BEST HERO

Previous Winners
2018: Kazuma Kiryu (Yakuza 6)
2019: Byleth (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)
2021: Takayuki Yagami (Lost Judgement)

This year’s Best Hero category contains three nominees who all have their own challenges to overcome; however, being a hero doesn’t necessarily mean being perfect and having no faults. Two of these nominees are definitely stand-up guys. But another one of the nominees can go down a number of paths and has to regularly decide what the right thing to do is during a long ongoing war. Nonetheless, all three of these heroes do what they can to make their homes a better place and are the kind of guys you would definitely want on your side.

Denam Pavel (Tactics Ogre: Reborn)

NA Release Date: November 11, 2022

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, PC

Denam gets wrapped up in a civil war along with his sister Catiua and his friend Vyce. All three of them lost people in an attack on their hometown, Golyat, and end up on a long journey wrapped up in the war. Denam can go down one of three paths based on the player’s decisions during the game. He’s not a flawless hero who always does what’s right, but he does his best to navigate a long and complicated war, with hopes of making The Valerian Isles a better place to live. Denam is on this list for having the courage to fight for what he believes is right during an arduous time in history.

Lloyd Bannings (Trails from Zero)

NA Release Date: September 27, 2022

Platform(s): PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC

Review

Being our resident Trails fan, Patrick has written this part on Lloyd. I haven’t gotten around to the Crossbell games just yet myself.

“Bravery, kindness, and always looking out for others, these are some traits that are associated with heroes. Lloyd Bannings, the leader of the SSS, truly lives up to these traits and what it means to be a hero. He is willing to sacrifice himself to protect others, constantly looks to better himself and crawl out of his older brother’s shadow, and looks to put Crossbell State back on the right and just path. Not many people can handle the criticism, hardships, and responsibility that come with being in the SSS, but Lloyd is able to take them in stride. The SSS wouldn’t be the same without Lloyd; he truly is the heart and soul of that group. It isn’t even a stretch to say that he’s the heart of Crossbell State itself. Was this hero able to take the top crown, or did he hit a barrier and come up short?”

Noah (Xenoblade Chronicles 3)

NA Release Date: July 29th, 2022

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch

Review

Noah is a Kevesi off-seer who at the start of the game, is quite loyal to his people. But ultimately, he doesn’t actually want to fight and continue the seemingly never-ending war with Agnus. Noah is fortunate in ending up a part of Ouroboros. He makes new friends and gets the opportunity to fight against the true enemy, the ones pulling the strings, who have ensured the people of Aionios continue to fight each other. Noah is a kind soul who continues fighting as a part of Ouroboros, not to win a war, but to see Aionios free of war and for both sides, Keves and Agnus, to find peace. Noah is nominated for the Best Hero award for being an honorable person and true friend who wants nothing more than peace and happiness for everyone.

And the winner is…

Lloyd Bannings!

Ultimately one of the more stand-up guys has been chosen as 2022’s Best Hero here at oprainfall. We’ve chosen Lloyd for being a truly brave and honorable leader, who rarely falters and always does his best to protect Crossbell’s citizens. He’s a true hero who is very deserving of the award this year.

Once again, a special thanks to Brandon Rose for the featured image.