History Flanderization / VideoGames

*** In the 2010s, Shadow has since undergone a second flanderization [[NeverLiveItDown due to his]] [[MemeticPersonalityChange popular perception]] of being an [[DarkerAndEdgier angsty, edgy and pride-obsessed loner]] akin to [[Anime/DragonBallZ Vegeta]] (who himself was similarly flanderized into such between the Namek and Android arcs), to the point that in media past ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' (particularly in western media like ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'' and the [[Blog/SonicTheHedgehogTwitter Sonic Twitter Takeovers]], and even being [[AdaptationalVillainy an outright antagonist]] in the former), he's been portrayed as an icy loner who despises friendship and whose only emotional trait is that of being brooding, overly serious and arrogant. ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' codified this new persona in canon by having him be [[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom the catalyst]] for Infinite's StartOfDarkness (although it's still indicated he cares somewhat for his teammates), and [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW the IDW comics]] had him frequently be misanthropic and arrogant towards everyone to the point that [[NiceJobBreakingItHero him showing up typically makes the crisis worse]]. It remains to be seen if his simply anti-heroic characterization from between ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' to ''VideoGame/SonicChroniclesTheDarkBrotherhood'' will return.

** Despite [[MascotWithAttitude what he has always been advertised]] [[AdaptationDecay in western territories]], Sonic's overall personality in the games could be described as a laid-back, [[DeadpanSnarker sassy]] [[BoldExplorer adventurer]] [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold with a heart of gold]]. However, through most games past the classic games and the Adventure series either feature Sonic as a mixture between the [[IdealHero generic good guy]] and/or [[LargeHam a more in-your-face snarker]]. The amount he gets flanderized (and which side it leans more on out of those two) usually depends on the game and its writing quality/style.

** Amy Rose was originally a cheerful and slightly head-in-the-clouds girl who was a FriendToAllLivingThings. Come ''Sonic X'' forwards, she's [[RomanticPlotTumor obsessed with marrying Sonic]], sometimes in [[{{Yandere}} borderline violent ways]]. This trait was completely removed in ''VideoGame/SonicBoom'' and later games where she sees Sonic as a friend instead of a guy she wants to marry. However, since ''Sonic Lost World'', this was dailed back to her just generally being a cheerful fan of Sonic's.

*** In the 2010s, Shadow has since undergone a second flanderization [[NeverLiveItDown due to his]] [[MemeticPersonalityChange popular perception]] of being an [[DarkerAndEdgier angsty, edgy and pride-obsessed loner]] akin to [[Anime/DragonBallZ Vegeta]], to the point that in media past ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' (particularly in western media like ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'' and the [[Blog/SonicTheHedgehogTwitter Sonic Twitter Takeovers]], and even being [[AdaptationalVillainy an outright antagonist]] in the former), he's been portrayed as an icy loner who despises friendship and whose only emotional trait is that of being brooding, overly serious and arrogant. ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' codified this new persona in canon by having him be [[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom the catalyst]] for Infinite's StartOfDarkness (although it's still indicated he cares somewhat for his teammates), and [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW the IDW comics]] had him frequently be misanthropic and arrogant towards everyone to the point that [[NiceJobBreakingItHero him showing up typically makes the crisis worse]]. It remains to be seen if his simply anti-heroic characterization from between ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' to ''VideoGame/SonicChroniclesTheDarkBrotherhood'' will return.

