The 15 Most Deliciously Evil Gaming Villains of 2016

Spoiler Warning

So, fair warning before we get into this: you're going to be spoiled. If you haven't played any of the big games of the year, you shouldn't read this, or you're gonna learn some things that you probably didn't want to know.

SIVA (Destiny: Rise of Iron)

Originally intended as a force for good during the Golden Age, SIVA later went the way of all future tech and became a deadly virus. Taking control of the Fallen gives it new life and serves as both the ultimate test for the Guardian and a last shot at redemption for Lord Saladin. The constant presence of red definitely gives it that sickly feel and is downright unnerving in the Iron Tomb.

Everyone (Civilization VI)

Let's be real here: everyone is a villain in Civilization VI. No one's on your side, and anyone you try to form an allegiance with will just completely dick you over at some point. Gandhi, Cleo, even Roosevelt, they're all just complete jerks.

The Aether Foundation (Pokemon Sun and Moon)

It's a well known fact that any company that dresses in all-white has diabolical plans afoot, and the same holds true with Pokemon's Aether Foundation. Despite their claims of helping Pokemon and keeping them safe from Team Skull, they're no angels themselves, right down to their artificial island. If Jurassic World has taught us anything, it's that you don't trust scientists. At all.

Advent Foundation (XCOM 2)

The megacorporation has silenced the efforts of the previous XCOM group from two decades ago and rules over the planet under the guise of benevolence. But their co-opting of humans to turn them into troopers and use of propaganda means that they're slowly making you compliant and willing to do whatever they say, you sheeple.

The Nameless King (Dark Souls III)

Despite being an optional boss in Dark Souls 3, and one of the hardest, he absolutely deserves to go up against the Ashen One. It's hard to build an armor set against him, which requires switching up how you play the game completely, something fans definitely appreciate. And his lore as a dragon killing war god turned traitor against his family makes him weirdly compelling, even as you go up against his own dragon.

Ardyn Izunia (Final Fantasy XV)

At first, it seems like the Chancellor of Niflheim has the best of intentions for Noctis and friends, but that couldn't be any farther from the truth. As the game progresses and his personality shifts to something more sinister and aggressive, it becomes clear that he's more than just "someone of no consequence."

Grim Alex (Dishonored 2)

She may not be a bad guy for much of the game, but the alter ego of Alexandria Hypatia stands out for her tragic story and sudden turn. Patrolling around the mental hospital is creepy enough with all the bloodflies, but her transforming and skulking about adds a new layer of tension as you travel through the asylum in search of a cure. Or maybe you snap her head off and make sure she can never sully your good name ever again. Either/or.

Ull (Far Cry Primal)

In a time where beasts ruled the earth, Primal's Ull is the worst beast of them all. The War Chief of the Udam wants nothing more than to ensure the survival of his people, which is noble, but being a cannibal who attacks an already suffering tribe? Yeah, that's not cool, man.

Dusan Nemec (Watch Dogs 2)

Watch Dogs 2's writing is incredibly on the nose, and nowhere is that more apparent than its villain having a name that literally calls him a douche. Nemec is that kind of villain where you want to punch him the moment he shows up on screen, and it never felt more satisfying to watch Marcus deck him.

The Snatcher (Gears of War 4)

Okay, so maybe the Snatchers aren't the most constant villains in Gears of War 4, but that doesn't change the fact that they're some a-holes. They kidnap anything in their path with crazy speed, and when they get you, it's a frantic rush to get your friends to save you from the ugly bastards.

Samuel Hayden (Doom)

Despite helping you out for a majority of the game, the UAC official turned robot doesn't have the Marine's best interests at heart. All he cares about is his work about Hell and protecting it at any cost, and that means you're just an asset to him. Plus, if that weren't obvious, just listen to his voice. No way he's a good guy when he sounds like Darth Vader's American cousin.

Sal Marcano (Mafia III)

Not all villains have to get their hands dirty, and Marcano proves it. Just by having his son kick the plot off by shooting Lincoln Clay in the head, Marcano becomes instantly hateable, sending anyone he can think of to control New Bordeaux and send to finish the job his son couldn't. He's a guy you look at and go, "I really wanna kill you," and it's so satisfying when you do.

Nadine Ross (Uncharted 4)

The Uncharted series can be hit and miss on villains, but Nadine is one of the best. She makes for a more interesting baddie than Rafe, and the fact that she manages to beat the crap out of both Nate and Sam single handedly certainly doesn't hurt things.

Horses (Battlefield 1)

Look, let's be real here: horses are evil in Battlefield 1. They're constantly showing up to wreck your day in the single player with a rider ready to kill you out of nowhere, and in the multiplayer, that's amplified to the max. As a kid, they were cute and adorable, but video games just go to show that the thing you love will always destroy you.

Reaper (Overwatch)

There's some tragedy in the backstory of the man who used to be Gabriel Reyes, to be sure, but he's also a bad guy. Killing old Overwatch agents and participating in acts of terrorism is bad, and his creepy spectral form makes it downright unnerving to be around him.