5 Video Game Antagonists Who Arent Really Evil

Key Takeaways

Antagonists in video games can have complex motivations beyond simply being evil.
Some villains, like Blue and Klavier Gavin, are more nuanced and not truly evil characters.
Characters like Hades and Xavier demonstrate how antagonists can have motives beyond being villains.

As a seasoned gamer and a connoisseur of character development, I must say that these characters truly stand out as some of the most intriguing and complex figures in gaming. Each one has a unique backstory and motivations that make them more than just faceless villains or allies.

Video game villains are frequently seen as simply ‘bad guys.’ However, this isn’t always a complete picture. Some antagonists don’t necessarily identify themselves as evil or even side with it; instead, they oppose the hero not because of their allegiance but due to reasons unrelated to their moral alignment.

Occasionally, a character’s role can be influenced by the type of game, yet at other times, these characters find themselves in situations where they have objectives, and the player unintentionally becomes an obstacle to their achievement, regardless of what those goals may be. Here are some characters who, despite appearances, are not inherently evil or malicious.

5 Blue

Pokemon Red and Blue

5 Video Game Antagonists Who Arent Really Evil

Blue, Professor Oak’s grandson, is a childhood friend and adversary of Red, with Leaf being his potential counterpart in a remake. He displays an overconfident demeanor and strategically selects Pokemon that have a type advantage over the player’s selected starter Pokemon. Interestingly, Professor Oak seems to forget his grandson’s name at times, allowing Red to remind him. This is simply a gameplay mechanic for players to choose their rival’s name, with some opting for humorous or derogatory monikers.

Despite Blue’s bravado suggesting affiliation with the nefarious Team Rocket, known for stealing Pokémon, he was never genuinely associated with them. However, Blue is significantly important as the final opponent in the game, serving as Champion, a title he earned by overcoming Lance from the Elite Four. Following his loss to Red, Blue took up the position of Viridian City gym leader, which had been left vacant after Giovanni abandoned Team Rocket. Uniquely among gym leaders, Blue does not specialize in a specific type of Pokémon; instead, he uses a variety of them when battling the player.

In recent games centered around the main storyline, he often appears together with Red. They are typically trainer characters that players can challenge, or in some instances, fight alongside. Unlike newer adversaries who have softened up, becoming even friendly, Blue stands out as an unlikeable, yet non-villainous character.

4 Klavier Gavin

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

The “Ace Attorney” series typically appears quite traditional. Originating with a planned trilogy as its entirety, the demand for more led to a sequel that aimed to break the mold. In this series, most prosecutors are portrayed as having questionable morals. Eager to secure convictions, regardless of the defendant’s guilt, they often unwittingly assist the true criminal as part of their relentless pursuit. They also tend to be unpleasant in demeanor, frequently disparaging the defense and sometimes even resorting to physical violence.

Frequently, the prosecutors in these stories undergo a change, questioning their tactics, and in many instances being replaced by a new prosecutor for a significant portion of the final trial. In all these ways and beyond, Klavier Gavin stands as a counterpoint to such stereotypes. Despite appearing brusque towards Apollo, he genuinely admires and values him. Notably, Klavier demonstrates a greater readiness to collaborate with the defense during investigations compared to other prosecutors who often hinder them at every step.

Despite being a prosecutor, Klavier’s role necessitates arguing for the defendant’s guilt and finding flaws in Apollo’s evidence wherever it appears. However, he is generally fair-minded and usually assists Apollo when he knows the real perpetrator. He is also a well-known rock musician, fronting the band called the Gavinners. In court, he occasionally mimics playing an air guitar to accompany his statements.

In an unexpected twist, the real antagonist in the game Apollo Justice turns out to be none other than Klavier’s older brother, Kristoph Gavin, who happens to be a defense attorney. Interestingly enough, Kristoph was once Apollo’s mentor, but things took a turn when Apollo uncovered his involvement in a murder case. Subsequent evidence implicated him in another murder and also for the disbarment of Phoenix Wright. Despite Klavier’s initial reluctance, as more of Kristoph’s criminal activities surfaced, Klavier no longer objected to his brother’s punishment.

3 Hades

Hades

In many retellings based on Greek mythology, the god of death often emerges as a natural choice for a villain. This holds true in the story of Hades, where he is portrayed as a harsh and distant father to his son, Zagreus. Despite his efforts to flee the underworld, Hades takes on the role of the antagonist. However, this version of Hades presents him as more of a hardworking deity rather than an outright evil one. He is depicted as someone who cares about his son but struggles to find time for family due to the heavy responsibilities he bears.

As I, Zagreus, keep finding myself back in the Underworld, I use these opportunities as chances to break its defenses and challenge its security. Even after our reconciliation, my father, Hades, continues to test me, proving that he never stops being vigilant. My family, the gods of Olympus, stand by my side throughout this journey, eventually finding their way back to a peaceful coexistence with Hades as well, once I am reunited with my mother, Persephone. In the end, contrary to many portrayals in popular culture, this version of Hades is not just a villain, but a complex figure who shows growth and understanding.

2 Xavier

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776

The Fire Emblem series features several characters who fit this description: they aren’t inherently evil, yet they occasionally clash with the good guys, at least temporarily. These characters can either become your allies or leave you feeling sorrowful as enemies. Xavier is intended to be someone you recruit, but the challenging process of doing so might make him seem more like an enemy you lament instead.

In a former life, I was a general serving under the kingdom of Leonster, where Prince Leif once resided before being evacuated. After its devastating fall, I found myself in a position where I had to make a difficult choice – loyalty to my subordinates or allegiance to my country. Choosing the former, I became an obstacle upon Leif’s return to Leonster. To clear this hurdle, August, Leif’s tactician, devised a plan: rallying the families of all my lieutenants in an attempt to persuade them to defect from me. If successful, Leif gains the power to recruit me as his ally.

In this strategy game, it’s crucial to pay close attention to minor aspects because if you don’t assign enough units to protect vulnerable allies, they can easily be eliminated by enemy forces at any moment. There are exactly eight of these allies who must engage in dialogue with an enemy unit to persuade them to switch sides. This task can be time-consuming and may cause frustration when trying to recruit Xavier. However, despite the challenges in recruiting him, Xavier proves to be a valuable asset during the later stages of the game.

1 Augustus Aquato

Psychonauts

Augustus exhibits a unique blend of goodness and villainy, depending on one’s perspective. He’s not just a circus acrobat and psychic; his past has left him cautious around other psychics. When he learns that his son, Razputin “Raz”, possesses psychic powers, it causes him great worry. In an attempt to steer Raz away from the world he finds traumatic, Augustus insists on daily acrobat practice for his son.

Initially, denying Raz permission to attend Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp had an unexpected consequence – it made him see his father, Augustus, in a negative light. This perception intensified when Augustus flatly refused to let Raz go, which only fueled Raz’s desire to attend the camp. In time, Augustus came to realize that Raz saw him as a monster who despised both psychics and his own happiness. This realization filled Augustus with dread and he decided to help Raz instead of being against him. Regrettably, the psychic connection between Raz and their coach, Oleander, allowed the twisted version of Augustus to combine with Oleander’s own abusive mentor, The Butcher.

Augustus lends aid to his son once more, paving the way for their reconciliation and marking the start of him accepting his skills. The Psychonauts series primarily revolves around perception. Despite Augustus’s intentions to provide only the best for his son Raz, their relationship was strained due to Raz’s unique perspective on him.

2024-11-08 19:37