The Best Vampire Hunters in Video Games

Grab your stakes and your holy water.

Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Vampires aren't the sparkly, "romantic" visions you see in modern depictions like Twilight and The Vampire Diaries. That's dead wrong. They're violent, ravenous creatures with an insatiable thirst for blood. There's nothing glamorous about the children of the night, and everything to be feared.

Luckily, a swath of vampire hunters exist in fiction, video games and otherwise, to protect us -- though, when it comes to video games, we're actually the ones protecting ourselves. Staking and otherwise annihilating the nightwalkers is a strenuous and taxing job. It's definitely not for everyone, and that's why we've narrowed our list down to ten of the best hunters for the task. From the Belmont clan to the tantalizing Rayne, these are ten of the best vampire hunters in gaming.

Grab your stakes and get decked out in garlic. It's a horrible night to have a curse.

10. Richter Belmont

Game: Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

He's appeared in six different Castlevania titles (as a cameo and otherwise) and even when he's deluded into acting as an enemy, he still exudes this aura of capability and attitude that's hard to ignore, making Richter one of our favorite vampire slayers in the video game world. That's not to say the rest of the Belmont clan isn't just as impressive. We just have a particular soft spot for this master vampire hunter.

9. Rayne

Game: BloodRayne

Rayne's nowhere near as "noble" as our top hunter, but who could blame her for being so ravenous after the treatment her vampire father put her through -- killing off her human mother's family and all that jazz. Rayne's a member of the Brimstone Society and is tasked with exterminating all supernatural threats (vampires, especially) and even some Nazis along the way as she searches for her vampire father Kagan. This deadly dhampir is unique in that she's effectively killing off some of the same species she's a part of, but she's out for blood and vengeance. Luckily, there's plenty of that to go around throughout each of the diabolically sexy BloodRayne games. It may not be a very good idea to cross her, human offender or otherwise.

8. Geralt of Rivia

Game: The Witcher

Though wizened Geralt of The Witcher fame is technically referred to as a Witcher as seen in the popular game series and novel collection, he also happens to pursue vampires and other supernatural creatures. Geralt of Rivia is exceptionally skilled with swords and other types of magic, making him a formidable foe whether he faces an undead abomination or fellow human being. His dry wit and seemingly never-ending supply of sly retorts coupled with his no-nonsense attitude make him a worthy hire for any pesky supernatural problem you might be having.

7. Django

Game: Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand

Vampire hunter Django was featured in the cult classic GBA title Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hand, which relied heavily upon the sun in the real world and in-game to weave its unique tale. Django is the heir to the solar gun "Gun Del Sol" (literally, "gun of the sun") and he also happens to be the descendant of one of the greatest vampire hunters ever to have lived. After Django's father is murdered, he sets out to avenge him in the City of Death, Istrakan, using only sunlight to combat the vampire menace, and to delay the possible end of the world. It's a pretty weighty goal for a young vampire hunter, but Django's up to the task.

6. Cole MacGrath

Game: inFAMOUS

Before inFamous' release of the Festival of Blood expansion, it was probably the unlikeliest place to find a vampire hunter...especially when that hunter turns out to be Cole MacGrath. After being bitten by a vampire queen, Cole has a limited amount of time to find the queen who turned him into a bloodsucker and say hello -- with a stake to the heart.

5. Fledgling

Game: Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines

The Fledgling of Bloodlines becomes a vampire after a sexual encounter with a member of the Camarilla clan, and then goes on to hunt vampires. Though the character will change according to your personal preference, we consider the Fledgling vampire to be one of the best hunters we know.

4. Jericho Cross

Game: Darkwatch

Jericho Cross was an ex-robber who found himself suddenly transformed into a vampire after one last "job." A deadly gunslinger, Jericho is now an undead hunter with enhanced vampiric powers and a demonic horse that gets him where he needs to go in style. The PlayStation 2 western-tinged shooter wasn't exactly a great game, but Mr. Cross left a favorable impression on us nevertheless.

3. D

Game: Vampire Hunter D

D is the quintessential hunter with a series of books and movies named after him. His cult hit PlayStation game finds the dhampir (dunpeal as translated in-game) doing what he does best: seeking out the children of the night and slaying them with brutal efficiency. D's stylish, and an old pro. He's also probably one of the most stylish hunters on this list. Look at him. Gorgeous.

2. Simon Belmont

Game: Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

One of the most iconic members of the Belmont family, Simon Belmont is brash warrior, the heir to the renowned Vampire Killer whip and a worthy addition to the Belmont clan. Though he was unfortunate enough to suffer an infamous curse, his resilience and persistence make him a force to be reckoned with. Don't even think of making this guy mad, vamps. It'll be a horrible night for a curse indeed.

1. Raziel

Game: Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

This ex-vampire first appeared in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, as the "wraith" protagonist. The Elder God resurrect him as a reaver of souls, bent on seeking revenge on his former vampire master by finding and slaying him. His iconic cowl, lanky figure and claws and feet make him easy to remember, but his nature and accomplishments make him a superb vampire hunter. You don't want to cross Raziel -- especially if you're on his "list." You just don't want to be there. Really.