The Festival of Lights has arrived, and we want to wish a happy Diwali/Deepavali to all our Indian readers. To commemorate the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, let’s celebrate the various Indian characters and representations of Indian culture in video games.

Alo – Fishbowl

Publisher and developer imissmyfriends is a two-person team that has taught themselves how to create their first video game, Fishbowl. This debut title is an emotional RPG visual novel that explores themes of friendship, grief, and isolation. It focuses on understanding the complexities of feelings and making the best choices in life, even while experiencing isolation.

In Fishbowl, you’ll follow the story of Alo, a 21-year-old video editor living in India, who is grappling with the loss of her cherished grandmother, Jojo. As Alo navigates her days filled with sorrow, a package arrives at her doorstep, unveiling sentimental treasures and an enchanting toy fish that springs to life, introducing a twist of magic into her world.

This game is more than just a narrative; it’s an immersive experience where your choices have real consequences. Engage in heartfelt dialogues that shape Alo’s journey and influence the story’s outcome. You’ll also find delightful mini-games, like a vibrant quick-time colour-matching challenge that tests your video editing skills.

You can find out more about Fishbowl in our exciting interview with the devs or check out our written preview of the game.

Venba – Venba

Venba, the game’s titular character is an Indian immigrant mom, who lives with her family in 1980s Canada. As players take on the role of the family matriarch, their objective is to prepare delectable South Indian dishes using authentic recipes from the region. Alongside the cooking aspect, players will engage in a heartwarming narrative with multiple storylines and branching conversations.

The storyline of the game delves into various aspects of Indian culture, emphasizing the significance of family and love. Since it launched on 31 July 2023, many critics and players have praised the game as being heartwarming and relatable to most Indian immigrant families.

Jala – Thirsty Suitors

Thirsty Suitors is a story-driven RPG developed by Outerloop Games that centers around a captivating narrative. In this game, players assume the role of Jala Jayaratne, a 25-year-old protagonist who embarks on a journey back to her hometown to reconcile the regrettable actions she committed before leaving three years ago.

At first glance, Jala does not seem like a great person due to her numerous mistakes. She’s back home not by choice but rather a consequence of her latest error catching up with her. The player has the freedom to determine Jala’s behaviour towards others – whether she breaks hearts or aims to please everyone – but the outcome remains consistent: she must make amends for the pain she has caused, take responsibility, and carve a new direction for herself.

Vir – The Palace on the Hill Prologue

Set in 90s rural India, The Palace on the Hill Prologue is a slice-of-life adventure where players play as Vir, a teenage boy filled with ambition to set his own path. The game promises an emotional story, vibrant hand-painted watercolour graphics, relaxing puzzles, Indian cooking, and fun exploration.

Although the title has yet to release its full game, reviewers and players have praised its beautiful graphics and mechanics to even say it is a “delightful little gem”.  Check it out on PC via Steam.

Kamla

If you’re a fan of survival horror that weaves in Asian elements, you definitely don’t want to miss Kamla from Mad-Mantra Games. This game immerses players in a chilling narrative rooted in Indian culture, where you take on the role of a priest tasked with exorcising a woman who has fallen prey to demonic possession in an eerie, abandoned mansion.

Set against the backdrop of 1980s India, the story follows Kamla, a woman who married into a wealthy family but, just a year later, descends into madness, committing horrific acts against her loved ones. Now, she awaits salvation. As an Indian priest skilled in black magic, or “Tantrik,” it’s your mission to gather various objects needed for the exorcism ritual performed near the sacred fire. These ingredients have distinct values, and while some are easy to obtain, others are cleverly hidden behind puzzles and obstacles.

Players have lauded Kamla for its spine-chilling jump scares and haunting soundscapes. For the most immersive experience, it’s best played at night with headphones, allowing the tension to fully envelop you as you navigate the mysteries of the mansion. The game is available on Steam.

Detective Dotson

Masala Games, a publisher and developer based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is set to launch its debut title, Detective Dotson. This whimsical game promises to capture the essence of the Indian heartland through a captivating murder mystery that will test your detective skills.

With a storyline reminiscent of a Bollywood film, Detective Dotson delves into life’s imperfections, creating a light-hearted adventure where players solve intriguing cases. Each mystery offers a vibrant cultural experience, showcasing the richness of modern-day India—from its mouthwatering cuisine to lively festivals and joyous family weddings.

If you’re intrigued, you can try the demo of Detective Dotson on Steam right now and get a taste of what’s to come. The game is currently scheduled for release in Q1 2025 for Xbox and PC.

Haroona – Unknown 9: Awakening

Since its highly anticipated teaser trailer premiered at Gamescom in August 2020, Bandai Namco’s action-adventure game, Unknown 9: Awakening has officially launched on 18 October 2024, across platforms including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. Leading the cast is Anya Chalotra from The Witcher series, portraying Haroona, a young woman from Kolkata, India. Drawing on her own Indian heritage, Chalotra brings authenticity to the character, enhancing the narrative with cultural depth.

