There are certain obligatory characteristics applied to a protagonist that help to establish an affinity for their aspirations as a potential hero. An heroic commonality that also correlates to many distinctly unique personality traits, that make each aspiring saviour distinctive. Some display an indelible chivalry. An unflinching moral conscious, resilient to the antagonistic provocation of whatever adversary threatens to corrupt all that is good. Others are more mischievous, with a proclivity to nullify the severity of the situation with flippant humour and crass one liners. Some are morally conscientious, while others can justify there immoral action’s if the leniency in ethics results in the failure of their enemies. Whether they’re witty, composed, stoic or brazen, perhaps even mute, with no verbal means of communication – there is a protagonist you need, with many relatable qualities that make them such endearing and unique characters. Some however, possess none of these attributes, yet fulfill their role as hero admirably.
Like Aloy for instance; an orphaned outcast, raised by her adoptive father in the wilderness, who trains Aloy to survive in a post apocalyptic tribal earth, populated by giant mechanised fauna and colonised with other nomadic settlements, might be the first character I’ve played with little, to no personality. Much like the robotic beast’s that roam the wilds, Aloy is very mechanical. She has her objectives. Her personal “directives”. Stringent in her pursuit for discovering her origins. Exhibiting a dedicated altruism to those she encounters, regardless of their affiliation. In Forbidden West this sense obligation is only expedited, as the sizeable weight of the world bares down on her. But she is resolute in her pilgrimage for ecological stability and renewal. These are all redeeming qualities that define Aloy as a good person. A morally conscientious one. Though qualities that don’t make her interesting.
Deep in the vulgar recesses of the Internets foreskin, there has been dubious supposition that Aloy is a bland and boring character. Notable for her regressive superficial appearance between games. Though the latter part of that surmise is as egregious as Europe’s reliance on Russian supplied energy, the former is somewhat true. Her backstory, though tragic, is as derivative as a character dramatically yelling “No!” in a movie when a loved one is killed. Her design, though less explicit as the earlier iterations of a certain raider of tombs, is specifically designed to appeal to women that want to emulate Aloy and the perverted males that want to sexulise her. What some of these detractors fail to realise is that Aloy doesn’t really require a personality.
Aloy is a vacant, expository vessel, that works in service of the narrative, rather than the thrust of it. A tormented figure that projects the savagery of this world through her struggles. Aloy is surrounded by far more interesting characters, a visual fascinating world and a story that is just waiting to be uncovered. The biggest critical assertion is that she needs to be charming or cordial. That a protagonist, particularly a female one, must be gregarious. But personality traits as banal as this would be incongruous to her nature. Especially considering the circumstances and the immense personal burden she has imposed upon herself. Aloy’s nuanced expressions, stoic ambiguity and introverted persuasions are a necessary encumbrance, that permits a character as solitary as her to function in a world that is in desperate need of someone as driven as Aloy. There’s no room for sentiment and jokes. For all of his charisma and charm, I doubt Nathan Drake would be much use in a world as arduous as the one Aloy is trying to save.
What do you think of Aloy? Let me know in the comments below. Cheers.
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