The Best Action RPGs With Evil Routes, Ranked

Summary

Some action RPGs offer players the chance to embrace their dark side by making evil choices.
Games like Vampyr, Dragon Age, and Fable explore morally gray decisions in storytelling and gameplay.
Titles like The Witcher 3, Fallout, and Elden Ring provide opportunities for players to be downright evil.

As a seasoned adventurer with countless hours spent traversing the digital landscapes of various video games, I can confidently say that no game has ever given me the freedom to embrace my inner villain quite like Elden Ring does. Growing up, I was always the goody-two-shoes hero type, but this game has finally given me a chance to let loose and cause some chaos!

In many cases, games place you, the player, right into the role of the tale’s main character, often for action RPGs where you receive powerful abilities to face off against a predictable force of darkness. Yet, it’s important to note that each action RPG isn’t identical in this regard, as some offer players the freedom to influence and shape the storyline according to their preferences.

There are numerous games that involve making crucial decisions, some of which fall under the category of action Role-Playing Games (RPGs). In these games, you’re often given the freedom to choose between being a hero or a villain. It can be quite entertaining to switch sides and play as the antagonist. Here, we present a collection of top-tier action RPGs with evil storylines. For a game to make this list, it needed a robust RPG system and combat that leans towards action. To avoid repetition, we’ve grouped certain series, such as Mass Effect, into one entry. The games are ordered based on their average review scores and the impact they made at launch.

10. Vampyr

Save Peoples’ Lives Or Embrace The Bloodlust

The game “Vampyr” is highlighted primarily for its engaging narrative structure that offers multiple choices, rather than its action-combat or exploration being standout features. Although neither the combat nor the exploration were poor, they didn’t quite outshine other aspects of the game.

Rather than focusing on traditional RPG progression through experience points, Vampyr emphasizes immersing players as a morally ambiguous vampire. The gameplay and mechanics are designed to achieve this objective. For instance, while most RPGs allow players to level up by earning experience, in Vampyr, the path to power lies in feeding on significant NPCs. As the player develops relationships with quest givers, they can increase the worth of their blood before consuming it. The more ravenous the player becomes, the stronger they grow, yet London suffers as a result. Eventually, if the player chooses the darkest ending in Vampyr, Jonathan transforms into one of video games’ most terrifying vampires.

9. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

Protect Humanity Or Feed On It

Similar to the game Vampyr, Vampire: The Masquerade presents players with a central dilemma: either fully embody one’s vampiric character or strive to maintain some human qualities. As the player feeds on more civilians and relies increasingly on powers such as Dominate or Dementation, their humanity gradually diminishes.

In addition to choices affecting gameplay, players were also prompted to make challenging story-driven decisions. Choices such as aligning with the evil Sabbat or backing the villainous Prince LaCroix can be considered a dark path. Conversely, a “good” playthrough involved upholding the Masquerade and choosing to safeguard humans instead of treating them as livestock. Such decisions contribute to what makes Vampire: The Masquerade an exceptional game featuring a vampire protagonist.

8. The Outer Worlds

Become The Ultimate Corporate Shill

As a follower, I can share that while The Outer Worlds might seem like a first-person shooter from afar, it’s actually reminiscent of classic Obsidian role-playing games when it comes to storytelling, brimming with moral dilemmas. Frankly, it’s challenging to recall another action RPG with as many decision points as this one. In a “good” playthrough, you’re battling the Galaxy’s most nefarious corporations. But opt for an “evil” route, and you transform into the ultimate corporate puppet, experiencing one of the finest evil endings in RPG history.

Apart from aligning with The Board, the character can exhibit an almost comically malevolent behavior. In this game, players have the freedom to eliminate any NPC they wish at their convenience. During an evil playthrough, the player can gleefully take advantage of others for personal benefit, disregarding the welfare of the entire galaxy while enjoying the lavish lifestyle of the Byzantium aristocracy.

7. Dragon Age Series

Plenty Of Opportunities To Do The Wrong Thing

In the vein of timeless Bioware sagas, the Dragon Age game series offers the player numerous chances to lean towards good or evil paths. Although some significant choices might seem morally ambiguous, decisions like surrendering Isabella to the Qunari or delivering Fenris back to his master, Danarius, are undeniably wicked. Over time, these games have evolved to encompass more action-packed RPG combat, making them a thrilling blend of role-playing and dynamic battles.

“The most exciting aspect when making decisions in ‘Dragon Age’ is that significant choices carry over to future games. By continually choosing the dark path, players can construct a unique Dragon Age universe where their character leaves a path of betrayal, devastation, and moral ambiguity across Thedas. This not only makes the Dragon Age series highly replayable, but it also positions them as standout action RPGs for villainous gameplay.

6. Fable Series

Be The Hero Or The Villain Of Your Own Story

For a while, it seemed like the beloved Fable series had reached its end, but 2025 promises to bring joy to fans of this unique action RPG. While opinions may vary about which games in the franchise were the best, there’s no denying that few other titles offer the level of player agency found in the Fable games. Players have the power to mold their character’s journey by committing actions typically considered “evil,” such as theft and murder, or making questionable decisions during quests. The series even took things a step further by judging characters based on their food choices, like opting for crunchy chicks over more plant-based options like tofu.

Among the game’s most engaging aspects was the way choices affected the player’s character visibly. Choosing a malevolent path would result in the character growing horns, paling, and acquiring glowing red eyes. Non-Player Characters (NPCs) responded to these decisions as well, with shopkeepers turning away evil characters and villagers choosing not to engage them in conversation. It’ll be intriguing to observe how an evil route plays out in the upcoming Fable; choice-based games have made significant progress since 2010.

