Games Where the Default Protagonist Skin Is Dark

From big-budget action epics to intimate indies, plenty of games launch you in the shoes of a hero of color right from the title screen. Below are eighteen titles where the default, canonical protagonist isn’t customizable to a lighter template—and where their identity is baked into the story, art, and marketing. For each entry, you’ll find the studio and publisher responsible, plus clear notes on setting, structure, and what the game actually has you do.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Rockstar North developed and Rockstar Games published this open-world crime saga starring Carl “CJ” Johnson, a Black protagonist whose model and marketing define the default player character. Set across Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas, the game anchors its missions and radio chatter in early-’90s West Coast culture. The campaign blends driving, shooting, and territory control systems with a persistent character stat model. Console and PC releases feature identical story beats with minor platform-specific enhancements.

Watch Dogs 2

Ubisoft Montreal built and Ubisoft published this open-world hacking sequel starring Marcus Holloway, a Black hacker whose default appearance is fixed outside of clothing customization. The game takes place in a near-future San Francisco Bay Area, where players exploit ctOS networks to infiltrate corporations. Systems center on remote hacking, drones, and non-lethal stealth alongside standard combat. Post-launch support added co-op and patch refinements across platforms.

Mafia III

Hangar 13 developed and 2K published this open-world crime drama with Lincoln Clay, a Black Vietnam veteran, as the set protagonist. The story unfolds in a fictionalized New Orleans called New Bordeaux, organized around district takeovers and underboss management. Missions mix stealth, driving, and gunplay, with rackets producing revenue for upgrades. DLC story packs expand Clay’s arc and add side activities.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Insomniac Games developed and Sony Interactive Entertainment published this standalone action adventure starring Miles Morales, an Afro-Latino Spider-Man. The campaign is set in wintertime Manhattan and focuses on bio-electric abilities and stealth alongside traversal and combat. A performance/visual modes suite is available on PlayStation consoles, including ray-tracing options. Photo Mode, suits, and challenge activities extend play beyond the main story.

Deathloop

Arkane Lyon created and Bethesda Softworks published this time-loop shooter led by Colt Vahn, a Black protagonist with a fixed character model and voice. The game strands players on Blackreef, where four districts shift across a four-phase day cycle. Progress relies on learning NPC schedules to eliminate targets and break the loop. Invasion mechanics allow an optional player-controlled antagonist to enter sessions.

Assassin’s Creed Origins

Ubisoft Montreal developed and Ubisoft published this series reboot starring Bayek of Siwa, a brown-skinned Egyptian Medjay. The open world covers Ancient Egypt from deserts to the Nile Delta, with discovery tours highlighting historical context. Combat uses a hitbox-driven system and skill trees for melee, ranged, and tools. Optional tomb exploration and photo mode support exploration-heavy playstyles.

Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation

Ubisoft Sofia developed and Ubisoft published this entry with Aveline de Grandpré, a Black woman of French and African heritage, as the sole protagonist. Set in New Orleans and surrounding bayous, the game introduces a persona system that changes social interactions and stealth options. Missions include parkour traversal, assassinations, and economic activities. Later HD releases adapted the original handheld design for consoles and PC.

Forspoken

Luminous Productions developed and Square Enix published this open-world action RPG starring Frey Holland, a Black woman transported to the realm of Athia. Magic-parkour systems let players flow across terrain while slinging elemental spells in real-time combat. The map features region bosses, detours, and crafting tied to cloak and necklace gear. Post-launch patches addressed performance and added quality-of-life tweaks on PC and PlayStation.

Prototype 2

Radical Entertainment developed and Activision published this open-world action title featuring James Heller, a Black U.S. Marine. Set in a quarantined New York, the game centers on shapeshifting, biomass consumption, and power customization. Mission structure alternates between stealth infiltration and high-impact combat against infected and military units. New Game+ and collectibles support ability completion runs.

The Walking Dead: Season One

Telltale Games developed and published this narrative adventure starring Lee Everett, a Black lead whose choices govern dialogue and outcomes. Gameplay focuses on conversation trees, timed decisions, and light environmental puzzles. The season is split into five episodes, each saving state to carry forward consequences. Cross-platform releases maintain identical story content and branching logic.

The Walking Dead: Michonne

Telltale Games developed and published this three-episode miniseries with Michonne, a Black protagonist from the comics canon, as the only playable character. The game uses the series’ standard QTEs and dialogue choices to resolve conflicts. Story beats fill a gap in the character’s timeline and reference comic-specific events and locations. Save data tracks relationships and key decisions through the finale.

Far Cry 4

Ubisoft Montreal developed and Ubisoft published this open-world shooter starring Ajay Ghale, a South Asian protagonist returning to Kyrat. The map is split between lowlands and Himalayan peaks, with outposts, forts, and side quests gating perks and gear. Co-op support lets another player assist in world activities outside of story missions. A wingsuit, gyrocopter, and animal companion systems expand traversal and tactics.

Star Wars Battlefront II (campaign)

Motive Studio and DICE developed while Electronic Arts published this shooter whose single-player campaign stars Iden Versio, a brown-skinned Imperial special forces commander. The story spans multiple battles and introduces squad mechanics distinct from multiplayer classes. Progression unlocks abilities via star cards within campaign parameters. Platform parity keeps narrative content consistent across releases.

Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna)

Upper One Games developed and E-Line Media published this puzzle-platformer centered on Nuna, an Iñupiat girl, and her arctic fox companion. The game integrates cultural insights from Alaska Native storytellers through unlockable “Cultural Insight” videos. Co-op play enables character swapping to solve environmental challenges. The “Foxtales” expansion adds new levels and mechanics based on additional folklore.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Ember Lab developed and published this action-adventure starring Kena, a dark-skinned spirit guide. Gameplay blends staff combat, bow abilities, and command of small creatures called Rot to solve puzzles. The world is structured into hubs with boss encounters gating progression. Photo Mode, charmstones, and difficulty options support replay and accessibility.

Tchia

Awaceb developed and Kepler Interactive published this open-world adventure featuring Tchia, a brown-skinned girl from a setting inspired by New Caledonia. Core systems include “soul-jumping” into animals and objects, gliding, and sailing between islands. A ukulele mechanic ties into world interactions and musical performances. Cosmetic outfits and camp activities provide non-combat progression.

Dishonored: Death of the Outsider

Arkane Studios developed and Bethesda Softworks published this standalone stealth title starring Billie Lurk, a Black assassin. Missions feature open-ended infiltration with tools like Semblance and Displace replacing traditional loadouts. Contracts add optional objectives that alter routes and rewards. Level design emphasizes simulation-driven systems over linear pathways.

Life Is Strange 2

Dontnod Entertainment developed and Square Enix published this five-episode narrative adventure led by Sean Diaz, a Latino teenager, as the default player character. Choices shape dialogue, relationships, and how Sean mentors his younger brother. Save imports from a prior spinoff can adjust certain scenes, and a journal tracks player decisions. Console and PC versions retain the same branching structure and content.

If we missed one of your favorites, drop it below and tell us which studio and publisher brought that dark-skinned lead to life!