Colonel John Konrad - Spec Ops: The Line
“The truth, Walker, is that you're here because you wanted to feel like something you're not; a hero”
Spec Ops: The Line is one of my favorite games of all time and boasts one of the best narratives in gaming. Seriously. Play it if you have not. Your character, Captain Walker, is sent with his squad to Dubai to find Konrad, a former commander of Walker’s. What follows is a descent into Hell and one of the most gut-wrenching games you can play. If you don’t feel something after playing this game, you may want to seek help.
Largely inspired by Joseph Conrad’s (clever eh?) Heart of Darkness and Colonel Walter E. Kurtz from the classic Apocalypse Now, Konrad is an enigmatic and shadowy figure. Like Colonel Kurtz in the film, Konrad is not seen much until the end of the proceedings, but his presence is felt everywhere. He talks to you over the radio; he leaves messages for you; he tests your resolve and character; and he causes you to question your actions. But when was there a gaming villain who was right in the end and also made you think about your actions? Cue the existential crisis.
Published May. 7th 2015
