10. Officer Tenpenny (GTA: San Andreas)

In the world of video games, Officer Frank Tenpenny stands out as a classic and utterly detestable villain. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas paints him as the ultimate source of evil, orchestrating every malevolent action in the game’s storyline. However, some argue that Big Smoke, another character in the game, is equally deserving of a spot in the hall of hateful antagonists.

The exceptional voice performance of Officer Frank Tenpenny, portrayed by Oscar-winning actor Samuel L. Jackson, exudes a gritty tone and corruption that add depth to the character. Joined by other talented cast members, Jackson and Officer Eddie Pulaski relentlessly torment the protagonist, Carl, as he returns to Los Santos during the opening hours of the game.

9. Dracula (Castlevania Symphony of the Night)

What sets Dracula apart as one of the best villains is his embodiment of sheer power and menace. Each encounter with him is a climactic and epic battle, highlighting his supernatural abilities and cunning tactics. His commanding presence, combined with his charisma and eloquence, makes him an imposing and charismatic antagonist. Dracula’s dark charisma and ability to rally other monstrous creatures to his cause demonstrate his influence and leadership in the dark corners of the Castlevania world. Players are not only captivated by his imposing stature but also challenged by his strategic and relentless attacks. Throughout the series, the developers have managed to keep the essence of Dracula consistent while introducing fresh twists to his character, showcasing a timeless villain who continues to enthrall players across generations of Castlevania games.

8. Mohg, Omen of Blood (Elden Ring)

In the realm of FromSoftware games, themes of death and despair have always been prominent, with Director Hidetaka Miyazaki consistently introducing villainous characters to add depth to the narratives. One such malevolent creation is Mohg, a cursed Omen Demi-God in the highly anticipated Elden Ring.

Although the game’s lore remains shrouded in mystery for many fans, we can glean insights into Mohg’s wickedness from item descriptions. During the cataclysmic ‘shattering’ event, Mohg committed heinous acts by abducting Miquella, another Demi-God, and disrupting his rebirth cycle, separating him from his sister, Malenia, and the sacred Haligtree.

But Mohg’s malevolence did not end there; he descended further into depravity. He took advantage of Miquella’s everlasting curse of childhood and formed an unholy bond with his own half-brother, as both share the same mother, Queen Marika. The disturbing truth is that Mohg made his own cursed sibling his consort, a fact that sends chills down the spine of anyone who uncovers this dark tale.

7. Joker (Batman Arkham Series)

In the Batman Arkham series, the Joker emerges as one of the most iconic and captivating villains in gaming history. As the Dark Knight’s arch-nemesis, the Joker’s character is brought to life with exceptional writing, voice acting, and a uniquely deranged charm. Mark Hamill’s portrayal of the Joker provides an unforgettable performance that perfectly captures the character’s maniacal laughter, cunning intellect, and sinister charisma.

What sets the Joker apart as one of the best villains is his complex and multi-faceted nature. Beneath the façade of chaos lies a deep-seated obsession with Batman, and their complex relationship adds layers of depth to the character. The Joker’s ability to challenge Batman both physically and mentally elevates him from being a mere antagonist to a formidable nemesis worthy of the Dark Knight’s attention.

6. Dutch Van Der Linde (Red Dead Redemption)

The narrative of Red Dead Redemption expertly explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption, with Dutch van der Linde serving as a pivotal catalyst in the dramatic tale. His complex and tragic character, coupled with the outstanding storytelling of the game, cements Dutch’s position as one of the best villains in the gaming world, leaving a lasting impact on players long after the credits roll.

5. Sephiroth (Final Fantasy 7)

Sephiroth, from the iconic video game Final Fantasy VII, is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated and iconic villains in the history of gaming. As a genetically-enhanced super-soldier and former hero of SOLDIER, Sephiroth possesses a commanding presence and an air of mystery that captivates players from the moment he is introduced. His striking silver hair, long black coat, and imposing Masamune sword create an indelible visual impression, making him an instantly recognizable and memorable character.

4. Alma Wade (F.E.A.R.)

Being born with psychic abilities should have been a gift, but for her, it turned into a harrowing curse. From the moment of her birth, heartless scientists snatched her away, subjecting her to a life of torment, control, and relentless experiments. Their insidious intentions sought to exploit her powers while safeguarding against any possible retaliation. To keep her subdued, they resorted to frequent sedation, but the relentless abuse and cruelty she endured ignited an unyielding rage within her, a vengeful spirit that persisted long after her physical body met its tragic end.

