Power fantasies come in all forms—but few are as intriguing as video games that let you step into the boots of the villain. Sometimes you’re a criminal mastermind. Sometimes you’re a demon. Sometimes you’re a morally gray anti-hero who’s only “bad” depending on your perspective. And sometimes? You’re straight-up evil.

Whatever the flavor, there’s something undeniably entertaining about breaking rules instead of enforcing them. So today we’re diving into the top ten games where you play as the bad guy, ranking the best titles that let you unleash your dark side.

10. Dungeon Keeper (1997)

When people talk about games that let you be evil, Dungeon Keeper is the classic cornerstone. Instead of leading heroes through dungeons, you build the labyrinth designed to destroy them. You command imps, trap rooms, torture chambers, and monstrous creatures—all in the name of making heroes suffer.

The beauty of Dungeon Keeper lies in its unapologetic tone. Your advisor encourages your wickedness, punishes mercy, and celebrates cruelty with snarky charm. It’s funny, dark, and endlessly replayable.

9. Carrion (2020)

What happens when the monster gets to be the star? Carrion flips the script by casting you as a horrifying red mass of teeth, tentacles, and rage as you break out of a lab and consume every scientist unlucky enough to cross paths with you.

This “reverse horror” game is stylish, fluid, and wonderfully grotesque. Instead of being hunted, you are the nightmare crawling through vents.

And yes—you get bigger and more horrifying as you eat.

8. Overlord (2007)

If you ever wanted to be Sauron with a sense of humor, Overlord is your calling. You play as a resurrected dark overlord with a small army of mischievous minions ready to burn, smash, steal, and annihilate everything on command.

Despite its cartoonish tone, Overlord nails the fantasy of controlling evil forces. You can play a little evil or completely despicable, and the world reacts accordingly.

The minions’ chaotic energy practically begs you to be terrible.

7. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)

Let’s be honest—almost every GTA protagonist is a villain, but Tommy Vercetti stands out as one of the most unapologetic and magnetic criminals in gaming. Vice City drops you into a neon-drenched 80s crime paradise where you commit robberies, hit jobs, racketeering, and full-on gang warfare.

Tommy doesn’t just break the law—he takes over the city. You’re not a reluctant criminal; you’re actively building a criminal empire.

It’s stylish, iconic, and still one of Rockstar’s finest masterpieces.

6. Manhunt (2003)

If GTA is criminal mischief, Manhunt is full-blown brutality. You play as James Earl Cash, a death-row inmate forced to commit violent executions for a snuff film director.

This game doesn’t try to justify your actions. You’re not a misunderstood anti-hero. You’re doing horrific things—because you’re forced to, but you’re still the one doing them.

It’s controversial, grim, and not for the faint of heart…but it absolutely fits the “play as the bad guy” theme.

5. Prototype (2009)

In Prototype, you are Alex Mercer—essentially a biological superweapon wearing a human shape. You consume people, absorb memories, shapeshift, become a monster, and destroy anything that gets in your way.

Sure, Mercer’s story pretends he’s misunderstood, but by the end of the game, it’s clear: you’re not a hero. You’re a plague. Literally.

Prototype makes being overpowered feel terrifying in the best possible way.

4. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008)

(Sith Route)

Yes, you can play a redeemed version of Starkiller—but the Sith ending is where this game truly shines. If you choose the dark path, Starkiller becomes one of the most dangerous beings in the galaxy, hunting Jedi, crushing enemies, and embracing pure rage.

This is one of the rare Star Wars games that lets you fully commit to being evil, and it’s as awesome as it sounds.

Using Force Lightning to obliterate entire battalions never gets old.

3. Destroy All Humans! (2005)

Few games make being evil this fun. You play as Crypto, a foul-mouthed alien invader sent to harvest human DNA, vaporize cattle, and cause 1950s-style panic in small towns.

Crypto’s weapons include:

  • anal probes
  • disintegration rays
  • telekinetic throws
  • UFO death beams (the best part)

It’s goofy, stupid fun—and your whole mission is to terrify humanity.

2. Infamous (2009)

(Evil Karma Route)

Infamous isn’t technically a villain-only game, but its Evil Karma path absolutely qualifies. Cole McGrath becomes a ruthless demon of electricity, embracing destruction, hurting civilians, and massacring anyone who stands in his way.

What makes Infamous powerful is that the world reacts to your cruelty:

  • people run from you
  • districts fall into chaos
  • even NPCs hiss and boo as you pass

Being evil in Infamous doesn’t just change abilities—it changes the entire atmosphere of the game.

1. Hitman Franchise (Highlighting Hitman: Blood Money)

This spot goes to Agent 47, the most stylish murderer in gaming. No matter how you look at it, you are the bad guy: a genetically engineered contract killer taking out targets for cash.

And Hitman: Blood Money is the pinnacle of the fantasy:

  • disguises
  • stealth kills
  • creative assassinations
  • pushing people off balconies
  • poisoning food
  • staging “accidents”

You are a ghost, a hunter, a silent executioner. And the game rewards you for being as surgical—and wicked—as possible.

Agent 47 is the ultimate villain protagonist, and Blood Money is his masterpiece.

Honorable Mentions

  • Spec Ops: The Line — you’re not the villain at first, but slowly become one
  • Kane & Lynch: Dead Men — two criminals, zero morals
  • Nioh (Certain Routes) — depending on lore interpretation
  • Shadow of the Colossus — debatably villainous due to what you’re doing
  • Post Mortem / Postal — for obvious reasons

Whether you’re consuming helpless scientists as a tentacled horror, conquering cities as a crime boss, or building torture dungeons to crush heroes, these games all do one thing beautifully: they let you embrace your dark side without consequences.

Playing the villain is a rare and oddly liberating experience, and each of these titles explores that power fantasy in a unique way.

If you’re tired of saving the world and want to rule it instead, this list gives you ten perfect places to start.