Winner: Renoir (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
Writeup by Zach Wilkerson
“Renoir was right.”
That was all I said to my wife before she started Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Three playthroughs later, I stand by it.
Renoir is a man of principles. A man who makes tough choices and sacrifices. Will you always agree with those choices? One of the beautiful things about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is that it’s entirely up to you.
But, even before you know that, Renoir simply oozes aura and menace. From the initial beach attack to the moment he takes something dear away from you, every time he shows up you know things will go down. The man has drip, too, with that elegant three-piece suit and luxurious beard. Andy Serkis’ phenomenal voice performance is just the cherry on top.
In a game full of rich, complex characters, Renoir rises to the top list, and that’s no small feat. The fact that he has the best boss theme of all-time helps, too.
Runner-Up: Chronos (Hades II)
Writeup by Matt Wardell
Grandpa’s back to set his house in order. There’s something so sinister about how Chronos’ worst actions occur off-screen between the events of Hades and Hades II, and they fall upon his would-be family. The time titan’s influence is constantly felt, his name spoken in whispers, his gaze ever fled from. From a design standpoint, I love how even the imposing, bulky Hades, son of Chronos, cowers before his slender, elderly father. Then, there’s the way Chronos feels like a man out of time himself, his clothes a mix of Ancient Egyptian and Roman design. In a world of almighty gods and monsters, a snooty, snarling old man miraculously becomes the most terrifying force.
