Hi
I wanted to ask what people thought the most outstanding game character and/or level architecture they had experienced - primarily from a design perspective.
Would love to know your thoughts.
I am going to have to go with Demon’s Souls. The game that is incredibly hard… until you realize that it’s not.
I rage-quit on it about a month ago before even getting past 1-1. Three days ago I finally tried it again, and now see its brilliance. It is one of those games where you will get absolutely no-where, until suddenly everything about the design “clicks” with you.
Once it does, you start seeing the genius of the level design, enemy AI design, and even the general game mechanics. That cliff you just took for random level architecture? Nope, turns out it was a perfect sniping perch to take out that super-hard enemy. The random wagon just sitting on the bridge? No, again. That is a superior spot to get cover from the dragon who keeps razing the bridge; put exactly where you need it.
It is an enjoyable mix of complex and simple. I think most western gamers are used to “RPG” style games where we get so many items/spells/skills being tossed at us; most of it store-fodder; that we barely pay attention to any of it. In Demon’s Souls, each new item is something you HAVE to pay attention to. One sword is NOT the same as another. Different attack patterns, complexity of damage/stat types, weight issues… all of it matters; a LOT. Every spell has a use, and each one can give you that slight edge you need to win.
You also have to pay CLOSE attention to each enemy, and how they work. There is no “best” tactic. Not like a lot of games where you just pick the most damaging attack, use it to mow through every enemy, and repeat ad nauseum. The enemies are complex enough, here, that you will either adapt your tactics for each one… or die… a LOT. Well, you’re going to do that, anyway, but you get my point.
Everything in Demon’s Souls seems to be put there for a reason; from the exact placement of enemies to a crenelation in a castle wall. It all comes together to make one hell of a hard game; until you change the way you usually play this type of game. Here, you can take nothing for granted. Even a slight edge can make a TREMENDOUS difference.
Hmm… 6 paragraphs to say, “My vote goes to Demon’s Souls”. I wonder if everyone got the idea that I like the game?
P.S. Who all else died unexpectedly in the Nexus when you stepped off of a high ledge? That was my “rage-quit” moment the first time around. Seriously, how many other games can you die in the SAFE ZONE?
One of my all time favorite characters would definitely have to be Abe from Oddworld. I really like the overall artwork/design of Oddworld, including Abe himself. He’s just a weird meek little guy with a geeky voice. I guess I just like those out of place underdog type of heroes. 
Dele,
thanks for reminding me at one of the most lovely game charakters I’ve ever came along!
From the way Abe was walking and moving to jumping, talking, falling on his nose and even farting … this dude as well as it’s level-design were great.
The world of Beyond Good Evil.