3. Bowser (Super Mario)

Bowser, also known as King Koopa, is one of the most iconic and enduring villains in the world of video games. As the arch-nemesis of Nintendo’s beloved hero, Mario, Bowser stands as the primary antagonist in the Super Mario series. He is a giant, hulking, and fire-breathing Koopa King, whose primary goal is to kidnap Princess Peach and take control of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Despite his villainous nature, Bowser possesses a charismatic personality that makes him a fan-favorite among players of all ages. He is often depicted with a mischievous grin, adding a touch of whimsy to his malevolent intentions.

2. Gaunter O’dim (Witcher 3)

Gaunter O’Dimm, also known as the Man of Glass or Master Mirror, is a fascinating character from the video game “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt”. He is not your typical antagonist. He exudes an aura of eerie charm and charisma, often appearing as a well-dressed, eccentric individual with piercing, black eyes and a peculiarly calm demeanor. In his first encounter with the protagonist, Geralt of Rivia, he saves him from a deadly predicament, setting the stage for their future encounters.

As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Gaunter O’Dimm is not just a mere mortal. Instead, he is a powerful, otherworldly entity, possibly a demon or a higher being, whose motives and true nature remain shrouded in mystery. He is deeply interested in making pacts and striking deals with individuals, granting them their deepest desires but extracting a hefty price in return. These pacts always come with unforeseen, sinister consequences, as Gaunter enjoys toying with the lives of mortals.

1. Arthas (World of Warcraft 3 and World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King)

Arthas, the iconic character from the World of Warcraft universe, stands as a testament to the epitome of a compelling video game villain. From his humble beginnings as a prince of Lordaeron to his transformation into the Lich King, Arthas’ journey is one of tragic heroism turned malevolence. His descent into darkness is masterfully portrayed through well-crafted storytelling and character development. As the central antagonist in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, Arthas commands an army of the undead, instilling fear and uncertainty into players’ hearts. His ruthless pursuit of power and control over the Scourge reflects a multifaceted villain whose motives are driven by both personal ambition and a sense of righteous duty to protect his people, making him an enigmatic and complex foe.

Arthas’ status as the best villain in all of video games is a result of his psychological impact on players. He embodies the classic archetype of the tragic villain. Thus, forcing players to question the boundaries of heroism and the corruption of power. Witnessing his fall from grace while also sympathizing with the tormented soul he once possessed creates a uniquely engaging experience. Moreover, Arthas’ prominence in the broader Warcraft lore adds weight to his malevolence, making him not just a formidable in-game foe but a character with an enduring legacy. His compelling narrative, coupled with the gripping gameplay that revolves around confronting him, cements Arthas as a villain who stands the test of time, earning him the title of the best villain in the realm of video games.

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Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

An Avatar game? We were just as shocked. Set to release sometime in 2022 (being optimistic), from what we’ve seen so far, Ubisoft has put its all into the art and animation. This game is no small deal as even Disney has a part in its creation. We just hope it doesn’t get postponed 10 times like Avatar 2.

The Callisto Protocol

Being one of the few promising horror games, The Callisto Protocol is a survival game with gruesomely realistic graphics. Due to one of the creators being Glen Schofield, fans of his previous work, Dead Space, are very excited as the studios promised “the scariest”. The Callisto Protocol will be a third-person game with a strong storyline. It will be available to play on Xbox, Playstation, and PC. We know so far that the game will take place 300 hundred years in the future on one of Jupiter’s moons. The game’s main objective will likely be to survive against the terrifying alien race. Not much else has been announced as “mystery is part of the importance”.

Dune: Spice Wars

Hoping on capitalizing on the popular movie, Dune, Shiro Games has made a strategic game out of Frank Herbert’s novel. Set to release in April, players will be able to play as one of the 4 factions. Players can achieve Victory through wars, deceit, and politics. This game will explore many untapped aspects of strategy games.

Ghostwire: Tokyo

Ghostwire: Tokyo is a mysterious action game. It may seem like a horror game, but don’t let it fool you. The tension is there to increase the dramatic effect of the ghost city. The game perfectly captures the beauty of the Japanese capital city and adds a very futuristic met traditional style. This title is easily one of the most unique to be released this year. Most of the population in Tokyo has disappeared and you have to fight the ghosts that remain to uncover the truth. Ghostwire: Tokyo is available to play on PlayStation 5 and PC.

Gotham Knights

Gotham Knights is set in the DC universe after the passing of Batman (Bruce Wayne). Players will be able to play as one of the 4 sidekicks: Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, and Red Hood in order to protect Gotham city. The best part is that Gotham Knights allows co-op, meaning that you form a hero group and fight the criminals together. Set to release on October 25th, Gotham Knights will be available on PC, Playstation 4 and 5, Xbox series X, S, and One.

