They Came for the Monsters, Stayed for the Kids!

As a dad who’s spent countless late nights trading lullabies for loot, I’ve started to notice something kind of beautiful. A surprising number of video games get fatherhood. I’m not just talking about the “gruff guy with a gun” stereotype. I mean games that dig into what it really means to raise, protect, teach, and love a child. All while fighting zombies, gods, or corporate overlords.

 

Fatherhood has always symbolized responsibility, leadership, and sacrifice. So it makes sense that games,especially the ones that want to hit you right in the feels,often lean into the dad dynamic. Some games make fatherhood the emotional core of the story. Others? Well… let’s just say they use “dead family” as an easy excuse to motivate their protagonist.

 

But the best games? They give us fathers who grow. Who spend time with their kids. Who struggle and screw up and try again. They’re not just battle-hardened heroes. They’re emotional ones. And as someone who’s had to pause a boss fight to go clean up a juice spill, I can relate more than I’d like to admit.

 

So in honor of Father’s Day and father figures everywhere, real or fictional, here are a few gaming dads who left a mark on me.

 

Joel Miller – The Last of Us

Joel’s story broke me. As a father who can’t even imagine the loss he endures at the start of the game, his journey is a gut-punch. But what stuck with me most was how he slowly, painfully finds a second chance at fatherhood through Ellie. Their bond isn’t perfect, but it’s real. He doesn’t replace his daughter, he learns to love again. That idea alone… it’s powerful. As a dad, I felt every protective instinct he had,even the ones that made morally questionable choices.

 

Kratos – God of War

If you’d told me back in the old God of War days that Kratos would become one of gaming’s most compelling dads, I’d have laughed. But the 2018 reboot showed us a Kratos struggling to connect with his son, Atreus, while also wrestling with his own past. He doesn’t always get it right ,but man, he tries. Watching him teach, guide, and slowly open up reminds me that parenting is a process… and sometimes, the hardest battles aren’t with monsters, but with our own demons.

 

John Marston – Red Dead Redemption

John Marston isn’t what you’d call a model parent. But as the story unfolds, his rough edges start to smooth out ,not because he’s trying to be a hero, but because he wants a better life for his family. He tries to put his outlaw life behind him, to build something more stable for his wife and son. And when the time comes, he makes the ultimate sacrifice to give them that shot. It’s tragic. It’s messy. It’s fatherhood, in all its complicated glory.

 

Geralt of Rivia – The Witcher Series

Geralt (my favourite btw) may be a mutant mercenary, but when it comes to Ciri, he’s all Dad. Their bond ,forged not by blood, but by choice, shows a quieter, more tender side of him. He trains her, protects her, and follows her across the Continent (and beyond) just to keep her safe. His love is fierce, unspoken, and constant. As a parent, it reminded me that the strongest connections aren’t always loud — sometimes they’re in the sacrifices no one else sees.

 

Bowser – The Mario Series

Okay, hear me out. Bowser may be the go-to villain of the Mushroom Kingdom, but he’s also a surprisingly dedicated dad. Bowser Jr. looks up to him , and while his lessons aren’t exactly textbook parenting, there’s clearly love there. I’ve had days where I feel like the villain just trying to get my kids out the door with crocs on,so I’ve got a soft spot for the King of Koopas. He’s proof that even the bad guys can have a good side when it comes to their kids.

 

Rost – Horizon Zero Dawn

Rost is the kind of dad we all aspire to be,wise, patient, selfless. Though he’s not Aloy’s biological father, he raises her like his own, teaching her survival, integrity, and resilience. He doesn’t just prepare her for the world ,he makes sure she believes she belongs in it. As someone who’s constantly trying to balance “tough love” with “unconditional support,” I found Rost’s quiet strength incredibly moving.

 

Barret Wallace – Final Fantasy VII

Barret’s got a gun arm and a heart the size of Midgar. His devotion to his adopted daughter, Marlene, gives his explosive energy a deep emotional anchor. Underneath the shouting and smashing is a man doing everything he can to build a better world for his little girl. It’s messy, loud, and so very real,much like my own parenting journey some days.

 

Kazuma Kiryu – Yakuza Series

Kiryu might look like he eats steel for breakfast, but he’s also the gentle, guiding force behind an orphanage and the father figure to Haruka. His story across the Yakuza games shows us that being a dad isn’t just about protecting, it’s about showing up, listening, and helping a child become who they’re meant to be. He’s the kind of man who can brawl for hours… then go home and help with homework. Respect!

 

Final Thoughts from One Gaming Dad to Another

Video game fathers often mirror the best,and worst, parts of the real thing. They struggle with loss, they wrestle with their tempers, and they don’t always say the right thing. But ..when it counts? They show up. They protect. They love.

As a gaming dad, I’ve laughed, cried, and learned right alongside these digital dads. They remind me that being a father is more than just a role, it’s a journey. One filled with mistakes, growth, and moments you’ll never forget (kind of like finishing RDR2).

 

GG

 

So here’s to all the dads out there — whether you’re raising future gamers, guiding wayward teens, or just trying to finish a level without stepping on LEGO.

Happy Father’s Day.

May your save files never corrupt, your respawns be swift, and your coffee stay warm