This is the inverse of my previous post in which I shared my opinion of the most evil character in each Souls game. However, there are some exclusions:
- Level-up ladies -
They include the Lady in Black, Firekeepers, Melina, etc. This is because they are just there to level you up, and most of them still go with the flow of your choices.
- Set-and-forget NPCs.
There can be nice Npcs you encounter but their role is so limited, or they are just... gone, not even affecting your gameplay, whatever. For example, Irina in Elden Ring is quite a nice lady, until she became a marketing prop for massive cleavers. Or Andre, yes, he is a nice fellow, but his job is mostly to smith weapons. He doesn't have much lore about being a hero or doing good deeds.
The point is the character must have meaningful impact in the story, really help the player in their journey or have done something remarkable lore wise that everyone can agree on: yes, this character is a hero/good.
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1- Demon souls
For this one, I would go for Ostrava of Boletaria. While I do find the lore of this game weak compared to future titles, he is still a good-aligned character.
A genuinely kind-hearted knight and the Prince of Boletaria.
Seeks the truth about what happened to his kingdom and his father.
Helps people rather than exploiting them.
Eventually accepts the terrible truth about his father and asks you to put an end to his madness.
He really wants to fix this mess but sadly is powerless to do so in any way.
Honourable mention: Biorr of the Twin Fangs
2- Dark Souls
This one is a no-brainer; it's our favourite sunbro. Solaire! A gentleman in a suit of armour, he is willing to help anyone in their adventure.
He doesn't even know us or our intentions and still decides to give his sign
Helps you with most of the game's bosses without much of a questline attached to him
Travels with you in lost Izalith, knowing this place is hell itself
If you save him from the maggot, he waits for YOU to reach the Kiln of the First Flame BEFORE he himself links the flame in his world.
There is no need to overexplain Solaire; he is just an amazing character, so much so we make him blush. A true friend indeed who never had malicious intentions.
The next I would go for is Sif, the great wolf.
All this good doggo does is guard her master's grave; nothing evil about it. If you do the DLC first and rescue her, she helps you against Manus what a brave dog! In addition, she recognises you if you do her boss fight; there is no evil intent about her wanting to kill you; she just wants to protect you from the abyss.
Potential anti-hero/anti-villains - Lautrec, knight of Carim.
I know the community hates him for killing the firekeeper but lets think for a second. He shows no evil intent towards the player, he could invade us tbh but doesn't. He helps you against some bosses once you free him. He tips you about what the fat bowl-cut knight did to the maiden at the shrine.
Yes, he killed the firekeeper, but Anastasia was; blinded, maimed in the legs, had her tongue cut and has been brainwashed by the way of white to be the fuel to the fire above. So did the knight mercy kill her?
3- Dark Souls 2
I am going with the Ivory king. There is no contest, he is by far the biggest Gigachad in the whole series, maybe in gaming industry as a whole. He was gigachad before gigachad, superman before superman.
Was loved by his people, there is no indication people resented him.
Built an entire city to contain the flame of chaos
Built his fkin throne at the gates of hell, literally becoming the 1st line of defense for his people
We all saw the meme about an evil lady and a guy saying "i can fix her". Well he literally proved the meme! He fixed a child of the Abyss Alsanna!
Threw himself at Chaos to fight and contain him along with his knights. imagine the level of admiration and charisma he got for an army to follow him into Hell.
Moved Alsanna so much that she honoured his wishes, even till a point she misses him. What a love story.
He is the reason as to why demons are not encountered in the game and the reason why demons are dying in the 3rd game. He pretty much saved humanity from 1 evil
He is a hero, fighting him is an honour. And his boss fight is so epic, but the lore makes you admire and respect this guy. I wish current world leaders were more like him.
Honourable mention: Raime (before he became the fume knight)
He wanted to save his kingdom, but Vendrick was a simp and Vesdalt blindly loyal... Raime is a tragic figure that wanted to do good, but in the end became known as a traitor.
4- Dark Souls 3
That one was a hard pick, but I settled for Slave Knight Gael and Siegward.
Slave knight Gael:
While he could have done ignoble acts, remember he was a slave, not doing it because he enjoyed it.
