When it comes to video game protagonists, the stars of the horror genre perhaps have it the worst of all, being placed in horrifying scenarios. Whether facing a viral outbreak or battling their own inner demons, these horror game protagonists have proved they have what it takes to beat the odds and come out on top.

The horror genre has an important place in video game history, and these protagonists play a large part in why their respective games have been so well received. They have the strength to face off against their antagonists while ensuring their games remain enjoyable, despite the dark subject matters they’re exploring.

Updated on October 5, 2023, by Casey Foot: Horror game protagonists are some of the most courageous characters in gaming, having to brave terrifying experiences and take down horrific monsters. These are the best main characters in horror games and you’ll certainly be glad that you aren’t in their shoes.

13 Amanda Ripley - Alien: Isolation

Alien: Isolation’s protagonist Amanda Ripley is steadfast and quick-thinking, using her wits to outsmart the Xenomorph. Hoping to find closure after her mother’s disappearance during the events of the Alien movie, Amanda joins the mission to Sevastopol Station, only to find herself in a similar situation as her mother.

Amanda is strong-willed and determined but maintains a level of relatability in her reactions to the dangerous situations she’s in. You root for Amanda throughout the game, especially as she grapples with both what her mother went through and the presence of the Xenomorph simultaneously.

12 Jill Valentine - Resident Evil Series

One of Resident Evil’s most memorable protagonists, Jill Valentine debuted in the first game in the series as part of the Stars Alpha Team, where she survived the horrifying Spencer Mansion.

Jill reappeared in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, being hunted down by the titular Nemesis in Raccoon City. She has witnessed a lot throughout her career, and it's her high-level skills that have kept her alive. Even her run-ins with Nemesis alone are impressive. Despite everything she’s been through, she remains resolute and determined.

11 Clementine - Telltale’s The Walking Dead

Clementine is unique among horror game protagonists in that you get to see her grow up from a young girl to a teenager. When the apocalypse begins in The Walking Dead, Clementine is only eight years old and alone because her parents are out of town.

She is protected by Lee Everett, who teaches her how to survive in the new world, but she becomes independent and eventually takes in AJ, an orphaned baby. Clementine grows up to be a kind and caring person, though she will still protect herself and those she cares about when she needs to.

Seeing Clementine develop as a character as she gets older makes it easy to become attached to her as you play through the series, making her one of the most memorable protagonists.

10 Sam Giddings - Until Dawn

Although Sam Giddings is one of eight protagonists in Until Dawn, she’s one of the first characters you’re introduced to after the prologue and plays a large role in the game’s story. Described by the game as diligent and adventurous, Sam receives an invite to return to the lodge, after the presumed death of her best friend a year earlier.

After things start to go awry at the lodge, Sam is the most rational of the group, staying out of drama and helping her friends at the climax of the game’s story. Hayden Panettiere played this character well, resulting in Sam being one of the game’s most likable characters.

9 Fang Ray Shin - Detention

Launched in 2017, Detention follows in the footsteps of games such as Silent Hill 2 that place an emphasis on the psychological struggles of its characters to demonstrate its horror. Taking place in Taiwan under martial law during the 1960s, the game follows student Fang Ray Shin as she confronts her troubled past.

In a purgatory-like environment, Ray must face up to the mistakes of her past and the guilt she feels for telling Instructor Bai about the book club’s reading list. The game excellently takes you through Ray’s past and portrays her actions in a way that doesn’t villainize her, and instead shows the horrors people faced in this period.

8 Miles Upshur - Outlast

Miles Upshur is the protagonist of the 2013 game Outlast and is an investigative journalist looking into the strange happenings at Mount Massive Asylum after receiving an anonymous tip. Unlike many other horror game protagonists, Miles is desperate to escape the asylum after running into its patients, with his main objective being to leave the place rather than explore it further.

It’s refreshing to play a horror game through the eyes of someone who has a more realistic reaction to what’s going on around him, and you’ll definitely be on the same page as him as you search for an exit.

