There are many ways to make a boss stand out in a video game. Games often do this through the combat itself, making it an impressive spectacle or test of skill. On a narrative note, they can make the boss particularly tragic, or even oddly earn respect, despite their villainy.
However, an easier way is to make the boss despicable and delightful at the same time. Players may hate the boss, but they will have a good time hating them. This is often done by making the boss funny at how bad they are, but that’s far from the only way to make a boss hate.
10 Handsome Jack is the most distinctive character in Borderlands
The original border areas has no single defining villain. The sequel goes too far by correcting this mistake and introducing players to Handsome Jack. Jack is the president of Hyperion and the de facto ruler of Pandora, as well as a terrible person. He is an arrogant character who believes that everything he does is justified, even if he enslaves and kills thousands.
The game never tries to portray Jack as anything but terrible. He spends his entire time throughout the main story committing terrible deeds, stopping only to taunt the player. However, the sheer charm with which he presents his atrocities and the heartfelt humor of many of his lines make him the most famous and beloved character in the world. border areas.
9 The Gravemind squirts poetry as it devours the galaxy
The Halo franchise has many villains, but introduces its most iconic in halo 2. The deluge released the original Halo like a faceless wild zombie apocalypse. The introduction of the Gravemin in the sequel allows them to take on a much more menacing role. The Gravemin is a hideous mass of flesh that acts as the consciousness of the deluge, yet manages to leave a positive impression on players.
There is a cool vibe to the character, which is best reflected in the dialogues. It does not speak like a monster or a beast, instead it delivers its lines with archaic and poetic cadence. Coupled with Dee Bradley Baker’s impressive vocal performance, the result is a terrifying creature that players love to thwart.
8 Kefka’s design and actions make it iconic
Sephiroth is Final Fantasy‘s most famous villain, but he has a rival in terms of popularity with fans. Kefka is the villain of Final Fantasy VI, notable for his appearance as a particularly monstrous clown, and for how much he achieves over the course of the game. He is one of the few Final Fantasy villains to finally achieve his goal, become a god and destroy much of the world in the second act.
Kefka is a complete monster, who doesn’t give a damn about his evil. However, he uses his outlandish looks and mannerisms to hide how deeply he hates everything and everyone, creating a unique characterization that no other Final Fantasy villain is matched. Kefka’s competence, fear factor and sheer uniqueness all highlight him as a villain worthy of attention.
7 Genichiro Ashina does terrible things with a sense of honor
Genichiro Ashina comes closest Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has become a central villain. He mutilates Wolf and kidnaps Kuro at the start of the game, acts as the boss of Ashina Castle, and then reappears to serve as the final boss. Genichiro does terrible things throughout the game and is willing to do whatever it takes to defeat the Ministry of the Interior.
However, his motives keep him from being a complete monster. Players hate him for being ruthless and arrogant, but his desire to protect his homeland at any cost inspires some respect. In addition, his repeated failures in the story cause some players to feel genuine affection for him despite his worst deeds.
6 Revolver Ocelot just sparkles with malice
The agent codenamed Revolver Ocelot is one of the most iconic characters in the whole metal gear franchisee. He is the only character to appear in real life in every single Metal Gear Solid game, who is both an ally of Big Boss and the nemesis of Solid Snake. He’s a distinctive character in every game, but it’s his performances as a villain in the first, second, and fourth that fans love him most.
Several games show that he has likeable qualities, but Ocelot is still an unabashed villain in those games. He enjoys torturing Snake, brags about his evil plans and cackles his way through dozens of evil deeds. However, his pure melodrama and cheerfulness in what he does make all those scenes a joy to play through.
5 Fans love Albert Wesker despite his lack of interchangeable traits
The Resident Evil series tells a lot of loosely connected stories, without a real central villain. The franchise comes closest to Albert Wesker, who reappears in Resident Evil 5 to tie several games together into one villainous plot. Wesker is a quintessential B-movie villain, a smug and ruthless killer and criminal who doesn’t blink when he commits atrocities.
There is nothing that really redeems Wesker. However, fans love him for this very reason. He’s slick, arrogant, cool and even a little attractive, which earns him a lot of love. In fact, the creators describe him as the most popular male character in the franchise, ahead of heroes like Chris Redfield, Leon Kennedy, and Ethan Winters.
4 Godrick The Ented is both repulsive and cool
the demigods of Elden Ring are a complex group. Most of them have deep personal flaws that make up the story of Elden Ring, but also positive aspects that help players respect them. The main exception is Godrick the grafted, the lord of Limgrave. Every source in the game describes him as a repulsive weakling who lacks the positive qualities of his kin.
However, Godrick is also well designed for the phase of the game he has been fighting in. The player is weak and inexperienced when they fight against him, leading to the fight of their lives. The match is considered one of the highlights of the early game. In particular, a scene where Godrick cuts off his arm and replaces it with a dragon’s head makes the character a villainous delight.
3 GLaDOS is as funny as it is terrifying
The Portal games are loved for their charm. Even at their darkest and most difficult, they retain a unique and hilarious sense of humor that carries the player through. The AI known as GLaDOS is the epitome of this throughout the games. She is known for two things: she hates the main character and is hilarious.
Especially GLaDOS’s sheer pettiness makes her popular with players. Where most games try to impose dignity on their villains, Portal let GLaDOS like to nitpick, complain and whine about the player. While she’s a hateful threat, she’s also someone who likes to hear players offend.
2 Micah Bell is an uncomplicated evil
As part of their immensely deep storytelling, the Red Dead Redemption games are full of complex villains. Their opponents often have a sympathetic side, they usually display some form of moral norms or have a tragic explanation for their villainy. Micah Bell from Red Dead Redemption II is the main exception to this rule.
The game’s story is a tragic descent into rogue states for Dutch van der Linde, and the reverse for Arthur Morgan. Most characters undergo complex moral journeys. Not like Micah, who starts it a monster and a killer, and ends it that way. The fanbase feels sorry for or respects most of the franchise’s villains; with Micah, they’re just enjoying the chance to kill him once and for all.
1 The Joker brings his signature energy to the Arkham Games
Of all Batman’s villains, none is as iconic as the Joker. He is a murderous clown with no motive for what he does, who manages to hurt Batman in ways other villains can only dream of. The Joker is immensely popular in every format, and he carries this with him in the Arkham series, especially Arkham Asylum and Arkham City.
Joker is especially at his best in Arkham City. He manipulates, lies, kills and more in his quest to survive at all costs. Mark Hamill once again voices his beloved take on the character, and the audience is left to pity, fear, hate and ultimately revel in the most iconic comic book villain.
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