The Most Relatable Villains In Video Games

As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for characters that leave a lasting impression, I must say these villains are truly exceptional. Each one of them carries a unique backstory that sheds light on their motivations and actions, making them far more than just antagonists.

A key characteristic of an engaging villain is their dependability. While the flamboyant, mischievous antagonists who revel in their wrongdoings can be intriguing, the most compelling characters often invite us to empathize with them by offering a glimpse into their master plans from their unique point of view.

Instead of asking whether it’s a sorrowful Dracula or an overbearing billionaire who has dismantled everything in pursuit of a deception – could there be anything more compelling for the player to ponder than: “What if they found themselves in these characters’ shoes?” In light of this, let me share some video game villains that resonate deeply with us.

WARNING! This list contains spoilers.

8 Thor

God of War: Ragnarok

In the initial game, I found Thor portrayed as a ruthless, genocidal figure, with his hammer seemingly doing most of the talking. However, as I delved deeper into the narrative of God of War: Ragnarok, I discovered there was much more depth to this character than I initially perceived.

There are plenty of reasons Thor is the overly aggressive drunk he is now. Still, the leading cause of his woes is his deeply manipulative father and king of Asgard, Odin – who sees Thor as nothing more than a weapon to be aimed at his nearest enemy. While this God of Thunder’s youth was filled with legendary battles and causes for celebration, his luxuries turned to crutches.

7 Mr. Freeze

Batman: Arkham City

Beyond being one of the game’s most iconic boss battles, Mr. Freeze distinguishes himself by mirroring his comic book character, driven solely by passion and desperation. With his wife Nora diagnosed with a fatal illness, Mr. Freeze stores her in a cryogenic chamber, freezing her to the point of immobility, as he tirelessly searches for a cure before the disease claims her life.

It appears that he resides in the same area as Batman, but despite his questionable tactics, he is making every effort to save the one he cherishes most.

6 Logan

Fable 3

In the realm of Albion within Fable 3, I, Logan, reigned with a tyrannical fist, playing the ruthless villain in the game’s initial chapters. My portrayal was brilliantly brought to life by none other than Michael Fassbender. As your older brother in the game, my merciless nature was something you experienced up close and personal.

Through this revelation, the player now decides Logan’s future – he could become an ally if spared and reveals hints of regret for his deeds. This antagonist firmly believes his actions were necessary, leading his kingdom through hardships to ensure their survival. Notably, it’s the players who get to decide on this crucial choice. In Albion, the path to riches is more arduous for those with strong moral principles.

5 The Arkham Knight

Batman: Arkham Knight

The mystery of the Arkham Knight‘s identity is a core aspect of the final entry in Batman’s iconic Arkham trilogy. Fans were eager to find out who precisely this intimidating figure, who seemed to know all about Batman’s inner workings and alter-ego, was. Though the mystery may have been somewhat spoiled by Bruce Wayne’s haunting flashbacks of Jason Todd’s final moments seemingly coming out of the blue, it makes the reveal all the more heartbreaking to Bruce when The Arkham Knight finally takes his mask off to reveal that he was, in fact, Robin.

This development moves the storyline closer to that of Batman, who is compelled to work independently and drive away anyone who attempts to aid him. It’s not difficult to understand why Jason Todd might have transformed into the malevolent Arkham Knight, given his history as an orphan, apprentice superhero, and immersion in Gotham City’s criminal underworld – Batman’s actions, which included taking on a child sidekick, directly exposed Jason to danger. When The Joker ultimately took his life, the resentment within Jason towards Bruce Wayne only grew stronger.

4 GlaDOS

Portal 2

This robot, full of wry wit and gloomy outlook on life, offers a glimpse into the complex emotions hidden within the AI mind of this malevolent pastry chef. GLaDOS carries the character and recollections of Caroline, a previous Aperture employee, which adds to her programming a fierce devotion tainted by malice.

It’s difficult for anyone to argue that they wouldn’t have acted with the same contempt towards humanity as GlaDOS, if they were in her shoes. She’s a complex character, having been exploited by those around her, serving as both a corporate tool and an individual. Her sarcastic remarks about the player’s broken promises and lying cakes reflect the deep wounds inflicted upon her by everyone, be it Caroline or GlaDOS herself.

3 Handsome Jack

Borderlands 2

Handsome Jack has a twisted sense of heroism – he entirely believes that his actions are just. After playing through the events of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, it’s clear how Jack got to where he is.

Jack’s main driving force in his actions is his daughter, Angel, whom he both adores and sees flawed. He regards her siren abilities as a means to an end, and his compulsion to control these powers results in misfortune. Jack’s desire to monitor every move of Angel is a disguise for what he believes is protection; however, it reveals his distorted perspective and allows him to justify his cruelty. This was his deepest regret – a source of both shame and further descent into madness.

2 Vaas Montenegro

Far Cry 3

It’s evident that Vaas had already fallen into madness before the storyline began, as his increasingly erratic outbursts suggest. The enigmatic island of Rook Island seems to have a profound impact on its residents, hinting at potential perils for the main character, Jason Brody.

In the game, not much is revealed about Vaas’ background, but from the scraps of information he provides, one of gaming’s most memorable antagonists appears to have originated as a young boy, drawn in by the allure of wealth and power. However, drugs slowly destroyed his mind, causing him to despise everything that his sister and the island represented. Vaas’ descent into corruption and insanity wasn’t necessarily his own fault – he was merely another unfortunate casualty of the island and those who abuse its resources.

1 Marlene

The Last Of Us Part 1

The world has succumbed to a deadly fungal plague that rapidly turns its victims into mindless zombies. The only chance of developing a cure lies within the head of a 14-year-old.

As the Head of Fireflies, Marlene isn’t at fault for grasping the world’s last hope for a cure. Viewing it as a gamer, it’s understandable how one could grow deeply connected to Ellie and Joel’s bond throughout the story. When finding out that the treatments Ellie needs to develop a vaccine will ultimately lead to her demise, it becomes difficult not to sympathize with Joel’s decisions, given his previous loss as a parent. Marlene was tirelessly working to save the world, aware of the risk that the process might fail. From her standpoint, one life sacrificed could mean salvation for humanity. It’s challenging to label her as a villain, as her actions appear villainous only from the protagonist’s perspective.

2024-11-10 23:55