Written By: Tyler Selig
I
wanted to post a list, and I had ideas but these ideas weren’t in any way
original and you could see them on any video game site that does lists. Lists
such as “games that need sequels” and whatnot are lists I will probably
eventually do but I wanted to do something original or at the very least less
common. I’m going to try to put it up on the first day of every month, and the
reason the January entry isn’t is because I just thought of it a few days ago.
IT’S MY BLOG, I’LL DO WHAT I WANT.
So each
month I will pick one thing that it commemorates and I will tie real world into
video games. This month it is apparently National Mentoring Month somewhere, so
I am going to give you some of my favourite video game mentors. It isn’t a list
in order, and it’s incomplete, but here are some solid choices.
January – National Mentoring Month
Buzz-Buzz from
Earthbound
 |
| *sniff* |
Let’s
pour some liquor for our fallen comrade, who went back in time ten years just
to talk to Ness. Strictly speaking, he kind of does his thing and then dies,
but he does get you on the path to saving the world while imparting some words
of wisdom so I’ll count him. Plus, any reason to mention Earthbound is okay to
me.
Cranky Kong from
Donkey Kong
 |
| The realest. |
Cranky
Kong is an OG. With a Nintendo supported decision made by Rare that Cranky is
actually Donkey from the original, he has been there since the beginning. In
Donkey Kong Country, he lives up to his name by being argumentative and a
crotchedy old monkey, but he also gives you advice on places and items. Really
though, he is the Donkey Kong, and
that has to count for something. Think of the stories he has to tell.
THE DEATH OF MAX
PAYNES FAMILY
 |
| I feel it would be insensitive to mock... YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH MICHELLEEEEEEEEE |
I’m not
sure there’s anything that will change your life more than coming home and
seeing your family murdered. Mind you, it sent him on a melodramatic self-destructive
path where so, so many people end up
dying… but still, I mean… he learned something. Right?
At the
very least in Max Payne 3 he grew an awesome beard so one could argue that set
him on an enlightened path. Whether that was coincidence or consequence remains to be seen. Perhaps in Max Payne 4? You're welcome Rockstar.
Kreia from Star
Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2
 |
| Talk about someone who is meant to be a mentor, she even looks the part. |
Like I
said in my previous article, I haven’t played the first one so I have to go
with Kreia from KOTOR 2 because she is mentor defined. You’re an apprentice to
her the entire game, regardless of which route you go. She is always giving you
life lessons and speaking in vague, knowledgeable sentences.
Cortana from the
Halo Series
 |
| Sex appeal doesn't sell. I don't want to think of this picture when I'm in the bathroom. Or play Halo 4 over and over and over and over and over. Nope. |
Cortana
is a smokin’ hot AI who assists Master Chief through the series by giving
tactical advice and the backstory of various areas. In Halo 4 she also helps
you by having a bangin’ body. She is a great mentor because she’s always there.
She’s basically in your head. She also helps save all sentient life in the
galaxy.
Zack Fair from
Final Fantasy 7
 |
| I still can't figure out where Cloud got his moodiness from. |
One of
the rare cases where a mentor doesn’t even show up for most of the game. It’s
like he doesn’t exist, but he has actually been there the entire time. He is
the best friend of Cloud Strife, the main character, and Cloud commits identity
theft without even knowing it. Yes, Cloud literally wants to be Zack, and if
that doesn’t make Zack a mentor, I don’t know what does.
Auron from Final
Fantasy 10
 |
| Badass. |
Up
until a couple years ago I would always say that Final Fantasy 10 is a great
game with some terrible characters. After I thought about it, I realized that
outside of a couple, these characters are pretty cool. Most Final Fantasy games
have throwaways.
However,
Auron has always been cool to me. If I were to make a top ten Final Fantasy
character list, he’d be on there. He’s a strong, silent type, but when he talks
he lets Tidus know what’s up.
The Boss from
Metal Gear Solid 3
 |
| The most badass woman in video games. Solid Snake has Meryl, Naked Snake has her. Naked wins. Except for the "having to kill her" setback. |
First
of all, her name is The Boss. It’s not often that you see a woman mentoring a
man, and the fact that she was so important to a character – Big Boss – who is
so important to the entire Metal Gear story makes her a big deal. Her and Big
Boss developed CQC, and their battle – between apprentice and mentor – at the
end of Metal Gear Solid 3 is beautiful, heart-breaking and intense.
Other Players in
Demon's Souls
 |
| Solidarity! |
I haven’t
played Dark Souls, but I’ve always loved how Demon Souls uses the internet. It’s
multiplayer at all times, but in a subtle way. You can click on spot where you
see a ghost, and it’ll show you how other players died. This is a valuable tool
in your arsenal because this game is endless death.
Iris in Lufia 2:
Rise of the Sinistrals
 |
| Blue hair women rock. |
Ever
since I played the first Lufia back when I was a kid I’ve had an undying love
for the series, though I missed out on the DS one (need to rectify!). I’ve
always loved the story, and it had a real focus on story that allowed it to
have some seriously emotional moments. Iris is actually one of the villains,
but she guides Maxim and crew along, never really completing her advice but
giving advice and aiding them all the same. That and the fact that she’s one of
the Sinistrals makes her an incredibly fascinating mentor.
There
you have it readers, some of my favourite mentors in video game history. I know
there are a bunch I’ve missed, but these were the people I could remember with
a little bit of research (not having to go through and find every game I’ve
played). Are there any you really like? Let me know in the comments below or
hell, tweet me @ArtBathednCrime
No comments:
Post a Comment