor, charm, and loyalty can create a timeless urban legend.

These characters aren’t just memorable because of their worlds. They are memorable because they make those worlds feel alive. They elevate their games from playgrounds of freedom into unforgettable journeys filled with heart, personality, and meaning.

For players who value story and character as much as exploration, these six protagonists stand as some of the best examples of how open world games can blend freedom with identity.