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RE8's Duke >>>>>> RE4's Merchant (RE8 spoilers)

The Riot Inside

The Riot Inside

Member
Oct 28, 2017
1,390
Fully agree, OP. Hope they really flesh out the merchant in the remake so he feels a part of the world and is not the same teleporting hobo that looks like he's about to open his coat and show off his "wares" while spouting the same meme lines over and over.
 
ImaPlayThis

ImaPlayThis

Member
Oct 26, 2017
2,075
I'll give the duke cooking, like would be good if re4 merchant could cook that fish but the other stuff you list is actually reasons that go against him personally and make re4 merchant better
 
astro

astro

Member
Oct 25, 2017
56,969
Merchant is better for memes, and is far more iconic.

Duke is a Michael better character though and felt like an actual part of the lore. Really mysterious and charismatic, and overall I prefer him by quite a bit.
 
RROCKMAN

RROCKMAN

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
10,824
Duke needs a whole game and expanded script to attempt to be likable

RE4 merchant needs like 6-8 words and a laugh to be legendary

Try again OP
 
nihilence

nihilence

nøthing but silence
Moderator
Oct 25, 2017
15,938
From 'quake area to big OH.
Duke creeped me out.

Merchant is a Slipknot member.

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RBH

RBH

Official ERA expert on Third Party Football
Member
Nov 2, 2017
32,924
Legit one of the worst takes I've seen in the Gaming section

Go sit in the corner and think about what you've done
 
Shoe

Shoe

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,184
Nah, the Duke's obviously an actual character unlike the Merchant which is neat, but the Merchant's lines and mannerisms are too hilarious to not be the GOAT
 
AuthenticM

AuthenticM

Son Altesse Sérénissime
The Fallen
Oct 25, 2017
30,085
I like them both because of how different they are, but I do prefer the Duke myself too. He's a bro.
 
Zukkoyaki

Zukkoyaki

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
11,286
The Merchant was a walking meme that people are nostalgic for but The Duke felt like an actual character with backstory and motivate. He was way more compelling imo.
 
TheMerv

TheMerv

Member
Jan 1, 2022
1,542
Isn't the whole appeal with the Merchant that he doesn't have any explicit narrative.

He doesn't have a name, he's clearly infected with the parasite but doesn't care, he's got a massive amount of inventory but like 2 clients at best. You can shoot him and he'll pop back up unless you're on a higher difficulty then your fucked.

He's a goofy nonsensical character in a goofy nonsensical game. That's the appeal.
 
NightShift

NightShift

Member
Oct 25, 2017
9,027
Australia
Village nailed a lot of shit but the Duke was a miss IMO. I finished it three times and the only line of his I remember is the reference to the merchant.

I really liked his cooking though.
 
Trigger

Trigger

Member
Oct 26, 2017
2,914
Atlanta, GA
The merchant not having much of a personality is a plus. The popularity of the character comes from him being a meme. Like I think the Duke is intriguing, but it's not really fair to compare a meme character to an actual character.
 
Chumunga64

Chumunga64

Member
Jun 22, 2018
14,276
i was shocked at how cool and friendly the Duke was

when I saw him my first thought "oh great, a butt of the joke fat guy" but he's like the nicest person in the series

Merchant still owns though
 
Bansai

Bansai

Teyvat Traveler
Member
Oct 28, 2017
11,287
Put it up for a vote if you're feelin' confident, stranger. 😏
 
OP
OP
ket

ket

Member
Jul 27, 2018
12,974
Bansai said:
Put it up for a vote if you're feelin' confident, stranger. 😏
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Any person on era knows that era polls are a terrible idea. There could be a poll picking which had a better story: Bloodborne or The Godfather and Bloodborne would still inexplicably win lol.
 
Risev

Risev

Member
Oct 27, 2017
3,415
The only reason duke can be considered more memorable is because he's important to the story, which kinda defeats his purpose as a merchant.
 
MerluzaSamus

MerluzaSamus

Member
Dec 3, 2018
1,127
Duke has no iconic lines, animations or iconography.
The Merchant had a blue flame that you could spot from far and knew it was a safe place, his lines are catchy and his introduction as a random guy carrying an arsenal on his coat is miles better than the Duke's.
 
PhillyPaw

PhillyPaw

Member
Apr 11, 2021
2,276
I agree. Just another example of how Nostalgia and group think overrate RE4. The merchant literally adds nothing and is to simply be there to sell you items.

Would love to see Capcom replace him with anyone just to see the tears of OG RE4 purists
 
Sign My Guestbook!

Sign My Guestbook!

Member
May 26, 2018
24,021
He's okay but, like a lot of RE8, I think he comes across like a milktoast reimagining of RE4 elements that don't fully hit the mark. He's fine…
 
DJChuy

DJChuy

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
5,237
While The Duke is more fleshed out, I still found him unmemorable aside from his design. Merchant is mysterious and has simple, iconic lines. Less is more.
 
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