The Most Heavily Tattooed Video Game Characters | Game Rant
Many video game characters get one or more tattoos done as a form of self-expression, for aesthetic reasons, for cultural reasons, or because they wake from a dream on a fine day only to discover they are marked with a cursed tattoo. Some more than others end up sporting heavy tattoos, largely covering their flesh with stylish designs and menacing symbols.
It is not uncommon for these tattoos to be relevant to the corresponding game's narrative in some way, be it because they mean something deep or revealing for the characters, or because of other complex reasons. In some cases, though, these elements can end up being inconsequential to the game, or simply very minor aspects.
The nameless Boy from The Last Guardian is the game's main character, and his body is covered in tattoos that possess a behavior similar to that of runes, glowing when he is swallowed by his fellow beast Trico. The origin of his tattoos is unclear, and they seem to be constantly changing throughout the game, engulfing his skin even more over time. According to some fans, the tattoos change in shape, become darker in tone, and cover more of the Boy's skin the more missteps gamers make while playing.
Mass Effect's Jack is the prime example of a character having lots of tattoos for different reasons. Some of them telling her story, others being purely aesthetic, specific ones used as a warning to her enemies, and more of them to represent significant kills. Jack's body is almost entirely covered in ink, and some tattoos of hers are there to remind her of what she lost, and why it's important to her. Her tattoos are so intricate that they were explained in the Mass Effect art book.
Ronan O'Connor has several tattoos and, much like Jack, they tell major events from his life. They range from crimes he committed in his young years, to the life he built for himself with his late wife, and his work as a detective, which is what gets him killed at the beginning. He comes back as a ghost, investigating his murder and the murders of young women, and notably one of his tattoos reads "Cheated Death."
Yakuza's Kazuma Kiryu has a tattoo covering all of his back, and it differs from others in the sense that it is deeply linked to the Japanese culture, its roots, and the Yakuza of course. His design is that of an ascending dragon grasping a pearl, symbolizing wisdom and power. Kazuma's tattoo is not the only important one in the series, and they become a major narrative aspect in the games.
Overwatch's Hanzo has a large tattoo covering his arm, shoulder, and part of his chest. Similarly to that of Kazuma Kiryu, Hanzo's tattoo also depicts a dragon, with the difference that this one is not holding a pearl, but rather flying through storm clouds. Hanzo's ink art comes from an ancient story that runs in his family about two dragon brothers, and sure enough, Hanzo's in-game ultimate ability summons two dragons.
First introduced in the series in Gears of War 2, Tai Kaliso is a tribal warrior from the planet Sera. His menacing aspect is juxtaposed to his serene temper, and his markings are the heritage of his people's culture. The islanders of Irohma are fearless combatants, whose honor is often depicted through their "Bakuaia."
One of the most infamous in the history of videogames, Rei Kurosawa's tattoo in Fatal Frame 3 is not one she got by choice. Her markings depict a snake and holly, and they are referred to as the "Tattooed Curse" due to their parasitic nature, originating from a vengeful spirit. This tattoo feeds on grief over lost loved ones, and such is the unfortunate case of Rei.
Judy Alvarez is one of the most beloved NPCs in Cyberpunk 2077, but the meaning of her tats is often not fully explained. Some of them are references to song lyrics, like "There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt," which is from Pyramid Song by Radiohead. The 13 on her arm is a date, May 13, when the Moxes were established. The sea creatures are references to her zodiac sign, Pisces, as one of her side quests indicates. The firetruck is from when she repaired one as a teen, only to be accused of theft.
Kratos' tats are a reminder for him not to falter ever again, and they are inspired by his late brother's birthmarks, Deimos. Deimos was born with unusual markings, which made Ares and Athena suspect that he was "The Marked Warrior" from the Oracle's prophecy, the one who would destroy the Olympians. They took Deimos to the Domain of Death for him to endure years of torment.
Jonah Maiava is Lara Croft's closest companion throughout the new Tomb Raider games, and he becomes her moral compass. He is from New Zealand, as shown by the Maori tribal tattoos he is sporting on both the side of his neck, his right arm, and his left leg, which suggests Polynesian origins. His tattoos change over time, and Jonah keeps adding to his arm to the point that it becomes a full-on sleeve tat.
GTA 5 offers gamers the opportunity to customize their playable characters at will, and tat lovers seized this opportunity to tattoo them heavily. There are a plethora of options to choose from for players willing to ink their characters a lot or with unique designs, which quickly became a great allure for many.
Days Gone's Deacon St. John has many ink markings on his body, including the word "RIDE" on his right hand, the word "HARD" on his left hand, a few Army tattoos, and more. Among the most notable ones, there is a tat dedicated to his late wife, Sarah, which Deacon sports on the right side of his neck, and Grim Reaper on his right forearm, which is then in part burned by the Rippers during the game.
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