Best Video Games for character development

character development Decision Dashboard

Safest pick

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

4.7 feature score

Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.

Most evidence

Pragmata

10 supporting reviews

Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.

Best overall product

Hades II

4.6 overall score

Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.

#1 Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
4.8
1 review

Ramza's growth and moral struggle are highlighted as a compelling arc that strengthens the political story.

Pros: handheld play suitability, gameplay mechanics

Cons: multiplayer design, companion AI

#2 Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
4.8
4 reviews

Character development is a clear strength, especially Estelle and Joshua’s growth and the way the cast’s arcs strengthen the story.

Pros: crash stability, frame rate stability

Cons: facial animations

#3 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
4.8
5 reviews

Character development is a major strength, with reviewers praising complex, human characters and meaningful motivations across the party.

Pros: world-building, crash stability

Cons: platforming precision, map and navigation design

#4 Ghost of Yōtei
4.8
2 reviews

Atsu’s character development is a standout, with reviewers emphasizing growth, vulnerability, and a stronger character arc.

Pros: load times, art direction

Cons: family friendliness, age appropriateness

#5 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
4.7
14 reviews

Reviewers repeatedly highlight stronger characterization, deeper party relationships, and more nuanced portrayals of both returning and newly playable characters.

Pros: crash stability, soundtrack quality

Cons: AI behavior, platform-specific feature support

#6 Donkey Kong Bananza
4.6
5 reviews

Character development centers on Pauline and DK's bond, with reviewers noting growth, confidence, warmth, and a heartwarming relationship.

Pros: load times, movement feel

Cons: enemy variety, platforming precision

#7 Split Fiction
4.5
7 reviews

Character development is mixed-positive, with some reviewers praising Mio and Zoe’s arc while others found it slow, predictable, or limited.

Pros: cross-play support, platforming precision

Cons: side character depth, matchmaking quality

#8 Silent Hill f
4.5
1 review

Character development was praised where reviewers felt the cast had depth and Hinako’s relationships carried the story.

Pros: originality, innovation

Cons: family friendliness, crash stability

#9 South of Midnight
4.5
4 reviews

Character development centers on Hazel’s growing responsibility, empathy, and relationship with her mother and community.

Pros: art direction, facial animations

Cons: onboarding experience, mission variety

#10 Diablo IV
4.4
1 review

Reviewer evidence is broadly positive: character development reviewers repeatedly treat it as one of Diablo IV's strengths, with evidence focused on Lilith's added depth.

Pros: cross-play support, faithfulness to franchise

Cons: family friendliness, age appropriateness

#11 Pragmata
4.4
10 reviews

Character development is a major strength in many reviews, especially the father-daughter-like bond, though one review says parts feel forced.

Pros: crash stability, bug frequency

Cons: accessibility options, map and navigation design

#12 Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
4.4
2 reviews

Character development is strongest around Henry, Hans, and their relationship, with memorable characterization and humor supporting the journey.

Pros: core gameplay loop, emotional impact

Cons: family friendliness, checkpoint system

#13 Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
4.4
2 reviews

Character development is supported by comments about individual heroes taking journeys and Bruce/Batman progressing over time.

Pros: voice acting, performance optimization

Cons: multiplayer design, monetization fairness

#14 Saros
4.3
3 reviews

Character development centers on Arjun and is generally compelling, though one reviewer frames him as flawed and difficult to like.

Pros: load times, fun factor

Cons: side character depth, facial animations

#15 Hollow Knight: Silksong
4.3
3 reviews

Hornet receives more explicit characterization than the Knight, and reviewers describe her softening through relationships, duty, and reactions to Pharloom's residents.

Pros: value for money, sound design

Cons: loot system, camera behavior

#16 Street Fighter 6
4.3
2 reviews

Character development is stronger in side interactions and backstory updates than in the main World Tour plot.

Pros: onboarding experience, animation quality

Cons: platforming precision, quest design

#17 007 First Light
4.2
9 reviews

The young-Bond origin angle is repeatedly described as central, with reviewers emphasizing growth, recklessness, and maturity over the story.

Pros: soundtrack quality, atmosphere

Cons: AI behavior, camera behavior

#18 Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
4.2
1 review

Character development gains support from new backstories and gameplay roles for companion officers.

Pros: environmental detail, platform-specific feature support

Cons: DLC value, multiplayer design

#19 Invincible VS
4.1
3 reviews

Character development evidence comes mainly from story-mode stakes and character psychology, including Nolan's alternate-path premise, Powerplex's emotional state, and hero-cost themes.

Pros: world interactivity, visual effects quality

Cons: age appropriateness, family friendliness

#20 Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
4.1
1 review

Arcade mode was praised for delivering nice character-building moments and long-awaited payoffs for fans.

Pros: gameplay mechanics, combat system

Cons: user interface design, menu usability

#21 Directive 8020
4.0
5 reviews

Reviewers highlight relationship and personality reactivity, though one preview worried the demo did not yet build enough attachment.

Pros: immersion, accessibility options

Cons: onboarding experience, AI behavior

#22 Monster Hunter Wilds
4.0
2 reviews

Character development was strongest around Nata, whose growth and changing perspective were called out positively.

Pros: cross-play support, atmosphere

Cons: dialogue quality, mission design

#23 Hades II
4.0
2 reviews

Character development is mixed: reviewers praise layered relationships and connection, but one critic found Melinoe too flawless.

Pros: world interactivity, side character depth

Cons: grind level

#24 Elden Ring Nightreign
3.9
4 reviews

Character development is stronger than the main plot, with Nightfarer backstories and Remembrances giving the cast personality.

Pros: emotional impact, animation quality

Cons: cross-play support, flying mechanics

#25 Assassin's Creed Shadows
3.8
4 reviews

Naoe’s arc and the duo’s balance receive praise, but Yasuke’s growth is questioned by some reviewers.

Pros: polish, cross-save support

Cons: family friendliness, age appropriateness

#26 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
3.7
4 reviews

Character arcs landed unevenly: some reviewers warmed to the cast and late-game moments, while others felt arcs happened away from Sam.

Pros: load times, haptic feedback integration

Cons: online stability, quest design

#27 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
2.2
2 reviews

Character development is divisive: some moments lose impact because Samus stays silent, while companions rarely receive deep arcs.

Pros: bug frequency, frame rate stability

Cons: save system reliability, tutorial quality

#28 Crimson Desert
2.0
2 reviews

Character development is weak overall, with reviewers saying the main cast often lacks growth or personhood.

Pros: visual effects quality, soundtrack quality

Cons: stealth mechanics, save system reliability

#29 The First Berserker: Khazan
2.0
1 review

Character development is weak in the direct evidence, with one review saying Khazan and Blade Phantom do not meaningfully change.

Pros: gameplay mechanics, value for money

Cons: multiplayer design, character development