American McGee is a genius, and heās the man behind Alice: Madness Returns. Itās a game like non other, being filled with horrifying scenery, disgusting level design and scary characters. I mean all of those things as major compliments, as Iām a huge horror fan. I really like the video game, and therefore, I couldnāt help myself from writing a few listsā¦ starting with this one! Iām going to delve back into the game, sort through the characters and count them down in order. Here are the top 10 very best characters of Alice: Madness Returns!
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10. Caterpillar
Whoaaah, what happened to your wise Caterpillar? Stuck in a coccoon, with no wings to fly? I guess itās what we should expect in a Wonderland stuck in Madness!
While he still gives advice, being as wise as ever, his role in Madness Returns is nothing clever. Yes. I had to rhyme that part, as itās only fitting, is it not? Anyways, our beloved Caterpillar is a shell of what youād expect, but he plays an important part in the Oriental Grove. In fact, itās an awe-inspiring thing how much his presence improves the entire chapter of the Alice: Madness Returns. I found myself constantly enjoying his involvement in the story, and while he doesnāt do much, he adds some seasoning where itās needed. In turn, he starts off my list of the top 10 Alice: Madness Returns characters!
9. March Hare & Dormouse
You canāt have March Hare without Dormouse, now can you? Donāt even try to pick. Take both of āem, alright? Now that itās sorted and you have March Hare in your left hand, and Dormouse in your right hand, letās me explain my thought process. I just feel like both of these characters are equally as good, and they both have the same amount of time in Alice: Madness Returns. I guess you could say that they compliment each other well, as they are connected by the same chapter. In addition, they each have a level to their own, making for a very good dynamic, one that I appreciate. Itās wacky, itās crazy, odd and sometimes very weird. But it works, all in all!
8. Queen of Hearts
Queen of Hearts is the one dominating the fleshy pit of a chapter, with disgustingly awesome level design, and a crazy Giant Alice, who stomps on her minions. While she canāt be thanked for the chapter design, I do give her a few points for it, okay? Nevertheless, Queen of Hearts is a very intimidating character, whoās backstory makes her an important part of the story. Itās a dark reminder of whatās happened, but also whatās to come, if Alice doesnāt do anything. This, combined with her dialogue with Alice, makes Queen of Hearts a rather interesting character.
Sheās memorable mostly thanks to her distinct appearance, and not personality. Itās as if sheās a shell of her former self, but that makes sense, doesnāt it? When you consider what happens to her in the first game, American McGeeās Alice, the Queen of Hearts is supposed to be a small character. In turn, she plays her part well, but doesnāt do enough to rank any higher. If only we wouldāve gotten more of her, right?
7. Mock Turtle
Where do I start with the Mock Turtle? Firstly, heās surprisingly cute. Secondly, heās vulnerable. Thirdly, the Mock Turtle represents an innocence that is left behind. In turn, the Mock Turle is a very heartwarming character, one that doesnāt want anything from Alice, but just wishes to have fun! Thereās an underlying sense of sadness and joyfulness that makes the character so genuine, as if heās not supposed to be in THAT version of Wonderland. Therefore, heās one of the few good guys that really does come across good.
6. Carpenter
I didnāt see it coming, did you? No, not Walrus eating the Oyster Starlets. While that was really horrifying, Iām talking about whether or not you expected Carpenter to be a good character? I certainly didnāt, and I was pleasantly surprised!
Carpenter fills a much-needed role in the underwater chapter, being the one to send you here and there, everywhere! Heās a very poetic character, at least in behavior. Heās also very funny, at least in depiction. Itās what makes him rather memorable, in a game where most characters are heard, and not seen. In turn, I have to give Carpenterās crazy antics and oddly fitting role a ton of love. It was really good!
5. Executioner
The Executioner is similar to OG horror villains that stalk you relentlessly! When comparing to movies, heās like Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers. If weāre talking video games, heās like our beloved Nemesis or Mr.X from Resident Evil. Therefore, The Executioner is very annoying. But, heās also very fun and challenging. Itās like he adds that extra spice needed to make the game even more horrifying, and it works.
The concept and design are top notch! However, the Executioner has no personality, besides being a raging lunatic trying to kill you. If thatās a trait, then heās got something going for him. But I feel like his humorous reaction to Giant Alice isnāt good enough to warrant a higher spot on my list. In turn, he grabs the 5th spot on my list of the 10 best characters in Alice:Madness Returns!
4. Mad Hatter
Mad Hatter give us a proper welcome to Wonderland! Maybe I should call it Madland instead? Nevertheless, the beloved Mad Hatter is one of the central characters you come across, and it happens in the Chapter 1. Itās approriately titled āHatterās Domainā. In it, you not only meet a very ābroken upā Mad Hatter, but you also journey alongside him after youāve literally put him back together. While itās brief, we see Mad Hatter here and there; whether it be as a static toy in Chapter 5 or in the train at the end. Itās not enough to rank him higher, but itās enough to get him the 4th spot on my list of the top 10 characters of Alice: Madness Returns!
