Summary
Over its 25-year history,Rockstar Gameshas been behind some of the greatest games in the entire industry. Founded as a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive after the acquisition of BMG Entertainment, Rockstar has been one of the most consistent developers in the business. Andamong their high-end catalogof crime thrillers and open-world masterpieces, they have also crafted some absolutely outstanding villains for their anti-heroes to go up against.
From the searing, satirical critique of pop culture inGrand Theft Auto, all the way to its harrowing examination of the Old West inRed Dead Redemption,Rockstarhas made a point of defining their incredible roster of villains in an ideal way. Rockstar’s villains tend to be inherently tied to the era they are exploring, often feeling like a physical representation of all the ills and foibles that plague the time they exist in. It’s why so many of their games have not just one great villain, but multiple antagonists all at once.
Set ina post-World War 2 America,LA Noireused absolutely incredible face-scanning technology in order to deliver stunning motion-captured performances, creating a cast of characters that felt remarkably alive. And the villains of LA Noire were able to take advantage of that in some great ways, as the impressive MotionScan technology allowed all of their antagonistic motivations to shine through.
The corrupt ex-partner of Cole Phelps, Roy Earle, leads the charge alongside a dastardly real estate tycoon named Leland Monroe, real-life gangster Mickey Cohen, and a high-ranking member of a criminal syndicate known as the Suburban Redevelopment Fund. Bound by the hubris of money, power, and corruption, the villains ofLA Noireare sinister manifestations of the era’s emphasis on greed and excess.
After the massively successful launch ofGrand Theft Auto 3in 2001, Rockstar turned what started as a mission pack for that game into a full-fledged release. Taking the action outside of Liberty City, Rockstar set the next game inthe blistering heat of Miamiand created a magnificent open-world crime thriller rampant with crazed drug dealers and greedy oil tycoons. It worked out well, asGrand Theft Auto: Vice Cityboasted a stunning collection of outstanding villains.
Taking the lead in this parade of antagonists has to be Lance Vance, whose complicated relationship with Tommy Vercetti leads to a splinter within his group and pits the two against each other. Add in the crazed drug kingpin Ricardo Diaz and Tommy’s former boss, the charismatic Sonny Forelli, and you have a brilliant collection of bad guys in a game already packed with phenomenal characters.
Manhunttakes place in a nightmarish location known as Carcer City, which was first mentionedon a radio station inGTA 3. In this haunting exploration of humanity’s darkest impulses, a man named James Earl Cash is taken by a nefarious man known as The Director and told that his freedom hinges on executing the gangs that patrol Carcer City. Falsely convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, Cash is all alone against not only The Director but the seemingly unlimited number of gang members.
The Director, a deranged man named Lionel Starkweather, is a fantastic antagonist who taunts the player from afar. Meanwhile, the gangs holding Carcer City under their control include the Smileys, the Hoods, and the Skinz, each of them with their own unique look and feel.Manhuntalso features one of the most twisted villains of all time in the form of Piggsy, a mass murderer who wears a pig mask and is absolutely frightening.
Although ithad a rather dubious startas an arcade-style shooter on the PS2, Rockstar acquired developer Angel Studios and the IP in 2002. Not wanting to let the exciting prospect of a Western video game franchise go to waste, Rockstar put a sequel into production and produced one of the finest open-world titles ever made withRed Dead Redemption. Along with its emphasis on charming heroes who felt like they stepped out of a Western film, they put maximum effort into making sure that the villains were just as compelling.
The remains of the Van der Linde gang, the rowdy group that protagonist John Marston used to run with, play the central antagonistic figures in this Wild West revenge story. Dutch is a hollow shell of the confident leader we see inRDR2, while the extravagant Bill Williamson retains his blustering arrogance. Edgar Ross plays a major role in John Marston’s downfall, as well, as abducting his family in order to put the rest of the Van der Linde gang six feet under.
Rockstar has never been afraid of controversy, often leaning into it and using it as a way to fuel their creativity. And it’s safe to say thatBullywas not immune to that controversy, asthis classic open-world gamefrom 2006 focused on the exploits of Jimmy Hopkins and his adventures at the fictional Bullworth Academy, where he encounters a wide array of students and staff. All of them test Jimmy in different ways.
Students like Gary Smith, Russel Northrop, and Derby Harrington are great foils for Jimmy. They run the gamut of bullying and peer pressure, either targeting Jimmy directly or putting him in a position to save someone else. Meanwhile, the staff of Bullworth are just as fascinating as characters like Dr. Crabblesnitch and Miss Danvers use power and control in order to gain the upper hand on Jimmy. This diverse roster of unique villains is still just as compelling today, asBullyis readily available on modern platforms.
Taking inspiration from films likeBoyz in the HoodandMenace 2 Society,San Andreasexplored the concepts of police brutality, racism, and corruption in America. And it did so in a brilliant way, by presenting a cabal of villains that put a spotlight on the seedy underbelly of gang warfare. Led by the sadistic police officer, Frank Tenpenny, the villains ofSan Andreasfeel like they are ripped straight from the films and real-life events that inspired them. Tenpenny is a heartless, cruel man who seems to revel in making CJ’s life miserable. Other cops like Eddie Pulaski also fill this role well, acting as competent secondary villains.
But while CJ is dealing with external forces attempting to stop him, some ofSan Andreas’most iconic villains come from within. Big Smoke’s transition from trusted friend to arch-rival hits incredibly hard, as his involvement with the death of CJ’s mother along with Ryder formsthe entirety ofSan Andreas’fabulous climax. The villains of this classic game are great not only because of their intricate stories but their direct connections with the lead character.
