Buzz
Game developers are meticulous in their design choices; every detail has a purpose. Each level and stage serves a unique function – this extends to the characters as well, especially those that appear menacing. When creating these seemingly intimidating characters, the goal is often to evoke a sense of aggression. When you encounter them, it's typically a signal of impending danger.
As seasoned players, we know the tricks of video game creators, so we instinctively brace ourselves when confronted with characters who look threatening. Whenever the story allows, we avoid these figures, for it’s true: ‘he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.’ However, we’ve realized that assuming all intimidating characters are dangerous is often a misconception. Sometimes, the appearance isn’t everything. Here are ten characters that seem menacing but are, in reality, quite harmless.
10. Stardew Valley: Krobus
Krobus is a character in the video game Stardew Valley. In the game, players inherit a neglected farm in the town of Stardew Valley, where the goal is to restore it to its former beauty by farming, raising animals, mining, and forming bonds with the town's people.
Krobus is concealed within the sewer, yet he's unlike the typical video game villains encountered throughout the game. Under the right circumstances, Krobus can move in with the player character and become their roommate. If the player character brings Krobus to the farm, he will assist with various tasks as a loyal companion. Krobus serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving. He even proudly tells the player character that he is different from the other monsters in the game.
Krobus has particular gifts he enjoys, and gifting these will increase his friendship with the player character. There are also gifts he dislikes, which will cause his bond with the player to weaken. One of the most unique aspects of this monster is that the player character can actually hug him. Krobus will even lend a hand in raising the protagonist's children, provided the protagonist had them prior to meeting Krobus.
9. Hades: Skelly
Skelly is a fascinating character in Hades, a widely popular video game created by Supergiant Games, an independent developer. The game, which is a role-playing action adventure, debuted in 2018 as an early access release and officially launched in September 2020 for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Nintendo Switch.
In the game, you play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, on a mission to escape the underworld and ascend to Mount Olympus. To accomplish this, you'll have to battle through various underworld levels, fighting a variety of enemies and bosses while acquiring new powers and weapons along the way.
Skelly might appear menacing, but he’s harmless at heart. His primary goal is to guide the player character in mastering combat techniques and weapon use. What makes Skelly stand out is his peculiar love for being beaten. Eventually, Skelly will ask the protagonist to put an end to his suffering by slaying him with the Stygian Blade, a gesture that releases him from his duty as a punching bag.
8. Rune Factory 4: Ventuswill
Ventuswill is a green dragon in the game Rune Factory 4. In the game, players take on the role of a protagonist who has lost their memory and ends up in Selphia, a fantasy world where humans and monsters coexist. The player must navigate farming, crafting, and battling through various challenges while forming relationships with a diverse group of characters, including potential romantic interests.
Though she is a monster, Ventuswill is a friendly character in the game. As one of the Elder Dragons and the protector of Selphia, her responsibility is to restore runes to the world through her body. Ventuswill aids the protagonist throughout the game, and what makes her truly captivating is the way she forms a bond with the protagonist, given their unexpected and surprising first encounter.
The protagonist falls from the ceiling directly onto Ventuswill—an accident you might expect with an enemy, yet they are not adversaries in the game. Together, they complete a mission and return to Selphia, only for Ventuswill to vanish into the Forest of Beginnings. Her selfless nature as a monster will forever be remembered.
7. Pokémon GO: Snorlax
In Pokémon Go, players embark on a journey to capture, train, and battle a variety of virtual creatures called 'Pokémon' that appear in the real world through the game's augmented reality. By exploring their surroundings, players can discover and catch Pokémon scattered across various locations such as parks, neighborhoods, and more. Players can train and evolve their Pokémon by collecting 'candy' and 'stardust' through actions like catching other Pokémon or taking part in battles.
Snorlax, although a towering and formidable creature in the Pokémon universe, doesn't live up to expectations as a challenging opponent in Pokémon GO. Though it may appear intimidating with its large, muscular frame, Snorlax's true nature is far more relaxed, often dozing off in unexpected spots. This lazy disposition has made Snorlax a fan favorite despite its lack of challenge in the game.
Snorlax’s tendency to nap rather than battle makes it less of a threat in the world of Pokémon GO. Despite its imposing size, it can hardly be considered a genuine adversary. Most of the time, Snorlax is seen asleep, which diminishes its potential as a menacing foe. Due to this characteristic, we can confidently label it a harmless villain.
6. Dark Souls: The Giant Blacksmith
The Giant Blacksmith is a character in the video game Dark Souls. Set in a dark fantasy world, the game follows an undead protagonist who embarks on a journey to break their curse and regain their lost humanity.
Dark Souls is renowned for its brutal difficulty and unforgiving gameplay. Players must navigate through meticulously crafted levels filled with formidable foes, traps, and powerful bosses. The game’s deep lore explores themes such as fate, sacrifice, and the cyclical nature of life and death, offering a rich and complex narrative for those who dare to venture into its world.
Despite its intimidating size and monstrous appearance, the Giant Blacksmith poses no harm in the game unless provoked. It is surprising to see such a fearsome entity taking on the role of a simple shopkeeper in one of the most challenging video games.
The Giant Blacksmith offers a variety of upgrade materials and weapons for sale. Notably, some of the weapons in his inventory are exclusive to him, unavailable elsewhere in the game. While his towering figure may be an imposing presence, we hope future games will feature more compact weapon dealers, as a passive giant can sometimes become more of a distraction than a useful ally.