As the plot unfolds, Haroona discovers her extraordinary Umbric abilities, which allow her to harness mysterious powers that manipulate the unseen forces around her. A mentor enters her journey, guiding her in mastering these abilities and accessing a cryptic alternate dimension known as The Fold. Players will embark on an epic adventure alongside Haroona, unraveling the secrets of this new realm and the incredible powers she possesses.

Tamil Nadu – Project Madras

Project Madras is an exciting semi-linear open-world action game that invites players to explore the vibrant and chaotic streets of Chennai. In this game, players navigate a branching storyline that allows for multiple paths and choices, unlike traditional linear missions with a single route to completion. The open-world design provides the freedom to roam and discover the immersive environment at their own pace.

Developed by Royston Cinemo, Project Madras showcases the rich cultural tapestry of Tamil Nadu, featuring iconic landmarks and cultural nuances from Chennai. The gameplay trailer evokes the engaging style of Yakuza: Like a Dragon but sets the action against the colourful backdrop of India.

While the game is still in development and does not yet have a release window, it promises to be an ambitious title worth keeping an eye out! You can wishlist the game on Steam.

Mukti

Mukti, crafted by underDOGS Studio and chosen as one of the five games for The PlayStation India Hero Project, is a first-person exploration game that tackles the sensitive issue of human trafficking within the backdrop of an Indian museum. The PlayStation blog hints that this game may not cater to everyone, but it aims to “provoke empathy, spark dialogue, and ignite change.” The title, meaning “freedom,” suggests a deeper narrative exploration.

The trailer offers a glimpse into the gameplay, hinting at some horror elements. According to their Steam page, players will be immersed in the stunning architecture of a museum filled with a rich collection of historical and cultural artifacts representing India. While there’s no info of the game’s character, it is evident through the gameplay that the character is from an Indian heritage.

Plus, the game features real-motion video cutscenes starring acclaimed actors, designed to evoke strong emotions that propel the narrative forward. While many details remain under wraps, Mukti promises to place India firmly on the video game map!

Scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 and PC.

Lakshmi Bai and Devi Nayar – The Order 1886

Although The Order 1886 may have been derided by critics and gamers alike, we personally adored the setting and concept crafted by developer Ready at Dawn. The game featured two female Indian supporting characters, one of which is based on a real historical figure.

The first is Lakshmi Bai, the founder of the Rebellion against the United India Company in The Order 1886. According to history, Lakshmi Bai or the Rani of Jhansi was one of the leading figures in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and is now a symbol of Indian independence.

The second is Devi Nayar, a member of the Rebellion and daughter of Lakshmi Bai in The Order 1886. She was created solely for the game, and she has no real-life counterpart. Both women in the game are portrayed as strong and capable of holding their own against The Order 1886 protagonist Sir Galahad.

Chloe Frazer – Uncharted Franchise

Lara Croft who? Chloe Frazer is an Indian Australian treasure hunter. She was originally introduced in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and later appeared in Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. She finally became the star of her own game with 2017’s Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.

In fact, it was in Uncharted: The Lost Legacy that her Indian heritage was highlighted, becoming integral to the game’s plot. In her quest to find the Tusk of Ganesh, she had to search and discover Belur, the lost capital city of the ancient Hoysala Empire. Historically, the Hoysala Empire existed between the 10th and the 14th centuries, and it was known for the sheer beauty and intricacy of its architecture.

Jayadeep Mir – Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

Jayadeep Mir, also known by his alias Sir Henry Green or moniker ‘Ghost,’ was an Indian member of the British Brotherhood of Assassins in 2015’s Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. He was notable for becoming a mentor to the game’s twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye. Fans of the game will know that he later married Evie and went to live in India. As personalities go, he is stoic and responsible, shaping the Frye twins to be a bit less rambunctious and chaotic than usual.

Ajay Ghale – Far Cry 4

The almost silent protagonist of Ubisoft’s Far Cry 4 is Ajay Ghale, a young Kyrati-American who returns to his native country of Kyrat with the intention of spreading his mother’s ashes there. However, he returns to his homeland only to find it engulfed in civil wars.

Although Kyrat is a fictional country, it is still clearly modelled from the real-life Kirati people who live in Nepal and India. However, the developer created a fictional mythology and religion to go with Kyrat, but it is still inspired by many aspects of Indian culture.

Symmetra – Overwatch

Symmetra counts herself as one of the twelve original playable characters in the Overwatch roster. Her background and lore grew as time progressed and was later expanded further in a comic book titled ‘A Better World.’

Born as Satya Vaswani, she was trained by the Vishkar Corporation to use their technology, allowing her to build physical constructs made of hard-light. Like a Green Lantern, if you will. Voiced by the renowned American voice actress, Anjali Bhimani, known for her works in Starfield as Commander Natara, Stray Gods as Medusa, and Apex Legends as Rampart.

Dhalsim – Street Fighter

Dhalsim is arguably one of the most well-known Indian characters in all of gaming. He first appeared in 1991’s Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, and has been a mainstay of the fighting game franchise ever since. He is a yogi with a family, who goes against his beliefs by entering the World Warrior tournament to raise money for his village.