*** While his plans back in the [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure Dreamcast]] [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 games]] involved releasing a SealedEvilInACan that would [[TheStarscream steal]] the role of BigBad from him at the end, Eggman was still an active and hands-on character frequently using manipulation and cunning to ensure his schemes would succeed, and [[VillainousValor kept fighting]] even when Chaos defied his terms or the ARK was about to destroy the world. Starting from ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', however, Eggman would become more prone to outright stupidity as he [[AesopAmnesia continually forgot]] that EvilIsNotAToy, eventually [[VillainDecay being reduced to a glorified plot device]] to get the story to the point where he'd be forced to EnemyMine with the heroes against the MonsterOfTheWeek, and typically stayed on the sidelines while the others dealt with these villains head-on. Starting from ''VideoGame/SonicColors'', however, Eggman was able to keep the role of FinalBoss even when having a new threat at his employ, with his usurpation by the Deadly Six early into ''VideoGame/SonicLostWorld'' only happening because Sonic [[NiceJobBreakingItHero broke]] their RestrainingBolt, followed by the doctor [[spoiler:using Sonic to get rid of them while he [[HijackedByGanon secretly climbed his way back to the top]]]].

** Most of the characters in the series have suffered this at some point not long after the release of ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' and ''Anime/SonicX''. (Although Dr. Eggman is one of the only ones who hasn't experienced too much of this.)
** Despite [[MascotWithAttitude what he has always been advertised]] [[AdaptationDecay in western territories]], Sonic's overall personality in the games could be described as a laid-back, [[DeadpanSnarker sassy]] [[BoldExplorer adventurer]] [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold with a heart of gold]]. However, through most games past the classic games and the Adventure series either feature Sonic as a mixture between the [[IdealHero generic good guy]] and/or a more in-your-face snarker. The amount he gets flanderized (and which side it leans more on out of those two) usually depends on the game and its writing quality.
** Tails has almost always been Sonic's naïve sidekick, but over time has been pushed heavily aside as your average techie / mechanic guy. Tails' ability to fight was severely dialed back to the point where he's completely helpless unless Sonic is there to save the day, which heavily contrasts with his CharacterDevelopment in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' and ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' where he learns to stand up for himself. Easily the biggest example is his encounters with Chaos in ''Sonic Adventure'' and ''VideoGame/SonicForces''; in the former, he took on and defeated Chaos 4, whereas in the latter, he ''cowers'' at the sight of ([[spoiler:an illusion of]]) Chaos ''0''. As in ''Adventure's first boss''. He also cowers when facing an attack from robots in the city, and ducked behind a wall when Infinite fought Sonic, not even trying to help Sonic fight Infinite.
** In games ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'' and ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', Knuckles the Echidna was tricked by Eggman into antagonizing Sonic, each times for different reasons. However come [[Anime/SonicX the anime]], SEGA decided to make Knuckles even more thick-headed and/or muscle-bound when pitted with Sonic and friends. This is seen especially in ''VideoGame/SonicRiders'' and even ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations''. This case with Knuckles has actually been pretty bad, leading Knuckles to no longer acknowledge his own responsibilities on his island nor what his purpose was in the series to begin with, rather just being the [[ButtMonkey meat-headed joke character]] that hangs around Sonic and co. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise when he's introduced in the spin-off ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'' series (which is an AlternateContinuity), his new design pretty much spells out he's the DumbMuscle of the group, with absolutely no mention to the Master Emerald at all.
** Amy Rose was originally a cheerful and slightly head-in-the-clouds girl who was a FriendToAllLivingThings. Come ''Sonic X'' forwards, she's [[RomanticPlotTumor obsessed with marrying Sonic]], sometimes in [[{{Yandere}} borderline violent ways]]. This trait was completely removed in ''VideoGame/SonicBoom'' and later games where she sees Sonic as a friend instead of a guy she wants to marry. However, since Sonic Lost World, this was changed to were she has a slight crush on Sonic.
** In ''VideoGame/KnucklesChaotix'', Espio the Chameleon was a detective and had the ability to walk on walls and ceilings. In ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', he was given more personality and also had some ninja elements to them due to his previous abilities, plus the fact that he should have {{invisibility}}, due to being a chameleon and all. It seemed more like a hobby than anything major. In ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'', Espio's ninja qualities have been enhanced to an obvious degree, with more ninja mannerisms, a heavier focus on his invisibility and shuriken, and his voice sounding like it was ripped straight from the animes.

