Throughout gaming history, we have seen some fantastic characters step up to the plate to help become a father figures to others. Whether they are biological fathers or not, these are some of the best fathers you can find in video games.
Barret Wallace – Final Fantasy 7
Image Credit: Square Enix.
Barret Wallace is a determined, stone-faced father who immediately softens up whenever he is around his daughter, Marlene. He does his absolute best to make sure she is happy and well cared for at every turn.
Marlene is always first when it comes to Barret’s priorities and the way he looks after her is honestly heartwarming. Barret Wallace is an absolute gem of a video game dad.
Geralt of Rivia – The Witcher 3
Image Credit: CD PROJEKT RED.
While Geralt of Rivia is not technically Ciri’s dad, he stepped up to the plate when she had no one else to look after her. Even through his disgruntlement, he took her under his wing, protected her, and taught her self-defense.
By the end of it all, Ciri, Yennefer, and Geralt were like a proper little family, even with their dysfunctional sides peeking out from time to time.
Lee Everett – Telltale’s the Walking Dead
Photo Credit: Telltale Games
Lee Everett wasn’t Clementine’s biological father, but he may as well of been with how well he looked after her. Even though they were only together for a short time, he was intensely protective of her and taught her how to defend herself in tough situations.
Lee Everett will always be one of the best video game dads out there.
Octodad – Octodad: Dadliest Catch
Image Credit: Young Horses.
The sweetest, goofiest dad on this list, Octodad is such a great parental figure to his kids. Even though his family has no idea that he’s an octopus, he does the best he can to tuck them in at night, do his husbandly duties around the house, and fight off bad guys.
Even through it all, his family loves him and cheers for him every step of the way. He’s certainly one of the more bizarre dads on this list, but he’s a great one nonetheless.
Kazama Kiryu – Yakuza
Image Credit: SEGA.
Being one of the strongest and coolest characters in the franchise, he goes out of his way to adopt a little girl. Over the series, we see her flourish and become an adult.
However, he then becomes a father figure to a bunch of orphans as he looks after the eight children remaining in the orphanage after the owner of it passes away.
Harry Mason – Silent Hill
Photo Credit: Konami
This entry may come as a surprise, but Harry Mason is a great father. While they did technically get their child by stealing her off the side of the road, he made sure to look after her. He went through literal hell and back to find her, only to find out she was a demon.
He is the definition of a great parent. He fought off so many enemies and bosses and solved puzzles in disgusting rooms to try and get Cheryl back.
King Rhoam – The Legend of Zelda
Image Credit: Nintendo.
While King Rhoam can be quite strict, he only ever wanted what was best for Zelda. Of course, he doesn’t come without faults. He did put a lot of pressure on Princess Zelda, especially when it came to using her powers.
At the end of it all, though, he sacrificed his life multiple times across different games to ensure Zelda’s safety. King Rhoam is one of the best game dads there is.
Jeralt – Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Image Credit: Nintendo.
Jeralt is such a great father to Byleth. Despite their mother dying during childbirth, Jeralt always made sure to care for Byleth. Even when they suspected that Rhea had harmed them in some way, he looked after his child.
So much so that he abandoned his post and became a mercenary for 20 years to ensure Byleth’s safety. Then, it was up to them what decisions they made, with Jeralt supporting them at every turn.
Joel Miller – The Last of Us
Image Credit:
PlayStation PC LLC.
Joel Miller had his faults for sure, but ultimately, he did what was best for Sarah and Ellie. For the short time, we got to see his relationship with Sarah, it was evident that he adored her and wanted the best for her.
He took a while to warm up to Ellie, but once he did, he made sure to take care of her and try his best to keep her out of harm’s way.
Kratos – God of War
Image Credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Kratos didn’t always start off as a great father to Atreus. Especially since he mostly referred to him as “boy.” However, that soon changed and a lot of what he did throughout the most recent God of War games was to ensure Atreus’ safety and future.
Even in the latest game, Kratos had to go through a lot of trials and tribulations to keep Atreus safe. They made a fantastic team, and compliment each other greatly in battle.
Bowser – Super Mario Bros.
Photo Credit: Universal
While Bowser does go around kidnapping Princess Peach at any opportunity he gets, he is surprisingly a good father to his child. He tries to teach him “good” life lessons and spends a lot of time catering to his son when he isn’t trying to get rid of Mario.
They do everything together and even play games together. Bowser and his son are very cute together, and it’s nice to see some proper bonding.
Big Daddy – Bioshock
Photo Credits: 2K Games
Okay, sure, the Big Daddy isn’t technically a real father, but with how Mister Bubbles takes care of the Little Sisters, you’re sure to think otherwise. Especially when it comes to BioShock 2, and you get to play as a Big Daddy yourself.
They are intensely defensive and will go to the ends of the earth to make sure the Little Sisters aren’t harmed in any way. So much so that they often get killed in the process.
Ethan Winters – Resident Evil: Village
Image Credit: Capcom.
Ethan Winters really gets put through the wringer in Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil: Village. At every turn, he does his best to make sure that both his wife and his daughter are safe.
Watching them get abducted at the very start of the game, he then has to make his way through the game, trying to rescue Rose and ultimately sacrificing himself to make sure that Rosemary is safe.
Corvo Attano – Dishonored
Photo Credits: Arkane Studios
Corvo is such a great character in Dishonored. You can’t love him and how hard he tries to be a good father figure to Emily. He, too, goes through his fair share of trials and tribulations. Whether you murder people as you go along or you choose to be a pacifist, you have to make your way back to Emily.
By the second game, you get to be her father figure once more, but also get to be her mentor and teach her how to be like you.
There are many great video game dads out there, and we hope to see more pop up through gaming as new releases come out.
