History DivergentCharacterEvolution / VideoGames

* Zigzagged throughout the ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'' series. In the [[VideoGame/DisgaeaHourOfDarkness first]] game, many of the basic creatable classes have male-female variation, which except for sprites and ''tiny'' Stat variations, are exactly the same. In the [[VideoGame/Disgaea2CursedMemories second game]], each class is given different unique passive abilities to differentiate them, and there are more variations to the Stat spread of the male-female variants (like how the Male Warrior has better HP and DEF and is better at Axe while the Female Warrior has more HIT and SPD and better with [[BladeOnAStick Spears]]). The [[VideoGame/Disgaea3AbsenceOfJustice third game, however]] introduces ''more'' male-female variants to the existing single-gender classes (for example now there's a male version of the previously female-only Archers), with differing Evilities and secondary weapon (the male archer can also learn Sword skills while the female can learn Spear skills), but nearly identical Stats. The [[VideoGame/Disgaea4APromiseUnforgotten fourth game]] then removes nearly all gender variants introduced in the third game.

* ''VisualNovel/AceAttorney'': Ema Skye was originally a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute for [[GenkiGirl Maya Fey]] for the fifth case in the [[UpdatedRerelease DS re-release]] of ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney'', with the main thing that differentiated them being that Ema was energetic about science whereas Maya was energetic about mysticism. When Ema returns in [[VisualNovel/ApolloJusticeAceAttorney the fourth game]] as an [[ShesAllGrownUp adult]] her aspirations for becoming a forensic investigator didn't quite work out, causing her to grow into a far more bitter and resentful person, although her old enthusiasm is still [[{{Tsundere}} there beneath the surface]]. She does become a lot more cheerful after finally succeeding in becoming a forensic investigator, but still retains a lot of her snarkiness.

** Ryu and Ken originally played [[MovesetClone the exact same way]] in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterI''. They have since been differentiated in both moveset and characterization. Although they both use the [[{{Shotoclone}} same fighting style]], Ryu is now a [[KamehameHadoken Hadoken]] specialist and usually fights defensively, while Ken is more aggressive and prefers the {{Shoryuken}}. Starting with ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV'', Ken was differentiated from Ryu even further, utilizing a a more aggressive moveset that focuses more on close-range combat and fast kicks and gaining a different [[SuperMode V-Trigger]] to set himself apart, and even no longer wearing his traditional red gi.

** This is fairly common in ''Dead or Alive'', as much research was put into replicating the fighting styles of the individual characters from real life martial arts. As such, fighting arts with common roots often show it quite well.

* The ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'' series has the Hell Knight, introduced in ''VideoGame/DoomII'' as a less durable palette-swapped [[EliteMook Baron of Hell]] that fought exactly the same by throwing green fireballs. In ''VideoGame/{{Doom 3}}'' they got a different appearance and served the same role as the Baron of Hell, being a more durable enemy that still threw green fire. Come [[VideoGame/{{Doom2016}} the 2016 game]], the Hell Knight is now a CloseRangeCombatant with similar looks to its ''Doom 3'' incarnation and lacks a fireball attack, while the Baron of Hell fights with both close and long range green attacks while still retaining [[BigRedDevil its looks from the first game]].

* Elves in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' were short humans with pointed ears. In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', the elves have acquired a much more distinct facial structure and a cultural preference for [[DoesNotLikeShoes going barefoot]] (compare [[http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100116162230/dragonage/images/3/33/NPC-Marethari.png Marethari in Origins]] to [[http://images.wikia.com/dragonage/images/b/b6/MarethariDAII.png Marethari in DA2]]).

* Several examples can be found in ''VideoGame/DragonBallFighterZ'', usually to help distinguish characters who, lorewise, weren't that distinct in their fighting styles. This is most notable amongst the DLC characters.
** Cooler, Frieza's movie-only brother, was basically a more intimidating version of Perfect Form Freeza without the stamina issues in the anime. In this game, Cooler plays as a more brutish, physically orientated fighter, with an emphasis on grappling and savagely beating down enemies.
** In the canon, Androids 17 and 18 were practically indistinguishable when introduced. Inspired by how this trope was applied in ''Anime/DragonBallSuper'', Android 17 in this game has a unique fighting style based more around solo brawling and zoning, with barriers that are shorter-lived than his sister's, but which allow him to trigger a CounterAttack.
** The GT version of Goku has a different mechanic for charging up his Spirit Bomb attack, and has new moves based on his wielding of the Power Pole, which keeps him from feeling like a MovesetClone.
** The two different versions of Broly were introduced in different "seasons" of DLC, so this trope was used to make them different. Original Broly fights only in his Legendary Super Saiyan Form and is a MightyGlacier character that prefers to NoSell attacks whilst exploiting his supreme reach and power to crush foes. Super Broly only transforms for special attacks, and in gameplay he focuses on grappling the enemy with powerful throws and charges so that he can throw out his specials and prevent the enemy from getting free.