*** In ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'', he ''did'' partake in some minor brooding, but that wasn't a primary character trait. Much like Cloud Strife in his original appearance, he could make a joke, take a joke, and he didn't care about his hazy past; all he cared about was accomplishing his current goals [[AntiHero by any means necessary]]. However, [[VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog in his self-titled game]], Shadow turned into a ByronicHero who would ''never stop'' brooding and pondering about his past. However, once he learns about his past, [[CharacterDevelopment that apparently satisfied his ponderings]] and relaxed into a characterization close to his original.
*** Shadow has since undergone a new Flanderization [[NeverLiveItDown due to his popular perception]] of being an [[DarkerAndEdgier angsty, edgy loner]], to the point that in games past ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' (especially in Sonic Boom), he's been portrayed as an icy loner who despises friendship and whose only emotional trait is that of being brooding and overly serious. ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' codified this new persona in canon, and it remains to be seen if his simply anti-heroic characterization from between''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' to ''VideoGame/SonicChroniclesTheDarkBrotherhood'' will return.
** Dr. Eggman himself gone through some gradual changes that eventually shaped his character to what everyone knows today. Eggman didn't have much of a personality in the classic Sega Genesis games other than a crazy intelligent scientist wanting to conquer the world. By ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', he's a LargeHam with a hidden darker side to him, such as attempting to blow up Station Square with a missile and threatening Tails to make mincemeat out of him. ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' tones down Eggman's LargeHam and makes him a very threatening villain who has no qualms with killing Sonic or Amy and also has no problems with destroying countless cities if his demands aren't met. Eggman's laughable and childish traits returned in future games while still harboring the cold and menacing nature previously. Making Eggman both a laughable and a dangerous villain.

** Likewise, Marshall Law too. His story was fairly realistic in the earlier game, trying to expand his business into dojo, having it trashed by Baek and learning to let go of revenge. Then ''Tekken 4'' happens and he fell into poverty and trying his best to win the tournament to ensure his family is well-fed. That was the point that Law takes a downward spiral into a JokeCharacter like his buddy Paul as 'being in PerpetualPoverty' becomes his secondary gimmick aside of being a BruceLeeClone, and he also proves himself to be NotSoDifferent with Paul in terms of wackiness, especially when you compare his ending in ''Tekken 2'' where Law made it clear that he's much less cocky and dignified than Paul (succeeding in flip kick when Paul fell flat to his face).

* Mr Torgue of {{VideoGame/Borderlands}} went from resident lover of all things manly and explosive [[EvenBadMenLoveTheirMamas with a soft spot for his momma]] to a espouser of 'social justice' cliches.

** From ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI'' to ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' to ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance'', Sora has become more and more of a {{Keet}} and IdiotHero, and his status as an AllLovingHero has gotten [[MessianicArchetype more and more literal.]] Though he has always been the person who follows his heart over his head.

* Peggy Jean and Lila lost a huge chunk of their former tomboyish traits in ''Snoopy's Town Tale''. Peggy Jean takes this UpToEleven, going from a {{Tomboy}} to a GirlyGirl, losing her sweater and trousers and getting a dress. She is an accidental example, though; the creators of the game apparently forgot about her as a tomboy.

** In games ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'' and ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', Knuckles the Echidna was tricked by Eggman into antagonizing Sonic, each times for different reasons. However come [[Anime/SonicX the anime]], SEGA decided to make Knuckles even more thick-headed and/or muscle-bound when pitted with Sonic and friends. This is seen especially in ''VideoGame/SonicRiders'' and even ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations''.
*** This case with Knuckles has actually been pretty bad, leading Knuckles to no longer acknowledge his own responsibilities on his island nor what his purpose was in the series to begin with, rather just being the [[ButtMonkey meat-headed joke character]] that hangs around Sonic and co. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise when he's introduced in the spin-off ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'' series (which is an AlternateContinuity), his new design pretty much spells out he's the DumbMuscle of the group, with absolutely no mention to the Master Emerald at all.

