Games Where the Default Protagonist Skin Is Dark

Many games, from large-scale adventures to smaller, independent titles, let you play as a person of color from the very beginning. Here are eighteen games where the main character isn’t white by default and where their identity is an important part of the game’s story, visuals, and how it’s promoted. For each game, we’ve included information about the development and publishing studios, the game’s setting and gameplay, and what you’ll actually be doing in the game.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games, this open-world crime game puts you in the role of Carl “CJ” Johnson. The game is set in a fictionalized version of California – Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas – and is deeply rooted in the West Coast culture of the early 1990s, from its missions to the music on the radio. Gameplay involves driving, shooting, and taking control of neighborhoods, all while managing CJ’s abilities and stats. The story is the same on both consoles and PC, with only small differences depending on the platform.

Watch Dogs 2

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft, this open-world hacking game follows Marcus Holloway, a hacker whose appearance is set but whose clothes you can customize. The game is set in a futuristic San Francisco Bay Area, where you use the ctOS network to break into companies. Gameplay focuses on hacking from a distance, using drones, and sneaking around without killing, though traditional combat is also available. After its release, the game was updated with co-op features and improvements on all platforms.

Mafia III

This open-world crime drama, developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K, stars Lincoln Clay, a Black Vietnam War veteran. The game is set in New Bordeaux, a fictional version of New Orleans, and focuses on taking over districts and managing underbosses. Players complete missions that combine stealth, driving, and shooting, while also building up income from various rackets to unlock upgrades. Additional story packs and side activities are available as downloadable content, expanding Lincoln Clay’s story.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

This action adventure game, developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony, stars Miles Morales, a new Spider-Man with Afro-Latino heritage. Set in a snowy Manhattan, the story lets you use Miles’ unique bio-electric powers and stealth skills while exploring the city and fighting enemies. Players on PlayStation can choose between different graphics settings, including ray tracing for enhanced visuals. Beyond the main story, there are extra features like Photo Mode, collectible suits, and side challenges to enjoy.

Deathloop

Deathloop, developed by Arkane Lyon and published by Bethesda Softworks, is a shooter where you play as Colt Vahn, a Black protagonist, trapped in a time loop. The game takes place on the island of Blackreef, which cycles through a four-stage day. To succeed, you need to learn the routines of the island’s inhabitants, take out key targets, and break the loop. Other players can also join your game as opponents, adding an extra challenge.

Assassin’s Creed Origins

I’m really excited about this new Assassin’s Creed! It’s a total reboot, and you play as Bayek, a Medjay from Ancient Egypt – he’s a really cool character with a great backstory. The world they’ve built is incredible, covering all of Egypt, from the deserts to the Nile. What’s even better is they’ve included these ‘discovery tours’ where you can learn all about the history. The combat feels different too, it’s really based on hitting the right spots, and you can level up your skills in fighting, shooting, and using tools. Plus, if you love exploring, there are tons of optional tombs to find, and they even added a photo mode so you can capture all the amazing scenery!

Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation

I’m really excited about this Assassin’s Creed game! It’s unique because you play as Aveline de Grandpré, a really cool character – she’s a Black woman with both French and African roots. The setting is amazing too, taking place in New Orleans and the surrounding bayous. What’s even more interesting is the way the game lets you change how people react to you and how you sneak around using different ‘personas.’ You’ll be doing all the classic Assassin’s Creed stuff like running across rooftops, taking down targets, and even getting involved in some economic activities. It originally came out on a handheld console, but thankfully they’ve updated it for consoles and PC with improved graphics!

Forspoken

Forspoken, created by Luminous Productions and published by Square Enix, is an open-world action RPG where players control Frey Holland, a woman who finds herself in the magical world of Athia. The game lets you move quickly through the environment with a unique magic-powered parkour system and battle enemies using spells in fast-paced combat. As you explore, you’ll encounter powerful bosses, optional side quests, and a crafting system to customize your character’s cloak and necklace. After its release, updates were added to improve performance and enhance the player experience on both PC and PlayStation.

