LogFAQs > #895607414

15. Hero (Dragon Quest V)

http://faqsmedia.ign.com/faqs/image/article/958/958445/dq65.jpg

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Say hello to the one and only silent protagonist on the list! While they can make games fun by allowing yourself to self-insert, I usually don't end up caring about them their as their own character as a result. Hero (I don't even know if this dude has a real name) is the exception.

While Hero doesn't have strong, easily identifiable personality traits, what makes him so endearing is how invested you become in his personal life story. You first play as Hero when he's a kid, and you end with him after he's started a family. You see him go through loss, heartbreak, love, and triumph. I'm not going to sugercoat it - Hero goes through some real shit. He's got one of those mega tragic backstories you see in a lot of RPG character except you're living it in real time.

The first act of Hero's journey is when you play him as a kid. It's way more fun than it should be, all things considered. Nothing of note in the main plot happens. You meet up with your childhood sweetheart, make friends with a bratty prince, and pal around with your dad. You also save a fairy kingdom but that part is basically filler.

Then you decide to go cave exploring with the bratty prince and it turns out to be the worst decision of your life. You're captured by some of the main villains, and when your awesome dad comes to save you, you're used as a hostage and forced to watch as he allows himself to be struck again and again until he's burnt to cinders. It's absolutely gut-wrenching. Then Hero is taken into slavery and forced into hard labor for 8 fucking years! Man!

You eventually escape because no one can keep a good Hero down, but not before the years have hardened you, both mentally and physically. While it's never outright stated, I don't think it's a concidence that Hero's 'weapon' is essentially a walking stick, which he only starts using after years of labor he went through. Savoring the sweet taste of freedom, you explore the world, discover more about the main villains, reconnect with your childhood sweetheart and marry her (unless you're a heartless monster and choose someone else), and even discover that you're of royal blood and technically a king. You rise to the throne and your wife has twins and...man. You've got a home again. You've got a family again.

Then your wife gets kidnapped by the bad guys and you both get turned to stone trying to rescue her. Eight years pass as you spend your time - I'm not exaggerating - as someone's fucking lawn ornament. Your kids eventually come and rescue you, and they're stoked to see you, but you were still robbed of seeing your kids grow for most of their childhood. Eventually you rescue your wife, beat the bad guys, and finally, FINALLY, you get your happy ending. It's so incredibly satisfying when you do.

There's one detail about the game I like that really helps sells the theme of the game. You eventually find the legendary weapon/armor needed to beat the main villains, but you can't equip it. Only your son can. He's the prophecized hero of legend - not you. Your story is not that of the typical video game protagonist destined to save the world. It's just...your story. Dragon Quest V has a main plot, but it's never the focus. The game is about you, and it's why Hero is so memorable despite never speaking a single word.
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Black Turtle did a pretty good job.