*** However, in Espio's case it could be debated more as {{CharacterizationMarchesOn}}.
** Shadow the Hedgehog, in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'', ''did'' partake in some minor brooding, but that wasn't a primary character trait. Much like Cloud Strife in his original appearance, he could make a joke, take a joke, and he didn't care about his hazy past; all he cared about was accomplishing his current goals [[AntiHero by any means necessary]]. However, [[VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog in his self-titled game]], Shadow turned into a ByronicHero who would ''never stop'' brooding and pondering about his past. However, once he learns about his past, [[CharacterDevelopment that apparently satisfied his ponderings]] and relaxed into a characterization close to his original.

* [[BigEater Xiba]] from ''[[VideoGame/SoulSeries Soulcalibur V]]''[='s=] love of steam buns is noted a couple times in the game, usually before a match/after winning. In most fanfictions and other fan works, however, his love for food overshadows all other parts of his personality, to the point where that is the only thing he ever talks about when he has dialogue.
** Because ''SCV''[='s=] story [[WhatCouldHaveBeen was substantially downsized]] [[ExecutiveMeddling due to time constraints]] (it ended up ''one-fourth'' of the planned size, complete with fully-voiced acted dialogue that was never used), few of the newcomers received any character development whatsoever, Xiba included ([[ReplacementScrappy which didn't sit so well for many fans of the longstanding series staples the new generation did replace]]). In Xiba's case, his love of food is actually ''the'' defining trait of his personality (with his [[IdiotHero lack of smarts]] due to said laser-guided focus on meals a close second) and it pops up more than a few times, so while we do get glimpses of more to his character, [[FlatCharacter there's admittedly not much to go off of to begin with.]] The fans took what little was there and ran with it.

** Meanwhile, ''VideoGame/MegaManX8'' and ''VideoGame/MegaManMaverickHunterX'' attempted some CharacterRerailment. X is still a ReluctantWarrior as always, but doesn't let that stop him from using force if necessary. Sigma gains a motivation similar to but more complex than his KillAllHumans motive from the original game: Wanting reploids to evolve and achieve their true potential at all costs, even if it means killing their human masters to do so. He even - [[spoiler: just in time for his seemingly FinalDeath]] - manipulates the construction of New Generation reploids so that they carry his reploid DNA, and with it his ideology, causing them to believe that they have every right to dispose of both the humans ''and'' old-style reploids holding them back.

*** Yukiko herself has remained untouched, but her [[LaughingMad laughing fits]] to bad jokes has strengthened even further, and more frequently than usual.

* In the ''VideoGame/DinerDash'' series, Flo's frequent antagonist, the [=BigCorp=], is portrayed as a legitimate business, although the owner/CEO, Mr. Big, is a CorruptCorporateExecutive who is willing to engage in sabotage to get rid of his competitors so that he can monopolize the market and increase his own profits. Two of Flo's best-paying customers, Barb the businesswoman and Colin the cellphone addict, both work for Mr. Big, and they are decent people (even if Colin's cellphone conversations frequently bothers other customers), and in other non-Diner Dash SpinOff titles, the corporation is treated as a neutral entity. In ''VideoGame/DinerDashAdventures'', the [=BigCorp=] has been reduced to an EvilInc who seems to enjoy wrecking the town [[ForTheEvulz for the heck of it]], and doesn't seem interested to capitalize on the destruction they cause. Barb is no longer associated with the corporation (instead helping her husband Gil run his restaurant, before running her own inn later on), while the newly introduced [=BigCorp=] employees are all CardCarryingVillain who brags about their various evil deeds.

* The ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'' series always bring back the characters of the previous games as bonus characters. However, they always come back as flanderized versions of themselves. The ur-example is Laharl, the protagonist of the first game. He starts out as an annoying, self-entitled brat but goes on to deal with a potent childhood trauma, stops shutting out his feelings, gains devoted allies, and even a {{Love Interest|s}}. He's still kind of a jerk at the end, but you can tell he's [[CharacterDevelopment matured.]] When he appears in the sequels he's still the Overlord, but he acts like a annoying brat who wants to be the main character again for more screentime and related benefits, such as being able to win every battle because the player can just reset and grind more until he wins.

