"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection!" - Sigmund Freud
When my baby (recently) first entered this world, I remember being overcome with the need to ensure the protection of this precious life. Much like great protectors of video games past, I would ensure very ounce of my energy bar went to ensure the survival of my baby. Let us honor that group of digital bodyguards who have ensured the protection of their vulnerable counterparts in "The Top 5 Greatest Protectors in Video Game History!
5) Big Daddy(s)
"I don't like him Mr.B, I don't like him" - Little Sister
In the world of Bioschock, that is the last thing you want to hear. These gigantic sentinels are the protectors of the Little Sisters (and you don't want to run into one when they are separated from them.) They are mentally conditioned humans who's skin and organs have been grafted to the huge protective diving suit, and they are known to go into a rage when distanced from their Little Sister. Depending on the model, these bruits can be armed from everything from arm drills, turrets and Ion Lasers. It is their unrelenting dedication and over-wheming power that make them an ideal protector.
Similar/Honorable Mention - Gustaff (Tron Bonne)
4) Lee Everett
The unassuming protector of the sweet "Clem" in the award winning The Walking Dead, Lee Everett finds redemption in a world gone to hell (literally) as he ensures the safety of his young parentless companion. Credit to Telltale Games for making a game as fabulous as "The Walking Dead", playing it, you feel like you could do anything, including cutting off your own hand, to protect Clem. It's this emotional attachment to the characters from the game that makes Lee resonate to the inner father in us all.
Similar/Honourable Mention - Joel (The Last of Us)
3) Cecil
"Cecil?" you must be thinking? Well this is my list and Final Fantasy 2/4 is one of my favourite games of all time (probably kicking it up a few notches on this list). But I'll prove to you Cecil is a great protector.
Cecil is the story of a hero finding redemption (again), saving the world while righting the wrongs of his sinful past. After burning down the Village of the Mist, Cecil, seeing the errors of his ways, protects the only survivor, Rydia, a little girl who's mother Cecil had recently slain in combat. From this point, he began his journey and sheds off the darkness for the light of the Paladin. Unlike the others on this list Cecil automatically throws himself in harm's way to protect MULTIPLE weakened party members (not just 1) or any single member of his choosing (see the "Protect" command). It is this innate disregard of his own safety (and the fact Final Fantasy 4 is my favourite game ever!) that Cecil deserves the third spot on our list!
2) Yoshi
There is the eternal debate weather Super Mario World 1 or Super Mario World 2 Yoshi's Island is the better game, regardless, it's Yoshi coming in at number 2 on our list. An exciting spin on the Super Mario series up to that point, catching the floating baby Mario after being dis-lodged from your back added sense of tension and excitement that set Yoshi's Island apart. Litterally, eating up his enemies and spitting them up (or the gross in reality alternative) to protect the infant saviour of the Mushroom Kingdom. With so much riding on the back of the loveable dinosaur, Yoshi's payload pegs him firmly on our list! No get out of the way or he'll throw an egg at you.
The greatest protector on our list (and arguably one of the greatest games ever), Leon S. Kennedy redefined the Resident Evil series while protecting the daughter of the United States President, Ashley. Facing the perils of the non-zombie Gonados, Leon can command Ashley to "hide" "wait" and "come here" that really set Resident Evil 4 apart from the entire series. This took the roll of "protector" to a whole new level... heck, the entire game is about protecting Ashley. In the last great Resident Evil game (yes, I said it), Leon Kennedy kicks all kinda ass for Ashley, and in true heroic fashion, he turns down some "overtime"... I'm going to play Resident Evil 4 and learn how to REALLY protect my daughter.
Agree? Disagree? Comment and let me know how wrong I was.
Thanks for reading!
-Nate
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