Memorable Black Characters in Video Games

Last but certainly not least Free Swim ends our celebration of Black Characters in Video Games with a character from one of the greatest video games of all time Final Fantasy VII's Barret Wallace is one of the main characters in Final Fantasy VII, one of the most popular titles from the PlayStation 1. In Final Fantasy VII, Barret is introduced as the leader of the paramilitary organization known as AVALANCHE. He is opposed to the use of Shinra’s mako technology, which he believes to be killing the planet. Barret is also the adoptive father of Marlene, the child of his past friend, Dyne. Barret's primary weapon is a gun grafted to his arm. After AVALANCHE disbands, Barret chooses to continue his mission to save the planet by joining Cloud in the battle against Sephiroth. As the game proceeds, Barret maintains his hate for Shinra and its affect on the planet, but he also begins to regret his actions as the leader of AVALANCHE and mourns the loss of its members in Midgar. Originally, Barret advocates cooperating with Shinra to build a mako reactor in his hometown of Corel before the events of the series. After AVALANCHE attacks the reactor, Shinra eradicates the town and its villagers, including Barret's wife, Myrna. Barret, his best friend, Dyne, and Dyne's daughter, Marlene, are some of the only survivors. Soon after, Barret and Dyne are attacked by Shinra troops led by Scarlet. Though Barret survives, his right forearm is hit by gunfire and rendered useless when he tries to prevent Dyne from falling off a cliff. Assuming Dyne to have been killed, he adopts Marlene, and then travels to Midgar. He also has a gun prosthetic grafted to his arm and begins seeking revenge on Shinra, eventually becoming the leader of the second incarnation of AVALANCHE, while remaining ignorant of the first group's involvement in Corel.

Barret Wallace from Final Fantasy Advent Children Anime!