3. Angus Bumby
Ohā¦ Myā¦ GOD! How didnāt I see THIS plot twist coming? Wasnāt it somewhat obvious? Well, I have to be honest, it wasnāt! Thatās the genius of Alice: Madness Returns, as itās never as easy, or as simple, as it seemsā¦ and I genuinelly appreciate that aspect of the video game.
Angus Bumby is the person behind all of it. Heās the main villain. He was using children, taking advantage of young and vulnerable minds, twisting them to his sickening tune. Heck, he even took advantage of Aliceās sister, Lizzie. My jaw-dropped, finding out all of this and more. Thus, I was shocked, disgusted and wanted to see the end of Angus Bumby. We saw it, it just wasnāt enough. We needed to see him being torn limb from limb for what he did to those children. I just canāt believe how dark and twisted he was; the one who looked the most put together of them all!
Bumby Is the Big Badā¦ A Well-Written One, At That!
When it comes to Angus Bumbyās role in the story, itās still unclear whether or not heās even a real person, as the ending plot twist implies it couldāve all been in Aliceās head. Like, the story of the game couldāve been in her head, as we saw her laying on a bed in a mental asylum. But wouldnāt that mean that Alice is using Bumby as a scapegoat? Someone to blame her guilt on to, instead of taking responsibility for killing her own family? Maybe Bumby wasnāt real, and it was Alice who took advantage of Lizzie, and burned down the house? There are just so many questions that make Angus Bumby an interesting character. In turn, I do have high praise for the sicko who wrote this character; he did a marvelous job.
Iām placing Angus Bumby on the 3rd spot on my list, but whyās that? I simply feel like his voice memories, the opening, and the ending give an all-around good look at the character. Thereās enough character to make him very distinct and memorable, while being mysterious enough to makes us interested. Thus, he gets the 2nd spot on my list!
2. Cheshire Cat
Iāve always loved cats, you know? Even ones that have an evil grin, just like the mad and lovely Cheshire Cat. His madness is only comparable to his poetic ways, constantly saying things in a weird riddle. Itās as confusing as itās intriguing, but itās always effective. In turn, Cheshire Cat is almost like our very own pet, following us around every level of every chapter. Without him, it would feel mighty empty, would it not? One could say that the Cheshire Cat is our only friend in this crazy abstract adventure, and I would wholheartedly agree.
My favorite thing about the Cheshire Cat is his vital role in Aliceās role, and in her sanity. This might just be my personal interpretation of the character, but it seems like the Cheshire Cat is the one keeping Alice on track. Itās like she latched the last piece of herself, a red thread if you will, to her cat Dinah. In Wonderland, the cat is represented by the Cheshire Cat, and therefore sheās able to follow through. Itās like Alice is chasing the cat as much as he is following her. But what makes it special is that itās all up for interpretation.
The Cheshire Cat is many things, such as snarky, philosophical, puzzling, odd, funny and mad. Iād say that these are all qualities that even real cats have, so I see what they did there, and I appreciate it. I guess not much more needs to be said, right? Heās the first to welcome us back to Wonderland, and heās the last voice we hear. Our beloved Cheshire Cat is absolutely great! So, he getās the second spot on my list. Well, well, even on my list the Cheshire Cat is following Aliceā¦ well, Iāll be damned!
1. Alice Liddell
Oh, Alice!? Have you gone mad AGAIN!? Maybe youāve always been crazy? Perhaps you think that youāre not, but you really are? Itās not a problem with me, Alice. Iām quite mad myself! Itās the reason I like your wicked world, twisted sense of humor, and your slicing ān dicing ways! I canāt help but like everything that you are, and everything you are not. In turn, I found myself questioning everything, just because of the journey we took together. Ohā¦ wellā¦ look at me, the mad man, acting as if Iām talking to Alice right now. I guess I should snap out of this great Wonderland and break down Alice; not like Angus Bumby, though!
Alice Liddell is a character thatās very special. Sheās simply unique. Itās like weāre inside of her head playing Alice: Madness Returns. Nothing makes sense; but everything makes sense. Itās very surreal, if you ask me. In turn, Alice is very cold, yet warm. Sheās calm, yet angry. Thereās an underlying feeling of sadness and despair, but willingness to kill and destroy. Dare I say, it is exactly this reason she comes across so complex. Itās all about reading between the lines of what sheās saying and doing. This leads to many very abstract moment, that make me feel as if Iām just a pawn in her game; one that ends well for me as the player, but badly for her as an actual character in her own story. Itās as if Iām just a figment of her imagination; I love it. šŖ
Alice Is The Queen; Hereās Her Crown
Whatever way you slice it and dice it, Alice is the best character of Alice: Madness Returns. Itās not just about her being the playable character and the one the story centers around, but also about how well her part in it is written. Thatās something I praise, and find noteworthy. Sheās not just a blank canvas. Quite the opposite, as sheās a complex character with many demons, ghosts, and whatever the hell those flying baby things were! Like, her mindās a mess, and itās a mess thatās made interesting because of her. In turn, she grabs the #1 spot on my list of the top 10 best characters of Alice: Madness Returns! š