Prototype 2

This open-world action game, developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Activision, puts you in the role of James Heller, a U.S. Marine fighting in a quarantined New York City. You’ll use shapeshifting abilities, absorb biomass to gain power, and customize those powers as you play. Gameplay mixes stealth sections with intense combat against both infected creatures and military forces. Completing the game and collecting items helps you unlock all of Heller’s abilities.

The Walking Dead: Season One

Telltale Games created a story-driven adventure game where you play as Lee Everett, a Black protagonist. Your choices as Lee impact the conversations and the story’s direction. The game features interactive conversations, quick decisions, and simple puzzles. The story is divided into five parts, and your actions in each part affect what happens next. The game is available on multiple platforms, but the story and choices remain the same no matter where you play.

The Walking Dead: Michonne

Telltale Games created a three-part game series starring Michonne, a prominent Black character from the comic books, and she’s the only character you play as. Like other Telltale games, you’ll progress through the story using quick-time events and choices you make in conversations. The game’s story takes place between events in the comics, referencing familiar places and happenings, and your choices and relationships throughout the game will impact the ending.

Far Cry 4

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft, this open-world shooter puts you in the role of Ajay Ghale, who returns to the fictional country of Kyrat. The game features a diverse landscape, ranging from lush lowlands to towering Himalayan mountains, filled with outposts, forts, and optional missions that unlock upgrades and equipment. You can also team up with a friend to tackle activities in the game world, separate from the main story. Players can get around and approach challenges in new ways using a wingsuit, gyrocopter, and by utilizing animal companions.

Star Wars Battlefront II (campaign)

This shooter game was created by Motive Studio and DICE and published by Electronic Arts. Players experience a single-player story following Iden Versio, a skilled commander in the Imperial special forces. The campaign takes players through several battles and features a unique squad system that differs from typical online classes. As you play, you’ll unlock new abilities using star cards, all within the story’s framework. The game ensures the story is the same on all platforms.

Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna)

This puzzle-platformer follows Nuna, an Iñupiat girl, and her arctic fox friend as they navigate a challenging world. Developed by Upper One Games and published by E-Line Media, the game shares stories and traditions from Alaska Native storytellers through special unlockable videos. Players can work together, switching between characters to overcome obstacles. The ‘Foxtales’ expansion adds even more levels and gameplay options inspired by Native folklore.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Ember Lab created the action-adventure game starring Kena, a spirit guide with dark skin. Players fight with a staff and bow, and can also control tiny creatures called Rot to overcome obstacles and solve puzzles. The game is divided into areas, and you’ll need to defeat bosses to unlock new parts of the world. It also includes features like a Photo Mode, collectible charms, and different difficulty settings to make the game accessible and encourage multiple playthroughs.

Tchia

Tchia is an open-world adventure game developed by Awaceb and published by Kepler Interactive. Players explore a beautiful world inspired by New Caledonia as a young girl named Tchia. The game features unique abilities like possessing animals and objects, gliding through the air, and sailing between islands. You can also play the ukulele, which is used to interact with the world and perform music. Instead of fighting, players progress by customizing Tchia’s appearance and enjoying activities at their camp.

Dishonored: Death of the Outsider

I’m so excited about this new game! It’s a stealth title from Arkane Studios, published by Bethesda, and you play as Billie Lurk, a really cool Black assassin. What’s different is it’s not about picking weapons – instead, you use powers like Semblance and Displace to get through levels. There are also these ‘Contracts’ you can take on that change how you approach missions and what you earn. And the levels aren’t just straight paths; they’re built on systems that react to what you do, making each playthrough unique!

Life Is Strange 2

This five-episode adventure game, developed by Dontnod Entertainment and published by Square Enix, puts you in the role of Sean Diaz, a Latino teenager. Your choices throughout the game affect conversations, how you build relationships, and how Sean guides his younger brother. If you played a previous game in the series, you can carry over some progress to influence certain moments, and the game keeps a record of your decisions in a journal. The story and choices remain consistent across both console and PC versions.

If you think we’ve left out a great game with a Black lead character, please share it in the comments! Let us know which company made and published it.

2025-12-09 15:16