** [[VideoGame/SuperMarioLand Daisy]] was so similar to Princess Peach in her original appearance that many fans assumed she was the same character. ([[Film/SuperMarioBros The movie]] doesn't help the confusion, either.) Daisy has since been split off into a more tomboyish cowgirl portrayal, especially shown in games such as ''Mario Strikers''. She's also become a [[BetaCouple potential]] [[PairTheSpares love]] [[MasculineGirlFeminineBoy interest]] for Luigi. Daisy was originally nearly a palette swap of Peach, with the only exception of being redesigned for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 era to have slightly tanned skin while Peach was fair skinned. By ''VideoGame/MarioParty4'' and later, Daisy's skin became fair like Peach's again (although the former's tan have returned since ''VideoGame/MarioGolf: Super Rush''), but Daisy's hair was shortened to neck length, she received a different hairstyle, a wider face, a brand new voice actor in ''Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour'', and her eyes were made larger in comparison to Peach's eyes. Her body frame was also changed to look chubbier than Peach's in ''VideoGame/MarioTennis: Ultra Smash''.

* The [[SameSexTriplets Kuniang sisters]] from ''VideoGame/{{Strider}}''. In the [[VideoGame/StriderArcade first game]], the three use the same {{Palette Swap}}ped sprite and have the same attack, and only their leader (Ton Pooh) got an official description and dialogue, the other two being merely {{Filler}} for the boss fight. In ''Strider 2'', the three were given different designs and hairstyles, with Bei Pooh becoming a FemmeFatale with a large ponytail, Sai Pooh getting a pigtailed childish look and Ton Pooh retaining the original design. Finally, the [[VideoGame/Strider2014 2014 ''Strider'']] gave each a WeaponOfChoice and fleshed out the two sister's personalities, turning [[SpellMyNameWithAnS B/Pei]] into an AxCrazy BloodKnight and Nang Pooh[[note]]Though Sai Pooh got replaced by Nang Pooh, for all intents and purposes they are the same character.[[/note]] becoming the [[OnlySaneMan Only Sane Woman]] keeping both her more hot-headed sisters in check.

* Zigzagged throughout the ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'' series. In the [[VideoGame/DisgaeaHourOfDarkness first]] game, many of the basic creatable classes have male-female variation, which except for sprites and ''tiny'' Stat variations, are exactly the same. In the [[VideoGame/Disgaea2CursedMemories second game]], each class is given different unique passive abilities to differentiate them, and there are more variations to the Stat spread of the male-female variants (like how the Male Warrior has better HP and DEF and is better at [[AnAxeToGrind Axe]] while the Female Warrior has more HIT and SPD and better with [[BladeOnAStick Spears]]). The [[VideoGame/Disgaea3AbsenceOfJustice third game, however]] introduces ''more'' male-female variants to the existing single-gender classes (for example now there's a male version of the previously female-only Archers), with differing Evilities and secondary weapon (the male archer can also learn Sword skills while the female can learn Spear skills), but nearly identical Stats. The [[VideoGame/Disgaea4APromiseUnforgotten fourth game]] then removes nearly all gender variants introduced in the third game.

** Also inverted with Kairi and Xion. While the duo are ''supposed'' to be played by the same actress, Creator/HaydenPanettiere's scheduling conflicts meant that for much of the series' English dub, Kairi was usually voiced by Hayden while Xion was usually voiced by Creator/AlysonStoner. As of ''III'', Alyson has been made the permanent voice of both characters, who don't sound much different - it at least has its basis in that [[spoiler:Xion - despite being a copy of Sora - was one created from his strongest memories, most of whom involved Kairi, which led to Xion's very close physical resemblance to her.]]

** [[VideoGame/SuperMarioLand Daisy]] was so similar to Princess Peach in her original appearance that many fans assumed she was the same character. ([[Film/SuperMarioBros The movie]] doesn't help the confusion, either.) Daisy has since been split off into a more tomboyish cowgirl portrayal, especially shown in games such as ''Mario Strikers''. She's also become a [[BetaCouple potential]] [[PairTheSpares love]] [[MasculineGirlFeminineBoy interest]] for Luigi. Daisy was originally nearly a palette swap of Peach, with the only exception of being redesigned for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 era to have slightly tanned skin while Peach was fair skinned. By ''VideoGame/MarioParty 4'' and later, Daisy's skin became fair like Peach's again (although the former's tan have returned since ''VideoGame/MarioGolf: Super Rush''), but Daisy's hair was shortened to neck length, she received a different hairstyle, a wider face, a brand new voice actor in ''Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour'', and her eyes were made larger in comparison to Peach's eyes. Her body frame was also changed to look chubbier than Peach's in ''VideoGame/MarioTennis: Ultra Smash''.

