History AFatherToHisMen / VideoGames

** The Boss to her Cobra Unit in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater''. She was the one who trained Big Boss and thought of him as her greatest student, having developed [[CloseRangeCombatant CQC]] alongside him. Their relationship became a more literal example of this trope than most, as she became a surrogate mother to him after losing her own son to the AncientConspiracy and being rendered infertile by her involvement in [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Buster%E2%80%93Jangle Operation Buster–Jangle]], whereas Big Boss was a [[ReallySeventeenYearsOld teenager in a war zone]].

** Within the RPG spinoffs, Bowser is shown to be this to his minions, as his minions follow him out of respect and adoration for him, not fear, despite his numerous losses. It's worth noting that Bowser is also an actual father, and there's never been any sign of turmoil between him and Junior, to the point that within ''VideoGame/FortuneStreet'', Bowser Jr. is the only character Bowser would never insult should he and his son compete against each other on the same board as [=NPCs=], even while losing to him. For an army that tried to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom numerous times, It makes sense when Bowser knows than an army will function well as long as that army loves and respects their leader and vice versa.

** Within the RPG spinoffs, Bowser is shown to be this to his minions, as his minions follow him out of respect and adoration for him, not fear, despite his numerous losses. It's worth noting that Bowser is also an actual father, and there's never been any sign of turmoil between him and Junior, to the point that within ''VideoGame/FortuneStreet'', Bowser Jr. is the only character Bowser would never insult should he and his son compete against each other on the same board as [=NPCs=], even while losing to him.

** ''VideoGame/{{Kirby}}'':

** Meanwhile, King Dedede is shown to care deeply for his Waddle Dees. While he proclaims that [[HypocriticalHeartwarming only he can be mean to his Waddle Dees]], he's shown to be incredibly protective of his them and will risk his life to keep them safe. In ''VideoGame/KirbyAndTheForgottenLand'', he does a HeroicSacrifice just for the sake of one Waddle Dee. No wonder nobody tries to overthrow the self-proclaimed king; he earned his claim to the throne.

* Although the ''VideoGame/{{Kirby}}'' series isn't exactly known for its deep characterization, what we see of Meta Knight's interactions with his endless army of FacelessGoons seems to indicate he plays this role for them; yet another one of the reasons he's the resident WorthyOpponent and HeroAntagonist. ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar'''s "Revenge of Meta Knight" makes it a bit more explicit. He tells his crew to abandon ship before it crashes into the ocean while he distracts Kirby with a [[DuelBoss final duel]]. His crew likes him too much and they decide to [[MultiMookMelee fight Kirby first]]. He snaps at them for being so willing to throw away their lives, then apologizes under his breath for allowing things to get to the point that they would have to.

** Mustafa from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' provides a rare heroic antagonist example. He not only demonstrates these qualities, but adds complexity to Plegia as a whole simply by existing. He shows tact, respect, concern for the lives of others and especially the men under his command, and (as reported in Henry's supports) kindness freely given to others. Unlike essentially all other enemy commanders in Awakening, there are no mixed feelings amongst the Shepherds about him: he was a good man, and it pains them to have to fight him. In a better world, he could easily have *joined* them.

* ''Franchise/Fire Emblem'':

* Greil from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance'' is like this, saying things like "It doesn't matter what our blood ties are; we are all family. So if you don't want to cause your family any grief, then live!" By the end of the game, [[PromotionToParent his son Ike has taken on the same role.]]

** Big Boss in the series in general. The kids at Zanzibar Land called him their "One-Eyed Uncle", and there is a very good reason why his men are genuinely loyal to him instead of serving him out of fear.
*** He's also something of a deconstruction. When things go wrong and his soldiers die, Big Boss ''really'' has a tough time dealing with it. Eventually [[DespairEventHorizon he can't take it anymore]] and [[ProtagonistJourneyToVillain things]] [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope don't]] [[ForeverWar end]] [[CrapsackWorld well.]] Notably, during [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVGroundZeroes the destruction of Mother Base]], he's completely calm for almost the entire fight, until he sees a good number of his men cut down in front of him, at which point he goes into a rage and almost needs to be dragged back to the chopper.

* Surprisingly, General Donald Morden from ''VideoGame/MetalSlug'' was said to have been this back when he was a Vice Admiral in the Regular Army. When he eventually resigned [[spoiler: due to his son's preventable death]], everyone formerly under his command followed him out, sheerly from loyalty.
** The fact they're still there fighting after half a dozen games spent getting [[TheGoomba slaughtered by the hundreds by the Peregrine Falcon squad]] already spells it out.