2024 has brought us a plethora of new video games to enjoy, while also seeing remasters of prominent titles. These have allowed those who feel nostalgic to explore their favorite stories with enhanced mechanics and graphics, bringing back some famous villains from days past.
This year, some new characters have become the main antagonists, while those that players might have forgotten experienced a rebirth that reminded them of what made them antiheroes in the first place. From AAA titles to indie masterpieces, this list explores the various genres we enjoyed throughout this year while presenting our favorite bad guys who enriched the experience with their plots and schemes.
10Abby - The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
“You Don’t Get To Rush This”
Although she first appeared four years ago, the recent remaster ofTheLast of Us Part 2reminded us how ruthless and conflicted Abby was. Her quest for revenge takes her across the country, putting her at odds with Ellie, one of the main protagonists.
Kaitlyn Dever has recently been cast as Abby for the second season of HBO’s show The Last of Us.
Their encounter leads to a grave outcome, as Ellie seeks revenge and starts to hunt Abby, who proves to be a formidable foe and a worthy opponent who divides the opinions of the public, with some painting her as an antihero. In contrast, others can’t help but hate her for what she has done.
“I Got A Plan. I Got A Plan, John. This Is A Good One. This Is A Good One.”
After escaping from the mountaintop, Dutch van der Linde encounters John Marston again inRed Dead Redemption. This time, John Marston comes to exact revenge on van der Linde, and while the finale also takes place at the top of a mountain, the roles change. In the process, Marston ensures freedom for his family from the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.
Being poetic as he is, Dutch spends his last moments reminiscing on the misdeeds of the past and reminds John that, in the end, they are very much alike.
8Maria - Silent Hill 2 Remake
“It Doesn’t Matter Who I Am. I’m Here For You, James. See? I’m Real.”
Maria represents the deceased wife of the main protagonist, James. Tormenting him and appearing in various situations to remind him about his past in the latestSilent Hill 2 Remake. While strikingly resembling his deceased partner, Mary, Maria follows James throughout his quest for answers.
Fans debate on the origin of Maria, with speculations of her being a simple mirage, demon, or a succubus, with a goal of tormenting James, and keeping him in a purgatory-like state.
While the various theories of her origin have emerged since the original release in 2001, Maria’s presence is undeniably startling to most of the fanbase.
7Vahram - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
“Strange. I Feel As If I’ve Lived This Moment Before.”
Acting as a leader of the Immortals, Vahram hides his true intentions throughout the first part of the game. Acting as the mentor to Sargon in the latest release in the Prince of Persia franchise,The Lost Crown.
After successfully repealing the attack on Persepolis by Kushan, Vahram is tasked with finding Ghassan only to reveal his true intentions of becoming the King of Persia.
6Nebulax - Astro Bot
Bye, Bye!
Nebulax is the main antagonist inAstro Bot. He destroys the hero’s spaceship by stealing the Headset, which scatters ASTRO’s friends all over the galaxy and kickstarts his quest. While the story takes multiple turns as it progresses, Nebulax proves elusive.
To prevent the main hero from fulfilling his mission, Nebulax sends an army of robot soldiers after him. Making Nebulax a worthy opponent who manages to escape defeat on multiple occasions.
5Jane Harrow - Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6
The latest Call of Duty release,Black Ops 6, sees Frank Woods’s return under Jane Harrow’s command. Harrow, the CIA handler who turned rogue and enlisted with Pantheon in her quest for revenge, quickly rises through the ranks and becomes a commander.
Harrow acts as a villain counterpart with a reversed story to Kate Laswell, as she seeks to destroy CIA, while Laswell remains loyal to it.
Although her eventual demise seems uncertain, the effects of Harrow’s betrayal remain long-lasting, with the Cradle as the best example.
4Chronos - Hades 2
“You Truly Think You Can Stop Time. Well, Then… I Would Like To See You Try.”
Hades 2sees Chronos, the main titan in Greek mythology, overtake the Underworld and put it under his control while imprisoning Hades, Persephone, and Zagreus. This sets Melinoë, Zagreus’s sister, on a quest to defeat Chronos. At the same time, she seeks to free her family and restore order in the Underworld.
Arrogant, composed, and cunning, Chronos fills the Underworld with his deception and traps while perceiving himself as the victim of his family’s betrayal and seeing his actions as just.
3Masataka Ebina - Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
“You Of All People Should Understand The Weight Of Yakuza’s Words”
A product of Yakuza politics, Masataka Ebina fromLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthrepresents a story arc of a villain who becomes the very thing he swore to destroy. Conflicts, schemes, and plots make Ebina a fearsome leader who stops at nothing to fulfill his goals.
This is best represented through his tattoo of the demon Oni, the Warden of Hell, who guards the dwellers of Hell and punishes those inside for their sins.
2Sephiroth - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
“Do Not Be Deceived, You Know The Truth, Trust In Me.”
Once a prominent SOLDIER and a pride of Shinra Electric Power Company, Sephiroth represents a story of fall from grace inFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Sephiroth becomes bent on destroying the world and achieving the status of a god.
Experiencing ruthless training from an early age, Sepiroth became a noteworthy foe. Developing skills and cunning that put the Cloud Strife’s strength and resolve at a demanding test.
1Miquella - Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree
“Now, The Vow Will Be Honoured, And My Lord Brother’s Soul Will Return. So That He May Be My Consort.”
The latest installment in the Elden Ring franchise,Shadow of the Erdtree, reveals Miquella’s true nature and aspirations. Thanks to his gift, Miquella strives to achieve his goals through manipulation.
Compelling care and trust from people is a virtue of which Miquella is well aware and uses to achieve his own aims in attempts to make Haligtree into another Erdtree.
