Gaming’s Best Anti-Hero Teams, Ranked

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Everyone enjoys being a champion, yet there’s something intriguing about stepping into the shoes of a character who isn’t entirely good. That’s where anti-heroes come in – they’re flawed individuals who, despite their shortcomings, can become heroes within a storyline. The games listed below take this concept one step further by featuring entire teams of these complex characters battling against all odds.

Some of these teams possess admirable traits that portray them as complex characters, struggling in a malicious universe while battling their internal struggles. On occasion, however, they can be unsavory individuals who might just as easily embody the antagonist if viewed from another angle, depending on the players’ perspective.

7. The Suicide Squad

Task Force X Kills an Evil Justice League in Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League

Criticism is plentiful towards the game “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League”. A significant portion of this criticism revolves around its repetitive gameplay structure, which adheres to a live-service model, and comparisons drawn to the “Arkham” series with which it shares a narrative universe. It’s unfortunate that the game chose this direction, as there are glimmers of potential in some of the cinematic scenes.

Managing the Suicide Squad, who eliminate Justice League members, presents an intriguing concept and a clever twist on expectations for the Arkham universe. The team’s character really comes to life in various cinematic scenes. Unfortunately, it’s disappointing that this concept is tied to a live-service game format.

Instead of live-service games, those who appreciate the storyline-focused, single-player Arkham games might have preferred a sequel with that format.

6. The 3rd Street Saints

The Gang of Saints Row Excel at Taking Over Cities and Toppling Alien Empires

Over time, the Saints Row series transformed from a game inspired by Grand Theft Auto with an open-world setting, into a lively spoof of video games and popular culture filled with charming lowbrow humor. The Saints, the main gang in question, started out on gritty city streets but eventually made their way to the White House.

As a gamer, I can tell you that in the first two installments, my character and the Saints were relentless and unyielding, showing no mercy. But then came part three, where the series took a turn into an over-the-top version of reality, injecting plenty of humor into our criminal antics. Fast forward to the fourth game, and I’m not just a player anymore – I’m the U.S. President battling aliens. So yeah, it’s pretty clear we’re not your typical bad guys, even if we’ve got a bit of an edge!

5. Tav’s Party

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Tadpole-Infected Ragtag Adventurers

In Baldur’s Gate 3, your party has a great deal of freedom to choose their path, ranging from completely heroic to outright villainous. This role-playing game is particularly intelligent, as many decisions find themselves in a morally ambiguous gray zone that frequently transforms the party leader and their companions into complex characters who may not always be heroes.

Several characters in this narrative share traits often associated with antihero types. For instance, Lae’zel hails from a stern warrior race known for their discipline and unwavering resolve. Astarion, on the other hand, is a reluctant vampire who grapples with the instinctual tendencies common to mythical figures. Lastly, Shadowheart follows a dark deity in her faith.

Even though it’s the third installment in the series, Baldur’s Gate 3 is designed to be enjoyable for new players, making it easy for them to jump in without feeling overwhelmed or confused.

4. Kane & Lynch

Grimey Killers of the Criminal Underworld for Two Dead Men in Dog Days

The main figures in these two games are ruthless criminals, lacking any admirable traits whatsoever, morally or socially. Despite their questionable nature, they’re the central characters and players take command as they blast through the criminal underworld, leaving a path of destruction with no regard for life.

It’s evident that Lynch is tackling deep psychological problems. Although the gameplay may be outdated, it remains engaging due to its unwavering focus on portraying the protagonist’s harshness and unlikeability. Notably, both games offer a cooperative play mode as well.

In the sequel, “2 Dog Days“, it seems as if an unnoticed film crew is capturing the action with hidden cameras. The visuals have a filter that mimics the look of a camcorder recording, and the audio gives off a boom microphone vibe. This contributes to the game’s gritty atmosphere but also creates a sense of disorientation for the players.

3. Franklin, Trevor, And Michael

Grand Theft Auto 5’s Trio of Heisting Protagonists Have Good Days and Bad Days

In the epic gaming series I’m deeply immersed in, the latest installment offers an innovative feature: multiple playable characters. Each of these protagonists has a unique storyline intertwined with the criminal underworld. Franklin yearns for a better social standing, Michael seeks meaning and purpose to break free from his monotonous life within the witness protection program, while Trevor… well, Trevor’s just plain nuts.

As I navigate through the gripping narrative, I come across a diverse array of shady characters, from ruthless street thugs to cunning corporate kingpins. Yet, what sets my trio apart is their unwavering integrity. A character like Devin Weston, for instance, is all about greed and betrayal, while the FIB might be as corrupt as we are, but they cloak it in the guise of upholding a higher cause. We’re not here to claim moral superiority; we’re just trying to survive in this ruthless world, albeit with a bit more honor than some.

2. The Vault Hunters

Borderlands’ Vault Hunters Do a Bit of Bad and a Bit of Good for Loot Galore

In the Borderlands series, each band of mercenaries can be seen as having elements of anti-heroism. Among these groups, the playable characters in The Pre-Sequel are notably fitting for this categorization. These Vault Hunters are dispatched to Pandora’s moon on Jack’s orders, who later becomes notorious as Handsome Jack, the antagonist in Borderlands 2.

Despite the primary theme of self-interest driving the plot in “The Pre-Sequel“, the characters perform valiant deeds, such as averting the destruction of the moon from imminent explosion. The storyline involves six distinctive characters to pick from, including Athena, an assassin employed by Atlas Corporation, and a duplicate of Jack, who is also among the downloadable content.

1. The Van Der Linde Gang

Red Dead Redemption 2’s Gang of Outlaws Rob and Kill, Sometimes for Better or Worse

This one is intricate due to the progression of the narrative in Red Dead Redemption 2. The Van der Linde gang, a disorganized band of outlaws, are on the run from civilization’s advancement at society’s fringe. Throughout the tale, certain characters reveal themselves as undeniably villainous, mirroring the gradual disintegration of the gang.

Nevertheless, certain members remain loyal to Arthur Morgan throughout his journey, ensuring a vestige of an ‘anti-hero’ group lingers until the conclusion. Initially, the Van der Linde gang appears as the glamorized bandits frequently portrayed in stories set during the Wild West era.

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2025-01-08 12:34