Summary
Remedy Entertainment is known for its story-driven games and stellar world-building. Throughout the years, many of their games often had nods to each other, so fans were delighted whenControl’s DLC officially established that the game shared its universe withAlan Wake 2.And so, the Remedyverse came into being.
Although not all of Remedy’s games are included in this official continuity, many fans agree on the franchises that are directly related to it, and the deep impact they have had on each other.Among the many compelling elements are, of course, their protagonists, who often share the best traits of each other while still retaining their voice and identity, offering an enticing and varied experience as players traverse their interconnected stories.
It could be argued that Mona is not a true protagonist, as players only control her for a brief time duringMax Payne 2. The impression she leaves, however, is long-lasting. Although she is at times hindered by her role as the femme fatale —and the trappings of the genre—, she is still an exciting and effective counterpart to brooding Max.
Capable and stylish, Mona benefits from the amped-up bullet-time ofMax Payne 2andis a veritable joy to control as she mows down enemies. With the gameplay supporting her narrative skillset, Mona is a fan-favorite who, sadly, has not received the spotlight she deserves.
Jack is part of perhaps the most cinematic of Remedy’s titles, and to an extent, he suffers from having such compelling characters —like Paul Serene, Beth Wilder, and Martin Hatch— doing their own thing without him. He is, however, a charismatic character with clear personal stakes beyond saving the world, even if he might be sometimes less notable than other protagonists.
On the gameplay side,Quantum BreaktakesMax Payne’s bullet time and makes it a real superpower for Jack, as hemanipulates time for interesting action sequencesand some light puzzle-solving. Although fun, this is one protagonist who is not that memorable in his own levels or story.
4Max Payne - Max Payne And Max Payne 2
The Brooding Detective Who Started It All
Max Payne is undoubtedly the seminal protagonist of the Remedyverse. Tragic and flawed, the noir-inspired detective is an enjoyable take on the archetype. He also finds an echo in Alex Casey in most recent games, mainly due to licensing issues, but still retains the charm of the original brooding character who drove the plot of the first two titles, catapulting the rest of the franchises.
Although the character shows his age when compared to other protagonists and the gameplay mechanics he helped inspire, Max still offers exciting gunplay ashe stylishly dives into bullet-time, even after all these years.
3Jesse Faden - Control
The Superpowered Director With Great Abilities
The newest director of the FBC has a lot going for her. She has an interesting backstory that is both explicitly explained and indirectly hinted at throughout the game, a down-to-earth personality —no tortured genius nor troubled detective here — and personal stakes in the narrative. Her character is also relatable to the player, as she often recognizes that, even in the middle of the crisis that drives the plot, she is having a lot of fun.
The gameplay is perhaps where she shines the most, as it’s diverse, flexible, visually stunning, and deeply satisfying, with theAshtray Maze being a highlight for a lot of players. As Jesse unlocks and develops her abilities, she becomes a powerhouse, flying around and flinging enemies and pieces of destructible scenery into each other, being perhaps the protagonist with the most unique and unforgettable abilities.
2Alan Wake - Alan Wake And Alan Wake 2
The Writer Who Connects Everything Together
Tortured and prone to amnesia, Alan Wake is the protagonist of several Remedy titles, serving as the connective tissue for their shared universe. Throughout the years, players have been able to explore the mind and motivations of the writer, whoseconflict with supernatural forcesmirrors his professional, artistic, and even marital struggles. Alan is both a scrappy underdog and the author of his own misery, offering a captivating character for players to control.
Learning from past titles, playing as Alan in his latest iteration is always exciting. With the focus on altering the levels, an oppressive and otherworldly atmosphere, and murmuring shadows that might be hostile or not, ensuring Alan’s survival is both thrilling and rewarding. All in all, a great example of plot and gameplay coming together to create a compelling protagonist.
Driven, talented, and with a goofy side, FBI agent Saga Anderson is the newcomer to the franchise, serving as the dual protagonist with the titular Alan Wake. Pragmatical and analytical, she is the grounded counterpart to Alan’s more metaphysical journey. She is a complex character whose identity is not a single trait or role, but rather the interaction between detective, mom, partner, prankster, and hero of a horror story, making her compelling and well-rounded.
On the gameplay side, Saga also packs more firepower than Alan, with more traditional boss encounters and action-packed scenes. She also has an outstanding battle sequence with rock music playing in the background —maybe even better than similar experiences with Jesse Faden and Alan Wake—, which makes for a truly remarkable fight. Memorable and dynamic,Saga is undoubtedly a captivating protagonistof which fans expect much more in the future.
