The heroic actions of a game’s protagonist would not have the same impact without a great villain to oppose them. Villains are an important part of creating tension in a game’s story, and can themselves be some of the best characters a game has to offer. Thegames released in 2024offered fantastic villains in spades, helping to shape the actions of the hero and serving as a hurdle that players need to overcome during the course of their playthrough.
MAJOR SPOILERS Ahead
Compelling villains in games don’t just have to provide players with a foil to the protagonist, but should represent a deeper reason for them to engage with a game’s narrative. Whether this be posing a challenging battle, presenting a moral question they must grapple with, or holding a degree of sympathy that could cast a new light on the villain, some of thegreatest villains in gamingof 2024 go above and beyond being simple obstacles within the player’s journey.Each of the villains listed is presented in alphabetical order.
Emmrich Voss (Indiana Jones and The Great Circle)
Emmerich Voss and Indiana Jones are strangely two sides of the same coininThe Great Circle. While both are dedicated to scholarly archeological pursuits and unearthing history’s greatest secrets, Voss does so in the name of the Third Reich, who he believes to hold the power he craves. His narcissism and psychological manipulation make him not only the perfect foil to Indy, but leave the player feeling uneasy in his presence as he and Indy clash over the mystery of The Great Circle.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
WHERE TO PLAY
Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them - Indiana Jones™. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard.YOU ARE INDIANA JONESLive the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist – famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor – you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time.A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITSTravel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, you’ll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces.WHIP-CRACKING ACTIONIndiana’s trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isn’t just a weapon, it’s Indy’s most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery.THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERYVenture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps ,and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery – or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
Erlang Shen (Black Myth: Wukong)
Erlang Shen is the perfect antagonist to bookendBlack Myth: Wukong. Players will first encounter the villain early in the game, facing his Erlang, the Sacred Divinity form as the Monkey King. It’s not until playerscomplete Erlang’s optional questlinethat the Destined One will get to face his true form, Erlang Shen, atop Mount Mei. The gauntlet of the Four Heavenly Kings players must defeat before taking on Erlang Shen proves to be one ofBlack Myth: Wukong’s greatest challenges and allows this enemy to stand out as one of the year’s most notable.
Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG rooted in Chinese mythology and based on Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.You shall set out as the Destined One to venture into the challenges and marvels ahead, to uncover the obscured truth beneath the veil of a glorious legend from the past.As the Destined One, you shall encounter powerful foes and worthy rivals throughout your journey. Fearlessly engage them in epic battles where surrender is not an option.Aside from mastering various staff techniques, you’re able to also freely combine different spells, abilities, weapons, and equipment to find the winning strategy that best suits your combat style.
Louis Guiabern (Metaphor: ReFantazio)
Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Louis Guiabernhas all the traits of an ideal villain. He is charismatic enough to gain the support of a large majority of the United Kingdom of Euchronia, powerful enough to survive assassination attempts and take on the player’s party on multiple occasions, and cunning enough to hide his true intentions while earning the public’s favor. Despite witnessing him slay the reigning king in the game’s opening cinematic, Louis is still able to gain sympathy from the player as an eldan outcast with similar goals as the protagonist, albeit with much more devastating methods of achieving them.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince.Control your destiny, face your fears, and awaken magical Archetype powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an Archetype, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.
