Are you looking for games where you can play as the villain? If so, you’re in the right place. I’ve shared 31 awesome villain protagonist games below. Because we’re all tired from being the hero and saving the world. Enough is enough. It’s time to become the villain!
OCCULT GAMES < Another great genre.
An evil character has many more options and no rules. Can do anything. Therefore, we will conquer, pillage, raid, loot, lie, kill, cheat, steal, and antagonize! Ha ha ha! (Evil laughter.)
Some men just want to watch the world burn. – Alfred Pennyworth
Some men or gal just want to be evil. It’s fun and sexy, especially in gaming. Because there are no real consequences!
Top evil protagonist games:
1. Ravenous Devils
Ravenous Devils is my favorite evil protagonist game ever. First of all, it’s inspired by the Sweeney Todd 2007 movie of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham.
You manager two characters and two businesses intertwined with each other. One is a tailor shop where you tailor and occasionally kill your customers. The other one is a pub serving delicious food. Well, you know where the meat comes from, it’s coming from the victims of our tailor.
In essence, it’s a horror cooking simulator where the secret ingredient is crime!
2. Carrion
CARRION is an unorthodox horror game. It’s a reverse horror game to be specific.
You assume the role of an amorphous creature of unknown origins, then stalk and consume those who imprisoned you. Are those people in the secret facility created you or found you? Doesn’t really matter. Because you are HUNGRY.
So, spread fear, consume, grow, and evolve into supreme being!
3. Iratus: Lord of the Dead
Are you ready to become the dark lord, a vicious necromancer who is trying to bring death to the mortal realms? Then buckle up, because that’s what Iratus: Lord of the Dead is about.
It’s a turn-based strategy game with great mechanics, short campaign, and high replayability.
Iratus: Lord of the Dead is pretty similar to the Darkest Dungeon in terms of mechanics, gameplay, and graphics. It’s easy to assume who likes one will also like the other.
4. Dungeons 3
Lair builder games are fun, addictive, and rewarding. Just the way I like my games. And Dungeons 3 is one of them!
The Dungeon Lord has successfully established a base. Next step is expansion. Expand your dungeon, spawn hordes, and raid the outside world!
Play Dungeons 3 to become the ultimate dark lord conqueror.
5. Evil Genius Series
Evil genius is a lair builder like Dungeons 3, but slightly different. Evil Genius is a satirical spy-fi lair builder where you are the criminal mastermind. Your ambition makes you construct a base, train minions, defend operations from the forces of justice, and achieve global domination.
Evil Genius 1 – 2004 is an old, outdated game. However, Evil Genius 2 released in 2021 and is ultra-advanced.
All in all, it’s a fun game to role-play as a villain from 80s spy movies.
6. Overlord Series
Become the Overlord and wreak havoc to the world of living. It’s a game you raise minions, destroy cities, kill humans, and corrupt the world.
- Overlord (2007)
- Overlord: Raising Hell (2008)
- Overlord II (2009)
Even though it’s an old series, you should play Overlord to experience being the hard-core evil villain. Because they don’t make games like these anymore.
7. Party Hard
It’s 3:00 a.m. and your neighbours are having a loud party. What in the actual f*#@k???
There is one thing to do, stop them! You decide to take matters in your hand instead of calling the police.
Party Hard is a stealthy strategy game about ruining parties by any means necessary. Stop parties in various ways such as killing people in most unique ways, calling swat, unleashing a bear, using knife, or even bombs!
Needless to say, Party Hard is a +18 game where you role-play as the slasher.
8. Undead Horde
Play Undead Horde 1 (2019) and & Undead Horde 2 (2023) to become the ultimate necromancer.
As a powerful necromancer, you have the power to raise dead, command them in battle, kill enemies and raise more undead from their corpses. With each victory, your army will grow bigger.
In short, Undead Horde is a hack & slash strategy with RPG elements where you play as a necromancer. There aren’t many necromancy games out there, therefore you shouldn’t miss it.
9. Destroy All Humans!
Do I need to say anything? The name is already SELF-EXPLANATORY. Destroy All Humans! is a game where you play as a hostile alien determined to destroy humanity.
Become a nefarious little gray alien, terrorize the people of 1950’s earth, harvest their DNA, and bring down the US government!
10. Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse
We’ve talked about the games where you become criminal mastermind, dark lord, necromancer, slasher, and alien. Why not become a zombie next?
Video game Stubs the Zombie lets you become a zombie and eat people’s brains!
The year is 1959 and hard-workers, good citizens, they have no idea what’s coming.