* In the ''VideoGame/DinerDash series'', Flo's frequent antagonist, the [=BigCorp=], is portrayed as a legitimate corporation, although the owner/CEO, Mr. Big, is a CorruptCorporateExecutive who is willing to engage in sabotage to run his competitors out of business so that he can monopolize the market and increase his own profits. Two of Flo's best-paying customers, Barb the businesswoman and Colin the cellphone addict, both work for Mr. Big, and they are decent people (even if Colin's cellphone conversations frequently bothers other customers). In ''VideoGame/DinerDashAdventures'', the [=BigCorp=] has been reduced to an EvilInc who seems to enjoy wrecking the town [[ForTheEvulz for the heck of it]], and doesn't seem interested to capitalize on the destruction they cause. Barb is no longer associated with the corporation (instead helping her husband Gil run his restaurant, before running her own inn later on), while the newly introduced [=BigCorp=] employees are all CardCarryingVillain who brags about their various evil deeds.

** Furthermore, with the recent Kirby-games like ''VideoGame/KirbyAndTheRainbowCurse'' or ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamland'', the above things has made Kirby become synonymous with ChronicHeroSyndrome, doing things in cute, yet quite mundane fashion overall. While there's been recent attempts to portray him in a more comical light, these weren't really that funny anymore due to clashing with his emphasized immense cuteness that usually results in
it looking like abuse akin to an innocent puppy - especially enforced by his lack of pro-activity and use of varying facial expressions. For example, compare Kirby's character in the cutscenes in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i3Wtd8GFbQ Adventure as opposed to Nightmare In Dreamland]].

** While always being his trademark trait, Kirby's cuteness started to take all over him after ''Kirby 64'' and the ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'', turning him to a very innocent [[TastesLikeDiabetes baby-like child in means of personality and appearance.]] His past self used to be more of a [[http://www.kirbysrainbowresort.net/multimedia/pictures/adventure/ Japanese cartoon glutton ]] that also had partial bouts of snark and common sense according to the situations he found himself in - the most infamous of course being his [[SilentSnarker brief moment of snark]] in tutorial for ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar''.

** Furthermore, with the recent Kirby-games like ''VideoGame/KirbyAndTheRainbowCurse'' or ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamland'', the above things has made Kirby become synonymous with ChronicHeroSyndrome, doing things in cute, yet quite mundane fashion overall. While there's been recent attempts to portray him in comical light, these weren't a funny anymore due clashing with his emphasized immense cuteness that usually result it looking like abuse akin to an innocent puppy - especially enforced by his lack of pro-activity and use of varying facial expressions. For example, compare Kirby's character in the cutscenes in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i3Wtd8GFbQ Adventure as opposed to Nightmare In Dreamland]].

* ''Franchise/{{Touhou}}'' FanFiction does this a lot with the many many characters who, in the games, have only slight hints at personality traits to begin with. Which makes Touhou a unique case where Flanderization, CharacterDevelopment and Character Establishment are very often one and the same. In fact, many popular characters have personalities that developed before WordOfGod announced them in official side works, thus often clashing with the official version, which in turn makes for interesting stories when the different sides try to take control of the plot.

** Blaze has actually gone through de-Flanderization; in ''VideoGame/{{Sonic Rush|Series}}'' she was an icy loner who constantly stressed not wanting anyone's help, she was somewhat more mellow in ''[[VideoGame/SonicRushSeries Sonic Rush Adventure]]'', and nowadays she's just a fairly shy and formal character.

* In ''VideoGame/MarvelAvengersAlliance'', the portrayal of {{Iron Man}} is a flat-out Flanderization of one of the most notable traits of his [[Film/IronMan movie counterpart]], the {{snark}}. Even though in the movies and comics Tony Stark tends to be sarcastic, in this game he takes nothing serious, and constantly makes fun of the current situation and even of other characters who are supposed to be his friends, like Captain America, Thor or Hawkeye.

