The heroic actions of a game's protagonist would not have the same impact without a great villain to oppose them. Villains are an important part of creating tension in a game's story, and can themselves be some of the best characters a game has to offer. The games released in 2024 offered fantastic villains in spades, helping to shape the actions of the hero and serving as a hurdle that players need to overcome during the course of their playthrough.
MAJOR SPOILERS Ahead
Compelling villains in games don't just have to provide players with a foil to the protagonist, but should represent a deeper reason for them to engage with a game's narrative. Whether this be posing a challenging battle, presenting a moral question they must grapple with, or holding a degree of sympathy that could cast a new light on the villain, some of the greatest villains in gaming of 2024 go above and beyond being simple obstacles within the player's journey. Each of the villains listed is presented in alphabetical order.
The 10 Best Female Video Game Characters of 2024
The best female video game characters of 2024 are a mix of heroes, villains, and support, but all have a story to tell and a part to play.
Emmrich Voss (Indiana Jones and The Great Circle)
Read The Best War Games's Indiana Jones and The Great Circle Review
Emmerich Voss and Indiana Jones are strangely two sides of the same coin in The Great Circle. While both are dedicated to scholarly archeological pursuits and unearthing history's greatest secrets, Voss does so in the name of the Third Reich, who he believes to hold the power he craves. His narcissism and psychological manipulation make him not only the perfect foil to Indy, but leave the player feeling uneasy in his presence as he and Indy clash over the mystery of The Great Circle.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- December 9, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- MachineGames
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- id Tech 7
- Franchise
- Indiana Jones
- Number of Players
- 1
Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them - Indiana Jones™. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard.
YOU ARE INDIANA JONES
Live the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist – famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor – you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time.
A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITS
Travel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, you’ll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces.
WHIP-CRACKING ACTION
Indiana’s trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isn’t just a weapon, it’s Indy’s most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery.
THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY
Venture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps,and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery – or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- December 9, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- December 9, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- April 17, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- How Long To Beat
- 14 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 134 GB (December 2024)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Erlang Shen (Black Myth: Wukong)
Read The Best War Games's Black Myth: Wukong Review
Erlang Shen is the perfect antagonist to bookend Black Myth: Wukong. Players will first encounter the villain early in the game, facing his Erlang, the Sacred Divinity form as the Monkey King. It's not until players complete Erlang's optional questline that the Destined One will get to face his true form, Erlang Shen, atop Mount Mei. The gauntlet of the Four Heavenly Kings players must defeat before taking on Erlang Shen proves to be one of Black Myth: Wukong's greatest challenges and allows this enemy to stand out as one of the year's most notable.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 80%
- Released
- August 20, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Game Science
- Publisher(s)
- Game Science







Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG rooted in Chinese mythology and based on Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.
You shall set out as the Destined One to venture into the challenges and marvels ahead, to uncover the obscured truth beneath the veil of a glorious legend from the past.
As the Destined One, you shall encounter powerful foes and worthy rivals throughout your journey. Fearlessly engage them in epic battles where surrender is not an option.
Aside from mastering various staff techniques, you can also freely combine different spells, abilities, weapons, and equipment to find the winning strategy that best suits your combat style.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 39 hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Louis Guiabern (Metaphor: ReFantazio)
Read The Best War Games's Metaphor: ReFantazio Review
Metaphor: ReFantazio's Louis Guiabern has all the traits of an ideal villain. He is charismatic enough to gain the support of a large majority of the United Kingdom of Euchronia, powerful enough to survive assassination attempts and take on the player's party on multiple occasions, and cunning enough to hide his true intentions while earning the public's favor. Despite witnessing him slay the reigning king in the game's opening cinematic, Louis is still able to gain sympathy from the player as an eldan outcast with similar goals as the protagonist, albeit with much more devastating methods of achieving them.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 93 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- October 11, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Studio Zero
- Publisher(s)
- Atlus
- Engine
- GFD
- Number of Players
- 1
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Playable
From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince.
Control your destiny, face your fears, and awaken magical Archetype powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an Archetype, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.
- PC Release Date
- October 11, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- October 11, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- October 11, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- How Long To Beat
- 65 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 81.15 GB
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Mephisto (Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred)
Check Out Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred on OpenCritic
While Mephisto is an iconic recurring villain throughout the Diablo series as one of the three Prime Evils, he plays his biggest role yet in Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred. After being a background antagonist in the Diablo 4 base game, Mephisto is given his time to truly shine in Vessel of Hatred as his corruption spreads throughout Nahantu via the Soulstone carried by Neyrelle. Although players face Mephisto during the climax of the expansion's main quest, it appears the Lord of Hatred has unfinished work in Sanctuary as the game's ending leaves Mephisto possessing the body of Akarat.
