The big, bad villain is as important as the honorable, stoic hero in gaming, because if it were not for the villain who would we fight? Let’s take a look at the villains from games that have found a place in the gaming hall of fame.
SHODAN (System Shock 2)
SHODAN is not just scary in the game but it (she?) also represents what could be a feasible threat in the real world. As a rogue AI hellbent on destroying humanity, SHODAN is the best (or worst) villain you can encounter in a game.
The G-Man (Half-Life series)
Now, while you never actually fight the G-Man in any of the Half-Life games, it’s pretty clear that he’s somehow responsible for both the Black Mesa incident in the first game and for the Combine invasion of earth in the second game. Equal parts creepy and omnipotent, you can thank the G-Man for influencing later day horrors like Slenderman.
Bowser (Mario series)
No one knows why Bowser keeps kidnapping Princess Peach, but if it weren’t for him, Mario would probably have remained a simple plumber without a crippling addiction to mushrooms. That’s why he’s on this list.
Andrew Ryan (Bioshock)
I think everyone who’s played Bioshock wishes the game ended after you ‘kill’ Andrew Ryan, instead of unnecessarily hunting Fontaine. Ryan is an amazing villain because, just as in real life, he believes in his ideologies even though it’s clearly causing the world around him to run amok.
Kerrigan (Starcraft series)
Kerrigan, or the Queen of Blades, starts off as a deadly assassin who’s on your side and ends up becoming the malicious and superpowered leader of the Zergs. Her metamorphosis into somewhat of an anti-hero in Starcraft 2, doesn’t change her lethality or the fact that she remains the most popular character in the RTS series.
The Joker (Batman: Arkham series)
When you have Mark Hamill voicing you, you’re pretty much assured a spot on this list. The Batman: Arkham series’ Joker gleefully murders, tortures and is the only person that truly understands the Dark Knight. Troy Baker’s phenomenal work in Arkham Origins only underscored the depth of the Joker’s twisted soul.
Pyramid Head (Silent Hill series)
Without speaking a word, Pyramid Head has become one of the most horrific and recognizable villains to have come out of gaming. A monster that represents the worst fears of the protagonist’s psyche, Pyramid Head is capable of doing the most horrendous things as those who’ve played Silent Hill 2 will attest.
GLaDOS (Portal)
“Didn't we have some fun though? Remember when the platform was sliding into the fire pit and I said "Goodbye," and you were like "No way!" And then I was all, "We pretended we were going to murder you." That was great.”
That pretty much sums up why GLaDOS is awesome and I would let her murder me anytime.
Captain Martin Walker (Spec Ops: The Line)
Martin Walker was the hero in Specs Ops: The Line, you played as him and helped him kill hundreds of your fellow soldiers and fall deeper and deeper into psychopathy. By the time the game entered its final act, Captain Martin Walker and you, were the villain, and all you could do was look back at your path in despair.
Opposing team’s monks (Age of Empires II)
Dear monks, nobody likes you, go eat a d**k.