3. GLaDOS (Portal)
SHODAN but funny
Best moment: That time when the cak
It would be pretty insulting to just end it there. Yeah, SHODAN had an obviously huge influence on Aperture Science's resident central computer/deadly neurotoxin provider/fuel line de-icer, but Valve had more than just the System Shock rogue AI in mind.
Witty, scathing and sarcastic, GLaDOS redefines passive-aggressive. While her messages are at first simple and informational, time and your unkillability(not a word) wears her down to the point of broadcasting messages meant to confound and insult you, going from friendly to frustrated to apologetic. Endlessly throwing out orphan and fat jokes, claiming you are actually an android. She taunts you by creating and destroying the world around you, trying to stop you from getting any further.
Yet despite all of this, she is absolutely lovable. Whether it be because of her calm voice, her humorous dialogue or just pure Stockholm Syndrome, GLaDOS defies her own villainous demeanor to become a character that just about everyone who plays Portal comes to greatly enjoy.
While her character progression in Portal 2 wasn't necessarily needed, it was more than welcome as it reveals an important part of GLaDOS' personality: the itch. As the central computer, she is driven to test and once a test is completed, an artificial euphoric sensation is emitted for her. Once removed from the enrichment facility, GLaDOS becomes much more civil. She becomes more understanding of the world around her and shows signs of compassion amidst her still incredibly sarcastic demeanor.
I never expected to enjoy GLaDOS becoming a sympathetic character, but it was fantastic.
Best moment: Her incredible acts of selflessness in the end game of Portal 2. Only so she could locate the compassionate part of her personality and promptly delete it.
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