Video games in the horror genre have always attracted players with their unique atmosphere, intense tension, and moments that send chills down their spines.
However, aside from dark locations and monsters, the horror characters we embody also play a significant role in creating this unique ambiance. They become our guides through dark, terrifying worlds, and their stories linger in our memories for a long time.
In today’s article, we focus on the most interesting male protagonists who, over the years, have gained legendary status. From vulnerable outsiders fighting for survival to skilled specialists facing unknown forces, each has a special place in the hearts of horror fans. Let’s have a closer look at the characters that not only thrill but stay with us long after the console is turned off. This is our little ranking of top horror game protagonists!
Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Wake 2 | 2023-10-27 | Adventure | Remedy Entertainment |
| Fear 3 | 2011-06-23 | Adventure | Day 1 Studios |
| Dead Space Remake | 2023-01-27 | Action | Motive Studios |
| Deadly Premonition 2 A Blessing In Disguise | 2020-07-10 | Adventure | ToyBox |
| The Evil Within | 2014-10-14 | Adventure | Tango Gameworks |
| Alan Wake | 2012-02-16 | Adventure | Remedy Entertainment |
| Fear Ultimate Shooter | 2005-10-17 | Horror | Monolith Productions |
| Dead Space 3 | 2013-02-08 | Adventure | Visceral Games |
| Outlast | 2013-09-04 | Adventure | Red Barrels |
| Deadly Premonition Directors Cut | 2013-10-29 | Adventure | Access Games |
| Dead Space 2 | 2011-01-27 | Horror | Visceral Games |
| The Last Of Us Part I | 2023-03-28 | Adventure | Naughty Dog |
| Fear 2 Project Origin | 2009-02-12 | Adventure | Monolith Productions |
| The Evil Within 2 | 2017-10-13 | Adventure | Tango Gameworks |
| Silent Hill 2 | 2024-10-08 | Horror | Bloober Team |
| Resident Evil 2 Biohazard Re2 Deluxe Edition | 2019-01-25 | Action | Capcom Development Division 1 |
| Outlast 2 | 2017-04-25 | Adventure | Red Barrels |
Miles Upshur
First apperance | Outlast - 2013 |
Miles Upshur is an investigative journalist and the main character in Outlast, a survival horror adventure game released in 2013. He also appears as a supporting character in the Outlast: Whistleblower expansion.
Miles’ story begins when he receives an anonymous tip about abuses at Mount Massive Asylum, an isolated psychiatric hospital run by the Murkoff Corporation. Upon arrival, he encounters a macabre scene with the dismembered corpses of the staff. Upshur decides to investigate the mysterious events.
Players most appreciate Miles for his determination and willingness to take risks, even when the situation seems hopeless.
Daniel
First apperance | Amnesia: The Dark Descent - 2010 |
Daniel is the protagonist of the cult classic survival horror game Amnesia: The Dark Descent, released in 2010, which set new standards in the genre.
Daniel is resourceful and intelligent, but quite cowardly. Waking up in the deserted Brennenburg Castle, he has no memory of who he is or why he is there. The only clue is a letter he wrote to himself, instructing him to find and kill Baron Alexander. However, as he journeys through the dark corridors, he discovers that he is not only a victim, but also has dark secrets in his past.
In the game, Daniel doesn’t directly fight monsters but must hide from them, trying to maintain his sanity. His internal struggle with fear and quest for redemption make him one of the most complex horror game protagonists.
Francis York Morgan
First apperance | Deadly Premonition - 2010 |
FBI Special Agent Francis York Morgan is an eccentric character from Deadly Premonition and Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise — horror-themed adventure games.
York has an unusual sense of humour and a fascination with pop culture, contrasting with the dark and surreal world he navigates. In Greenvale, a small town in Washington State, York investigates a series of mysterious murders. Known for his unique approach to work, he often talks to himself—or rather, to his “other self,” Zack.
Despite his bizarre character, York is a highly effective agent capable of confronting paranormal phenomena and the mysteries Greenvale presents. Players love him for his distinctive personality and his ability to balance absurdity and seriousness.
Joel Miller
First apperance | The Last of Us - 2013 |
Joel is the main character of the first part of The Last of Us and a significant figure in the sequel.
Joel is a man in his fifties with a slightly scruffy appearance. After losing his daughter at the beginning of the apocalypse, he becomes a bitter and cynical man who finds a new purpose in life when tasked with escorting a young girl, Ellie, through the post-apocalyptic United States.
Joel’s greatest strength is his… complex nature — he is tough, ruthless, but also capable of immense love and sacrifice. Often considered an anti-hero by players, his morally ambiguous decisions make his story so moving and realistic. His relationship with Ellie makes Joel one of the most memorable characters in the world of video games.
Isaac Clarke
First apperance | Dead Space - 2008. |
Isaac Clarke is the main character of the Dead Space series, which began in 2008.
We first meet Isaac Clarke as an engineer forced by circumstances to fight terrifying necromorphs aboard the USG Ishimura and in other dark corners of space. Originally coming to Ishimura to find his girlfriend, Nicole, he quickly becomes a witness to the nightmare unfolding on the ship.
Although initially a regular engineer (not combat-trained), Isaac quickly adapts to survival, using his technical skills to create improvised weapons and tools. His iconic helmet and heavy RIG armour have become his trademarks among horror game fans. He is admired not only for battling monsters, but also for grappling with his own deepening madness.
Alan Wake
First apperance | Alan Wake - 2010 |
Alan Wake is the titular protagonist of the Alan Wake series, psychological horror action games, with the first instalment released in 2010.
Alan Wake is a celebrated writer specializing in horror. After arriving in Bright Falls, his wife Alice mysteriously disappears, and Alan must face dark forces that seem to bring his worst nightmares and his book’s pages to life.
Alan is a character full of contradictions — a literary creator who must literally fight the darkness. His story is a metaphor for a creative crisis and a struggle with oneself, making players find deeper psychological aspects in him.
James Sunderland
First apperance | Silent Hill 2 - 2001 |
James Sunderland is the main character of Silent Hill 2, a survival horror action-adventure game released in 2001.
James arrives in the eerie town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his deceased wife, Mary. His search for Mary becomes a journey through the dark and terrifying face of the town, reflecting his deepest guilt and traumas.
James is one of the most complex characters in the Silent Hill series, full of regret and inner conflict. His story is horrifying and tragic, and the truth about his past is gradually revealed. This psychological depth makes James a memorable figure for fans long after finishing the game.
Leon S. Kennedy
First apperance | Resident Evil 2 - 1998 |
Leon S. Kennedy is one of the most recognizable characters in the Resident Evil series.
His first adventure begins in Resident Evil 2 (1998), where, as a young police officer, he is thrown into the deep end during the outbreak in Raccoon City. Since then, he has repeatedly fought biohazard threats, becoming one of the faces of the fight against the Umbrella Corporation.
Leon undergoes transformations throughout the series, but his most iconic outfit is his light-brown pilot jacket. Leon evolves from an inexperienced cop into a seasoned agent specializing in bioterrorism threat elimination.
His sarcastic sense of humour and impeccable combat skills make him a fan favourite. His adventures are full of action, horror, and emotion, making him one of the most iconic characters in the world of horror games.