Mephisto (Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred)
Check OutDiablo 4: Vessel of Hatred on OpenCritic
While Mephisto is an iconic recurring villain throughout theDiabloseries as one of the three Prime Evils, he plays his biggest role yet inDiablo 4: Vessel of Hatred. After being a background antagonist in theDiablo 4base game, Mephisto is given his time to truly shine in Vessel of Hatred as his corruption spreads throughout Nahantu via the Soulstone carried by Neyrelle. Although players face Mephisto during the climax of the expansion’s main quest, it appears the Lord of Hatred has unfinished work in Sanctuary as the game’s ending leaves Mephisto possessing the body of Akarat.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred
Uncover the next chapter of Diablo® IV in Vessel of Hatred™. Continue your fight to thwart the diabolical plot of the Prime Evil, Mephisto. Battle as the all-new Spiritborn class, empowered by mystical Spirits. Expand your map to the new region of Nahantu and traverse through its lush jungles. Recruit new Mercenaries, take on new enemies, dungeons, a new PvE co-op challenge, and more. Plus, explore base game updates that will introduce new power and continue to enhance the world of Diablo® IV.New class: SpiritbornThe Spiritborn, apex predator of the jungle, is poised to strike. Battle with styles and mystical synergies that could only be awakened deep beneath the jungle’s canopy with an entirely new class to the iconic Diablo® series.New region: NahantuExpand Sanctuary to discover new Towns and bygone civilizations shrouded in the vast region of Nahantu. Battle courageously through new dungeons and Strongholds and take on new enemies from ferocious demons to warring Tribes.More campaign, more evilPrepare for the next chapter of Diablo® IV. Your search for Neyrelle takes you deep into an ancient jungle in an attempt to uncover Mephisto’s malicious agenda and put his corruption to an end once and for all. But be warned - within the jungle await gruesome new foes plotting your demise.Team up for the Dark CitadelParty up to take on a new multi-faceted dungeon with powerful challenges and promising rewards. First of its kind to Diablo®, this dungeon will require eager warriors to team up and take down the challenge together.Recruit your MercenariesDiscover and recruit new Mercenaries to join you on your quest. These powerful allies fight alongside you, grow in power as they progress and aid you in combat with unique abilities.Tons of base game updatesAll Diablo® IV players can venture forward with new Pets to aid in gold and material pickup today! Plus, experience more updates coming to all players when Vessel of Hatred™ releases. Empower your favorite classes with new skills, added Paragon Boards, and Legendary Glyphs. Explore new dungeon types, added activities and rewards from the Tree of Whispers, and replayable Strongholds, with even more updates on the way.
Messmer the Impaler (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
Check OutElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree on OpenCritic
The face of Shadow of the Erdtree andone of the toughest fights in the DLC is Messmer the Impaler. Not only does Messmer stand as a test of the player’s strength and skill within the punishing Land of Shadow, but he also plays a pivotal role within the lore ofElden Ring. As the accursed son of Queen Marika, Messmer led a crusade throughout the Land of Shadow, purging those who did not share the light of grace, making the player’s triumph over him and his Abyssal Serpent all the more rewarding.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Shadow of the Erdtree is the first and only DLC expansion for FromSoftware’s groundbreaking Elden Ring. It takes players to a whole new region, the Land of Shadow, where a new story awaits the Tarnished.
Null (The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom)
Check OutThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom on OpenCritic
Princess Zelda’s first outing as the main playable character in aLegend of Zeldagame wouldn’t have been complete without a new villain for her to face off against. The enigmatic Null breaks the traditional mold the variousincarnations of Ganon and other Demon Kingshave played as villains throughout the series with its cosmic-horror-inspired design and motives. Null’s world-consuming rifts and penchant for creating echoes to replace the inhabitants of Hyrule add a layer of tension and urgency that perfectly reflects Zelda’s own abilities granted to her by the Tri Rod.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Save Hyrule—this time with the wisdom of Princess Zelda!The people of Hyrule are being stolen away by strange rifts—and with a certain swordsman among the missing, it’s up to Princess Zelda to save her kingdom in the latest adventure in The Legend of Zelda™ series!Team up with the ethereal creature Tri and use the Tri Rod to create “echoes,” which are imitations of things you find in the environment—then recreate those echoes whenever you like to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Use echoes like water blocks to reach new heights, make bridges out of old beds, throw rocks at foes, or find your own combination of echoes to do things your way. You can even make echoes of monsters to fight at your side in combat!
One of the most iconic enemies in horror gaming returns to the spotlight in 2024 with the release ofBloober Team’sSilent Hill 2 Remake. Not only has Pyramid Head been a frightening villain for generations ofSilent Hillfans, but the gorgeous visuals of this remake allow the monster to take on a terrifying new presence. Pyramid Head’s representation of James' guilt and desire for punishment is perfectly mirrored by the player’s need to escape this monster’s pursuit, only to come face to face with two versions of the foe in an intense endgame boss battle.