** Ryu and Ken originally played [[MovesetClone the exact same way]] in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterI''. They have since been differentiated in both moveset and characterization. Although they both use the [[{{Shotoclone}} same fighting style]], Ryu is now a [[KamehameHadoken Hadoken]] specialist and usually fights defensively, while Ken is more aggressive and prefers the {{Shoryuken}}. The divergence got a lot bigger in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV''. While Ryu is relatively close to how he was in previous games, Ken went through some radical changes, utilizing a much more aggressive moveset (even his Tatsumaki Senpukyaku is performed differently) and [[SuperMode V-Trigger]] compared to Ryu. He also no longer wears his trademark gi, which only drives the point further. Similarly, Nash plays nothing like he did in the Alpha series, thus diverging himself from a Guile clone (which is actually reversed in the game's lore, where it was actually him who taught Guile his special moves).

* ''VideoGame/{{Metal Gear Solid 2|SonsOfLiberty}}'''s Raiden starts out playing near-identically to Snake - the only major difference is that Raiden's cartwheel doubles as a jump to cross small gaps, whereas Snake's roll still technically counts as never leaving the ground. It isn't until the very end of the game that he gets the sword that allows him to showcase his ImplausibleFencingPowers, which Snake doesn't possess. His switch from being a gameplay clone of Snake to having his own play style is actually part of the plot, with him transitioning in ''VideoGmae/{{Metal Gear Solid 4|GunsOfThePatriots}}'' to being that game's [[OnceAnEpisode requisite]] Cyborg Ninja.

* The ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'' series has the Hell Knight, introduced in ''Doom II'' as a less durable palette-swapped [[EliteMook Baron of Hell]] that fought exactly the same by throwing green fireballs. In ''VideoGame/{{Doom 3}}'' they got a different appearance and served the same role as the Baron of Hell, being a more durable enemy that still threw green fire. Come [[VideoGame/{{Doom2016}} the 2016 game]], the Hell Knight is now a CloseRangeCombatant with similar looks to its ''Doom 3'' incarnation and lacks a fireball attack, while the Baron of Hell fights with both close and long range green attacks while still retaining [[BigRedDevil its looks from the first game]].

* In ''VideoGame/{{Battletoads}}'' and ''Battletoads and VideoGame/DoubleDragon'', the toads all played the same, and while large sprites and artwork gave them individual designs, their in-game sprites were just recolors. ''Battletoads in Battlemaniacs'' gave them different combos and finishing moves (though they still functioned the same) and their sprites now reflected the different designs from the artwork. The arcade game took this even further with by making Rash a FragileSpeedster, Zitz a JackOfAllStats, and Pimple a MightyGlacier, all with their own moves. Similarly initially all the toads used the same transformations, mostly blunt objectsts like ram horns, boots, and wrecking balls. ''Battlemaniacs'' gave them individual themes, with Rash prefering razor sharp weapons like axes and claws, while Pimple took the bludgeoning techniques UpToEleven using anvils and stone fists. When the arcade game came in, Zitz got his own theme as machinery like bulldozers, circular saws and power drills.

** Ryu and Ken originally played [[MovesetClone the exact same way]] in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterI''. They have since been differentiated in both moveset and characterization. Although they both use the [[{{Shotoclone}} same fighting style]], Ryu is now a [[KamehameHadoken Hadoken]] specialist and usually fights defensively, while Ken is more aggressive and prefers the {{Shoryuken}}. The divergence got a lot bigger in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV''. While Ryu is relatively close to how he was in previous games, Ken went through some radical changes, utilizing a much more aggressive moveset and [[SuperMode V-Trigger]] compared to Ryu. He also no longer wears his trademark gi, which only drives the point further. Similarly, Nash plays nothing like he did in the Alpha series, thus diverging himself from a Guile clone.

* ''VideoGame/PunchOut'' has a fair few characters that have evolved over the years, the most notable being [[FightingIrish Aran Ryan]]. In the SNES game, he was a bland palette swap of Pizza Pasta who fought by the rules. In the Wii game, he's a ''[[AxCrazy complete lunatic]]'' who [[{{Heel}} threatens Mac, the referee and the audience]]. He breaks just about every rule of boxing, from using his elbows to loading his gloves with horseshoes to tying a rope to one of said horseshoe gloves and ''using it as a flail.''

* ''VideoGame/{{Metal Gear Solid 2|SonsOfLiberty}}'''s Raiden starts out playing identically to Snake. It isn't until the very end of the game that he gets the sword that allows him to showcase his ImplausibleFencingPowers, which Snake doesn't possess. His switch from being a gameplay clone of Snake to having his own play style is actually part of the plot.

