Before video games enter production, they go through what is called a design process. Aside from a design document elaborating the basic premise of a potential game, some publishers and developers already proceed with creating “prototypes” of game characters throughcharacter designs. If some characters are lucky enough, they are immediately transferred into the main game development stage.
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Unfortunately, some initial character designs don’t necessarily make it through the conceptualization process. In turn, some fans get surprised to reveal thatcertain characters may have appeared very different from the perspective of their original concepts. All the more surprising are character redesigns that may happen across games, much to the amusement or chagrin of fans. Just which drastic character changes have rocked the world of gaming?
10Pikachu (Pokemon)
Despite the arrival of new Generations and newPokemonwith them, none could perhaps match to the allure ofPikachufrom the original games. Despite not necessarily being a traditional “starter,”Pikachu became the franchise’s mascotdue to their association with protagonist Red alongside anime protagonist Satoshi. However, one of the most subtle - yet somehow drastic - design changes in the franchise had affected Pikachu’s appearance.
When the Pokemon first appeared, Pikachu was a big ball of fluff with big cheeks and a characteristically short tail. However, the electric mouse Pokemon had a rather sudden upgrade, with his Second Generation appearance now sporting a slimmer figure, bigger reds on their cheeks, as well as a larger tail. Although “subtle” at first, this design change has consistently appeared in future titles, essentially denoting the franchise’s emphasis on sleeker designs with more room for details.
9Solid Snake (Metal Gear)
While Raiden exhibits a narrative change to support the transition in his updated character design, it’sSolid Snakethat marked a drastic change in his appearance due to a transition between console generations. Given how Hideo Kojima was heavily inspired by American action flicks when creatingMetal Gear, it was evident for the initial depiction of Solid Snake to be more of a military war hero. This original iteration had Snake sport short brown hair and a military uniform.
It was only inMetal Gear Solidthat Solid Snake had a more unique appearancecharacteristic with its game world finally taking shape. It’s only in this game where Solid Snake sports his trademark bandana, alongside a purple-gray color scheme. Contrary to his generic military uniform, Solid Snake’s standard look became associated with a tactical suit, complete with a vest, that reflected his nature as a stealth operative. This look gave a more modern stealth hero theme, compared to his initial design.
8Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
It’sLara CroftofTomb Raiderthat perhaps defined the modern action adventure genre, as it’s her constant tomb-raiding adventures that consistently saved the word time and time again against insurmountable threats. Touting her signature tank top, cargo shorts, and her handgun holsters, it’s unfortunate that her endowment became a focal point of her character identity.
While the first reboot gave an emphasis on Lara’s backstory, it’s the second reboot that gave her a more realistic makeover. Although still practically an heiress to the Croft fortune,Lara starts the 2013Tomb Raidertitle as a rookie adventurer, evidently struggling but with enough vigor to outlast the harshest of challenges. This more realistic depiction of Lara comes with an outfit change, with her now sporting jeans, combat boots, an assortment of survival gear, and her signature bow. While retaining the same color scheme, this version of Lara tones down the theatrics, leaning away from her action star counterpart and having a more survivalist allure.
7Jill Valentine (Resident Evil)
WhileJill Valentinealready made a presence in the firstResident Evilgame, the resident STARS operative shined the most inResident Evil 3: Nemesis, where she got toe-to-toe against one of the fiercest and smartest bioweapons in franchise history. As such, it was quite a surprise to seeJill seemingly dying prior to the events ofResident Evil 5only to return as a virus-enhanced super soldierunder the control of antagonist Albert Wesker.
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Although protagonist Chris Redfield has the strength enough to be on par with his former partner, seeing Jill in a purple bodysuit dishing out superhuman moves is proof thatResident Evilat the time had gone more action than survival horror. While Jill makes a return to form in theRemakeseries, the transition from soldier-survivor into a super soldier was an odd take in the franchise.
6The Prince (Prince Of Persia)
Adventure game fans who hear ofPrince of Persiawould fondly rememberthe Princedeftly scaling walls, jumping from platform to platform, and the occasional usage of a dagger that can manipulate the flow of time. This Prince was actuallyfrom theSands of Timetrilogy, effectively the first reboot of thePrince of Persiaseries. While the original Prince was a more straightforward protagonist, and the third Prince being a return to form, it was this second Prince that effectively became the most recognizable of the bunch.
This iteration of the Prince essentially marked the transition of the franchise from a 2D platformer into a 3D action-platforming title. Whereas the original Prince simply had to save the Princess and his kingdom, theSandsPrince has to use the Sands of Time to prevent the catastrophe started by the Vizier. Alongside this is a new take on a brooding personality, an attempt at heroism, and even a monstrous alter ego who relishes in combat. Misgivings of fans aside with his development across theSandstrilogy, this Prince definitely added much-needed personality to his characterization.
