Villains with Depth: Exploring the Humanity Behind the Bad Guys

I enjoy playing the good guy, saving the day, swooning the crowd, and overall being that great person. So sometimes, I don’t pay mind to the villains before me. That was back then, and playing as an older individual, there are some villains that I can sympathize with.

From Steam Official Website 

Crazy, huh? But it is true when it comes to villains in video games, some are so complex that players can’t help but sympathize with their motives. These antagonists have personal, relatable reasons for their actions, making us wonder: who is the real bad guy here? 

Syanna – The Witcher III: Wild Hunt 

From The Gamer Official Website

Initially, I was on board with the whole “oh villainous sibling that is just jealous” ordeal, but upon playing through it, my eyes somewhat opened. Sylvia Anna, or Syanna, is a tragic character whose path to villainy is rooted in abandonment and betrayal. 

She was born under a curse that marked her as “bad luck,” which caused her family to cast out her out, forcing her to endure a harsh life alone. Her resentment grew as she witnessed her sister, Duchess Anna Henrietta, living a life of privilege and happiness. Syanna’s thirst for revenge is fueled by a lifetime of feeling unjustly punished and cast aside, a motive that makes her cruelty understandable, if not forgivable.

Her pain and bitterness blur the lines between victim and villain, leaving players to wonder if, in a different life, she could have found peace. 

Handsome Jack – Borderlands 2 

From Borderlands Wiki Official Website

Initially, Handsome Jack comes across as a power-obsessed villain reveling in chaos, but his story has layers that reveal something deeper. Jack sees himself as Pandora’s savior, someone bringing order to a lawless world. His goals, in a sense, align with the protagonist’s—both want to protect Pandora from complete ruin. But, Jack’s methods, driven by ego and a growing disregard for anyone who doesn’t share his vision, quickly slide into brutality.

Jack’s twisted sense of justice and descent from a well-meaning hero to a ruthless tyrant make his story tragic. He’s a character who genuinely believes he’s the good guy, even as he leaves a trail of destruction in his wake. 

Your classic “The end justifies the means.” 

Andrew Ryan – BioShock

From BioShock Wiki Official Website

One great hallmark of a misunderstood villain is when they are discussed in Reddit, with clear fans supporting their idea—despite it being wrong in some ways. Yes, Andrew Ryan was a power-hungry dictator with warped ideals, but his motives were for his city. 

Ryan is a visionary whose desire to create a city free from societal constraints was driven by a genuine belief in human potential and autonomy. Rapture's underwater utopia was meant to be a haven where people could pursue their passions without interference, a radical answer to what he saw as a corrupt world above.

But that dream twisted over time—thanks, time, you always seem to be the common element in this villain soup. As Rapture descended into chaos, Ryan’s idealism became ruthlessness, and his fierce belief in individualism turned to oppression. 

These characters stood out due to their personality, the foundation behind these “villainous” characters. To truly grasp the intentions of their actions, you can listen to their glorious line delivery and script. To hear it better, you can upgrade your headset to the JBL Quantum 300, a magnificent headpiece that can elevate your gaming experience further.