IAHGames

Nobody will ever make fun of my mutton chops again

With the lines between videogames and movies blurred radically by expansive game storylines, it is inevitable that our gaming experience takes on an entirely cinematic feel.

Who will you become in your epic adventure? The unassuming runt of the family destined to take up his father’s sword and charge headlong into legions of ferocious monsters? Or the secret agent, embroiled in a world of espionage that could shift political power to tyrants? Or maybe it would be the fallen God, set on his path by the wheels of fate and armed with nothing more than his sword and supernatural powers.

Yes, we have played and lived through the eyes of these archetypes. We have witnessed the raw power they bring to the table and can only think to ourselves, “I wish I was more like him!”

Dream on. But at least we at IAHGames are paying homage to ten individuals we consider the most hardcore of videogame badasses.

#10

Badass: Torque (pic above)

Title: The Suffering, The Suffering: Ties that Bind
Back in the day of the PS2, not many games managed to breach the realms of reality or storytelling, let alone tell one that was not only engaging but visually impressive and at times, disorientating. Sure, the Resident Evil series may have gotten the creepy elements down to an art but so few games managed to mix horror elements with satisfying gun battles.

Our hero (or anti-hero), known only as Torque in the sequel, is a man of mystery and everywhere he goes, he leaves a trail of carnage and blood. Proficient in every firearm available, blood sticks to him like makeup to a girl. Torque is a one-man army. Back when games tended to shy away from gruesome imagery, The Suffering went full steam ahead and to this day remains a cult classic. With it, Torque will forever be known as a gun-totting, monster-killing, silent and bloody badass.

#9

Badass: The Apprentice aka Starkiller

Title: Star Wars: Force Unleashed

For the last time, my name is not Raziel!

Few Star Wars games are worth noting; fewer still have characters worth talking about. When Force Unleashed came about, geeks and Star Wars aficionadas all over rejoiced. Here was a game that was not only fun, but told the story through the eyes of a Sith apprentice, who ironically took the pseudonym “Starkiller” – the name that was rejected in favor of “Skywalker” in the original movies. As Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, you’re tasked to infiltrate, kill, force choke, lightning blast, light saber slice and basically run roughshod through the Republic – Rebels and Imperial soldiers alike.

Everyone is cannon fodder to you. Starkiller is not to reveal his ties with Vader, and that lets you take out living Jedis without anyone realizing you’re the bad guy. More importantly it gives you perfect reason to take out your frustration on Wookies. Depending on the ending, which I shall not really give away, you choose whether to die a martyr or live as something else entirely. While different players choose different paths, I’m glad to add Starkiller, baby-faced assassin, on this list.

#8

Badass: War

Title: Darksiders: Wrath of War

Frostmourne hungers… Wait, wrong game!

Let’s face it. This game is a matter of months away and already it’s sending all the right signals. For those who are none the wiser, what can I say except, “GET OUT FROM UNDER THE ROCK YOU’RE LIVING IN!”

So the apocalypse started abruptly. The world ended and this guy “War” was blamed for starting it prematurely. To clear his name and set things right, War lands on earth and with his massive sword, barrels his way through the wasteland we used to call home, laying waste to demons and angels alike in his mad quest. Designed by popular comic book artist Joe Maduira, War comes complete with oversized armor and an even more oversized sword that’s set to take the world by storm this January 2010.

So why is he on this list if the game isn’t out yet? Have you even seen the trailers and gameplay footage? Aided by his trusty steed, “Ruin” (gotta love these names), War is able to slash at his foes or gun them down with rail guns… Yes, this guy is so massive that only a rail gun would make sense for him. And if weapons are not for you, then pick up a bus and slam it down on your enemy! Seriously, it doesn’t get any more badass than that.

#7

Badass: Geralt

Title: The Witcher, The Witcher 2

Note to self: do not scratch eye when holding sickle

The Witcher. This game had everything – from violence to great story and occasional romps with a myriad of females – human, elf or dryad. (Geralt was not picky) He certainly did not shy away from battle and trust me, there were lots of those. He was handy with his swords – one designed to fight humanoids and the other more useful against non-humanoids.

The Witcher was the biggest role-playing game of the year and with good reason. Players were treated to an intriguing story laced with so many choices that would affect the game world either immediately, a couple of hours or even months later. Knowing you would have a profound impact on the game world greatly enhanced replay ability and in most part, it was Geralt… The feared swordsman who’d go from viciously decapitating enemies to drinking and having wild nights with strange women without missing a beat.

One of the few men of gaming who seem so real even in an unreal situation (let’s ignore the fact that he’s genetically altered as well), Geralt embodies all the good and bad of humanity and despite it all, he doesn’t give a damn.

That’s just badass.

#6

Badass: No one knows his name

Title: Prince of Persia and all its sequels and remakes and reboots

What can I say? He lost his head and just went nuts

So you’ve played the new Prince of Persia on the PS3 but were you there when Ubisoft released Prince of Persia: The Sands of time? It had revolutionary gameplay and combat. As the Prince, you vaulted and slashed at your enemies like a monkey trained by Shaolin monks. And when things got bad, you had the Dagger of Time to either reverse your mistakes or slow time down.

Tell me you can’t think of a few things you’d do with that kind of power?

The Prince started out as a simple and determined young man but evolved into an angry and bitter adult as seen above. Well, considering his circumstances (being chased by the Dahaka, an un-killable creature bent on destroying the Prince), I can’t say I fault him. So he throws himself into dangerous situations until he finds a way to defeat the beast. Suffice to say, a lot of blood and carnage and head lopping ensues. We remember him best in the second installment (The Warrior Within), wrapped in dark leather and dual scimitars and other weapons he’d rip from unsuspecting enemies before lopping off their heads with heavy rock music blaring in the background. This was the Prince we all know and love, he who decides to take things one step further and become a badass.