One of the most common tropes found in modern video games is the incorporation of a story that pits the forces of good against the powers of evil. A game that features this eternal conflict will usually place the player in the shoes of a good-willed and relatable character as they set out to vanquish the powers of darkness through the use of the power of light.
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Though the power of light is primarily associated with the forces of good, its uses are not always confined to one particular mindset. It can be harnessed byboth heroes and villains, making it one of the most powerful forces to be reckoned with in all of gaming. These are some of the most iconic characters to have wielded it over the years.
10Lunafreya (Final Fantasy 15)
Though the character of Lunafreya is short-lived, she is arguablythe most powerful light wielderin the entireFinal Fantasyseries. As one of the last Oracles on the planet, Lunafreya has the power to repel the Starscourge: a plague-like event that can engulf the entire world in an endless night.
Not only is Lunafreya capable of harnessing light to combat her foes, but she also uses its divine properties to assist those who are in need. Gifted with the power to heal the injured and cure the diseased, Lunafreya’s abilities make her both a frightening adversary and an incredibly powerful ally.
9Harry Potter (Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone)
Harry Potter is perhaps the noblest character present in the wizarding world. As the boy who lived, it is prophesized that Harry will vanquish the forces of evil once and for all. Driven to do what is right, Harry will stop at nothing to protect those who he holds dear.
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Harry’s portrayal inHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stonepresents him as a gifted wizard with a knack forlearning new spellsquickly. Upon beginning his studies at Hogwarts, Harry learns to cast Lumos, a powerful spell that shoots light from the tip of his wand to both illuminate an area and reveal its hidden secrets.
8Princess Zelda (The Legend Of Zelda)
Zelda isa recurring main characterinThe Legend of Zeldaseries, with each of her portrayals attempting to showcase her core values. Following the story of Link, as he searches for a way to defeat the evil Ganon, Zelda is destined to reveal herself to him and eventually fight by his side.
Zelda’s powers are not just limited to the power of light, but her ability to harness this terrifying power is arguably the most notable weapon in her arsenal. By utilizing both light arrows and light magic, Zelda cements herself as the most powerful Sage in the series.
7Spiritia Rosenberg (Rosenkreuzstilette)
The story ofRosenkreuzstilettedocuments the journey of Spiritia Rosenberg: a kind-hearted and morally compelled young woman. Once an instructor for the Imperial Army, Spiritia returns to her hometown to briefly escape her past, and, in doing so, she uncovers a sinister plot.
Spiritia is an extremely skilled magic-wielder and often uses her abilities to harness the power of an ethereal substance known as mana. Her utilization of the Seelegewehr ability permits her to transform mana into a powerful light-based projectile weapon that’s capable of eradicating anybody who is foolish enough to oppose her.
6Ashrah (Mortal Kombat: Deception)
Though Ashrah’s design may present her as graceful and cordial, her origins would suggest otherwise. Disguised as an endearing young woman, Ashrah is revealed to be a demon from the Netherrealm: a frightening domain reminiscent of the Underworld.
Often seen changing her allegiances, Ashrah can utilize both light and darkness during combat, with her Heavenly Light move being one ofher most spectacular. By using this ability, Ashrah conjures an orb of light before swiftly projecting it at her enemies. Her methods highlight the dangers behind the improper usage of the power of light.
5Aerith Gainsborough (Final Fantasy 7)
As adescendant of the Ancients, Aerith Gainsborough is gifted with an array of unique abilities. The powers passed onto her by her ancestors permit her to harness the powers of light as a means of defeating her enemies and preserving the planet.
As the only person on Gaia capable of wielding the Holy Materia, Aerith holds the only means of defeating Sephiroth and halting his sinister plans of world domination. Her heavy reliance on the power of light has led to her becoming one of the most iconic characters in gaming history.
4Eraqus (Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep)
TheKingdom Heartsfranchise houses what could easily be the most unique story of light triumphing over darkness. Though these powers are initially opposed, each entry in the series reveals a key detail about the dangers of relying too much on one of these forces.
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Devoting his life to the power of light, Eraqus is arguably themost powerful Keyblade Masterin the series. Though he states that a balance between light and darkness must exist, his loyalty to light often clouds his judgment. Eraqus relies too heavily on the light, which ultimately results in his downfall.
3Rahm Kota (Star Wars: The Force Unleashed)
Before the events of Order 66, Rahm Kota was a Jedi Master who fought alongside the Jedi Order during the Clone Wars. Since then, Kota’s faith in the Force has been shaken due to the eradication of his Jedi companions, but never once does he opt to use the power of the Dark Side.
DuringStar Wars: The Force Unleashed, Kota is presented as one of the most powerful Jedi remaining in the galaxy. In the hope of finally defeating the Empire, Kota joins forces with theDark Side user, Galen Marek. With both of their powers combined, they become an incredibly powerful pair.
2Kuon Sumeragi (Daemon Bride)
Daemon Brideis a fighting game that takes place in a 2D world and showcases a frightening clash between light and darkness. Set in the school of Kyoritsu Stella, its pupils are given contracts that shape their motives and personalities depending on what they receive.
Those who receive the Contract of Demon will use their newly obtained powers to achieve their own goals, while the recipients of the Contract of Angel will attempt to use their heavenly abilities to save a damaged world. The character of Kuon Sumeragi is arguably the most powerful Angel present in the game, as evidenced by his utilization of the power of light as a means of destroying his demonic foes.
1Alan Wake (Alan Wake)
Following the story of a talented fiction writer of the same name,Alan Wakeattempts todocument the life of a writerwho lacks inspiration. To escape the clutches of writer’s block, Alan decides to venture to a small town in Bright Falls in the hope of reclaiming his passion for writing once more.
While staying in Bright Falls, Alan is pursued by the Taken: a hoard of shadowy figures hellbent on ending his life. To combat these monsters, Alan must shine his flashlight at them to expose their weaknesses. Though his harnessing of light is more literal than most other light-wielding video game characters, the strength that it provides him is incontrovertible.