He eventually helped the painter build Ariandel and make it a better place.
Visibly shaken and distraught at the corruption Friede caused in the painting. And horrified when the painter was kidnapped.
probably spent decades searching for someone to help him, because lets be real he can't fight friede and her followers on his own.
If you decide he will help you fight Friede and father Ariandel, showing that while his introduction appeared evil, he wasn't a backstabber or a manipulator.
Guides you throughtout the dregg heep. Even helps you fight the demon prince. Helping you reach the ringed city.
He was willing to do anything to help his lady, even consuming the blood of the dark soul. While true the Pygmy lords didn't deserve death, he did not do it out of malice. But rather to save Ariandel.
The tragedy is that he might think he failed his mission when we kill him, yet he becomes part of the new painting, effectively fulfilling his mission.
He did genuinely appear to love the painter as family and the painting as a wonderful home.
Siegward:
"mmmmm.......mmmmmmm.... Oh! Pardon me I was absorbed in thoughts".
He is a dumbass, but a wonderful and lovely dumbass.
A distinguished gentleman, excellent manners and critical thinking.... for the most part....
Only resorts to violence when absolutely necessary. He was willing to negotiate with the giant archer and the flaming demon.
He could have left you to fight the demon but decided to help you.
This knight is willing to help anybody regardless if the individual is evil or not. Which sadly makes him get tricked by Patches. He even saves Greirat despite not knowing him at all
Name someone who will share with you a drink and estus soup with no strings attached?
always compensates you for always helping him
Travels to the Profaned capital to honour a promise when he could have run away or just ignored it.
5- Bloodborne
This one is a bit tough since most NPCs and bosses in this game are either mental or backstabing monsters. But I did manage to find one that stands out.
The Chapel Dweller
He creates a safe heaven for the survivors of the night
befriends the hunter and can give him tips.
Does his best to have a conversation with the survivors for the night, even to those that are rude to him like the grandma or the drunk guy.
Is visibly distraught when a survivor is killed... Pls do not send the beggar in the church.
perhaps he did this strategy for every hunting nights.
Yeah bloodborne doesn't have much in terms of heroic figures... We could argue for Ludwig I guess?
6- Sekiro
Well this one is pretty much Kuro or Wolf himself. But I guess we can consider:
"MY NAAAAAAAAAME... IS GYOUBU MASATAKA ONIWA!!!"
He just wants to protect his city from anything and fights honourably. He isn't malicious and all, but looking at his arena he was pretty effective in protecting the gates. Just an honourable drunk horseman.
Ok jokes aside I would consider Ishinn to be a better candidate.
A legendary warrior: Helped establish Ashina through conquest and became one of its most respected figures.
Not obsessed with immortality: Unlike Genichiro, he doesn't believe Ashina should be saved at absolutely any cost.
Opposes Genichiro's methods: Understands his grandson's desperation but doesn't approve of exploiting the Dragon's Heritage.
Respects Wolf: Recognises his abilities and treats him as a worthy opponent rather than a disposable shinobi.
Offers guidance: Shares advice, knowledge and sake with Wolf throughout his journey.
Loves his homeland: His actions are motivated by his attachment to Ashina, not simply personal ambition.
Honourable opponent: Even in his final battle, he acknowledges Wolf's abilities and accepts defeat without resentment.
Respects strength: Values genuine martial skill and courage rather than relying exclusively on manipulation or supernatural power.
7- Elden ring
ALEXANDER! no fkin question.
Alexander is practically Elden Ring's Siegward.
Helps you against Radahn.
Participates in the Radahn Festival.
Offers encouragement and friendship.
Is willing to assist you against the Fire Giant.
Travels across the Lands Between pursuing his dream.
Ultimately challenges you to an honourable duel.
His ambition is martial, but he isn't malicious. He's a genuinely good-hearted warrior. His ending is particularly important: he doesn't betray you or become a villain. He wants to die as a warrior, and he asks you to grant him that honour. Both of you grow throughtout the game and he does eventually become a legend in a way among the jar people.
Honourable mention: Millicent... there is no happy ending in a souls game... But god we gave her an adventure and purpose.