11. War for the Overworld
Here is another dungeon builder like Dungeons 3 and Evil Genius. This is the third and the last on this list. So, let’s talk about War for the Overworld a little.
The game is mixing lair builder, RTS, and God game genres perfectly. You carve out your dungeon, spawn minions, and conquer the outside world.
Also, War for the Overworld is the closest modern lair builder to the old classic Dungeon Keeper games.
12. Tyranny
Tyranny is a story rich RPG where choices matter for real. You can be a pragmatist, a saint, or a devil via the choices you make. And, doing an evil playthrough is much more fun than the others.
In the game you’re the part of tyranny, an officer of authority. You can either use your power to enforce status quo or try to make thing change from the inside.
13. Hatred
Hatred is a violent shooter, in which you take the role of an antagonist who is fighting against all of humanity. Villain protagonist of Hatred does not have a motive or an ultimate plan. He’s just consumed by hatred and wants to kill everybody.
Needless to say, Hatred is not appropriate for all ages. You gotta be over 18 to play it.
14. Postal Series
Postal 2 is the funniest game I’ve ever played. What is it about? Oh, violence, drugs, profanity, sexual themes, and all that shit. Anything fringe you can think of, it’s in the Postal 2.
Sometimes I feel lucky to not turn out to be a psycho because I played Postal 2 for countless hours when I was a little kid. Ha ha.
Anyways, Postal 2 is a, how should I say… a life simulator! You play as the Postal dude living in a trailer with his wife. Each day the wife gives you a list of chores. Such as buying milk, returning a book to library, getting laundry, etc. Basic stuff, right? Well, if you’re patient, you can finish the Postal 2 without committing a single violence. But the game will push you to violence, and believe me when I say this, you won’t be able to resist because of the situations you find yourself in.
15. The Elder Scrolls of Skyrim
Skyrim is the most popular fantasy RPG ever. In it you’re the hero, dragonborn who is tasked to save humanity from dragon invasion. But there is another path you can take in Skyrim. You can become the villain in Skyrim since it’s an RPG with lots of choices.
For example, assassin’s guild the dark brotherhood lets you become the evil villain of Skyrim. You can also become the master thief by aligning with thieves guild. Killing for money and stealing people’s valuables are the things evil people do!
Joining evil guilds is one thing, aligning with the evil Daedra is another. Daedra quests are really amazing, one even turns you into a cannibal.
Check out Skyrim necromancer mods and Skyrim thief mods for adding flavor to your evil playthrough.
You can also become a vampire, feeding of off the bloods of unaware citizens of Skyrim. Skyrim best vampire mods are also great.
16. Cartel Tycoon
Are you ready to assume the role of a cartel leader in the 80s 90s Narco trade era? Cartel Tycoon is an amazing simulation / management game filled with interesting quests, events, and characters.
As a fan of the Narcos series of Netflix, I’m really happy to have a game like Cartel Tycoon. If you haven’t watched it yet, stop whatever you’re doing right now and check out Narcos. It’s half biography, half thriller series about the life of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
CRIMINAL EMPIRE MANAGEMENT GAMES
Anyway, Cartel Tycoon is a business sim in essence. A business sim where you deal, leaves, if you know what I mean.
17. Succubus
SUCCUBUS is a game where you assume the role of a demonic priestess of lust.
Your purpose is to regain your kingdom and make hell tremble under your hooves. For this purpose, you’ll use your unique skills, claws, minions, and power. They’ll either bend the knee, or you’ll destroy them!
18. My Lovely Daughter
My Lovely Daughter is an alchemist simulator featuring the story of a broken father who is trying to resurrect his dead daughter.
The goal itself doesn’t make the father evil. But how far he goes to accomplish it makes him evil. Especially the human sacrifices…
19. Warcraft 3 Frozen Throne
When was it? Oh, it was 2002 when Warcraft 3 first released. Don’t worry though, you can play the 2020 remaster WarCraft III: Reforged. For those who don’t know, Warcraft 3 is a real-time strategy game.
The campaign of main Warcraft 3 divided into 4 chapters. Human campaign, Undead campaign, Orc campaign, and Night Elf campaign. And Frozen Throne expansion has 3 more campaigns.
Undead campaign is where you control the Dark Arthas, villain protagonist of Warcraft 3. You control Arthas in human campaign too, but by the end of it, Arthas switches into dark side.
20. Grand Theft Auto Series
You kill, lie, cheat, and steal in GTA series. Therefore, you’re a hard-core criminal. An evil person in essence.
When a young street hustler (Franklin), a retired bank robber (Michael), and a terrifying psychopath (Trevor) team up to pull off the biggest heist, you get GTA 5. You get to play as all three characters one by one depending on the chapter you’re in.
