Do you like your lead character to be a:

Charismatic

Strong

Talkative

Needs a sidekick

Cute and lovable - mario?

Silent protagonist

Funny?

nathan drake, you should add funny to that list

Hmm,lets think my fauvorite games.
Grandia,Justin: Normal boy, with big adventure heart.
Devil May Cry,Dante: Well, cool,powerful and unique.
Metal Gear Solid,Snake: Well...It has changed in every game.

Well, Kratos is a God. Which kills Gods. Thats interesting.

I like the lead characters to be like Ezio Auditore. Funny, charismatic and interesting.
I also like the silent protagonsist approach of the half-life series. (Gordan Freeman FTW!)

1. To have realistic feelings.Not a "i wan't to save everyone" neither a "i don't give a shit for everything" behaviour.
2. To have style.Well that's the theory since the only "cool" character I have ever liked is DMC's Dante.

My favourite leads always tend to be Charismatic, Stong Willed and Bold.

And one character stands above all when it comes to the three words above...

Solid Snake. Nuff said.