JEFF: As stated earlier, today is primarily for the characters. To begin these categories, we bring in Campaign Hub Manager Angela Hinck and Review Manager Josh Speer to present awards for Hottest Guy and Gal respectively.
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HOTTEST GUY |
| 2012 Winner: Dunban (Xenoblade Chronicles) | |
ANGELA: Some may consider this to be a fluff category, especially when compared to the likes of Best Hero and Best Villain. And… yeah, you’re probably right. It takes no special talent on the character’s part to be attractive (all that work can be credited to some very talented character designers), but that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the end result, right? Of course it doesn’t. Let’s do this.
Chrom (Fire Emblem: Awakening)
Chrom is a classic video game combo: he’s a young, handsome royal with a heart of gold. This prince isn’t content to laze about a castle, though. Chrom takes it upon himself to create the Shepherds, a militia dedicated to protecting the Halidom of Ylisse, and he is dedicated to fighting towards that end for the sake of the people. Idealistic and handsome, it’s no wonder Chrom has so many fans.
Professor Sycamore (Pokémon X and Y)
A denizen of fashionable Lumiose City, Professor Sycamore is more than just a pretty face. He’s also a renowned Pokémon expert dedicated to learning about mega evolution, the newest frontier in Pokémon evolution. With his supportive and easygoing attitude, he’s one very popular man.
Mondo Zappa (Killer Is Dead)
No one ever said you couldn’t pull off an assassination and still look good, right? Even if they had, Mondo wasn’t listening. Always dressed to the nines, this killer doesn’t hold back on anything else in his life, whether it’s seducing a woman or pulling off a hit.
Walter (Shin Megami Tensei IV)
Walter is strong-willed to the point of stubbornness and unapologetically blunt, but this samurai nonetheless has a good heart and a strong sense of justice. Those traits are a killer combo alongside his self-assured smirk and his peek-a-boo uniform top. Judging by his sense of fashion, Walter is anything but shy.
Keiji Inafune (Sweet Fuse: At Your Side)
Yep, that Keiji Inafune. This renowned video game producer made the leap from reality to the world of video games when he appeared in Sweet Fuse: At Your Side as the main character’s uncle. While he’s a hostage of the villain for the majority of the game, Inafune handles the situation with poise and nary a wrinkle on that supremely dapper suit.
AND THE WINNER IS…
Professor Sycamore
Our winner is proof that when it comes to beauty and brains, you never have to choose just one. He may not be the youngest or most adventure-oriented of our nominees, but Professor Sycamore has nonetheless stolen the hearts of many a Pokémon fan through his charming looks and cheery disposition. Pokémon X and Y brought new gameplay features, characters, and tons of new Pokémon to a beloved franchise; however, it’s arguable that the newest Pokémon professor is the one who really stole the spotlight.
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HOTTEST GAL |
| 2012 Winner: Syrenne (The Last Story) | |
JOSH: Drumroll, please! And the beautiful nominees are…
Elizabeth (BioShock Infinite)
First off is a lady who has become rather popular in gaming culture…maybe a little too popular. Elizabeth is beautiful, sultry and…not entirely human. No, Elizabeth is the A.I. set to take over the kingdom of Columbia once you depose the tyrannical Father Comstock. Starting out as a caged plaything, her powers kept in check by Songbird, she is a character who quickly grew on many. In the DLC, she was made more of a femme fatale, but either way, she is your lovely A.I. companion. With her ability to open up Tears in reality, she is more than just a pretty face—she’s a force to be reckoned with.
Olivia (Fire Emblem: Awakening)
Ah, Olivia, the constant damsel in distress. While many would probably think Olivia is an obvious choice, she does have many quirks that make her an very interesting one. While she is a beautiful dancer, she is also hounded by self-doubt and lack of confidence. Combined with her fragile constitution and tendency to get hunted, one could see her as a bit of a neurotic mess. Then again, Olivia is the perfect choice for all the Prince Charmings of the world who want to dote on her every command. Plus, how can you go wrong with pink hair?
Anna (Fire Emblem: Awakening)
We here at oprainfall love us some Fire Emblem: Awakening, as evidenced by the fact that not one, but two of the contestants are from that series! While I’m sure many of you expected one of those to be Tharja, I would wager few expected Anna. Not to say that the merchant minx isn’t lovely—quite the contrary. But for Anna, what is most important in the world is money. The canny Trickster (and her many twin sisters) does make a living selling and buying items, after all. Then again, maybe I’m being too harsh. After all, power is attractive, and what’s more powerful than a rich, beautiful woman? Plus, Anna is quite adept with a sword, adding danger to the mix.
Athena Cykes (Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies)
Despite her ridiculous hairdo, there’s a lot to love about Athena. She’s upbeat, full of confidence, and the definition of perky. Plus, she’s easy on the eyes. Throw in her surprising talent for language, and she sounds like the perfect woman, right? Well, not after you factor in her crazy-bordering-on-insane enthusiasm, tendency to trip over everything and everyone, and ability to talk her way into tons of trouble. Regardless, this brightly dressed tomboy is a keeper, and Phoenix and company are lucky to have her on the team.
Wonder Pink (The Wonderful 101)
I almost feel I don’t have to explain her as a finalist—I mean, look at her! She’s fit, has pink hair like Olivia, is adept with a whip, and is tough as nails. Furthermore, she’s the first girl in the boys club of The Wonderful 101, and she holds her own in a big way. If that wasn’t enough, she’s carefree and sunny most of the time, and she’s voiced by Tara Strong. Her only downsides? Her obsession with trends, occasional terrifying temper, and her attraction to Prince Vorkken (a.k.a. “Vorkkie”). Oh, well, nobody is perfect.
AND THE WINNER IS…
Anna
The sneaky merchant gained the lead midway and never let go. I guess money really does buy everything. Maybe she should get into politics next…
