Most Cowardly Horror Game Protagonists

Horror games are all about testing a player’s bravery, challenging them to explore derelict locations that could be brooding castles, ghost towns, or abandoned hospitals. All of these locations are perfectly atmospheric, where silence is often deafening as the player strains to hear what could be lurking right around the next corner.

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In order to confront these horrors, both the player and their character need to be brave, but this is not always easy when it comes to horror games. Even if the player finds the courage needed, the protagonist might be the one losing their nerve as they are forced onward, quietly voicing their displeasure at doing so, lest they draw the ire of whatever monsters might by lying in wait.

8

Ashley Brown (Until Dawn)

Ashley Loses Her Cool When The Haunting Begins

Systems

Released

August 25, 2015

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Involved in a prank that ultimately cost Hannah and Beth Washington their lives, Ashley found herself the victim of a series of pranks orchestrated by Josh Washington, a character who may have taken this prank warfare a touch too far. He knocked her out, placed her in several Saw-esque traps, and set up an entire haunted house experience that was all too real for her.

As an ordinary high school girl, Ashley is completely uninitiated in the world of ghosts and hauntings, and she very much believes one of the twins has returned to haunt her as penance for her involvement in the prank. Over the course of the night, players see Ashley’s sanity and willpower dissolve, with her becoming increasingly disturbed and panicked by everything that occurs. Whatever bravery she initially has completely vanishes when she is faced with horrors that await her.

7

Fiona Belli (Haunting Ground)

Too Many Chases Causes Fiona To Panic

Systems

Young Fiona has the misfortune of awakening inside a strange castle with very little memory of how or why she arrived there. Before too long, she becomes acquainted with the household members of Belli Castle, such as Daniella and Debilitas, and learns that their intentions for her may be anything but friendly.

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Fiona isn’t an action hero, and before she came here, she believed she was just an ordinary college student with a bright future ahead of her. This is why she has very few means of defense, and she definitely does not have the necessary courage needed in order for her to stand up for herself. Instead, she can only sic Hewie on her adversaries as she runs and hide, but even fleeing from enemies wears down on her, as she can enter into panic mode while running.

6

Luigi (Luigi’s Mansion)

Even As The Hero, Luigi Can’t Shake His Fear

Systems

Platform(s)

Nintendo GameCube
, 3DS

Released

November 18, 2001

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Though more of a horror comedy than true horror, Luigi’s Mansion was still a very much an unexpected but beloved entry in the broader Mario Bros. series, debuting with the first installment back during the GameCube days. In this game, Luigi wins a mansion from a contest he doesn’t remember entering. He then agrees to meet his brother at his new residence, only to see that it’s a lot creepier in person, and his brother is nowhere in sight. On top of that, the mansion is haunted.

Even armed with the Poltergust 3000, Luigi can’t shake away the fear as he roams from room to room. He can often be heard trying to hum to calm himself down or calling out for Mario with a definite tremble in his voice. Out of the two brothers, Luigi is definitely the most cowardly.

5

Ashley Graham (Resident Evil 4)

Ashley’s Screams Of Terror Are A Near Constant

Systems

Released

March 24, 2023

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Tasked with extracting the kidnapped President’s daughter, Ashley Graham, Leon travels to a remote Spanish village where the residents aren’t quite so eager to help; they would rather bury a pitchfork in his sternum than answer his questions. It turns out that there is a scheme hatched by a cult to infect Ashley with the Los Plagas parasite and spread the infection across America. After finding her at a church, the two venture out into the village to uncover a way to escape, but doing so won’t be so easy.

Though Ashley’s reactions to the carnage, bloodshed, and infected citizens trying to recapture her are quite realistic, she definitely appears like a wilting wallflower when standing next to someone as heroic as Leon. She has her moment to shine in the castle when the tables turn, and she saves Leon in a brief, playable section, but she definitely still voices aloud her unease at the shambling suits of armor that pursue her.

4

Bella Monroe (Siren: Blood Curse)

As A Child, Bella Is Ill Prepared To Face The Shibito

Siren: Blood Curse

Systems

Hanuda Village is home to a series of strange instances that seem to turn ordinary people into bloodthirsty Shibito, who are determined to kill any ordinary human who enters their line of vision. Several playable protagonists find themselves as the prey of these creatures and must rely on stealth, hiding, and using the unique game mechanic known as sight-jacking to see through the Shibitos’ eyes.

Even children aren’t safe, as 10-year-old Bella Monroe has the misfortune of finding out. She is one of the playable characters and perhaps one who copes the worst with everything that happens. She is, understandably, constantly frightened, fleeing from the Shibito with no real means, or the courage needed, to defend herself. What’s more, Bella is usually alone and witnesses the death of others, which only serves to make her less brave as the game progresses.

3

Alyssa (Clock Tower 3)

Alyssa Is Prone To Fits Of Panic When Dealing With The Terrifying Enemies

Systems

After receiving a rather alarming letter from her mother implying that she might be in great danger, Alyssa returns home and bears witness to a brutal death, leading her to endeavor to free her spirit. Then, she travels through time to face off against dangerous entities and free the trapped souls of their victims.

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These acts of altruism aren’t without negative effects, however, as their killers are certainly dangerous and more frightening than what Alyssa is capable of handling. Though she does fight against the Subordinates, she still acts afraid throughout the game, and there is even a panic meter that the player must contend with. If the meter fills, Alyssa will be far more vulnerable to attacks.

2

Satoshi Mochida (Corpse Party)

His Cowardice Is Often A Source Of Amusement For His Classmates

A group of students and their homeroom teacher meet up after hours in order to celebrate their school’s culture festival, and amid the festivities, scary stories are told, and a paper doll is shared among all who are present. An earthquake transports them to an alternate dimension, where their school has fallen into disrepair and is haunted by ghosts.

Even before the true horror of Corpse Party begins, poor Satoshi is scared out of his wits, being the most susceptible to the horror story Ayumi spins. His cowardice is actually pointed out by the other students, as it is seen as one of his character traits. Even though he tries to put on a brave face for his little sister, there is no shadow of a doubt that this protagonist is scared witless of everything that is going on.

1

Brad Smith (The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man Of Medan)

The Cowardly Younger Brother Of Alex

The first installment in the Dark Pictures Anthology took players to the heart of the ocean, where a group of friends and the captain of the ship they hired are beset by pirates. They all board the SS Ourang Medan, said to hold Manchurian Gold. Unfortunately for them, the gold is not simply some treasure waiting to be pilfered; instead, it’s a dangerous chemical that can cause vivid hallucinations that will test the bravery of everyone.

No one’s bravery is tested as much as Brad, who had less than others to start with. Too afraid to dive into water and the only one to stow himself away in a hiding place when the pirates board, there is no doubt that he is the most cowardly out of everuone in the gang.

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