7 Isaac Clarke - Dead Space

In Dead Space, Isaac Clarke is a horror game protagonist you wouldn’t want to swap places with. After traveling to a mining ship to complete repairs and also search for his girlfriend, Nicole, he discovers the ship’s crew members have been killed and are now horribly mutated. Isaac was unlucky enough to find himself in these horrific scenes out of the blue and is just a regular engineer beneath it all.

Despite being unable to rescue Nicole, Isaac sticks to his values and fights Necromorphs not only to survive, but to save humanity as well. His unwavering determination and loyalty make him one of the best protagonists in horror games to date.

6 Regina - Dino Crisis

This iconic red-haired protagonist is the lead character of Dino Crisis, a game developed by Capcom of Resident Evil fame. Although the game shares many similar features to the Resident Evil series, the premise of this game is entirely unique. It involves you fighting back against dinosaurs who have been expelled from their original time.

Though she has a sarcastic attitude and often acts aloof during her missions, Regina grows to care for her teammates and shows her bravery when coming face to face with terrifying dinosaurs.

5 Aya Brea - Parasite Eve

Square’s underrated 1998 game, Parasite Eve, blends RPG and survival horror elements brilliantly, to create a truly unforgettable hybrid experience. From the memorable opening scene that shows an audience at an opera performance spontaneously combusting, you know that you’re in for something special with this game. The protagonist, Aya Brea, is no exception to this.

An NYPD officer, Aya courageously fights to stop Eve after surviving her attack at the opera hall and gaining superhuman abilities. She deserves to be remembered as one of the best female protagonists, not just in horror, but in gaming as a whole.

4 Alan Wake - Alan Wake

The titular protagonist of Alan Wake, Alan is a bestselling writer struggling with writer’s block, who journeys to Bright Falls at his wife’s suggestion. Alan soon realizes that the town of Bright Falls is under the influence of a mysterious presence, as his wife is dragged into the lake by an invisible force.

The game’s excellent dialogue helps to uplift Alan’s character even further, and you’ll be gripped by the opportunity to discover the truth behind the town, as well as Alan himself. Alan’s complex character is part of what makes this incredible game so compelling.

3 James Sunderland - Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2 is perhaps the most revered entry in the series because of its dive into psychological horror. The game’s protagonist, James Sunderland, might not be the most likable character, but the game portrays his struggles in an effective way. This makes the reveal that he killed his terminally ill wife all the more impactful, as he feels genuine guilt for what he’s done.

James’ journey to take responsibility for what he did is one of the most poignant storylines in horror game history and is one of the reasons this game is still one of the most popular in its genre.

2 Leon S. Kennedy - Resident Evil Series

The Resident Evil series is home to a whole host of brilliant protagonists, chief among them being Leon S. Kennedy, who’s gained notoriety among fans because of his appearances in many of the series' most iconic entries. Leon was first introduced in the 1998 game Resident Evil 2, having the worst first day of a new job ever.

Since debuting as a rookie police officer, Leon has come a long way. He got the chance to be the sole protagonist in Resident Evil 4, traveling to the remote village of Ganado to rescue the president’s daughter from the cult of Los Iluminados. Leon’s one-liners are a part of what makes the game so enjoyable and solidify it as a favored entry in the series among fans.

Resident Evil 4 Remake brought Leon back into the limelight with a refreshed design, but unfortunately with fewer one-liners.

1 Heather Mason - Silent Hill 3

Set 17 years after the original Silent Hill, Silent Hill 3 follows Heather Mason, the reincarnation of Alessa Gillespie and Cheryl Mason, as she travels to Silent Hill to get revenge on Claudia Wolf for causing her father’s death. Eventually, Heather discovers her true identity and stops Claudia by destroying her cult’s god.

Heather Morris did a great job of voicing this iconic protagonist, and it’s easy to empathize with Heather’s struggles as a teenager thanks to her performance. It’s also touching to see the relationship between Heather and her father, Harry Mason, who was the protagonist of the first title in the series, when Heather talks about him.

Next: The Best Horror Game Jump Scares