5. Shadow of the Colossus: The Colossi
Shadow of the Colossus tells the story of Wander, a young man who journeys into a forbidden land to resurrect a girl named Mono. To achieve this, he must defeat 16 colossal beings that roam the land. The game's narrative is conveyed with sparse dialogue, leaving much for the player to interpret about the characters and their motivations.
The Colossi in Shadow of the Colossus are massive beings that resemble living statues. These towering figures appear intimidating and will strike fear into any player, regardless of experience. Surprisingly, the Colossi are mostly harmless. In fact, the player must actively seek them out and attack before they engage in combat.
The Colossi defend themselves but cannot be seen as villains. Their primary desire is to be left in peace. The player hunts them to acquire their magical sigils, which are necessary for progression. Without this need, there would be no conflict between the Colossi and the player. Their peaceful nature, despite their immense size, earns them a place on this list, as it is rare to encounter such colossal beings that don't seek battle.
4. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Zaalbar
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) is a role-playing video game set in the Star Wars universe. Originally released in 2003, the game takes place 4,000 years before the events of the Star Wars films.
In KOTOR, players assume the role of a customizable protagonist on a quest to protect the galaxy from the Sith, dark-side Force users bent on conquering the galaxy. Along the journey, the protagonist encounters a variety of characters, including Jedi, smugglers, and bounty hunters. The player’s decisions throughout the game significantly influence the outcome of the story.
Zaalbar is a character in KOTOR, a male Wookiee with a fearsome exterior. He stands and moves like a human, but his fur resembles that of an ape. His mere appearance in the game can send a chill down the player’s spine, but Zaalbar's true nature is surprisingly gentle. The only variation in his character comes when the player chooses to follow the dark side, which turns Zaalbar into a cold-hearted, malevolent figure.
3. Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor: Ratbag
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor is set in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, particularly in the land of Mordor. In this game, players take on the role of Talion, a ranger slain by Sauron’s forces and resurrected by a mysterious Wraith. Together, they seek revenge for the death of Talion’s family and uncover the secrets of the Wraith’s past.
Much like the previous character, Ratbag is a comedic presence in the game. Despite his intimidating appearance, which would strike fear in any foe, Ratbag is anything but dangerous. He quickly earns the nickname 'Ratbag the Coward.' Although Ratbag desires ultimate power, he is clueless about how to wield it.
Ratbag is first introduced in the game when he is tied to a pole by his superior, Goroth Caragor Tamer. Talion intervenes and helps him avoid execution. However, Ratbag soon finds himself in trouble again, this time with Brogg the Twin, a Warchief’s bodyguard. Talion comes to his rescue once more, slaying Brogg and clearing the way for Ratbag to become the new bodyguard to the Warchief.
When the Warchief, Mogg, discovers that his twin brother, Brogg, was killed by Ratbag, he orders Ratbag's execution. Talion saves Ratbag again by killing Mogg, which allows Ratbag to ascend to the role of Warchief. However, despite his many close calls due to Talion's help, Ratbag’s time as Warchief is short-lived. When the 'Hammer of Sauron' arrives, Ratbag is swiftly executed.
2. The Secret of Monkey Island: LeChuck
LeChuck is the main antagonist in The Secret of Monkey Island. Though he dons the full attire of a pirate and has an intimidating appearance, he is far from being truly dangerous. His reckless behavior and constant blunders make his efforts largely futile. LeChuck becomes obsessed with marrying a woman named Elaine, going to great lengths to make her his bride.
LeChuck anchors his ship at the gates of Big Whoop and plans to kidnap Elaine. However, he learns that in order to carry out his plan, he must first defeat Guybrush Threepwood, a novice pirate. LeChuck's first attempt to deter Guybrush is to disguise himself as a sheriff and warn him that the island is too perilous, but Guybrush ignores his advice. This forces LeChuck to resort to direct confrontation as an enemy.
Guybrush's mission was to acquire Elaine's idol to pass his pirate exam, and LeChuck arrived just in time to catch him. However, in a rather unwise move, LeChuck merely tied Guybrush to the idol and tossed both into the ocean. Undeterred, Guybrush freed himself, retrieved the idol, and completed the exam, earning his place as a pirate.
LeChuck believes that Guybrush is dead after seeing him sink into the ocean. He kidnaps Elaine and sets up a wedding, but Elaine manages to escape and replaces herself with two monkeys dressed as a bride. After being deceived, LeChuck faces the return of Guybrush, now a full pirate, who ultimately kills LeChuck. This is why he makes it to this list—he's a villain with no real threat.
1. Mass Effect 2: Charr
In Mass Effect 2, the player assumes the role of Commander Shepard, a human soldier who is tasked with assembling a team of specialists to stop the Collectors, a mysterious group abducting human colonists. Charr, a massive and intimidating Krogan, serves as a transport technician on Illium and is known for his immense size and strength.
What sets Charr apart from the typical Krogan brute is his romantic nature. He is in love with Ereba, an asari merchant, and although they were once in a relationship, Ereba ended it. She suspected that Charr's interest was driven solely by reproduction, which led her to refuse any long-term commitment with him.
At one point in the game, Charr is seen reading romantic poetry to Ereba in the hope that it might win her affection and change her mind. Charr is a memorable video game character who defies the typical portrayal of the Krogan race as cold-blooded mercenaries and xenophobes. Encountering a romantic, emotionally vulnerable creature in a game like this is a rarity.
