It seems like it would be a lot of fun to have amazing sword skills, especially in a video game setting where you typically have enemies to use them on. Yet, plenty of the swordsmen you see in games don’t seem very happy. Many of them are stoic and emotionless.
In a lot of cases, this is because they’re repressing their emotions, typically due to either emotional trauma or because of experiments that have been done on them. Whatever the reason, they’re avoiding the emotions they’re supposed to feel, which typically leads to them being cold and aloof. Here are some examples.
Even though the title contains the word ‘swordsman,’ women are eligible for the list, too, as there isn’t really a better gender-inclusive name for them.
8Sekiro
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Shinobis, like Sekiro, are typically depicted as stoic warriors, only focused on their objective at hand. So, it’s fair to say that Sekiro is consciously suppressing some of his emotions throughout the game.
Yet, that doesn’t mean he isn’t also repressing some. After all, the guy goes through a lot at the start of the game, from his lord being kidnapped to losing an arm. Despite all of this, he remains a calm and collected figure who can beat just about anyone inan exciting sword fight.
7Marisa
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Marisa is very blunt and aloof in the Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. Much of this seems to be down to her social awkwardness, as she isn’t great in social situations. However, she also seems to be repressing her emotions, particularly regarding her father.
He was really harsh on her when she was growing up, even forcing her to sleep surrounded by blunt swords to ensure she never let her guard down. Despite this, Marisa doesn’t resent her father and just wants to surpass him as a swords master. It seems like she may be repressing her true feelings on the matter.
6Ryu Hayabusa
Ninja Gaiden Series
Ninjas aren’t known for talking too much. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that one ofgaming’s best ninjas, Ryu Hayabusa, doesn’t talk much, either. While he isn’t completely emotionless, he does seem to repress much of his emotions and harden himself to make him a more focused and effective combatant.
He has been through many hardships, where he has lost his best friend and clanmates. These incidents may have emotionally hurt him, but he doesn’t outwardly carry those emotions with him on his adventure.
5Geralt
The Witcher Series
In the Witcher series, it’s often said that Witchers like Geralt have been stripped of their emotions in the process of becoming a Witcher. However, that isn’t strictly true. Several Witchers have shown that they have feelings. Yet, Geralt seems to be more emotionless than the others.
Some of his emotions are likely repressed, perhaps due to all the horrible things that he’s witnessed in his life. Also, he had a traumatic childhood, as he was given away by his mother to be a Witcher in the first place. All of this is likely why he shows little emotion. He clearly doesn’t need to be emotional to be good in combat, though. The man can pretty much beat any human and all kinds of monsters with his two swords.
4Raiden
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots
Raiden first appeared in Metal Gear Solid 2, but at that time, he wasn’t a swordsman or as emotionally repressed. He is certainly both of those things in Metal Gear Solid 4. His transformation into a cold and emotionless swordsman is a result of significant trauma.
He was a child soldier who got PTSD, he broke up with his long-time girlfriend, he thought that girlfriend had a miscarriage, and he’s been tortured by the powerful organization known as The Patriots. All of this contributes to his broken state, where he doesn’t even care if he lives or dies anymore, and he rarely cracks a smile. He’s an incredible swordsman, though, with the help of his cyborg exoskeleton.
3Lightning
Final Fantasy 13
Lightning’s emotional state goes up and down throughout the games. She starts the first Final Fantasy 13 game, though, as fairly emotionless. She shows glimpses of emotion here and there but is generally cold and distant. As such, she isn’t very nice to her own allies. Part of this is because she’s purposely suppressing her feelings, but there seems to be some repression, too.
This comes from the loss of her sister, Serah. She feels guilty for not being able to protect her and is determined to rescue her. To do this, it seems she has morphed into a more aloof and focused fighter, adept with various weapons, including her signature blade.
2Vergil
Devil May Cry Series
Vergil is the brother of the Devil May Cry protagonist, Dante. The two went their separate ways when they were young after their mother’s death. Both brothers are part human and part demon. Since his mother’s passing, Vergil has focused on his demonic side, suppressing much of his humanity.
In the process, he has also been repressing his emotions. As such, he has become a cold and ruthless person who only cares about increasing his own power. He certainly is powerful and is especially dangerous with a sword in his hand. Dante has discovered this a lot over the years.
1Cloud Strife
Final Fantasy 7
Cloud carries one ofthe best weapons in Final Fantasy 7: the huge Buster Sword. Not only does it look impressive, but he knows how to use it, as showcased throughout Final Fantasy 7. What he doesn’t showcase very much throughout the game is his emotions. The guy is generally stoic and closed-off, albeit he does warm up to his friends deeper into the story.
The main reason for his personality is his past. He was heavily experimented on, which severely impacted his mind. Plus, he received significant trauma when he lost his hero Zack, and his hometown was burned down. All of this affected both his memories and personality. He effectively became a different person.