Uncover the next chapter of Diablo® IV in Vessel of Hatred™. Continue your fight to thwart the diabolical plot of the Prime Evil, Mephisto. Battle as the all-new Spiritborn class, empowered by mystical Spirits. Expand your map to the new region of Nahantu and traverse through its lush jungles. Recruit new Mercenaries, take on new enemies, dungeons, a new PvE co-op challenge, and more. Plus, explore base game updates that will introduce new power and continue to enhance the world of Diablo® IV.
New class: Spiritborn
The Spiritborn, apex predator of the jungle, is poised to strike. Battle with styles and mystical synergies that could only be awakened deep beneath the jungle’s canopy with an entirely new class to the iconic Diablo® series.
New region: Nahantu
Expand Sanctuary to discover new Towns and bygone civilizations shrouded in the vast region of Nahantu. Battle courageously through new dungeons and Strongholds and take on new enemies from ferocious demons to warring Tribes.
More campaign, more evil
Prepare for the next chapter of Diablo® IV. Your search for Neyrelle takes you deep into an ancient jungle in an attempt to uncover Mephisto’s malicious agenda and put his corruption to an end once and for all. But be warned - within the jungle await gruesome new foes plotting your demise.
Team up for the Dark Citadel
Party up to take on a new multi-faceted dungeon with powerful challenges and promising rewards. First of its kind to Diablo®, this dungeon will require eager warriors to team up and take down the challenge together.
Recruit your Mercenaries
Discover and recruit new Mercenaries to join you on your quest. These powerful allies fight alongside you, grow in power as they progress and aid you in combat with unique abilities.
Tons of base game updates
All Diablo® IV players can venture forward with new Pets to aid in gold and material pickup today! Plus, experience more updates coming to all players when Vessel of Hatred™ releases. Empower your favorite classes with new skills, added Paragon Boards, and Legendary Glyphs. Explore new dungeon types, added activities and rewards from the Tree of Whispers, and replayable Strongholds, with even more updates on the way.
- Franchise
- Diablo
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Messmer the Impaler (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree)
Check Out Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree on OpenCritic
The face of Shadow of the Erdtree and one of the toughest fights in the DLC is Messmer the Impaler. Not only does Messmer stand as a test of the player's strength and skill within the punishing Land of Shadow, but he also plays a pivotal role within the lore of Elden Ring. As the accursed son of Queen Marika, Messmer led a crusade throughout the Land of Shadow, purging those who did not share the light of grace, making the player's triumph over him and his Abyssal Serpent all the more rewarding.
- Released
- June 21, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Base Game
- Elden Ring
- Developer(s)
- FromSoftware
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, FromSoftware
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Engine
- Proprietary
Shadow of the Erdtree is the first and only DLC expansion for FromSoftware's groundbreaking Elden Ring. It takes players to a whole new region, the Land of Shadow, where a new story awaits the Tarnished.
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Null (The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom)
Check Out The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom on OpenCritic
Princess Zelda's first outing as the main playable character in a Legend of Zelda game wouldn't have been complete without a new villain for her to face off against. The enigmatic Null breaks the traditional mold the various incarnations of Ganon and other Demon Kings have played as villains throughout the series with its cosmic-horror-inspired design and motives. Null's world-consuming rifts and penchant for creating echoes to replace the inhabitants of Hyrule add a layer of tension and urgency that perfectly reflects Zelda's own abilities granted to her by the Tri Rod.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- September 26, 2024
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo, Grezzo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Havok
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
Save Hyrule—this time with the wisdom of Princess Zelda!
The people of Hyrule are being stolen away by strange rifts—and with a certain swordsman among the missing, it’s up to Princess Zelda to save her kingdom in the latest adventure in The Legend of Zelda™ series!
Team up with the ethereal creature Tri and use the Tri Rod to create “echoes,” which are imitations of things you find in the environment—then recreate those echoes whenever you like to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Use echoes like water blocks to reach new heights, make bridges out of old beds, throw rocks at foes, or find your own combination of echoes to do things your way. You can even make echoes of monsters to fight at your side in combat!
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- How Long To Beat
- 20 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Pyramid Head (Silent Hill 2)
Read The Best War Games's Silent Hill 2 Review
One of the most iconic enemies in horror gaming returns to the spotlight in 2024 with the release of Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 Remake. Not only has Pyramid Head been a frightening villain for generations of Silent Hill fans, but the gorgeous visuals of this remake allow the monster to take on a terrifying new presence. Pyramid Head's representation of James' guilt and desire for punishment is perfectly mirrored by the player's need to escape this monster's pursuit, only to come face to face with two versions of the foe in an intense endgame boss battle.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- October 8, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bloober Team
- Publisher(s)
- Konami






Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2.
