Artificial characters bring something special to a game. Often, they provide comic relief and serve as the light-heart of an otherwise deeply involved game. Sometimes they’re the voice of reason, serving as a pseudo-conscience to the main character(s).

And even still, they have been used as antagonistic characters, whether being manipulated by a greater evil or acting as the game’s main villain itself. Whatever the case, they are just as memorable as their organic-counterparts, and in this list, I will count down the top 7 artificial characters in video games.

#7: Cortana (Halo)

“This place will become your home…This place will become your tomb”

Master Chief’s designated AI and, in some ways, his inner-voice, Cortana accompanies both the player and MC throughout the course of all three games. Cortana is one of very few AIs featured in the Halo universe classified as “smart,” designating that her creative matrix possesses the ability to expand.

This allows Cortana to learn beyond the normal capacity and adapt to whatever situations arise. Her constantly-increasing intelligence and unmatched skills make her a huge asset to Master Chief, and memorable a AI.

#6: Cait Sith (Final Fantasy VII)

“What you pursue will be yours… but you will lose something dear.”

The traveling fortune-telling robotic cat that rides on the back of an overly-stuffed moogle who’s secretly a double agent working for the Turks, under the control of Reeves…Yeaaaah. Cait Sith is one of the most unusual characters ever created in a video game, but coincidentally, also one of the most memorable.

Perhaps it’s because of his odd design, or perhaps it’s just because of the legacy that is Final Fantasy VII – whatever the case, Cait Sith is a legendary AI, and, surprisingly, a pretty useful party member, too. Who would’ve thought?

#5: HK-47 (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic)

“Definition: Love is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope… Love is knowing your target, putting them in your targeting reticule, and together, achieving a singular purpose against statistically long odds.”

The sarcastic, the witty, the blunt and the ruthless HK-47, Darth Revan’s personal assistant and ever-so-loyal friend in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. While he remains a close companion to Revan, he has no regards or compassion for anything or anyone else; he is driven by an insatiable appetite for blood, programmed deep into his core by Revan himself.

Throughout the course of the story, the player may trigger several conversations with this violent android which shed a great deal of light on his history with the former Sith Lord, as well as providing some of the most hilarious dialogue in the entire game.

#4: Robo (Chrono Trigger)

“No rubbish for Ayla, or head go boom!”

Found and repaired by Lucca, Robo accompanies Crono and the gang throughout their time-traveling escapades in the SNES classic, Chrono Trigger. His stout and sturdy form prove useful on the battlefield as he’s a great tanking-breed; coupled with his robotic arm which serves as his primary form of weaponry, Robo makes for a tremendous asset in combat.

The Chrono Trigger legacy is one of the oldest in gaming history, and the demand for a continuation of the story is still prominent till this day; in recent years, the fan-supported Chrono Resurrection, a remake of the original game, was canceled in a lawsuit filed by SquareEnix. A recent announcement with regards to a Chrono Trigger port to the DS has sparked interest and hope that soon, one day, that long-forgotten Chrono Break will see the light of day.

#3: Aegis (Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3)

“Machines are created for a purpose. Mine is to defeat you.”

Aegis is arguably the most physically-powerful character among your roster in Persona 3 – and rightfully so. She’s an android created for the sole purpose of combating Shadows, the collective name for the hoards of enemies you’ll face in the game. She also possesses a unique combat state called “Orgia Mode,” allowing her maximum power output for a while but preventing her from taking any orders. Subsequently, following this mode, she must spend time cooling down, skipping her next turn.

Combat aside, Aegis’s role in the story is at first unknown and her importance is seemingly minor; she joins the cast a mere combat ally and nothing more. But her past history with the stoic and silent main character, and the unsuspecting purpose for her construction come to fruition during the latter-part of the game.

#2: KOS-MOS (Xenosaga)

“One more strike and this window will shatter. It appears that none of you are wearing space suits. Keep in mind that I am making this proposal out of good will. I could just as easily toss you all out and take over the ship.”

Much like Aegis, KOS-MOS fulfils a much greater purpose in the overall grand scheme of the Xenosaga trilogy. Her initial role is that of an ally – and a brutally powerful one at that. However, as the games progress, her involvement seems more than likely fate rather than coincidence.

KOS-MOS is also, arguably, the most powerful artificial creation named in this list – and for my money, she remains the most powerful artificial character ever. Her ability to instantly materialize massive phase transfer cannons, Gatling guns, rail guns, missile launchers, and more, make a huge her threat to anyone that dare oppose her.

#1: GLaDOS (Portal)

“I’d just like to point out that you were given every opportunity to succeed. There was even going to be a party for you. A big party that all your friends were invited to. I invited your best friend the Companion Cube. Of course, he couldn’t come because you murdered him. All your other friends couldn’t come either because you don’t have any other friends. Because of how unlikable you are. It says so right here in your personnel file: Unlikable. Liked by no one. A bitter, unlikable loner whose passing shall not be mourned. ‘Shall not be mourned.’ That’s exactly what it says. Very formal. Very official. It also says you were adopted, so that’s funny, too.”

Considering how awesome that – and every single thing GLaDOS says – is, I’m just going to end it there. GLaDOS is a true gaming icon, one of the most brilliantly-voiced and scripted characters ever made, and THE definitive reason to play Portal.

Got your own favourite, post it below!