5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Multiple Shades Of Gray

In my experience following the captivating world of The Witcher series, I’ve noticed a nuanced approach to moral dilemmas. The intricate tapestry of this universe is not black and white but rather shades of gray, and Geralt often portrays himself as an unbiased observer more than a traditional hero. However, within the depths of The Witcher 3, choices can undeniably lean towards the malevolent. For instance, turning against Roche in favor of Djikstra, ending Keira’s life, and deceiving the Red Baron to his own demise are decisions that carry a heavy burden of moral ambiguity.

In the sprawling narrative of these captivating games, the ripples of my decisions can vary from gentle to tsunami-sized, but they often accumulate and grow. Choosing a self-centered or morally questionable path can strain Geralt’s bond with Ciri significantly. A chain of poor choices eventually leads to her demise in the game’s climax. Beyond Ciri, living a life devoid of kindness might bring Geralt unforeseen challenges, like infidelity towards Yennefer and Triss being a risky move. Yet, one of the most enthralling aspects of playing The Witcher games is their morally grey landscape. It’s not always straightforward which paths are virtuous or wicked, and occasionally, the games will reward me for making a wrong choice just as frequently as they might penalize me for trying to do what’s right.

4. Fallout Series

Make The Nuclear Wasteland An Even Worse Place

Initially, the “Fallout” game series began as role-playing games (RPGs) where players took turns to make moves. However, from “Fallout 3,” the franchise has incorporated first-person shooter (FPS) combat and more action-oriented gameplay. Despite this shift towards action, it hasn’t abandoned its roots in decision-based RPGs. In fact, each of the recent games offers ample opportunities for players to embrace their inner villain. Both “Fallout 3” and “New Vegas” have karma systems that monitor the player’s actions and reward them with specific benefits and NPC interactions based on their chosen playstyle.

As a dedicated cinephile of video games, especially the Fallout series, I must say that which game offers the most wickedly immersive experience is a topic open to debate. Fallout 4, for one, presents a morally ambiguous world, and its conclusions are largely subjective based on personal choices. In contrast, Fallout 3 grants players an unprecedented freedom to act maliciously. They could align with the oppressive Enclave, detonate Megaton for caps or amusement, and deny clean water to the Capital Wasteland. Similarly, in Fallout: New Vegas , players can make decisions that border on evil, such as joining Caesar’s slave-owning regime, enslaving their own companions, or exterminating other factions to become the Mojave’s dictator. Fallout 4 may not boast the franchise’s strongest narrative, but it does allow players to pursue a darker path by tracking down and eliminating their own son.

3. Mass Effect Trilogy

Paragon Or Renegade, Your Decide

One of the standout features of the Mass Effect game series is undoubtedly its Paragon vs. Renegade dynamic. Essentially, playing as a Paragon involves making choices that are morally righteous and showing respect towards others. On the other hand, behaving in an unruly manner and opting for more harsh decisions results in Renegade points. The consequences of being either a Renegade or a Paragon include unlocking distinct abilities, altering Sheperd’s look in Mass Effect 2, and bringing about significant storyline changes.

Fundamentally, Shepherd isn’t truly “evil” in essence, as even during Renegade gameplay, the primary objective is to save the universe. However, the actions taken in this playstyle can seem malicious, as they include potential genocide of entire species and causing the ship’s crew harm. Unfortunately, the series fell short with Mass Effect 3’s ending, which reduced all these complex moral choices to a straightforward, anticlimactic decision.

2. Skyrim

The Dragonborn Doesn’t Have To Be A Hero

Following Bethesda’s signature style, Skyrim grants players ample opportunity to embrace a more malevolent role. Although the primary mission doesn’t offer an “evil path”, numerous side missions certainly do. One of the most notorious examples is the Dark Brotherhood questline, where players transform into a relentless assassin serving under the Night Mother.

Just as the Dawnguard DLC offers players a chance to either embrace vampirism, with its bloodthirsty nature bringing an undeniable darkness, or take up arms against these creatures as a hunter, I found myself often grappling with the moral dilemmas that Skyrim presents. Intriguingly similar to the freedom afforded in Fallout, this game also allows me to unleash my inner scoundrel, should I choose to make deals with daunting Daedra, sacrifice loyal companions, or simply be a nuisance by murdering non-essential NPCs, betraying friends, and generally causing trouble.

1. Elden Ring

The Tarnished Can Save Or Ruin The World

In terms of open-world games promoting freedom, there’s hardly a contender that can match the excellence of Elden Ring. Its standing as one of the greatest action RPGs ever created is undeniably established. What often goes unmentioned, however, is the extent to which Elden Ring allows for player wickedness. Similar to the Dark Souls series that preceded it, Elden Ring offers numerous endings to discover, some of which can be quite malevolent.

Consider, for instance, the Loathsome Dung Eater quest line, as wicked as its title implies. It culminates in a catastrophic takeover by an ominous curse. Similarly, the Lord of the Frenzied Flame ending involves the player betraying Melina and incinerating the entire world. Throughout these adventures, Elden Ring, there are numerous chances for players to partake in evil acts. They can become a ruthless wanderer, slaying innocent NPCs across the land. Many questlines also offer opportunities for players to backstab friends, often without any personal benefit. Despite the bleak nature of FromSoftware’s worlds, they always provide players with the means to make them even more dismal.

2024-12-15 15:25