Epic Welsh Heroes in Video Games You Can't Miss
Did you know that two of the biggest video game franchises feature memorable Welsh characters? And from the rag-tag gunslinger to the reckless pirate and king, Cymru’s footprints are everywhere, even online gaming.
1. Arthur Morgan - Red Dead Redemption 2
The hero of Rockstar’s award-winning Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) is Arthur Morgan, a Welsh-American outlaw of ambiguous but not undeniable Welsh descent. Both Arthur’s forename and surname point towards his heritage. Interestingly, Roger Clark, the Irish-American voice actor who brought Arthur to life, has suggested that his own time as a student in Cymru helped shape parts of Arthur's backstory. Whether it’s in Arthur’s quiet wisdom or his rugged resilience, there’s a bit of Welsh spirit in every step he takes across the Wild West.
2. Alwyn Lloyd - Red Dead Redemption
In the prequel to Red Dead Redemption 2 (2010), players encounter a minor but memorable Welsh character: Alwyn Lloyd. Unlike Arthur Morgan, Alwyn fully embraces his roots with a strong Welsh accent, a rarity in video games. His stint is brief but Alwyn provides a nice dose of cross-cultural fun to Red Dead Redemption, and helps point out Cymru’s neglected global networks.
3. Edward Kenway - Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag (2013) introduced players to Edward Kenway, a pirate from Abertawe (Swansea). Edward’s adventure was a harbinger of the golden age of pirates and it is no coincidence that Cymru has the most notorious pirates of all time, from Barti Ddu (Black Bart) to Henry Morgan. Edward was portrayed by Welsh actor Matt Ryan who like Edward himself is from Abertawe. This connection between actor and character adds an authentic Welsh flair to Kenway’s legacy on the high seas.
4. King Rhodri Mawr - Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
History buffs were treated to another Welsh appearance in Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla (2020), which featured Rhodri Mawr, the real-life King of Gwynedd, who ruled from 820 to 878 AD. Known for uniting much of Cymru and defending it from Viking invasions, Rhodri’s portrayal offers players a glimpse into Wales’ medieval past.
Rhodri’s story is enriched by key figures from his court, including his loyal advisor Ynyr ap Cadfarch, his wife Angharad ferch Meurig, Queen of Gwynedd, and his brother Gwriad. Together, they reflect a royal family fiercely protective of their land and legacy, bringing depth and authenticity to the Welsh setting in Valhalla.
5. Nia - Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 puts an old favourite Welsh voice on the map with Nia, one of the series main friends. Nia is played by the Welsh actress Catrin-Mai Huw, whose accented lines are thick, authentically Welsh, and make her character seem more real and interesting. Interestingly, the Gormotti race in the game, to which Nia belongs, all share this Welsh linguistic influence - a testament to the developers’ attention to cultural detail.
6. Sabine - Fable III
In Fable III, you meet Sabine, the leader of the Dwellers, an intrepid tribe that lives on the border between Albion and Terra Nova. Sabine has a thick Welsh accent, and this gives the fantasy in the game a cultural punch. This character’s sense of honour and perseverance is the epitome of Cymru’s long tradition.
7. Drippy - Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Nobody makes a game character more Welsh than Drippy, the fairy companion in Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. Drippy’s voice, which is played by Welsh actor Steffan Rhodri, has a deep Welsh husk, with a dash of the colloquial "proper tidy" and "mun." The accent and the comic quality make him an instant favorite, and really make the game look very Welsh.
From the sham Wild West to the Caribbean Sea, magical lands and fantasy kingdoms, Welsh history and culture have graced the screen in some of the most exciting games of all time. Whether a fairy guide, pirate or daring outlaw, all of them inherit Cymru’s legacy.
Which of these Welsh characters is your favorite, or do you know any others that deserve a mention? Let us know in the comments!
Quiz: Welsh Characters in Video Games 🎮
1. Who is the Welsh-American outlaw protagonist in Red Dead Redemption 2?
a) Alwyn Lloyd
b) Arthur Morgan
c) Edward Kenway
d) King Rhodri Mawr
2. Which Welsh pirate, voiced by a Swansea-born actor, is the main character of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag?
a) Barti Ddu
b) Henry Morgan
c) Edward Kenway
d) Alwyn Lloyd
3. In Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, who is the real-life Welsh king known for uniting much of Cymru and defending it from Viking invasions?
a) King Arthur
b) Rhodri Mawr
c) Ynyr ap Cadfarch
d) Gwriad
4. Which character from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is voiced by Welsh actress Catrin-Mai Huw and belongs to the Gormotti race?
a) Nia
b) Sabine
c) Drippy
d) Angharad
5. In which game does Drippy, a Welsh-accented fairy companion voiced by Steffan Rhodri, appear?
a) Fable III
b) Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
c) Xenoblade Chronicles 2
d) Red Dead Redemption
Learn more about Welsh legends here!
