As we step into 2025, the gaming industry is buzzing with anticipation for the fresh narratives, characters, and worlds that will grace our screens. This year promises to introduce a diverse cast of heroes and villains, each adding unique depth and intrigue to the tapestry of video gaming.
The Fresh Faces of 2025: Video Games’ Newest Heroes and Villains
Here’s a look at some of the standout characters set to make their mark this year.
Top 20 Video Game Characters of 2025
Hazel – South of Midnight (Compulsion Games)
A brave Weaver with magical abilities, navigating the mystic Deep South.
Low – Little Nightmares 3 (Supermassive Games)
One half of a duo experiencing the horrors of the Little Nightmares world.
Alone – Little Nightmares 3 (Supermassive Games)
The other half of the cooperative horror adventure, complementing Low’s journey.
The Destined One – Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science)
A character inspired by Sun Wukong, exploring Chinese mythology.
Rook – Dragon Age: The Veilguard (BioWare)
A new hero in the Dragon Age series, bound to Solas through a blood ritual.
Kril – Another Crab’s Treasure (Aggro Crab)
A small but mighty crab hero on a quest to reclaim his shell.
Saga Anderson – Alan Wake 2 (Remedy Entertainment)
An FBI agent dealing with the supernatural in Bright Falls.
Melinoe – Hades 2 (Supergiant Games)
Daughter of Hades, venturing to save her family from Chronos.
Harry – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (Insomniac Games)
Becomes the host of Venom, struggling with the symbiote’s influence.
Iris Kwan (The Allmother) – 1000xRESIST (Sunset Visitor)
A teenager turned deity, navigating a post-apocalyptic world.
Villains:
Sephiroth – Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix)
Returning with a vengeance, his presence looms large over the story.
Chronos – Hades 2 (Supergiant Games)
The titan of time, seizing control of the Underworld.
Masataka Ebina – Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)
A complex Yakuza figure with a tragic backstory.
Jane Harrow – Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Treyarch)
A rogue CIA handler turned commander for Pantheon.
Nebulax – Astro Bot Rescue Mission (Team Asobi)
An AI with ambitions to control the galaxy, sending robots after the hero.
The Omen – Marvel’s Avengers (Crystal Dynamics)
A dark force targeting Captain Marvel with unique energy-draining abilities.
Haymaker – X-23: Deadly Regenesis (Marvel Games)
A non-binary villain with a personal vendetta against X-23.
The Scoundrel – Marvel’s Avengers (Crystal Dynamics)
A charismatic thief with a complicated relationship with She-Hulk.
Bode Akuna – Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Respawn Entertainment)
A former Jedi turned spy, with a deeply tragic narrative.
Orin the Red – Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
A shape-shifting, cunning Chosen of Bhaal, adding depth to the game’s antagonist roster.
This list showcases the diversity and innovation in character design and storytelling that 2025’s video game releases offer, from heroes who challenge the norms to villains who redefine what it means to be the antagonist in gaming narratives.
New Heroes on the Horizon
- Hazel from South of Midnight (Compulsion Games): Hazel emerges as a fearless heroine in the folklore-drenched landscapes of the Deep South USA. With her Weaver magic, she navigates through mythical creatures and cryptids to rescue her grandmother, offering players a blend of action-adventure with a touch of southern mystique.
- Low and Alone from Little Nightmares 3 (Supermassive Games): This duo introduces players to the eerie, yet captivating universe of Little Nightmares in a cooperative setting. Their journey through terrifying environments, filled with puzzles and monstrous adversaries, like the Monster Baby, promises a horror experience best shared.
- The Destined One from Black Myth: Wukong (Game Science): Inspired by the “Journey to the West,” the Destined One embodies the spirit of Sun Wukong, offering players a chance to explore Chinese mythology in an ARPG setting. With the task to resurrect a legendary hero, this character’s journey is both visually stunning and narratively rich.
Villains with a Vengeance
- Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix): Though not entirely new, Sephiroth’s return in Rebirth is nothing short of a rebirth for his character. His journey from a fallen hero to a god-like antagonist, especially highlighted in the Nibelheim flashback and the climactic battle following Aerith’s fate, reaffirms his status as one of gaming’s most iconic villains.
- Chronos from Hades 2 (Supergiant Games): Taking control of the Underworld, Chronos introduces players to a new layer of Greek mythology, where he imprisons the familiar faces of Hades, Persephone, and Zagreus. His dominance over time and space adds a fresh and challenging dynamic to the beloved rogue-like series.
- Masataka Ebina in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio): Ebina’s narrative arc of becoming what he once sought to destroy encapsulates the complexity of human ambition and morality. His journey through Yakuza politics, marked by his Oni tattoo, symbolizes his role as both a warden and a punisher, challenging players with his strategic cunning.
Cross-Genre Character Impact
2025’s game line-up isn’t just about the characters themselves but how they mesh with the evolving gameplay mechanics. From the cooperative horror of Little Nightmares 3 to the mythological quest in Black Myth: Wukong, these characters are crafted to push the envelope of storytelling and interaction. They are not mere avatars for players but entities with rich backstories, motivations, and development arcs that resonate with the evolving narratives of their respective games.
Conclusion
This year, video games are not just expanding their worlds but are also bringing to life characters that will be remembered for their storytelling, gameplay integration, and the emotional journeys they take players on. Whether you’re battling through the horrors with Low and Alone, exploring ancient myths with The Destined One, or facing off against the timeless threat of Sephiroth, 2025’s heroes and villains are set to leave an indelible mark on the gaming world.
As we delve into these games, we’re not just playing; we’re experiencing stories that challenge, entertain, and inspire, all through the lens of some of the most compelling characters yet to grace our screens. Here’s to the fresh faces of 2025, where every hero and villain tells a story worth exploring.