Eyes can take many forms depending on the game they appear in. Some possess otherworldly properties, while others may simply stand out slightly more. No matter their intended purpose, it is hard to deny how memorable the eyes of a certain character can be depending on what they symbolize.
10 Shifty Eyes - L.A. Noire
L.A. Noire follows the story of Cole Phelps, a homicide detective who is tasked with investigating a series of recent murders. He encounters multiple suspects while employed as a detective, with some being far more difficult to crack than others. His questioning often leads to a suspect becoming panicked, which in turn, leads to some truly comical facial expressions.
When questioned about their involvement in or knowledge of a crime, a suspect will usually react strangely. They will smirk and fidget, but their most iconic response will see them shifting their eyes. Though these eye movements are intended to symbolize panic, the exaggerated manner in which they flash back and forth is simply hilarious.
9 Hershal Layton’s Button Eyes - Professor Layton
Most of the characters present in Professor Layton consist of unique and intricate designs, but Hershal Layton, the main protagonist, is an unusual exception. He features an incredibly simple design made even more notable by the more detailed characters he surrounds himself with.
Layton’s eyes are perhaps the most emotionless eyes present throughout the series. This suits his personality as he rarely emotes, but instances, where he does, can often feel strange due to these somewhat lifeless optics. Though they should render his ability to clearly express his feelings difficult, there is a strange charm about them that never allows this.
8 Tom Nook’s Tired Eyes - Animal Crossing
There is no denying Tom Nook has worked hard to reach his spot on the financial ladder, but perhaps he would seem less exhausted if he took it easy for a bit. Each encounter with this famed tanuki sees him staring sleepily at the player and muttering money-hungry words before returning to his workplace.
Alongside running multiple businesses, Nook is also a proud surrogate father to Timmy and Tommy, two adorable tanukis that Nook apparently took in off the street. It is no wonder he suffers from ocular fatigue with so much going on in his life.
7 The Eyes Of Androids - NieR: Automata
Though the eyes of the androids in NieR: Automata are rarely seen, the black cloth that shields them makes them an android’s most memorable physical trait. The fact that 2B and 9S can go about their business while restricting their vision is baffling, especially considering the obstacles that block their path.
There are numerous moments throughout the game’s story where these blindfolds are removed to reveal what lies underneath, with each of these instances having some significance. Exposing an android’s eyes will usually signify their distrust or abandonment of YoRHa, making the presence of their eyes that much more impactful.
6 The Invincible - Final Fantasy 9
Final Fantasy 9 follows the story of a young thief named Zidane whose questionable lust for wealth lands him in the middle of a sinister plot. His story begins with him attempting to kidnap Princess Garnet, only to learn that she wants to be kidnapped to escape her mother’s clutches.
While fleeing from Garnet’s mother, the pair discover an otherworldly power capable of enslaving eidolons. Garland, an immensely powerful man, pilots the Invincible, a striking airship that houses a giant crimson eye at its base. This eye can destroy and capture everything its gaze falls upon, making it one of the most powerful entities in all of Final Fantasy.
5 The Master Of Master’s Gazing Eye - Kingdom Hearts: Back Cover
The Gazing Eye keyblade was once believed to bend to the whim of Xehanort alone, but the conclusion of the Dark Seeker Saga has revealed the blade to have an unusually detailed past. It once belonged to the Master of Masters, a deceptively powerful keyblade wielder who decided to place his own eye in the blade’s teeth.
The presence of this eye grants the already intimidating blade another level of evil due to its frightening design. With it embedded in the blade, the Master can see into the future, so long as the blade is there to witness the events that unfold.
4 Kenny’s Bandaged Eye - The Walking Dead
After Clementine and her friends are captured by Carver, she takes it upon herself to devise an escape plan. To set the plan in motion, she decides to steal a radio, but Carver discovers this plot and refuses to let his new tenant’s treasonous ways go unpunished.
Clementine prepares herself for her punishment, but Kenny refuses to allow Carver to hurt her and stands forward to take the blame in her stead. Carver feigns respect for Kenny for a brief moment before brutally beating him to the point where he can no longer see through his left eye. He shields his eye with a bandage for the remainder of his story, a look he pulls off surprisingly well.
3 Herobrine’s White Eyes - Minecraft
Though Herobrine has never actually appeared in Minecraft, he has become one of the most iconic characters to emerge from the franchise. Many rumors describing the ominous nature of this elusive being were spread around the community, leading Herobrine to become one of the most feared entities in gaming history.
It was believed that Herobrine would appear randomly across the map and stalk players on their adventures. He would lurk in the shadows and gaze at his prey with empty white eyes before attacking and quickly murdering them. His design is based off of Steve, but his hollow eyes make him a far less charming version of the iconic skin.
2 Cloud’s Mako Infused Eyes - Final Fantasy 7
Cloud’s eyes are constantly referenced by those he encounters on his journey across Gaia. As a SOLDIER, he has undergone a series of experiments to enhance his genetic makeup, but these experiments had a fascinating side effect on his physical appearance.
Cloud eventually learns that he was never a part of the SOLDIER program. His eyes began to glow after being injected with cells from Jenova, an alien that crash-landed on Gaia and was shortly imprisoned by the Shinra Corporation. These glowing Mako Eyes are a sign that someone has undergone experimentation at the hands of Hojo, Shinra’s leading scientist.
1 Xehanort’s Yellow Eyes - Kingdom Hearts
For a long time, Xehanort’s eyes were believed to emit a yellow hue because that’s what they were like when he was born. Kingdom Hearts 3, however, finally revealed that his eyes became yellow after he distanced himself from the light and embraced the darkness.
Xehanort has created countless versions of himself throughout his lifetime, with several sharing the same sinister-looking eyes. It can be assumed that all yellow-eyed characters in the Kingdom Heartsseries have been influenced by the Dark Seeker in some way, making the power he harbors feel even more intimidating.
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