** Sonic's SuperDrowningSkills became this. He could survive underwater just fine in every game until ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' (though he still could run out of air), but after ''Adventure'', water became his Kryptonite. It was at the point that the designers of ''VideoGame/SonicBoom'' actually ended up having to scrap and redo some levels [[TroubledProduction (it shows)]] in part because [[ExecutiveMeddling Sega considered]] Sonic dying in water to be iconic.

*** This case with Knuckles has actually been pretty bad, leading Knuckles to no longer acknowledge his own responsibilities on his island nor what his purpose was in the series to begin with, rather just being the [[ButtMonkey meat-headed joke character]] that hangs around Sonic and co. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise when he's introduced in the spinoff ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'' series (Which is an AlternateContinuity), his new design pretty much spells out he's the DumbMuscle of the group, with absolutely no mention to the Master Emerald at all.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'':
** In the original, Cloud Strife actually did very little brooding, preferring to focus on fighting Sephiroth and saving the planet from Shinra. The guy even cracked a few jokes at his friends and could take a jab back in return, and is very caring of his friends and claims he "trusts everyone". His archrival Sephiroth was a DarkMessiah who wanted to [[GodhoodSeeker become a god]] to reshape the planet into his own personal utopia, and he screwed with Cloud's head to do it in revenge for Cloud defeating him years prior. Ever since the original game Cloud has been warped into a loner who brushes off his friends' attempts to help him while he broods and angsts over Sephiroth, and Sephiroth's only character traits now are his ability to manipulate Cloud's emotions and taunt Cloud with the fact he's so good at it. The FoeYay between them has also gotten increasingly heavy-handed, to the point Sephiroth almost seems more like a jealous stalker or a scorned ex than Cloud's hated enemy. A few modern spin-offs do manage to revert both of them back to their previous characterizations; for example, ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy2015'' brings back the cockiness and daring seen in Cloud's original portrayal.
** There's also Aerith and Yuffie. Aerith was originally a headstrong PluckyGirl with a strong spiritual side and a slight flirtatious streak. The girl threatened to ''rip off a guy's balls'' at one point. In the spin-offs whatever stubbornness and flirtatiousness she had is gone, and her spiritual powers and connection to the planet have become her core character traits--as a result the girl is portrayed as a saint, the human incarnation of IncorruptiblePurePureness with powers so strong she can save the world from beyond the grave. Meanwile Yuffie was originally a bit goofy and silly, but she was still quite cunning, witty and sneaky--she ''is'' a ninja after all, and the former {{Trope Namer|s}} for SoLongAndThanksForAllTheGear. In spin-offs she's a typical GenkiGirl and is just loud and hyper. ''Crisis Core'' [[CharacterRerailment rectified both of these though]]; and Aerith and Yuffie are more or less back to how they were in the original game.
** In an interesting case, Sephiroth was forced to [[InvokedTrope invoke]] this on himself. After he was beaten in ''Final Fantasy VII'', his consciousness was slowly being eroded by TheLifestream. To preserve his sense of self, Sephiroth held onto his strongest emotion (his hatred of Cloud) until that was the only thing sustaining him.
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX2'' has a similar example to Yuffie with Rikku. [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX Originally]], while always hyperactive and eccentric, she was genuinely intelligent and witty, especially considering she was only fifteen. Once the sequel hit, hyper seemed to be the ''only'' trait brought over. All her wit and intelligence disappeared nearly entirely because the writers seemed more content to make {{dumb blond}} jokes, with all the wit given to Paine, the DeadpanSnarker character created for the sequel to team with Yuna and Rikku.
** Though it's kind of justified, since Rikku no longer had to [[spoiler:worry about her cousin sacrificing her life for a cause that'd bring peace for a few years only]] so now she could live her life without many worries.