We remember being enamoured with Dhalsim due to his unique fighting style of being able to stretch his body parts to impossible lengths. That, and the ability to breathe fire makes him one of the most memorable Street Fighter characters. And also the most annoying rushdown-esque character to deal with in Street Fighter V.

Darun Mister – Street Fighter EX, Fighting EX Layer

Indian Zangief, basically. Bodyguard to Arabian Cammy Pullum Purna. Has pretty neat grapples that unfortunately did not make the top 20.

Great Tiger – Punch-Out!!

This one is infamous for being somewhat of an Indian stereotype, what with his exhibiting mystical tendencies, the ability to use magic carpets and teleporting as well. Nevertheless, he’s a memorable Indian character (thanks to those aforementioned stereotypes), and was initially introduced all the way back in 1985’s Super Punch-Out!!

Wonder-Black – The Wonderful 101

The 11-year-old Krishna Ramanujan is a tech expert who happens to masquerade as a Black sentai warrior alongside the Wonderful 101. His Unite Bomb power lets him use giant time bombs that slow down whatever is within its explosion radius. Too bad the game’s drawing system can’t differentiate between this powerup and the Unite Hand or Unite Hammer.

Rampart – Apex Legends

Ramya Parekh (or Rampart) made a name for herself in the underground gauntlet circuit, ending up being a popular mod shop owner on Gaea. She’s a recent addition to the Apex Legends roster; a defensive legend who can create protective barriers and throw out an emplaced minigun named Sheila as her Ultimate.

While her country of origin isn’t stated anywhere, she is clearly Indian based on her mannerisms and her VO done by Anjali Bhimani.

You can check out our exclusive interview with Anjali on her journey of how she got to where she is today.

Amara – Borderlands 3

As if her name wasn’t a dead giveaway (it means “eternal” in Indian), everything about this cocksure and entertainingly arrogant Borderlands 3 Vault Hunter screams South Asian culture. When she activates her Siren “Phasearms”, they perform Mudras which is a renowned Hindu symbolic gesture. She is fond of the colour of gold, a symbol of the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi. In one side mission, she responds with the phrase “nay bhae” which means “no brother” in the Bengali language. Oh, and she has multiple siblings.

She also punches things to death really good and makes them look light-tastic, as evident with this build below. For more awesome Amara builds, head here to the best Vault Hunter builds of 2020.

Farah – Prince of Persia: Sands of Time series

Farah, the Princess of India, is the beloved daughter of the Maharajah and younger sister to Kalim. As the keeper of the Medallion of Time, she plays a crucial role in assisting the Prince in his quest to reclaim the Sands of Time, which were inadvertently unleashed in Azad and later in Babylon following Kaileena’s tragic death. With her fierce spirit and quick wit, Farah stands her ground against the series’ protagonist, The Prince. Moreover, she’s an exceptional archer, showcasing her skill with a bow and arrow.

Harbor – Valorant

The latest Hindi hero from Riot Games’ competitive shooter is the confident and suave Varun Batra, and he controls water really well. He makes walls, tidal waves, and shields to either manipulate opponents out of flanking or protect his teammates with on-the-fly hydro-themed defences. His trailer comes with a sick hip-hop beat with Indian flare too, just to remind you that Riot Games might tap the South Asia market en masse. His tailored look? It’s pretty much a wombo-combo of famous South Asian bearded male stars like Ranveer Singh, Shah Rukh Khan, Ram Charan, and N.T. Rama Rao Jr.

Jaimini Kalimohan Shah/Kali – Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

Codenamed Kali, she is a character in the popular video game Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege. Kali was introduced in the game’s Operation Shifting Tides expansion, alongside another character named Wamai. In the game, Kali is an Attacking Operator and the founder and leader of a group called Nighthaven.

Her abilities complement those of other Operators such as Thermite, Ace, and Hibana. These Operators specialize in opening up reinforced walls, and Kali’s skills enhance their effectiveness. With her ability to easily destroy gadgets on the other side of walls, Kali ensures that Thermite or Hibana can utilize their gadgets without the risk of them being destroyed.

Padmavati Balan – Call of Duty: Vanguard/Warzone

Padmavati Balan is an operator officer of the Sentinel faction in both Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Warzone. Born in 1925 in India during the period of the British Raj, she hails from a family that served and worked for affluent foreigners. Driven by her deep aversion to colonial rule, she made the decision to join the Indian National Army to combat the British occupation.

The Combat Shotgun is the favourite base weapon of this operator. If you play matches with the operator’s favorite weapon you will receive extra Operator XP and Weapon XP. For players to unlock Padmavati, they will need to get 200 Shotgun Kills in multiplayer matches.

Honourable Mentions

• Age of Empires III Asian Dynasties Expansion – Allowed players to develop and build their own Indian empire.
• Sid Meier’s Civilization Franchise – Build your own Indian civilization from scratch.
• Assassin’s Creed Chronicles India – Takes place in 1841 India at the height of the war between the East India Company and the Sikh Empire, the game stars protagonist Arbaaz Mir.

So, there you have it! These are just several of the Indian characters we know of in gaming culture & history. Which of these titles will you be looking forward to playing? Let us know by commenting on our social platforms on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.