Hogwarts Legacy

Finally! A serious Harry Potter game. Seeing as we waited 2 decades for this, it should mean that Warner Bros. perfected this game. Harry Potter fans will be able to live the magical lives they’ve been dreaming of ever since the release of the books and movies. Whilst you can go to Hogwarts and be a good magic student, you will also have the option to team up with the death eaters and use dark magic. The possibilities with Hogwarts Legacy are endless, we just hope it doesn’t end up being like the other Harry Potter “games”.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

After a 2 year break, another installment to the 20+ year game franchise is here. It seems like classics never die out as just after a week after the release- the game tops many lists. Even with all the new graphics and 3rd designs, Kirby somehow manages to retain its classic look, but makes it even better. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is available on the Nintendo Switch.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2

Another classic game with a new installment, Zelda is one of the most popular franchises among the Nintendo fans. Being the sequel to the first Breath of the Wild game (considered to be one of Nintendo’s greatest works), Breath of Wild 2 has a lot to live up to. The teasers and snapshots show vibrant and realistic lighting while maintaining that classic Nintendo cartoon look. Fans are very eager to hear more about Breath of the Wild 2, but Nintendo has been secretive about it.  We can expect more information about the release date in the summer.

Splatoon 3

Nintendo is releasing many sequels to their most popular games this year. Splatoon is a game most of us forgot about until the announcement of the 3rd installment. This family-friendly series was one of the most played games in 2017 and 2018. The simplicity and vibrant nature of the games make it very easy to lose track of time. Just as before, there will be competitive multiplayer available. There will also be single-player story-mode gameplay. Set to release sometime in late 2022, Splatoon 3 will be available on the Nintendo Switch.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

The Suicide Squad, consisting of Harley Quinn, King Shark, Deadshot, And Captain Boomerang, has a new mission: to kill the Justice League. In this battle-adventure game, you get to play as one of the members and fight a brainwashed Justice League. Just like Gotham Knights, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is playable in either single-player or 4 person co-op. Set to release sometime in late 2022, it will be available on Xbox, Playstation, and PC.

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Also, check out our video on this topic as well:

10. The Lord of the Rings Online

Being able to make your own character and explore Middle-earth seems like a dream for any LOTR fan. Well, that’s exactly what this game brings The Lord of the Rings Online, usually referred to as LotRo, is an MMORPG. Quite surprising, right? It was previously titled The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar. The game was developed by Turbine and released in 2007. Until 2010 the game used to be subscription-based. However, now it is free-to-play but features an in-game store.

The game saw a couple of new expansions, the latest being in 2021. As in any other MMORPG, you first create an avatar with whom you later complete quests in order to level up. The average number of players on a monthly basis is just below 800. Let’s face it, that’s quite sad. If you look at the page on Steam, you’ll see that the game has very positive reviews. The only notable bad thing about it is the visuals. However, the ravages of time seem to have taken a toll on the player base and the game itself.

9. Planetside 2

Planetside 2 is an MMORPG first-person shooter developed by Rogue Planet Games and released in 2012. It is a sequel to guess what? Planetside. Overall, the sequel is pretty much just a modernized version of the first game. It now features sprinting, iron sights, and more. One interesting fact about the game, it holds the Guinness world record for the biggest first-person shooter battle with over 1200 players participating in a single battle.

The game is set in a world called Auraxis in which three factions fight over territory. Upon creating your character you will have to choose which faction to join: New Conglomerate (NC), Terran Republic (TR), or Vanu Sovereignty (VS). Along with a faction, you will have to pick a class as well. The reasons for which this game is so high up on our list are vehicle physics and bad accessibility for new players. A lot of times vehicles tend to spin out of control and new players aren’t really given a proper tutorial at the beginning of the game.

8. Guild Wars 2

Another sequel and another MMORPG! Guild Wars 2 was developed by ArenaNet and released in 2012, just like Planetside 2. However, that’s where their similarities stop. While Planetside 2 falls in the SciFi genre, Guild Wars 2 is set in a fantasy world of Tyria. The main premise of the game is a fight between the guild Destiny’s Edge and the Elder Dragons. What sets Guild Wars 2 from other MMORPGs is the connection between the player’s choices and the main storyline. This is something we rarely see in multiplayer videogames.

Upon entering the game, the player chooses between five races and eight professions. Along with those, it also features crafting disciplines which makes you able to craft even siege weapons. The main problem with Guild Wars 2 is the management. An Asian MMORPG did better in the Western world, why you may ask? Even though the game was very close to an expansion, around a month away, the management didn’t even confirm a release date yet. A lot of players weren’t even aware that a new expansion was coming. Now, when you compare that with Blizzcon and World of Warcraft where expansions are announced a year prior in order to get people excited, Guild Wars 2 certainly has things to fix with their marketing.

