Best RPG's That Let You Play As The Villain

Key Takeaways

RPGs offer players the unique opportunity to explore being evil and making morally grey decisions in various game worlds.
From vampire lords to post-apocalyptic cowboys, players can fully embrace their dark side in games like V Rising and Fallout: New Vegas.
The freedom to choose evil in RPGs like Tyranny and Baldur’s Gate 3 leads to intriguing narratives, consequences, and character development.

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for exploring the darker corners of virtual worlds, I find myself utterly captivated by the malevolent RPGs that grace this list. Having dabbled in my fair share of villainy across various gamescapes, I can confidently say that these three titles are the cream of the crop when it comes to indulging one’s inner demon.

In RPG games, players often find themselves in familiar scenarios such as: saving the world, forming alliances, and freeing cats stuck in trees. From battling against tyrannical forces to simply striving to be extraordinary individuals, it’s a refreshing change, albeit with a darker undertone that hints of blood, when game creators pose an intriguing question: ‘What if the player character is actually the villain?’

Everyone could use a moment of respite, an opportunity to cut loose and enjoy living life vicariously through their character, and remarkably, games serve as an ideal platform for this. Whether it’s conquering the world or dominating the galaxy, here is a compilation of some outstanding RPGs where embracing your inner villain unlocks a myriad of intriguing narratives and tantalizing choices.

Warning: This List Contains Spoilers

10 V Rising

Blood-Sucking Bad Guy

Best RPG's That Let You Play As The Villain

While battling against the villainous Dracula, the Dark Lord, might seem like a valiant pursuit at first glance, it ultimately turns out to be quite different from what you’d expect. In this MMORPG, players aim to amass sufficient power to eventually ascend to the position of the most dreaded vampire in the mythical realm of Vardoran.

One method used is by eliminating V-Bloods, a task often undertaken by heroes from previous ages who strive to maintain a vampire-free world. Although not all of these individuals may be paragons of morality, players will likely come to terms with the fact that they are just as shrouded in ethical ambiguity and darkness as the Dark Lord himself, perhaps around the time they capture their fifth blood prisoner.

9 Fallout: New Vegas

One Big-Iron At A Time

In the world of Obsidian’s Mojave desert, while the game doesn’t actively encourage it, players have ample room to explore their dark fantasies of being a cannibalistic cowboy. The game’s open-ended nature allows for anything to happen, and at times, the most sinister choices can be the most enticing.

After regaining consciousness as a recently repaired cyborg, sporting a bullet-shaped scar in my brain, the only recollection players have is of the individual who inflicted that wound. As soon as the doors swing open and the game begins with the command “Go,” it’s entirely up to the player to decide how altruistic their pursuit of vengeance will be.

8 Overlord

Sauron Simulator

Experiencing the situation of a recently revived Dark Lord, who discovers his castle in ruins and must reclaim his power and reassemble his forces, serves as the mischievous opening attraction for the comically magical role-playing game developed by Triumph Studios.

Regardless of their preference, the character assumes the role of an antagonist. With towering stature, shrouded in ominous darkness and adorned with sharp and rough metal, they lead a relentlessly expanding horde, intent on unleashing chaos wherever they go – this experience can be seen as a corrupting influence or power game.

7 Undertale

Genocidal Determination

At the heart of Undertale lies its endearing characters, enchanting music, and an overall kind-hearted atmosphere. However, this very essence undergoes a radical transformation when a player opts for their “Destroy All” journey.

As towns turn desolate, characters tremble with fear – and the tune transforms into a grotesquely twisted lament. Choosing evil introduces a fresh dimension to the game, but it comes at the price of always making the player feel remorseful for their actions.

6 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Darth Revenant

Contains spoilers for
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic.

In this intergalactic journey, I find myself standing at a crossroads, where my decisions shape my destiny. Do I embrace the mysterious allure of the Dark Side, or do I stay true to the principles of the Light? It’s not just about power, but also about freedom versus oppression. The choice is mine, and it will echo across the galaxies.

As you venture into a malevolent role in this game, the ripples of your wicked deeds extend throughout the cosmos. Your character’s appearance subtly transforms to mirror your sinister decisions, and it might turn out that your evil actions are not just part of the gameplay but are deeply intertwined with the storyline as well.

5 Fable

Long Horns and Dark Magic

In the enchanting realm of Albion, I can’t help but admire its captivating melodies and witty charm that’s hard to ignore. But when misfortune knocks, it leaves my childhood village in ruins, and I’m taken under the wing of a Heroic guild. They see potential in me and train me to join their ranks.

The genuine enjoyment kicks in when the player is eventually given their freedom. This is when the game takes on a darker tone with questionable decisions and mysterious mechanics that significantly impact the player’s persona. Whether it means sprouting actual horns or unveiling more malevolent and unpredictable magical abilities, playing as a Villain in the Fable series never fails to be entertaining.

4 Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines

Masterpiece of Malkavian Malevolence

In the new realm of the Dark World, freshly transformed into a vampire, a player finds themselves caught up in a brutal power struggle among over a dozen rival groups, making adherence to the Masquerade and basic laws a minor issue.

Five distinct conclusions cater to various gameplay styles – whether they involve bloodthirsty, inhuman monsters teetering on the edge of a frenzy or not. This tabletop version is designed to accommodate all such unique and intense characters.

3 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Seriously Sinister Shouting

In the well-known game by Bethesda, players have the freedom to make their own decisions. The objective is to save the world from dragons, yet the player’s journey is entirely open-ended; they can choose any paths they wish throughout the process.

Delving into the role of a ruthless Vampire Overlord, joining the malevolent Dark Brotherhood, or repeatedly laying waste to Whiterun – these are all familiar paths in Tamriel that test one’s capacity for villainy. While the player ultimately saves the world, the motive behind the salvation remains an individual choice.

2 Tyranny

The Devil’s Real Estate Agent

In this imaginative realm, wickedness has already prevailed, and here’s an intriguing twist: the player serves the victorious malevolent force. Despite opportunities to choose goodness, these actions are primarily aimed at bolstering the Overlord’s Empire. The choices you make have the power to alter dramatically the isometric world of Tyranny.

In this game, the decisions you’ll face are shockingly wicked, ranging from razing entire settlements, sacrificing loved ones, and slaying revered heroes. These choices verge on absurdly evil and may leave players pondering if they truly want to persist with their malevolent campaign.

1 Baldur’s Gate 3

Giving Into Those Dark Urges

It’s hardly unexpected that Larian Studios’ popular Dungeons & Dragons spin-off series would find its place among role-playing games featuring villainous characters, given that the real excitement arises as the player embraces the “Dark Urge” backstory regardless of Tav’s chosen journey.

In a game of Dark Urge, acts like harassing squirrels and ending the lives of Bards are merely the surface of the tale. As events unfold, the player is faced with the choice to either curb or fully succumb to their dark impulses, opening up an alternate narrative that I won’t reveal. Regardless, it’s a journey well worth taking, offering unique abilities and unexpectedly emotional character interactions among allies.

2024-09-19 12:34

Best RPG’s That Let You Play As The Villain