#6: Rhys (Tales from the Borderlands)
Let’s face it; Handsome Jack is the best part of Borderlands 2. He may be the villain, and he may wear that role like a greaser wears a leather jacket, but he’s just so hilariously over the top evil that we love him for it. Plus, the Pre-Sequel did a great job humanizing him and making him relatable with the way that he was betrayed and taken advantage of until he eventually snapped. Imagine getting the chance to really interact with Jack; getting the chance to talk to him, maybe even befriend him. Well, you get that chance with the first Tales from the Borderlands Hero, Rhys.
One of Hyperion’s desk jockeys, Rhys grew up with dreams of owning a company, and looked up to Jack as a personal role model. After Rhys’ corporate nemesis Vasquez nearly ruins his career, Rhys looks for both payback and getting paid by stealing a deal Vasquez made for a Vault Key; essentially the key to opening a treasure room filled with untold riches. After a series of hilarity, danger and adventure, Rhys ends up on a quest to find the fabled Vault, and he ends up getting an artificial copy of Handsome Jack’s personality stuck in his head. Now with a new ally/enemy, Rhys must struggle to keep himself and his best friend Vaughn alive while dealing with Handsome Jack’s psychopathic tendencies trying to bubble out from the artificial construct and into Rhys’ own body.
For starters, Rhys is incredibly relatable. He’s not a badass Vault Hunter like the previous protagonists of Borderlands; he’s pretty much an average guy. Sure, he’s got a few cybernetic parts in him, but those are more similar to us owning a phone or VR headset rather than him actually being a badass cyborg. More importantly, you don’t get out using force with Rhys; you survive using your wits and your intellect. And, as an added bonus, Handsome Jack is directly linked to Rhys, giving you the chance to interact with one of the best parts of the previous Borderlands games. You can be confrontational with Jack and call him out on his bull, or work with him and build up a very believable rapport. Jack is easily what gives Rhys the spotlight and what allows him to eventually become more than just another company stooge. As an added bonus, Rhys is voiced by video game actor extraordinaire Troy Baker, who really manages to nail the little fish in a big pond vibe that Rhys has going for him, and eventually develop him into a more confident and charismatic hero.
Jack may have made the pedestal, Rhys, but you managed to bring yourself to the top with your performance. Nice job; it was great to play as you.