Mary Robinson, Michael Collins, Oscar Wilde, Yeats—these important Irish men and women, alongside countless others, are worth celebrating on the week of St. Patrick’s Day, but what of the nation’s representation in the realm of fiction? Of course, there have been countless iconic Irish characters in literature, film, and television, but the Emerald Isle’s representation in the gaming medium has been strong as well.
It’s a matter of quality over quantity, though—a quick Google search will reveal that options for games set in Ireland are depressingly sparse, despite the country being so rich in natural beauty, history, and drama. But the people of Ireland, hardy and adventurous as they often are, have served as inspiration for a number of video game characters, big and small, good and evil, over the years. Here are just a handful of the most memorable, compelling, or iconic Irish characters in gaming history.
Sean Devlin – The Saboteur
The Saboteur is painfully underrated. At the very least, it’s a strong example of the thriving AA scene of the Xbox 360 era, with a serviceable, Assassin’s Creed-inspired open-world and a handful of bold, unforgettable elements. One such element is protagonist Sean Devlin, whose quick wit, musical Mick accent, and devil may care attitude inject some much-welcome charm to The Saboteur’s good, old-fashioned Nazi-punching escapades.
- Released
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December 8, 2009
- ESRB
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m
- Developer(s)
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Pandemic Studios
- Publisher(s)
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Electronic Arts
- Engine
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havok, propreitary engine
Moira O’Deorain – Overwatch
Overwatch would be nothing without its lovable and unforgettable characters, and Moira O’Deorain is certainly among the most intriguing of the bunch. Moira’s background in genetic research and giant intellect allow her to wield biotic powers for good and bad, able to heal allies and damage foes in one fell swoop. Outside the battlefield, she is somewhat controversial, as her drive to pursue ever more significant scientific breakthroughs borders on fanatical. But she is always driven by her interest in humankind, which adds a layer of empathy to the tried-and-true mad scientist archetype.
- Released
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August 10, 2023
- ESRB
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Teen / Violence, Blood, Mild Language, Use of Tobacco, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)
Sean MacGuire – Red Dead Redemption 2
Keeping with the theme of boyish charm, no discussion of Irish gaming characters would be complete without a mention of Sean MacGuire from Red Dead Redemption 2. Like so many other members of the Van der Linde Gang, Sean is an immigrant, although it’s almost more accurate to say that he is a citizen of the Republic of Dutch: he shares in his leader’s lofty dreams of freedom, and this liberation mentality may be what informs his recklessness and youthful exuberance. As Red Dead Redemption 2 fans know all too well, these traits of Sean’s form a double-edged sword.
- Released
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October 26, 2018
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Nina Williams – Tekken
Nina isn’t the most complex or unique character out there, but she’s an undeniable part of gaming history. As part of the original Tekken roster, she’s the only female character to have featured in every single Tekken entry, which automatically makes her an important part of the fighting genre (the first Tekken released over 30 years ago, after all). Beyond this, she is significant as one of the first Irish characters in video games, courtesy of Tekken’s international premise.
Nina Williams actually got her own action-adventure spin-off in 2005, Namco’s Death by Degrees for the PS2.
- Released
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January 26, 2024
- ESRB
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t
Patrick “Packie” McReary – Grand Theft Auto
In a franchise filled with especially compelling and lovable characters, Patrick “Packie” McReary still manages to stand out. One of few people whom Niko Bellic can call a true friend, Packie’s relationship with Ireland is rather unique. Born and raised in Liberty City, having never even visited Ireland, Packie is nevertheless beholden to his heritage due to his affiliation with the McCreary Crime Family, a mafia wrestling with Russian and Italian organized crime for control of the city. As such, ethnicity is central to Packie’s worldview, although he is still glaringly American in many ways.
- Released
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April 29, 2008
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Ellen Reid – Folklore
While the aforementioned characters are all either globetrotters or transplants, Folklore‘s Ellen Reid was born and raised in Ireland, her backstory intimately tied to the Irish folklore referenced in the game’s title. In general, Folklore is a fantastic RPG for those interested in seeing more of Irish culture in gaming, as it is set entirely on the island, as well as the mystical realms therein. She is fully embroiled in the magic of the land, and is thereby much more attuned to her homeland than most other Irish video game characters.
- Released
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June 21, 2007
- ESRB
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T for Teen
- Developer(s)
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game republic
- Publisher(s)
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Sony Computer Entertainment
- Engine
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Havok
