I've been playing a lot of Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies lately, and something came to mind that I typically don't think of: silent protagonists. I've seen a few discussions as to whether or not they were really necessary in today's world, and I've realized my own stance on this. While I've seen a lot of people who seem to think that it's a really stupid concept, I personally really like silent protagonists. Why? Well, it's simple. It makes me feel like I'M a part of their world. I'M the hero. As someone who does a bit of roleplaying here and there, I can really appreciate silent protagonists. Instead of seeing them as boring characters, I see them as blank canvases for me to fill in. I might be a bit weird for doing this, but I like to give my characters in these types of games their own personality or backstories to make the world feel a little bit more alive. It feels like I'm actually affecting the in-game world, which is something that makes the experience much more personal to me. So, what do you all think about silent protagonists?

they allow you to make the main character into what you want him/her to be. make your own story. i.e the persona or skyrim series: you can be the hero or a dick. it also makes for a good second playtrough. see what you could say differently and how it affects the story.

they allow you to make the main character into what you want him/her to be. make your own story. i.e the persona or skyrim series: you can be the hero or a dick. it also makes for a good second playtrough. see what you could say differently and how it affects the story.

I was thinking more along the lines of Chrono Trigger or very early NES RPGs, but those are fun, too.

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It really depends on the game for me. Something like Pokemon, a silent protag is nice, but I suppose we'll never know what it would be like otherwise.

At the same time, if a game pokes fun at the fact that you're silent, it's even better. Just a blank stare at the others while they ask you questions can be funny.

Edited July 17, 201411 yr by Rinax

if a game pokes fun at the fact that you're silent, it's even better. Just a blank stare at the others while they ask you questions can be funny.

Your dang right that its funny.

I was thinking more along the lines of Chrono Trigger or very early NES RPGs, but those are fun, too.

I was thinking that and Link from The Legend of Zelda

For me, it's precisely because they're blank slates players can project themselves onto that I often find them unappealing.  I don't want to project myself as some hero into a world that doesn't exist; I don't think I belong there.  I'm usually more interested in actual characters with their own personalities and motives for what they're doing.  I prefer silent protagonists in games where the point is gameplay and not story, like in Mario or Pokemon, or when game progression depends on the player's choices so it's a moot point to try and make a consistent personality for the character.

 

Sure, it can be fun to project my own ideas onto a blank slate, but I don't try to project my own personality onto the protagonist.  When it's trying to tell a serious story, like in Chrono Trigger or Mother 3, I try to think of things from the protagonist's point of view, not mine.  Of course that's actually enjoyable for me, but at the same time it can also be frustrating because I want this character to be as colorful as the rest of the cast--when I have to fill in my own blanks, it feels like the character stands out and not necessarily in the good way.

I'm all about the insert-yourself-here characters, but they sure do get some of the worst fan fiction.  

For me, it's precisely because they're blank slates players can project themselves onto that I often find them unappealing.  I don't want to project myself as some hero into a world that doesn't exist; I don't think I belong there.  I'm usually more interested in actual characters with their own personalities and motives for what they're doing.  I prefer silent protagonists in games where the point is gameplay and not story, like in Mario or Pokemon, or when game progression depends on the player's choices so it's a moot point to try and make a consistent personality for the character.

 

Sure, it can be fun to project my own ideas onto a blank slate, but I don't try to project my own personality onto the protagonist.  When it's trying to tell a serious story, like in Chrono Trigger or Mother 3, I try to think of things from the protagonist's point of view, not mine.  Of course that's actually enjoyable for me, but at the same time it can also be frustrating because I want this character to be as colorful as the rest of the cast--when I have to fill in my own blanks, it feels like the character stands out and not necessarily in the good way.

Well to be fair, In Mother 3 Lucas is shown to have a personality at times, as well as the other protagonists. The only time a protagonist is silent is when they are at the lead of the party. M3 is one of the few games that i consider a kind of exception to the Silent protagonist rule, if only cause it does give Lucas an established personality earlier on, and by the time he becomes silent, we already have a basis for him. Not to mention, he still reacts to given situations like a non silent protagonist/character with a defined personality would (I.E. The Final battle with MM).

 

Although i do understand your stance on this. My stance can go either way honestly. I don't mind a silent protagonist at times, but i honestly don't like to project myself as the character/hero in video games unless it's Pokemon honestly, and even then i still don't neccessarily like it. I'd do prefer a pre-established character and that they have a personality and are not silent.

Ace Combat stars a silent protagonist, and you don't even know what they look like to boot! Makes it easy to project yourself as the ultimate pilot in the fictional world...

It's cool to feel like that the star of the show is you, and the fact that your character doesn't really respond to most things that happen in the game is nice because you can fill it in with your own personal responses and feelings on the outside looking in, so to speak.

Personally it depends for me. Pokemon silent protagonist, Maybe. Link silent, yeah sure. Persona silent protagonist, that makes no sense since it's a Life simulator but sure why not.