Most video games cast players as heroes—champions fighting for justice and saving the world. But sometimes, the most thrilling experiences come from exploring the darker side. Playing as the villain offers a refreshing twist, giving players the freedom to cause chaos, make ruthless decisions, and challenge morality. Here are the top games that let you play as the villain and embrace the role of the ultimate anti-hero.
Hitman – The Silent Assassin
Hitman puts you in the shoes of Agent 47, a cold-blooded contract killer.
Eliminate targets with creativity and precision.
Use disguises, stealth, and manipulation to strike from the shadows.
Missions reward efficiency, not morality.
You’re not saving the world—you’re ending lives for profit.
Hitman excels because it makes you feel clever while committing villainous acts, blurring the line between strategy and brutality.
Payday 2 – Master of Heists
Payday 2 lets you dive headfirst into a life of crime.
Plan and execute high-stakes bank robberies.
Work with a crew to steal, escape, and outwit the police.
Violence or stealth—how ruthless you are is up to you.
Customize weapons, masks, and strategies for the perfect crime.
Few games capture the adrenaline of being a villain like orchestrating a flawless heist in Payday 2.
Infamous – Hero or Villain
Infamous gives players moral freedom with superpowers.
Choose to protect the city or dominate it.
“Karma” choices drastically alter your abilities and story.
Evil paths unlock devastating powers fueled by destruction.
Citizens will fear or adore you depending on your actions.
The villain path in Infamous is often more tempting, making players question what they’d do with ultimate power.
Mafia II – A Criminal’s Life
In Mafia II, you don’t play a hero—you live the life of an ambitious gangster.
Work your way up through organized crime.
Betray, manipulate, and fight your way to power.
Experience a gritty narrative where morality takes a back seat.
The American Dream is pursued through blood and bullets.
Mafia II delivers the full experience of being part of a criminal underworld where violence is survival.
The Witcher 3 (Villainous Choices)
While Geralt can be heroic, The Witcher 3 allows players to embrace morally dark decisions.
Side with ruthless factions or betray allies.
Some quests let you manipulate, deceive, or even kill innocents.
Your choices ripple across the world, changing lives forever.
The game doesn’t punish villainy—it simply lets you own it.
The Witcher 3 thrives on moral grayness, giving players the freedom to walk a darker path.
Destroy All Humans! – Alien Mayhem
Forget saving humanity—Destroy All Humans! puts you in the role of an alien invader.
Wreak havoc with futuristic weapons and psychic powers.
Harvest human DNA and cause chaos in 1950s America.
Abduct civilians, destroy towns, and mock humanity.
The game’s satirical humor makes villainy hilarious.
It’s pure fun to be the menace threatening Earth rather than its protector.
Evil Genius – World Domination
Evil Genius is all about becoming the ultimate mastermind.
Build a secret lair filled with traps and henchmen.
Command minions to carry out your evil plans.
Fend off spies and “heroes” trying to stop you.
Dominate the world with clever strategy and dark comedy.
It’s a strategy game where your goal isn’t to save the day—but to rule it.
Vampyr – Predator in the Shadows
Vampyr makes villainy part of survival.
Play as Jonathan Reid, a doctor-turned-vampire.
Decide whether to spare or feed on London’s citizens.
Every victim strengthens you but weakens society.
Choices create moral dilemmas between power and humanity.
The darker you go, the stronger you become—but at the cost of innocent lives.
Fable Series – Path of Darkness
The Fable games are famous for letting you embrace evil.
Choose to be a noble hero or a feared villain.
Villainy transforms your appearance—horns, red eyes, and dark aura.
Villages may cower or revolt depending on your choices.
Evil actions unlock new powers and opportunities.
Fable makes being bad visually and mechanically rewarding.
Postal 2 – Pure Chaos
Postal 2 is notorious for its unapologetic villainy.
Cause chaos in everyday suburbia.
Use outrageous weapons to terrorize townspeople.
The game thrives on dark comedy and shock value.
Violence isn’t just an option—it’s the main attraction.
It’s one of the most infamous examples of a game where being the villain is the entire point.
Conclusion
From orchestrating perfect heists in Payday 2 to ruling the world in Evil Genius or terrorizing humanity in Destroy All Humans!, these games prove that being the villain can be just as satisfying—if not more so—than playing the hero. In gaming, the dark side isn’t just tempting; it’s unforgettable.
