Games Where You Are Secretly The Villain

Key Takeaways

Heroes and villains in video games can blur, with protagonists sometimes revealing villainous qualities.
BioShock Infinite
protagonist Booker DeWitt has a dark past and must atone for his crimes.
Games like
Braid
and
The Last of Us
subvert expectations by challenging players to question the hero’s motives.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the digital worlds of these intriguing video games, I must say that they all present a fascinating perspective on what it means to be a hero.

Many narratives typically feature protagonists and adversaries, although they may not always adhere strictly to these roles. While anti-heroes and complex villains are common, there’s usually a main character that viewers support. Yet, boundaries can sometimes become ambiguous. In some cases, the hero might be just as morally questionable as the antagonist, or their actions may resemble those of a villain. Sometimes, the protagonist is actually a villain, fighting against an even greater evil or striving for redemption. Occasionally, the storyline switches our perception of who the real enemy is. Initially perceived villains might side with the hero or form alliances due to shared issues. Conversely, a trusted ally could secretly work for the antagonist.

In video games, when characters are controlled by the player, they often represent the protagonist or hero. The enemies they confront typically serve as antagonists or villains. However, some games intentionally challenge these conventions. Many role-playing games (RPGs), for example, may implement a moral system where players can choose evil paths. At times, the boundaries blur, and it transpires that the player character might not be the hero as initially perceived, but instead, the true antagonist of the narrative. This concept can be tricky to execute effectively, but when done skillfully, it creates a compelling gaming experience.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for all the games listed

5 BioShock Infinite

The Hero And Villain Are Closer Than They Realize

Games Where You Are Secretly The Villain

In the game BioShock Infinite, the main character, Booker DeWitt, is a former Pinkerton detective and army veteran with an unsettling past. It’s revealed that Booker was involved in a tragic event – the Wounded Knee Massacre, where he carried out actions so horrific that they shocked his fellow soldiers. His career as a Pinkerton wasn’t any better, earning him the reputation of being the man to break up labor strikes. To make matters worse, Booker even went as far as selling his own daughter to pay off gambling debts.

In a different scenario, Booker might have been a villain similar to characters found in Red Dead Redemption 2. However, BioShock Infinite’s narrative is centered around whether or not Booker can make amends for his previous wrongdoings. As with the series tradition, matters become intricate, leading to the revelation that the game’s antagonist, Zachary Hale Comstock – the authoritarian ruler and “Prophet” of the floating city of Colombia – is actually an alternate version of Booker. A pivotal decision in their lives separated them, with one accepting baptism while the other declined, resulting in two distinct characters.

4 Braid

The Twist Changes Everything

In Jonathan Blow’s indie game, the main character Tim is on a mission to aid a princess who is being pursued by a terrifying beast. At first glance, it appears to be just a typical side-scrolling puzzle game with no apparent surprises. However, as you delve deeper into the gameplay, intricate time manipulation mechanics are unveiled, leading to an unexpected twist at the end of the story.

In reality, the supposed “monster” is none other than Tim himself. The princess, who appears to be in need of rescue, is actually trying frantically to evade a persistent and dangerous admirer – a fact hinted at throughout the game by suggesting that Tim’s actions are driven by his desire to rectify some past wrongdoing. While there have been various interpretations of the underlying themes in this game, it becomes evident as the story unfolds that Tim is not nearly as heroic as he believes himself to be.

3 The Last Of Us Part 2

You Are the Villain in Someone Else’s Story

In The Last of Us Part 2, a sense of moral complexity is maintained much like in the original, but with an added layer of harshness.

The storyline of the game initially follows Ellie as she seeks retribution against Abby, who appears to be the antagonist after killing Joel. Although her actions are justifiable, Ellie’s relentless pursuit and ability to leave a trail of casualties make one ponder the moral implications of her actions. The tension escalates significantly when Ellie confronts Abby near the midpoint. However, as the narrative progresses, events are revisited from Abby’s point of view, casting Ellie in the role of the antagonist. By the end, it becomes challenging to determine who to support.

2 Shadow Of The Colossus

Trying To Be The Hero Makes Things Worse For Everyone

Although Wander’s intentions – seeking to resurrect his deceased girlfriend – are sympathetic, the means he chooses to employ are questionable, leading to more trouble instead. His initial blunder is striking a bargain with a shadowy figure whose motives prove self-serving rather than beneficial. Oddly enough, Wander embarks on a journey aimed at defeating numerous giants, none of whom are culpable for his anger. In fact, several of these titans attempt to evade confrontation with him.

After overcoming each Colossus, an evil force emerges, one that Wander had been unwittingly guiding. This revelation implies that he may have inadvertently cursed his girlfriend upon her resurrection and potentially doomed the world as a whole. In essence, what started as heroic actions for Wander has unfortunately worsened the situation for many, including himself.

1 Spec Ops: The Line

Do Your War Crimes Feel Heroic Yet?

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: In Yager’s legendary shooter, the core question is what truly makes a hero. The story revolves around me, Martin Walker, on a mission to find my mentor who seems to have transformed into a tyrant ruling over a desert-blasted Dubai. Sadly, I’m finding out the hard way that being a hero isn’t as easy as it looks.

In a less than admirable manner, his attempts to “aid” the citizens of Dubai involved bombing civilians with white phosphorus and decimating their main water sources. The shocking twist unfolds at the end of the storyline, revealing that the antagonist he had been pursuing was already deceased before Walker’s arrival. It turns out that the true menace, the real Colonel Kurtz, was none other than Walker himself, whose cruel actions throughout the narrative achieved little more than inflicting misery and agony upon others.

2024-09-26 14:35