The Best Open-World Games For Feeling Truly Evil

by

Summary

  • Evil in open-world games is about indulgence, not traditional villain arcs – embrace chaos.
  • Games like Saints Row 4 enable players to be gleefully evil with no real consequences.
  • Open-world titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5 showcase impactful evil choices.

Every sandbox doesn’t necessarily need to serve as a platform for altruistic play. Occasionally, the most captivating open-ended adventures emerge when we discard moral guidelines and immerse ourselves in raw disorder, cruelty, or self-centeredness, not due to plot developments, but because the game mechanics empower players to act as malevolent as they wish. This isn’t about classic antagonist narratives or cartoonish villains. Instead, these open worlds provide an environment where indulging in evil isn’t just tolerated but encouraged.

Essentially, this isn’t about indiscriminate violence among NPC characters without purpose. Instead, it pertains to game titles that spark curiosity in players, making them ponder their limits when there are no boundaries set for them.

6. Saints Row 4

Absolute Power Does Not Need Restraint

In due course, when Saints Row 4 arrives, the series moves away from gritty street crime stories and dives headlong into over-the-top superhero silliness. The protagonist is no longer an ordinary citizen, but the President of the United States, trapped in an alien simulation where they possess powers like telekinesis, super speed, and the ability to manipulate reality itself. Consequently, the open world offers unparalleled chaos and absurdity, allowing players to engage in wild antics such as slamming passersby with a gun that plays dubstep music while soaring through the sky dressed in a banana costume.

The wickedly playful nature of Saints Row 4 stands out distinctly. Unlike other games that seem to require salvation, this one presents a world as if it’s a toy box brimming with destructible items just waiting to be played with. The player’s powers make self-restraint seem unwise. Although there are repercussions in theory, they rarely have any significant impact. Here, evil is more about indulgence than hate – a delightful, reckless indulgence that encourages players to continuously push the boundaries.

5. Destroy All Humans! (2020)

Evil, But In A Flying Saucer

In simpler terms, the game “Destroy All Humans!” offers players the chance to take on the role of Crypto-137, a witty alien who enjoys causing chaos and destruction. Earth serves as his playground where humans are either expendable targets or sources of power for enhancing weapons capable of turning cows into puddles, disintegrating tanks, or extracting information through questionable methods.

2020’s reboot preserves the original’s mood and fine-tunes its environment and gameplay mechanics. It’s a realm that invites destruction, where the most sensible subsequent action is often the most absurdly heartless. Shocking a farmer, possessing a mayor, incinerating a convoy, it all seems excessively exaggerated, yet it doesn’t diminish its wickedness. Crypto isn’t subjugating Earth; he’s deriding it while igniting it.

4. Red Dead Redemption 2

Evil Wears A Cowboy Hat

The vibrant depiction of the American frontier in Red Dead Redemption 2 truly sets it apart among open-world games, making choosing a villain’s path particularly resonant. Even though players can commit robberies, deception, murder, or even cause chaos by destroying a significant portion of the landscape, it’s the subtle reactions that leave a lasting impression. For instance, a farmer pleading for his livestock or townsfolk discussing Arthur Morgan in places he hasn’t been for weeks, these moments underscore the game’s immersive environment and character development.

As a gamer, I can tell you what sets this game apart from your typical chaos is the way my actions have long-lasting effects on the world. If I kill a shopkeeper, it’s not just a fleeting moment; their store might close down for good. If I threaten someone, they might remember and avoid me in the future. Letting a witness go could lead to a visit from the law, adding an element of realism that makes becoming an outlaw both more intriguing and terrifying. Rockstar has crafted a world that remembers my crimes, and metes out punishment in subtle, heart-wrenching ways. It’s this level of detail that makes the allure of living as an outlaw even stronger.

3. Grand Theft Auto 5

When Chaos Is Part Of The Culture

Grand Theft Auto 5 offers players a variety of ways to play as villains, with distinct characters like Trevor’s uncontrollable violence, Michael’s calculated criminality, and Franklin’s moral descent into power. The game’s narrative delves into different degrees of wickedness. However, it’s in the open-world setting that things become truly chaotic. Los Santos is a city designed for exploitation, allowing players to rob armored trucks, manipulate the stock market, run over civilians, and avoid consequences if they act quickly enough.

As a gaming enthusiast, let me tell you, there’s no denying that Grand Theft Auto Online is a wild ride! The reason it’s so chaotic? Because chaos pays off! The NPCs (non-player characters) react just like real people would when they’re scared out of their wits. The cops chase you like a dog with a bone, the longer you push your luck. Even the random folks scattered around the map can suddenly find themselves in the middle of an action-packed drama!

Evil doesn’t feel like a choice here; it feels like the inevitable result of mastering the game’s rules and then boldly breaking them with style!

2. Infamous Second Son

Let The City Burn, You’re Busy Glowing

In many games, karma systems seem like an added feature rather than a core part of gameplay, offering simple good-or-evil choices with minimal impact. However, Infamous: Second Son aims to make it significant. Delsin Rowe’s abilities aren’t just discreet; he absorbs neon from signs, smoke from chimneys, and vitality from adversaries. If players opt for the darker route, his powers undergo a dramatic transformation into something much more aggressive and visually thrilling.

Civilian casualties aren’t just a possibility, they are a consequence. The narrative revolves around the player’s cruelty, as characters respond with fear or revulsion as Delsin transforms his charisma into raw ferocity. Neon missiles and corrupted angel drones underscore that power comes at a cost, and the darkened Delsin is willing to bear that cost; particularly when the explosions look this spectacular.

1. Prototype

Being A Monster Is Just So Much Easier

In a different wording: Prototype is not just another power fantasy game; it offers an extraordinary experience where players can run up skyscrapers, cleave tanks in two, and knock helicopters out of the sky using their bodies. The protagonist, Alex Mercer, doesn’t merely combat opponents, he consumes them literally. Consuming people is not a finishing move but rather a key gameplay mechanic. Needing a disguise? Simply devour a civilian. Running low on health? A soldier will do. After causing chaos in Times Square, wanting to blend with the crowd? The concept is straightforward.

The chilling aspect lies in how familiarity breeds contempt, as over time, players lose sight of the human element and instead focus on resources with a human form. There’s no moral compass or punishment; instead, there’s an unapologetic liberty to employ whatever methods are effective, which more often than not, lead to horrific outcomes. Manhattan gradually transforms from a bustling city into a hunting ground, where the measure of power is determined by who or what survives Mercer’s relentless experimentation.

Read More

2025-08-09 01:35