** Ryu and Ken originally played [[MovesetClone the exact same way]] in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterI''. They have since been differentiated in both moveset and characterization. Although they are both use the [[{{Shotoclone}} same fighting style]], Ryu is now a [[KamehameHadoken Hadoken]] specialist and usually fights defensively, while Ken is more aggressive and prefers the {{Shoryuken}}. The divergence got a lot bigger in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV''. While Ryu is relatively close to how he was in previous games, Ken went through some radical changes, utilizing a much more aggressive moveset and [[SuperMode V-Trigger]] compared to Ryu. He also no longer wears his trademark gi, which only drives the point further. Similarly, Nash plays nothing like he did in the Alpha series, thus diverging himself from a Guile clone.

** The effects of character evolution can be seen clearly in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'', which branded {{Moveset Clone}}s as "Echo Fighters". Characters that were blatant clones in ''for 3DS/Wii U'' and hadn't had time to diverge from the originals, Lucina and Dark Pit, were reclassified as Echoes of those originals; while those that ''had'' diverged continued to be considered separate characters.

** The ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlertSeries'' started as a possible prequel spin-off of the ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianSeries''. ''Red Alert 2'' made that portion of the franchise known for being DenserAndWackier.

* The all-girl fighting series ''VideoGame/AdvancedVariableGeo'' has done this exactly twice. Initially, [[TheHero Yuka]] and [[{{Ninja}} Chiho]] played very similarly to one another, with the only real difference between them being their differently animated special moves. However, as the series went on, Chiho developed into more of a GlassCannon by playing up her ninja-ness and giving her new abilities while Yuka remained largely the same [[JackOfAllStats balanced]] character. When Yuka was sidelined for a later game's story mode, she was [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute replaced]] with Tamao, an [[AscendedFanboy Ascended]] HeroWorshipper who copied all of Yuka's moves. The following game had them diverge by once again keeping Yuka more or less the same, while turning Tamao into a borderline JokeCharacter who botched her attacks and had to improvise on the fly to stay in the game.

* The all-girl fighting series ''VideoGame/VariableGeo'' has done this exactly twice. Initially, [[TheHero Yuka]] and [[{{Ninja}} Chiho]] played very similarly to one another, with the only real difference between them being their differently animated special moves. However, as the series went on, Chiho developed into more of a GlassCannon by playing up her ninja-ness and giving her new abilities while Yuka remained largely the same [[JackOfAllStats balanced]] character. When Yuka was sidelined for a later game's story mode, she was [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute replaced]] with Tamao, an [[AscendedFanboy Ascended]] HeroWorshipper who copied all of Yuka's moves. The following game had them diverge by once again keeping Yuka more or less the same, while turning Tamao into a borderline JokeCharacter who botched her attacks and had to improvise on the fly to stay in the game.

* Inverted in the ''VideoGame/FZero'' series. The series originally featured four characters with markedly different play styles, but as the cast expanded to include LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters, those original four have drifted to the middle, becoming little more than mildly differentiated [[JackOfAllStats Jacks of All Stats]].

** [[VideoGame/SuperMarioLand Daisy]] was so similar to Princess Peach in her original appearance that many fans assumed she was the same character. ([[Film/SuperMarioBros The movie]] doesn't help the confusion, either.) Daisy has since been split off into a more tomboyish cowgirl portrayal, especially shown in games such as ''Mario Strikers''. She's also become a [[BetaCouple potential]] [[PairTheSpares love]] [[MasculineGirlFeminineBoy interest]] for Luigi. Daisy was originally nearly a palette swap of Peach, with the only exception of being redesigned for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 era to have slightly tanned skin while Peach was fair skinned. By ''VideoGame/MarioParty 4'' and later, Daisy's skin became fair like Peach's again, but Daisy's hair was shortened to neck length, she received a different hairstyle, a wider face, a brand new voice actor in ''VideoGame/MarioGolf: Toadstool Tour'', and her eyes were made larger in comparison to Peach's eyes. Her body frame was also changed to look chubbier than Peach's in ''VideoGame/MarioTennis: Ultra Smash''.

* An inverted example from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'': Cloud Strife and Squall Leonhart. While they both start as difficult and selfish people, and undergo significant development during their respective games, they actually had very distinct personalities. Cloud is a cocky, arrogant tough guy with plenty of light and goofy moments, while Squall starts off as a solitary {{jerkass}} who puts up a false wall of confidence to hide his emotional turmoil. Then you look at any version of them from ''Advent Children'' onwards, and they've practically swapped: Squall is the confident, snarky one and Cloud is constantly brooding, plagued by crushing doubt.