High-end Graphics and Sound
With ray tracing and other cutting-edge technical enhancements, the world of SILENT HILL and its unsettling ambiance is even realer than before.And with the inclusion of new, immersive soundscapes, you'll feel like you're standing in the thick of it.
Larger Environments
Explore locations and buildings that were once inaccessible, or are newly added in the remake. Enjoy the same acclaimed story, even while you experience the town of Silent Hill with fresh eyes across an expanded map.
Over-the-shoulder Camera
The remake moves from the original's fixed-camera viewpoints to an over-the-shoulder perspective, putting you closer to what James sees, for a more thrilling, more immersive experience as you explore the town and come face-to-face with monsters.
Evolved Combat Gameplay
Familiar weapons like the steel pipe and handgun make their return, but now with an updated combat system. Avoid attacks with carefully timed dodges, aim down sights, and more, making monster encounters more engaging and nerve-wracking than ever.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Prequel(s)
- Silent Hill
- Franchise
- Silent Hill
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unsupported
- PC Release Date
- October 8, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- October 8, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
- How Long To Beat
- 15 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Sephiroth (Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth)
Read The Best War Games's Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Review
Arguably one of the most recognizable gaming villains of all time shines in a new light with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's diverging narrative, pitting players against a unique take on Sephiroth. Square Enix had the difficult task of doing the original villain justice within its modern reimagining of Final Fantasy 7's story. However, the game goes beyond successfully capturing Sephiroth's intimidating nature and tragic history from the moment players begin the game's opening mission that explores the Nibelheim incident in a flashback, to the emotional final encounter of the game with Sephiroth Reborn following the villain's slaying of Aerith.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- February 29, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix







Discover a vibrant and vast world in this standalone entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct games. Iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have escaped from the dystopian city Midgar and are now in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead. This new adventure can be enjoyed by all players, even those who have yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake or the PlayStation original. Expect a new standard of cinematic storytelling, fast-paced combat and rich exploration across a vast world.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- PC Release Date
- January 23, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- February 29, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 40 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Solas (Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
Read The Best War Games's Dragon Age: The Veilguard Review
Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Solas is another villain who follows the 2024 trend of playing an interconnected role with the protagonists. Rook and Solas become intrinsically bound via a blood ritual in the opening hours of the game's story, after which Solas is imprisoned within the Fade following the disruption of his ritual to destroy the Veil. The connection between Rook and Solas reveals memories of the villains' past and sheds new light on his character, as his aid in stopping Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain makes him somewhat sympathetic. However, that sympathy is ripped away when Solas betrays Rook, forcing the player to bind him to the Veil to prevent its collapse (although the context of how this happens can differ).
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 71%
- Released
- October 31, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts








Enter the world of Thedas, a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities – steeped in conflict and secret magics. Now, a pair of corrupt ancient gods have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world.
Thedas needs someone they can count on. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world. But you can’t do this alone – the odds are stacked against you. Lead a team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape, and together you will become The Veilguard.
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Franchise
- Dragon Age
- PC Release Date
- October 31, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- October 31, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- October 31, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Yutaka Yamai (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)
Read The Best War Games's Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a story about redemption in a lot of ways, and Yutaka Yamai is perhaps the character that best embodies this theme. Introduced as a villain and head of Hawaii's Yamai Syndicate, Yamai's backstory is revealed over the course of the game, allowing players to sympathize with him having been betrayed by his lover after killing his family's patriarch and being forced to flee Japan for Hawaii. Despite battling him on multiple occasions, Yamai becomes an ally with a newfound respect for Kasuga and reverence for Kiryu, ultimately doing the right thing and helping them shepherd Akane and Lani to Japan before confronting his past and turning himself in for his crimes. Sometimes, a good villain is worthy of a little redemption.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- January 26, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Simulated Gambling, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Engine
- Dragon Engine
- Franchise
- Yakuza
EPIC EMOTIONAL DRAMA
Two larger-than-life heroes brought together by the hand of fate, or perhaps something more sinister…
Ichiban Kasuga, an unstoppable underdog who’s no stranger to crawling up from rock bottom, and Kazuma Kiryu, a broken man facing down his last days.
BEST-IN-CLASS RPG ACTION
Experience one-of-a-kind combat with dynamic, fast-paced RPG battles where the battlefield becomes your weapon, and anything goes. Adapt your party’s skills to the situation with outlandish jobs and customizations to strategically subdue enemies with over-the-top moves.
INFINITE ADVENTURE
Live it up in Japan and explore all that Hawaii has to offer in an adventure so big it spans the Pacific. Unforgettable moments await at every step of the journey with a unique mix of quests and activities to enjoy at your leisure.