Max Payne. Hes the definition of the noir anti-hero. Just a shame the film sucked so damn hard.

The Left 4 Dead crew.

Kain, Raziel, The Bard (Bard's Tale), Bastila Shan, and Garett (Thief).

Alyx Vance, Gordom Freeman, Dog from HL2, The Boomer from Left 4 Dead (I'm a Valve fanboy) Big Daddies, and, of course, the Elcor from Mass Effect. Here's a picture of it: http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/File:Elcor-mass-effect.jpg

Amaterasu from Okami. Simply stunning.

the russian sergeant from world at war he's awesome. He looks awesome and his personality of no mercy is just awesome!

The Nameless One. And, well, pretty much every major character from that game...

how has nobody yet mentioned the COMPANION CUBE?!?!?! possibly the most AMAZING character in existence, and its only a cube!!!

[/hyperactiveness]

bob-2000:
the Elcor from Mass Effect.

If you're referring to the way the Elcor talk, that was taken from Bioware's KOTOR. HK-47. I guess they couldn't let it drop, but the Elcor are the exact opposite of HK-47.

HK-47 is one of the greatest characters ever, incidentally. I also love Sgt. Reznov from WaW. He's the only reason I didn't strangle myself when playing through the story.

Design wise, I have to say the Helghast. They're simple and stunningly effective. The gas masks hide their humanity beneath layers of machinery and tubing, giving them red eyes and making them monstrous, while you KNOW they are just people like you underneath. Then they open their mouth, and they are British Space Nazis (Yahtzee, for once, had this one right...), but the design is gorgeous.

Character wise, I'll have to agree with CJ from San Andreas. A character who wants to go straight and turn his back on everything he always knew, but just can't stop getting dragged back into his old ways as he tries to protect everyone he loves from the world around them. He's actually a very poigniant character, especially for GTA.

James Sunderland - Silent Hill 2.

You can't argue with that, you know you can't.

james sunderland

everyone in bioshock!

That guy from Resident Evil that everyone seems to love (the First Resident Evil)

GlaDos, the Turret, and the Companion Cube

and the TF2 cast.

Oh, and ME

Jonxxx:
Oh and GLaDOS from portal.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Altair
Alex Mercer

They're not deep or owt but the way they move and kill is beautiful

Ganondorf, without a doubt. Never had as good a game of tennis since Zelda:OoT. (Plus he can really play that organ.)

KillerMidget:

bob-2000:
the Elcor from Mass Effect.

If you're referring to the way the Elcor talk, that was taken from Bioware's KOTOR. HK-47. I guess they couldn't let it drop, but the Elcor are the exact opposite of HK-47.

HK-47 is one of the greatest characters ever, incidentally. I also love Sgt. Reznov from WaW. He's the only reason I didn't strangle myself when playing through the story.

What? The way they spoke was nothing alike.

The Bandit:

KillerMidget:

bob-2000:
the Elcor from Mass Effect.

If you're referring to the way the Elcor talk, that was taken from Bioware's KOTOR. HK-47. I guess they couldn't let it drop, but the Elcor are the exact opposite of HK-47.

HK-47 is one of the greatest characters ever, incidentally. I also love Sgt. Reznov from WaW. He's the only reason I didn't strangle myself when playing through the story.

What? The way they spoke was nothing alike.

HK-47 and the Elcor both stated how they were speaking before they said it.

solid snake (and old snake)

big boss (MGS 3)

leon kennedy in resi 4

Gordon Freeman, Alex Mercer, and Francis (L4D).

Klonoa. Character design gold, in my opinion. I linked the slightly redesigned one from the Wii-make, since that's the design I like the most. It probably has something to do with the gratuitous use of color, and the fact that he's adorable. :)

I think Mario's a pretty well designed character, too. He's got a good appearance and a good concept: a middle aged Italian-American plumber with superhuman strength and jumping abilities. They sure don't make them like they used to.

Another one of my favorite characters is Travis Touchdown from No More Heroes, also both in appearance and concept. I like the way the looks because it's like he's flaunting his own style. I mean, come on, a red leather jacket? Only Travis can pull that off. His concept is excellent, too, because from what Suda51 said he's supposed to be like an otaku Johnny Knoxville who kills people with a lightsaber.

xmetatr0nx:
Spawn...I will stab the first person who says cloud, i know theres always one of those people in here. I mean that in the nicest way possible :)

I'll hold them down for you.

He has no personality. And he's too pointy.

xmetatr0nx:
Spawn...I will stab the first person who says cloud, i know theres always one of those people in here. I mean that in the nicest way possible :)

I'll hold them down for you.

He has no personality. And he's too pointy.

Dante Sparda: the epitome of arrogant badassery. He consistently looks like a badass.

At the risk of death by disagreement (which is a terminal diseaes in some parts), I'm going to nominate Zidane (FFIX).

As I interpret it, his main motivation isn't the girl he likes (although that does play some part) - he's in it because he genuinely wants to help. Not to mention he's right near the bottom of the scale on the JRPG-Angst-O-Meter, which was a refreshing change from Cloud/Squall.

Mr. Fister:
Always the first person I think of when I see threads like this:

<-------------------

So true.

Nathan Drake, Manny Calavera, James Sunderland and Guybrush Threepwood to name a few.

Congratulations, OP-- you nicked my answer. Big daddies hands down. But seeing as that's out of the running now, how about Ezio of Assasin's Creed II? He's like Altair, except he has two hidden blades, a foppier shirt, and A F**KING CAPE.

As it is, it's a toss-up between him and Trilby, of Five Days a Stranger fame.

Gnarl from Overlord. Hes whitty, and well voiced by his actor, and he plays a vital role in the game. Hes a neccesity and hes enjoyable.

Secondly probably Lu Bu from Dynasty Warriors. Hes a badass. He knows it, you knows it, and the world knows it at the end of his campaign. Hes the strongest, the most brutal and not at all intelligent. They didnt try to blend superman with, i dunno, Reed Richards. Hes a big oaf that throws shit around with vicious prejiduce and his main squezze Diao Chan only serves as something to do when hes not killing.

Mr. Fister:
Always the first person I think of when I see threads like this:

<-------------------

Really? I found that bitch to be more annoying than Navi.

Rayne from Bloodrayne; the ultimate femme fatale. She has an hourglass figure, wears a corset, has massive blades attached to each arm and is a vampire!

Garrett from Thief also deserves a mention for his sullen, sarcastic demenour and shady appearence.

Manny Calavera from Grim Fandango. There was something about what happened to him before and during the game that makes him so interesting.

Internet Kraken:

Mr. Fister:
Always the first person I think of when I see threads like this:

<-------------------

Really? I found that bitch to be more annoying than Navi.

No one is more annoying than Navi. Well, maybe that sidekick from Sonic Unleashed.