7. Elder Scrolls Online

As a part of the Elder Scrolls franchise, Elder Scrolls Online, or ESO for short, is a video game developed by ZeniMax Online Studios and released in 2014. Even though the game was initially subscription-based, since 2015. it is free-to-play. Elder Scrolls Online is set in a fantasy world called Tamriel. It is also indirectly connected to the story of other games in this franchise, Skyrim being the most similar one. The gameplay isn’t linear and consists of open-world exploration and different quest lines.

Sadly, this game nowadays isn’t doing so well. Poor maintenance and bad servers are the reasons for which a lot of players are leaving. However, ESO was never set up for success. People expected ESO to be a multiplayer version of Skyrim which didn’t happen. It was a modern MMORPG in the Elder Scrolls universe. So, upon release, the game got a lot of mixed reviews.

6. Star Wars: The Old Republic

Star Wars: The Old Republic is here to continue the sequence of MMORPGs based on movies. It was developed by BioWare and released in 2011. The game takes place after peace was established between the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic, approximately 3600 years before the films. SWTOR had a massive budget, but even more massive profits. In 2019 it was closing in on a billion dollars in revenue.

Upon joining the game player picks between the two factions: the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic. The most interesting thing about the game is the morality spectrum where an individual, no matter the faction, can be at any point of the light/dark spectrum. Even though SWTOR is subscription-based, it offers a free-to-play version. However, it comes with many restrictions such as reduced leveling speed.

5. Runescape

Originally a web browser game, Runescape was a staple in a lot of people’s childhoods. It is a fantasy MMORPG set in a world called Gielinor. This game also has a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest and most-updated free MMORPG. Runescape was developed by Jagex and released in 2001. However, the game has been on Steam since 2020.

It doesn’t follow a linear storyline, players pick their own objectives and what they want to do. In the beginning, each player goes through a tutorial that provides them with basic skills that they need to know in order to play the game. Considering the age of this game, it is no surprise that the visuals are very bad.

4. Black Desert Online

Unlike Runescape, Black Desert Online is a gorgeous game. It was developed by Pearl Abyss and marketed towards the Asian market. The first release was for Windows, but since 2019 the game has had a mobile version. Overall premise of the game is the fight between two rival nations: the Republic of Calpheon and the Kingdom of Valencia.

What sets Black Desert Online from other games is the unique combat system. Some of the main parts of combat are free movement and manual aiming, which makes it similar to third-person shooters even though this is a fantasy game. Another interesting thing about the game is mounted combat which is rarely seen in games of this genre.

3. Eve Online

Eve Online is an MMORPG centered around space. It was developed by CCP Games and released in 2003. The best thing about this game is the unscripted economy and warfare. Players engage with other players in various schemes, even including political ones, which makes this game a faithful copy of the real-life world.

EO is a single-universe game, which means there aren’t multiple servers. Upon entering the game, the player chooses between four races: Amarr, Gallente, Minmatar, or Caldari. The primary way of combat is with starships. There’s one aspect of the game that a lot of people may not like, considering the freedom the player has in the entire game some behavior that’s usually punished in other video games, isn’t punishable here.

2. World of Warcraft

As a big World of Warcraft fan, putting WoW in the second spot in a tier ranking of MMORPGs really pains my heart. But, it just has to be done. WoW was developed by none other than Blizzard and released in 2004. Since then, the game had many expansions of which the latest is Shadowlands. Unfortunately for WoW, Blizzard merged with Activision in 2008. That year many mark as the beginning of the decline.

Now, from 12 million monthly subscribers the game has fallen to just below 5 million. Nevertheless, WoW is still a great game. The depth of the overall story and the amount of gameplay and choices that the player can make is uncountable. Hopefully, with Microsoft acquiring Blizzard we will soon see a positive change in the development of World of Warcraft.

1. Final Fantasy XIV

Undoubtedly, right now Final Fantasy XIV is the best MMORPG out there. It was developed by Square Enix and published in 2013. The original version of Final Fantasy XIV was a major failure, but the studio redeemed itself and fixed all of the issues with the first version.

Final Fantasy XIV is set in the fantasy world of Eorzea, five years after the original version. An apocalyptic event destroyed much of the world and players are granted time travel of five years in the future. When they arrive there, they are met with a rebuilding world and a threat from an invasion. Even though Final Fantasy XIV has a slow start, igitems says any MMORPG fan will definitely enjoy the entire journey.

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