There’s nothing worse than being betrayed by someone you once had a lot of respect for. As they progress through the story of a video game, certain side characters are given compelling backstories and endearing personalities, but the loyalty of some will vary depending on their goals.
A precious companion can quickly become a traitor, depending on their story. Many will have similar goals to the main character and try to achieve them through alternative methods, but some will completely deviate from their path and try to undermine the hero of the story. Traitors often have sinister goals, but some are far worse than others.
When the Dragonborn learns that a young boy is attempting to perform the Black Sacrament, he travels to Windhelm to confront him. The boy, Aventus Aretino, will be delighted to see the Dragonborn, convinced that his prayers have finally been answered.
When the Dragonborn agrees to commit the murder Aventus seeks, they are captured by Astrid, the leader of the Dark Brotherhood. She welcomes the Dragonborn into her tribe because of the potential they show, but she soon hates it. The presence of the Dovah-Kiin threatens her position as leader, so Astrid decides to sacrifice him and her comrades in exchange for amnesty.
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Wheatley – Portal 2
Wheatley is a personality core intended to merge with GLaDOS, a super-intelligent computer that was first Portal game. his role in Portal 2 sees him help Chell as she searches for a way out of the Aperture Science Enrichment Center.
To defeat GLaDOS, Wheatley expels her from the main OS and replaces her with himself. Just as Chell is about to escape, a bug in the system causes Wheatley to become hostile. He refuses to let Chell leave because he believes she was only using him to get what she wanted, forcing Chell to beat her former boyfriend if she hopes to survive.
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Al Mualim – Assassin’s Creed
Al Mualim was the sole leader of the Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins. This position allowed him to summon an army of assassins to do his bidding when asked. He was a trusted ally who demanded loyalty from his subjects, but the game’s climax showed that he wasn’t always fair.
Though he was once presented as a mentor to Altaïr and his fellow Assassins, his desire for power led him down a dark path. Obsessed with the magical properties of the Apple of Eden, Al Mualim joined forces with the Templars, the sworn enemy of the faith, to obtain it. His lust for power led him to betray the entire Order he once held dear, forcing Altaïr to salvage its remains.
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Sylens – Horizon Zero Dawn
During her time as Seeker, Aloy is forced to travel across the country to uncover the hidden agenda of the Karja tribe. However, the further she ventures, the more her earpiece is exposed to the voice of a mysterious man trying to manipulate her.
Sylens’ loyalty is never made clear, but Aloy assumes he wants to help her with the investigation because of the breadcrumb trail he leaves behind. It is only with the occurrence of the second Faro Plague that Sylens’ true intentions are revealed. He never wanted to help Aloy; he wanted to catch Hades and learn from it.
4
Phin Mason – Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Before inheriting the powers of a spider, Miles Morales had a strong bond with Phin Mason, a childhood friend who shared similar dreams. Though they drifted apart over time, Phin eventually returned to Miles’ life, but not as the friend he once knew.
Phin seeks revenge for her brother’s death, but her methods are ruthless. To destroy Roxxon, the company responsible for her brother’s demise, she becomes the leader of a group known as the Underground and must destroy Roxxon regardless of the consequences. While her intentions are somewhat noble, her impact often causes more harm than good, forcing Miles to stop her any way she can.
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Cait Sith – Final Fantasy 7
During Cloud’s second visit to the Gold Saucer, he witnesses Cait Sith sneaking away with the Keystone, the only way of the party to find the Temple of the Ancients. The cat flees from his former comrades before reaching a Shinra helicopter piloted by Tseng.
Cait Sith throws the Keystone at the helicopter and reveals to Cloud that he was employed by Shinra to spy on him. He then plays a recording of an imprisoned Marlene screaming for her father and to ensure her safety, Cloud Cait allows Sith to return as a party member. This shocking twist makes the journey with Cait Sith extremely exciting.
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Big Smoke – Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
After returning to his home in San Andreas, CJ is greeted by Big Smoke who lunges at him with a baseball bat. Upon realizing the identity of this house intruder, Big Smoke hugs his old friend and informs him of what happened during his absence.
Big Smoke was one of the most beloved characters in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, but his treacherous ways diminished all his sympathy. While CJ was away in Liberty City, Big Smoke formed an alliance with the Ballas, the Grove Street street gang. Without Smoke’s change in loyalty, CJ’s mother might still be alive.
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Xehanort – Kingdom Hearts
After his battle with Aqua, Xehanort wakes up to see Ansem the Wise and his colleagues looming above him. They soon find out that he has lost his memory, so Ansem takes it upon herself to care for Xehanort by hiring him as an investigator.
Years pass and Xehanort becomes an indispensable member of Ansem’s team until one day his memories return. He summons his Keyblade and wins the hearts of all his colleagues before taking Ansem’s name as his own. Xehanort parted ways with his friends in hopes of achieving great things, making him one of the most despicable traitors in video games.
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