Video Game Dads Are All Kinda Messed Up

I originally started writing this for Father's Day. Then I looked at the calendar and realized Father's Day isn't for another month. Whatever. I will probably just repost this then and pretend it was planned (deleting this line of course). That's basically how this shit works anyway. We act like we know what we're doing when in reality we're making decisions on the fly and hoping our kids and wife don’t catch on.

When I was younger, my favorite video game characters were usually the strongest, coolest, and always knew what that the fuck to do. Now I'm a dad, and somehow I've become the guy analyzing fictional parenting styles. The funny thing is that some of the best dads in gaming aren't actually great people. They're grumpy, stubborn, emotionally damaged, and occasionally make terrible decisions. 

I decided to talk about four that come to mind. This is not a ranking, just a numbered list because the internet loves lists. 

4. Batman

I know Batman isn't “technically” a father, but the dude has accidentally assembled an entire family. Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Hood, plus about fifteen other people he picked up along the way. He is always claiming he works alone, but he sure keeps collecting family.

The Bat Family is a reminder that family isn't always about blood. Sometimes it's about mentoring someone, supporting someone, or simply giving them a place where they belong. Batman is far from perfect. The dude has the emotional communication skills of a brick. His family is strong because underneath all the billionaire vigilante bullshit, they know he cares. That's one of the most important things a parent can provide. Not perfection. Not endless wisdom. Just a place where your kids know they belong.

3. Bowser

I wanted to throw a curveball in here. Bowser has spent decades kidnapping people, trying to take over the world, and just being a dick overall. At some point you have to admire the commitment even if the strategy clearly isn't working.

But whenever Bowser is with Bowser Jr., he comes across as a really good dad. He's supportive, involved, and genuinely seems to enjoy spending time with his kid. Bowser also likes to have fun with his kid. I think a lot of us need that reminder. We stop embracing the weird stuff that kids love. Bowser reminds me that being a dad isn't just about responsibility, it’s also about fun.

2. Joel

Joel is from the Last of Us. The show is incredible and the game is even better. Joel might be the most complicated dad on this list. Life deals him an absolutely brutal hand, and it hardens him. It makes him cold AF and shut off.

Then Ellie shows up.

What makes the story so interesting isn't that he immediately becomes a father figure. He actually spends a good portion of the story trying not to give a shit. The problem is that Ellie slowly forces him to care anyway. Before he realizes what's happening, she's become family.

That's what makes Joel resonate. He isn't clean and simple. He is messy and complicated. It leads him to make decisions that players still argue about years later. I still don’t know how I feel about some of the choices he's made myself.  Whether you agree with those choices or not, they come from a place every parent understands.

I saw a Reddit post once that the main lesson of the game is love doesn't always make life easier. Sometimes it makes life harder. Sometimes it forces you into decisions you never wanted to make. I completely agree with that on this one. I wish I could say I made it up myself, but I know one of you would call me out on it lol. 

1. Kratos

The original God of War story was basically rage the fuck out. Kratos’ strategy was violence followed by more violent violence. Nobody was looking at him and thinking, “Now there's fatherhood material.”

Then the newer God of War games gave us something much more interesting. I mean I was okay with the whole violence thing but they decided to add depth to him. 

Kratos is still cold. He's still intimidating AF. Underneath all of that, Kratos is trying to make sure his son becomes better than he was.

That's what makes him such a great dad. He's not trying to be perfect. He's trying to be better. He knows exactly what his rage cost him, and he is trying to protect his son from that. As a parent, that's incredibly relatable. Most of us aren't trying to become perfect moms or dads. We're just trying to be better.

New Game Plus

I couldn't think of any bridge to wrap this all up. I am pretty busy this week so you get what you get lol.

Thanks for reading SavePointDad. Please share this with another parent, gamer, or somebody who still believes they could beat Kratos in a fight. It helps the page grow which is still so cool to me.