Silent Hill 2
Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2.High-end Graphics and SoundWith ray tracing and other cutting-edge technical enhancements, the world of SILENT HILL and its unsettling ambiance is even realer than before.And with the inclusion of new, immersive soundscapes, you’ll feel like you’re standing in the thick of it.Larger EnvironmentsExplore locations and buildings that were once inaccessible, or are newly added in the remake. Enjoy the same acclaimed story, even while you experience the town of Silent Hill with fresh eyes across an expanded map.Over-the-shoulder CameraThe remake moves from the original’s fixed-camera viewpoints to an over-the-shoulder perspective, putting you closer to what James sees, for a more thrilling, more immersive experience as you explore the town and come face-to-face with monsters.Evolved Combat GameplayFamiliar weapons like the steel pipe and handgun make their return, but now with an updated combat system. Avoid attacks with carefully timed dodges, aim down sights, and more, making monster encounters more engaging and nerve-wracking than ever.
Sephiroth (Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth)
Arguably one of the most recognizable gaming villains of all time shines in a new light withFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s diverging narrative, pitting players against a unique take on Sephiroth. Square Enix had the difficult task of doing the original villain justice within its modern reimagining ofFinal Fantasy 7’s story. However, the game goes beyondsuccessfully capturing Sephiroth’s intimidating nature and tragic historyfrom the moment players begin the game’s opening mission that explores the Nibelheim incident in a flashback, to the emotional final encounter of the game with Sephiroth Reborn following the villain’s slaying of Aerith.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Discover a vibrant and vast world in this standalone entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct games. Iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have escaped from the dystopian city Midgar and are now in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead. This new adventure can be enjoyed by all players, even those who have yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake or the PlayStation original. Expect a new standard of cinematic storytelling, fast-paced combat and rich exploration across a vast world.
Solas (Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Solasis another villain who follows the 2024 trend of playing an interconnected role with the protagonists. Rook and Solas become intrinsically bound via a blood ritual in the opening hours of the game’s story, after which Solas is imprisoned within the Fade following the disruption of his ritual to destroy the Veil. The connection between Rook and Solas reveals memories of the villains' past and sheds new light on his character, as his aid in stopping Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain makes him somewhat sympathetic. However, that sympathy is ripped away when Solas betrays Rook, forcing the player to bind him to the Veil to prevent its collapse (although the context of how this happens can differ).
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Enter the world of Thedas, a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities – steeped in conflict and secret magics. Now, a pair of corrupt ancient gods have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world.Thedas needs someone they can count on. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world. But you can’t do this alone – the odds are stacked against you. Lead a team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape, and together you will become The Veilguard.
Yutaka Yamai (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthis a story about redemption in a lot of ways, and Yutaka Yamai is perhaps the character that best embodies this theme. Introduced as a villain and head of Hawaii’s Yamai Syndicate, Yamai’s backstory is revealed over the course of the game, allowing players to sympathize with him having been betrayed by his lover after killing his family’s patriarch and being forced to flee Japan for Hawaii. Despite battling him on multiple occasions,Yamai becomes an allywith a newfound respect for Kasuga and reverence for Kiryu, ultimately doing the right thing and helping them shepherd Akane and Lani to Japan before confronting his past and turning himself in for his crimes. Sometimes, a good villain is worthy of a little redemption.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
EPIC EMOTIONAL DRAMATwo larger-than-life heroes brought together by the hand of fate, or perhaps something more sinister…Ichiban Kasuga, an unstoppable underdog who’s no stranger to crawling up from rock bottom, and Kazuma Kiryu, a broken man facing down his last days.BEST-IN-CLASS RPG ACTIONExperience one-of-a-kind combat with dynamic, fast-paced RPG battles where the battlefield becomes your weapon, and anything goes. Adapt your party’s skills to the situation with outlandish jobs and customizations to strategically subdue enemies with over-the-top moves.INFINITE ADVENTURELive it up in Japan and explore all that Hawaii has to offer in an adventure so big it spans the Pacific. Unforgettable moments await at every step of the journey with a unique mix of quests and activities to enjoy at your leisure.
