The gaming scene is incredibly strong in the Philippines and has been for many years. Manila has hosted countless esports events, and the streets are riddled with internet cafes where many gamers test their skills against each other. Beyond that, there are still plenty of arcades for players who enjoy theclassic scene of fighting games.
And so, it’s no wonder that more and more developers are adding Filipino characters to their rosters, across different titles and genres. From FPS to MOBAs, to Battle Royales, the Philippines are getting more and more representation, which in turn makes these games more popular within the country.
Soulcaliburstill holds a sizable community, with many fans that have stuck to this fighting game over its competitors for years. The unique weapon-based combat is particularly interesting within the genre, as most other titles focus on hand-to-hand combat. The mobile playstyle and a huge roster also play a big role in its popularity, especially with cameo characterssuch as Geralt fromThe Witcher.
Talim is a kind wind priestess from the Philippines, who does her best to bring light and purify the hearts of others. She made her first appearance in the franchise inSoulcalibur 2. Interestingly enough, at one point she was voted as the most popular character in the entire roster, in a poll hosted by Namco.
7Lapu-Lapu
Mobile Legends
Mobile Legendsis incredibly popular in the Philippines, with its engaging playstyle, deep combat, and huge roster. Its accessibility also played a huge part, as it only requires an average smartphone to run. The developers rightfully noticed the game’s popularity in the country, and since then have added two Filipino characters.
Most Filipinos are familiar with Lapu-Lapu, as the hero who defeated the Spanish forces along with Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan, along with Ferdinand Magellan. The game reflects that “defender” archetype in the character’s abilities, making him a powerful Fighter who is a force to be reckoned with.
6SPARTAN-458
The Dead or Aliveseries debuted in 1996 and gained popularity for its dynamic combat, great graphics, and interactive environments. The series is well-known for its emphasis on fast-paced, visually striking battles and iconic characters. Popular for its “rock-paper-scissors” gameplay mechanics, the series incorporates counterattacks and holds, adding an interesting approach to fights.
SPARTAN-458, also known as Nicole-458 or Linda, is a character from theHalouniverse. She was first introduced in the novelHalo: Ghosts of Onyx,and she’s a formidable SPARTAN-II supersoldier with exceptional combat skills and expertise in various weapons. Linda laterappears in theHalogames,contributing to the Master Chief’s missions.
When it comes to Battle Royales,Call of Duty: Warzonetook great elements from different popular titles, and added its own recognizable gunplay to make a great competitor in the scene. On top of the familiar armory and items, players can also get several Operators to play as.
Isabella Reyes is also inspired by a historical figure, Remedios Gomez-Paraiso, aka Kumander Liwayway, who engaged in guerilla warfare against the Japanese in WW2. The character has a similar backstory and does a great job of reflecting the absolute badass status of her origins.
Apex Legendscontinues to improve and expand its roster, adding more and more Legends each year. The game always had great distinctions that separated it from its competitors, from an incredibly mobile playstyle to a massive map, todiverse characters with unique powers and abilities.
Conduit is the latest addition to the roster, being an electricity-based Support class. While the game has her originate from the fictional Nexus, her voice lines and even Holosprays feature Tagalog, and she is voiced by a Filipino-Polish voice actor, Frankie Kevich. Overall, she fits perfectly into the rich lineup of the game.
Cyberpunk 2077has made a fantastic comeback from its original rocky release, adding new features and content with patches, and the latest Phantom Liberty DLC. With more patches on the way, as well as the Ultimate Edition for the game, things seem to wrap up nicely for the title.
Kerry Eurodyne has been with theCyberpunkfranchise for quite a long time, making his first appearance in theCyberpunk 2013rulebook. In the latest game, he is an important, romanceable NPC, who helps V on the complicated journey to greatness. Being Johny Silverhand’s old friend and fellow Samurai band member, he has quite the history and stories to share with the player.
Tekkenhas a rich history of diverse characters, ranging from gang bosses to chefs, to bears and ancient monsters.Over the years, the roster has been expandingwith each new entry, reaching more and more countries, and sometimes even species.
However, it took until the seventh game for a Filipino character to appear, and she was immediately welcomed by players of different skill levels. Josie Rizal is a skilled kickboxer, and a master of Eskrima, or its more popular name: Kali. She has a light personality, though the game does refer to her as a big crybaby.
Valoranthas taken the FPS world by storm back in 2020 and has been on a steady rise ever since. Combining the hardcore and tactical gunplay fromCounter-Strikewith character-based abilities has proven to be a successful formula, which has only been improved with the introduction of new Agents.
Neon is a Duelist, dominating the arena with her incredible speed and space-controlling abilities. She brings her own unique Filipina flair to the game, and her abilities allow for dynamic, yet tactical gameplay. While she might not be the most popular character at the moment, many players that main her have reached impressive ranks.