Most people play it for online mode though. Still, you can play and enjoy the single-player. And you should at least once before going online.
21. Prototype Series
In Prototype, you play as the Prototype Alex Mercer. A man without memory, armed with destructive shape-shifting abilities because of an unauthorized experiment.
Monster they’ve created is now hunting for them! You’ll fight, absorb humans, and regain your memories on your path to vengeance.
22. Vampyr
Vampyr is one of the greatest Vampire RPGs you can play. Its story is rich, choices matter, and there are many cool vampire skills in it.
In the game you assume the role of Dr. Jonathan Reid. As a doctor, you must find a cure to save the city’s flue-ravaged citizens. But you’re also a Vampyr, and you must feed, even on the people who you’re vowed to heal.
Embrace the monster within or fight against your nature to help humanity. 1918s London awaits!
23. Fable Anniversary
Fable is an RPG game where you develop horns when you do evil things or grow an angel hale when you do good things. For every choice, there is a consequence.
In the game you assume the role of an orphaned boy who is forced into a life of heroism when bandits attack his village, kill his parents, and kidnap his sister. Your character will grow in size, age, skill, and reputation as you further progress in your journey.
It’s really an old game but gold. (2004) Besides, we have the remastered Fable Anniversary that is released in 2014. It’s still in good shape, therefore playable.
24. Tropico Series
Welcome to the Tropico! An island ruled by a dictator! Tropico 6 is a city builder, resource management, and simulation game.
You take the role of a dictator and manage your island. It’s possible to introduce communism, capitalism, militarism, etc. You can even dictate the lifestyle of your citizens as you see fit. You’re the dictator after all. Though better make sure you have enough military and following, otherwise rebels might overthrow you!
25. Beholder
In Beholder you take the role of a real despicable human being. You’re a state-installed landlord in a totalitarian country.
You’ll place listening devices, steal, and sneak into your tenants’ apartments… Then snitch anyone who is capable of plotting against the state.
If you’ve played Do Not Feed the Monkeys or Papers Please before, Beholder is what you should play next!
26. Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a party-based RPG set in the universe of Dungeons & Dragons. If you like and play D&D, you’ll definitely love Baldur’s Gate 3.
So, about the villain protagonist, BG3 is an RPG with many choices & decisions. Therefore, you can become a saint or a villain. For the latter, check out my Baldur’s Gate 3 evil playthrough guide.
27. Kenshi
Kenshi is a free-roaming squad-based RPG set in a sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, samurai era like setting. It’s also a sandbox game without any linear story to follow. The game is all about freedom.
Be a trader, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, an adventurer, a farmer, a slave, or just food for the cannibals.
With that amount of freedom, you can become the greatest villain ever seen in the Kenshi universe. All in all, it’s one of those games where you can play as the villain, by choice.
28. Stellaris
Stellaris is a sci-fi grand strategy game from Paradox studios. The game is set in galaxy, and you’re a civilization that is just developed interstellar travel. Now it’s time to explore!
As you explore and colonize the stars, you’ll encounter bazillion events, species, interactions, and flavor. Of course, most events will have you make a choice. Those choices can be peaceful or aggressive. Meaning, you can help anyone or destroy whomever you encounter.
For an evil playthrough, you can choose Hive-mind devourers or Determined Exterminator robots. These two civilizations basically allow you to commit galactic genocide.
29. Kingdom Rush Vengeance
What is the best tower defense video game franchise? Kingdom Rush of course! You defend against hordes of orcs, zombies, and undead in all Kingdom Rush. Except the last one, Kingdom Rush Vengeance.
In Kingdom Rush Vengeance, you take the role of bad guys for the first time ever in the franchise.
Well, it’s now the payback time! Lead your mighty dark army and destroy the Kingdom.
30. Manhunt Series
Manhunt is the most banned game ever. It’s banned in many countries because the game is ultra-violent.
It’s a game where you play as a serial killer. And there are hundreds of unique kill animations in it. No wonder why it’s banned.
Here is a confession, I’ve played Manhunt when I was around 12-14ish. It was the most thrilling game ever. I guess I’m lucky for not having PTSD!
31. Black & White
Black & White is a god game released in 2001. It’s probably the first game of its genre and was a hit in its time.
In the game you take the role of a God whose goal is to defeat other gods. The primary concept of the game is good and evil.
As a God, you can kill everyone. But that would end the game. Instead, you can make them suffer as an evil god. How so? Basically, starve your followers, demand human sacrifices, and send wild animals to their village.