The Bad Guys of Computer Games
Apr. 9th, 2005 11:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lathanyGameFaq are currently asking their members to submit names of memorable villains. If you have an account (which I do) you can submit up to ten names. I thought this was a great idea... until I tried to think of some good names (they have to be genuine bad apples rather than competition for your character).
I got to the page via the Baldur's Gate board where someone had suggested that we all voted for Irenicus. Thinking this a fine plan I went ahead... and then was stuck.
Now from the Baldur's Gate series Irenicus and Sarevok are the real choices. Whilst Bhodi and Saemon are both less cliched villains, they aren't as main (and therefore don't stand a prayer of being selected) and likewise the various Throne of Bhaal bosses simply aren't memorable. Not that I expect Irenicus to do well; GameFaq has some fans of Baldur's Gate but they're outnumbered by the Final Fantasy and Zelda mobs.
However, Final Fantasy is a tricky series to pick bad guys from because many of those set up as the villains either have a change of heart or aren't the final boss. From VIII onwards, in fact, none of the set-up-from-near-the-start bad bosses are the party's opponent in that last battle. So, frankly, Sephiroth will be the main choice from here, followed by Kekfa. Of course the likes of Seymour and Kuja could be nominated (although, I think Seifer comes under the "competition" heading).
At which point I decided to stop thinking about likely winners (and Sephiroth, IMO, stands a good chance) and started to think about decent bad guys. I liked the President from Disruptor and M. Bison from Streetfighter has clearly made his mark. However, in general, it is the hero of a game and not the villain who stands out. Who's the bad guy from Tomb Raider? How many people could name her from memory? I suppose I could nominate Diablo from the series of the same name but when I think about other games I have been playing recently (eg. Star Ocean : Till the End of Time) no-one particularly stands out.
Perhaps it's a good thing. After all, many NPCs are disqualified because they're in the grey area of having motives other than "I'm just an evil g*t, OK?". That's a character development that I approve of. On the other hand, I was saddened by the idea that the good old fashion Evil Boss seems to be on the way out.
I got to the page via the Baldur's Gate board where someone had suggested that we all voted for Irenicus. Thinking this a fine plan I went ahead... and then was stuck.
Now from the Baldur's Gate series Irenicus and Sarevok are the real choices. Whilst Bhodi and Saemon are both less cliched villains, they aren't as main (and therefore don't stand a prayer of being selected) and likewise the various Throne of Bhaal bosses simply aren't memorable. Not that I expect Irenicus to do well; GameFaq has some fans of Baldur's Gate but they're outnumbered by the Final Fantasy and Zelda mobs.
However, Final Fantasy is a tricky series to pick bad guys from because many of those set up as the villains either have a change of heart or aren't the final boss. From VIII onwards, in fact, none of the set-up-from-near-the-start bad bosses are the party's opponent in that last battle. So, frankly, Sephiroth will be the main choice from here, followed by Kekfa. Of course the likes of Seymour and Kuja could be nominated (although, I think Seifer comes under the "competition" heading).
At which point I decided to stop thinking about likely winners (and Sephiroth, IMO, stands a good chance) and started to think about decent bad guys. I liked the President from Disruptor and M. Bison from Streetfighter has clearly made his mark. However, in general, it is the hero of a game and not the villain who stands out. Who's the bad guy from Tomb Raider? How many people could name her from memory? I suppose I could nominate Diablo from the series of the same name but when I think about other games I have been playing recently (eg. Star Ocean : Till the End of Time) no-one particularly stands out.
Perhaps it's a good thing. After all, many NPCs are disqualified because they're in the grey area of having motives other than "I'm just an evil g*t, OK?". That's a character development that I approve of. On the other hand, I was saddened by the idea that the good old fashion Evil Boss seems to be on the way out.
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no subject
Date: 2005-04-09 11:08 am (UTC)There's always Floppy Snake (or whatever his real name was, I forget) from Metal Gear Solid. Never played the sequel, though, so no idea if that has him in again.
I'd also nominate Shang Tsung from Mortal Kombat. Even though he was replaced early in the series (unlike Bison) he continued to turn up as a secondary villain and was also most cool in the film.
no subject
Date: 2005-04-10 11:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-10 05:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-10 04:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-10 05:49 pm (UTC)I know what you mean.