Summary
- Players despise controlling characters like Jack Marston with lackluster personalities in Rockstar games.
- Characters like Lance Wilson and Lance Vance betray and mistreat their friends, fueling player motivations.
- Antagonists like Eddie Pulaski and Micah Bell evoke strong emotions from players, making them unforgettable and hated.
Rockstar Games is a studio that is known for its strong writing, elevating characters to become legends in the video game industry. However, there are times when the developer pushes a player's buttons with certain personalities, either intentionally or otherwise.
Given the strong feelings players have for every Rockstar game, some of their characters have attracted the vitriol of players all over the world. This hate fuels the player's actions as they do everything in their power to take out these horrible characters.
8 Jack Marston
Fans Never Signed Up To Play As Him
Red Dead Redemption
- Released
- May 18, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Adventure
There's no denying that Jack Marston was put in a tough spot when he stepped into the shoes of his father at the end of Red Dead Redemption. Something feels off about controlling him in Stranger missions, where a lack of personality makes these side quests a nightmare to complete if players haven't done them already as John.
The only reason why players would control Jack is to hunt down Edgar Ross and kill him in a cinematic duel before the credits roll. While Jack gets his revenge, his character is nowhere near as compelling as his father, and it's hard to justify investing more hours in Red Dead Redemption's world with him at the helm.
7 Lance "Ryder" Wilson
Treated CJ Like Crap Even Before He Betrayed Him
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Released
- October 26, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas shocked players all over the world when they saw Big Smoke and Ryder in cahoots with C.R.A.S.H. The former's betrayal cut deep, especially since some of Big Smoke's dialogue was the highlight of San Andreas in the early going.
However, when it came to Ryder, all players felt was pure, white-hot rage. This was a man who never failed to deride CJ and forced him to participate in some very annoying missions. When players finally chase him on a jet ski to make him pay for his crimes, CJ establishes who the real busta is by pumping his ex-friend full of lead.
6 Lance Vance
Did Nothing And Expected The Credit
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- Released
- October 29, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
At the start of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Lance was a great friend to Tommy. He could be a bit reckless and lazy at times, but it seemed like nothing could get in the way of their friendship.
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However, as Tommy became more ambitious, Lance's jealousy grew in tandem. He barely put in the effort and wanted to be acknowledged for his participation. This fueled the flames of envy, causing Lance to team up with Sonny Forelli to take out Tommy in a betrayal that causes both the player and Tommy to hate his so-called friend for his backstabbing actions.
5 Catalina
Irritating And Entertaining In Equal Measure
Grand Theft Auto 3
- Released
- October 23, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
A player's opinion on Catalina may vary, but there's no denying that this crazy latina can be a pain in CJ's side when she goes loco. This doesn't even mention her position as the main antagonist in Grand Theft Auto 3 after she betrays Claude and leaves him for dead.
While CJ must only tolerate her for a few missions in San Andreas before she bids adieu, Claude harbors a deep hatred for this character until the very end of his lengthy game. San Andreas fans can tolerate her, but GTA 3 players hate her guts.
4 Gary Smith
Pretended To Befriend Jimmy Only To Take Advantage Of Him
Bully
- Released
- October 17, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox
Rockstar Games is fond of seeing their protagonists betrayed by their closest allies, given how this is precisely what happens to Jimmy Hopkins in Bully. Gary pretends to look out for the newest member of Bullworth Academy, only to throw him under the bus after using him for his own ends.
Gary's smug attitude makes his face infinitely punchable, fueling Jimmy's motivations as he wins back everyone in the school and gets his revenge on Gary. The final mission is a cinematic spectacle and lets players take out all their frustrations on this arrogant villain who should've known better.
3 Eddie Pulaski
Lacks Tenpenny's Charisma But Retains His Superior's Negative Qualities
Tenpenny may treat CJ like a plaything, but Samuel L. Jackson's incredible charisma ensures that this character is one players love to hate. However, the same can't be said for his underling, Eddie Pulaski.
This corrupt cop derides CJ every step of the way and is an absolute pain to deal with. Being able to chase him down and make him bleed for his crimes is one of the most cathartic moments in San Andreas.
2 Edgar Ross
Manipulates John Only To Execute Him Unceremoniously
Edgar Ross may be doing his job as a member of the Pinkertons, but that doesn't make him any easier to like. He hounds Dutch's gang throughout Red Dead Redemption 2 and sows the seeds of discord that eventually cause the group to fracture.
In the first Red Dead Redemption, he uses John as a tool to take out the remaining members of Dutch's gang, promising the protagonist's freedom if he does so. However, this was all a farce, and Marston was barely able to enjoy a few days of peace before Ross and the Pinkertons arrived to execute him in cold blood.
1 Micah Bell
Every Rockstar Fan Has Dreamed Of Punching This Man Once Or Twice
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
One of the most hated characters in video gaming history, Micah Bell is a snake who deserves to die a cruel death. Bleeding out after being shot by Dutch was too painless a way for him to go.
He mocked Arthur, turned his fatal tuberculosis diagnosis into a joke, betrayed everyone by siding with the Pinkertons, and poisoned the well until Dutch could trust no one in the gang. While the man Arthur looked up to once was still entertaining in his own way, Micah became such an insufferable character after a point that most players would outright refuse to break him out of prison in a second playthrough of Red Dead Redemption 2.
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