5Raiden (Metal Gear Solid)
It’s thanks to theMetal Gear Solidseries that Hideo Kojima and his team redefined stealth action, with Solid Snake proving more than capable of taking out even entire armies as an elite FOXHOUND operative. InMetal Gear Solid 2, fans meet Raiden, a former child soldier, for the first time. Sporting long white hair and a rather sleek bodysuit, the “White Reaper” proved just as capable as Snake in dispatching foes, albeit with a youthful vigor and naivete.
Instead of remaining as the usual operative, however, Raiden surprises fans when he reappears as essentially a “cyborg ninja” inMetal Gear Solid 4. In the story, it’s revealed thatRaiden’s efforts in recovering Big Boss’ remains led to his captureand eventual experimentation that had him permanently become a cyborg. WhileMetal Gear Rising: Revengeanceshowcased Raiden’s true potential with his superhuman capabilities, his design was a rather radical departure from an expected soldier.
4Batman (Arkham Series)
Described by many as perhaps the best showing ofBatmanin the videogame format, it’s theBatman: Arkhamseries that truly showcased what Batman was capable of at the hands of players. Armed with an assortment of gadgets, Bruce Wayne dons his signature cape and cowl as he takes on the game’s own version of Gotham City. Whereas the initialArkhamgames -Arkham AsylumandArkham City- took Batman on a traditional costume route with straightforward suit and tights, it’s the latter games that started to diversify the Caped Crusader’s outfit.
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For instance, it’s inArkham Originswhere fans started to see a more “tacticool” variant of Batman outfits, with The Dark Knight now sporting padded armor on top of his traditional suit.Batman even gets a more advanced costume inArkham Knight,with more metallic padding that seems to enclose in on themselves to give Batman a literal edgier look. This by far is a drastic redesign compared to the usual slim nature of the character, and this “military-realistic” aesthetic was divisive among fans.
3Kratos (God Of War)
Fans of action adventure games would probably remember the brutality ofGod of Warwhen it first released. Narrating the story of vengeance-hungryKratos, this ash-covered warrior with red tattoos would stop at nothing to kill Ares for making him kill his family. Wielding the iconic Blades of Chaos, Kratos and his appearance became associated with bloodshed to be expected when using him in any of his games.
As such, it wasquite a surprise to see Kratos in a much older formin theGod of Warsequels. In the 2018 title, Kratos is seen significantly older and less buff, this time sporting more armor characteristic of a retired warrior. Not only that, but seeing Kratos care for and mentor his son, Atreus, was a sight to behold and gives an entirely new dimension to the character.
2Dante (Devil May Cry)
Prior to the Sparda family reunion that wasDevil May Cry 5, the future of theDevil May Cryfranchise remained relatively unsure after Nero’s introduction inDevil May Cry 4. At first glance, fans may think newcomers Ninja Theory didDantedirty with his redesign inDmC: Devil May Cry, but this was actually all intentional, with directives to change Dantecoming from Capcom itself. WhileDmC: Devil May Crystill explored an iteration of Dante prior to his professional demon-slaying days, the design approach was extremely in contrast to the previous games.
The aesthetic of the game world itself went for the more bizarre. With the supernatural coming from a realm known as Limbo, everything demonic and angelic spiraled a crooked or spiral design. Dante himself sports shorter black hair and looser clothing, boasting a bad habit for cursing and smoking - all things uncharacteristic ofthe originalDevil May Cryprotagonist. Despite the negative reception of the design,DmCdid give Dante a more “grounded” appearance, adding a needed grunge element prior to the transition back to his usual badass self.
1Bomberman (Bomberman)
Whenone thinks ofBomberman, one would think of the boy clad in the white-blue suit with pink gloves and shoes, complete with the pink antenna. Despite his lack of a mouth, he seems fairly communicative enough through his love of explosives, capable of eliminating enemies in various stages with a creative assortment of bombs. As such, it was quite a surprise whenBomberman: Act Zerobecame such an extreme departure from the franchise proper.
Instead of sporting the similar outfit with the same childish story,Act Zeroinstead takes players in a dystopian future. This time around, players take on the role of Bombermen and have to fight to the death and escape to the surface of the Earth. The premise also affects the character redesigns, with players now sporting tracksuits with various armored components, including a large gauntleted arm to handle explosives. Despite the competitive aspect not being new to theBombermanfranchise, it’s the somber and dark take on the franchise that made the designs stand out.
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