10 Action Games Where You're Actually the Villain

Action games typically send you on a journey of carnage and mayhem, usually testing your skills against menacing bosses, rivals, and other evil forces. However, some action games flip the script, making the villain the playable character. By doing so, you get to experience a game from a perspective that differs from the usual setup of the heroic protagonist taking the lead in saving the day.

We’ve ranked the best action games where you play as a villain, from classics such as Prototype and Aliens vs. Predator to underrated picks such as Maneater, so you can get your bad guy fix. Sometimes, the villain does have a point, after all.

10 Overlord

With Great Power Comes Responsibility

What screams video game villain more than becoming a devious Overlord? In a game where your actions impact the evil world, you control a horde of minions that can be used to destroy items, kill, and engage in theft and intimidation.

As you experience a surprisingly humorous story focused on defeating seven former heroes to become the one true ruler of the world, you will forge loot and gain powers to impose your desire for ruthless conquering of land and its people. It has a dark sense of humor, which helps prevent the tone from becoming too grim.

9 Carrion

Beware of the Tentacles

Carrion is one of the best games if you want to play as a monster. The monster in question is imprisoned, and you must control it in order to break out of the 2D pixelated facility.

On your path towards complete destruction, you obtain abilities that work well alongside the fluid mobility of the monster and your devastating tentacles. An aspect that stood out to me is the stellar level design, making exploring and eating through the world even more satisfying.

8 Maneater

Apex Predator

Not all games where you play as a villain have to take place on land. Maneater allows you to play as a shark, causing havoc in the oceans by fighting other predators, growing and evolving your shark, and, of course, ripping the limbs off the humans that will cross your path.

Although the gameplay loop is relatively simple, your bloodthirsty journey will take you across seven regions with a day and night cycle. I found that there's plenty of replayability on offer no matter your play style, as you eat your way up the food chain, develop your shark's abilities in different areas, and navigate the waters.

7 LEGO DC Super-Villains

Destruction on a Blocky Scale

We’ve all heard of the usual cast of superheroes, but LEGO DC Super-Villains grants you the rare opportunity to be the best villain the iconic block-filled world has ever seen.

The plot revolves around the disappearance of the Justice League, which resulted in the Justice Syndicate taking their place, made up of villains such as The Joker, Harley Quinn, Lex Luthor, and more.

If you're yet to play LEGO DC Super-Villains, I would rank it as one of the best titles in the LEGO series. As you’re causing chaos in the open-world, you’ll experience the classic wit and humor that runs through the LEGO games, making for a truly memorable villainous adventure with a huge amount of collectibles to find.

6 Aliens vs. Predator

The Hunt is On

In this classic action game, you play as three characters, with plenty of opportunities to adopt the role of a villain. As the Predator, expect to stalk and ambush your victims in close-quarter combat, with plenty of equipment options and advanced technology to help you secure the kill. When becoming the Alien, you can take advantage of the xenomorph’s mobility in more traditional stealth combat to lurk in the shadows and infiltrate the vents of the research lab you’re trying to escape.

Despite being made up of three intertwining narratives, the campaign takes just approximately six hours to complete. However, it deserves a spot on our list because the non-stop action while hunting your prey still stands the test of time.

5 Destroy All Humans!

One Giant Leap for Alienkind

Not only is Destroy All Humans! considered one of the best games where you play as a villain, but the 2020 version has been applauded as one of the greatest remasters to date. The classic action game is completely rebuilt from the ground up, and all of its eerie charm remains on full display.

Stepping into the shoes of an alien, you will use a range of otherworldly weapons and psychic abilities to harvest DNA and take down the US government of the 1950s. If that wasn’t enough, you can completely destroy your Earthly surroundings with the power of your UFO. I found it rather satisfying to turn humanity into the weakest force on the planet.

4 Tales of Berseria Remastered

The Kingdom Awaits

Tales of Berseria is an anime-styled game where you play as a villain, but their anti-hero attributes are born out of an alternate premise.

The narrative is based on a journey of self-discovery as your character, Velvet, who previously had a kind heart, is engulfed with anger and hatred following a traumatic experience.

Velvet’s personal quest for revenge results in extremely strong character development that not only shapes the story but the world around you, resulting in an emotional action-RPG that leaves its mark long after the credits roll.

3 Cult of the Lamb

Leading Cult Life

It’s hard to compile a list of games where you play as the villain without mentioning Cult of the Lamb. Its entire focus is on starting a cult and garnering a loyal base of followers to spread your version of enlightenment. Expect to use your influence over the cult to pursue your own evil deeds and expand your power. I find that Cult of the Lamb provides a lot of freedom in how you conduct yourself as a villain, whether that's through the whopping selection of 56 doctrines to choose from, or the way you approach combat.

The action elements lie in the roguelite crusades through dungeons. Defeating enemies and looting in procedurally generated dungeons allows you to collect materials and power up your loadout, as well as develop your cult's base. There are also management and progression systems, as well as a story to navigate, so Cult of the Lamb has something for every wannabe villain.

2 Prototype

The Definitive Shape-Shifter

Alex Mercer is the protagonist in the first installment of Prototype, but his deadly powers turn him into a bioweapon with shapeshifting powers. After discovering his ties to the outbreak of the Blacklight virus, Mercer takes his abilities to the next level, leading him to become the main villain in Prototype 2.

Even though you don’t truly discover that you’re playing as the villain until the latter parts of the Prototype story, the action elements make this well worth the wait, especially if you're experiencing it for the first time. The gameplay features parkour across an open-world that I thoroughly enjoyed, quick combat, and your choice of weaponry and sensory powers.

1 Dishonored

A Reactive World

Dishonored takes the top spot when it comes to action games where you play as a villain, because it’s the most immersive way to step into the role. Whether you're like me and go in all guns blazing or prefer a stealthier approach, you'll have fun with your open-ended objectives.

Once a trusted bodyguard to an Empress, you become a supernatural assassin after being framed for her murder. Set in a city shrouded in corruption and dark forces, the way in which you approach missions and use your powers changes the outcome of each mission, allowing you to forge your own path as a villain.

Whether you traverse the world unseen or make full use of brutal combat mechanics, the amount of creativity on show in the Dishonored series will see you become the ultimate villain, all while unfolding a mysterious story.