Games That Let You Play as the Villain in Fantasy Worlds

4 September 2025

Let’s face it, sometimes being the good guy can feel a bit… predictable. Swing your sword, save the day, rescue the princess—you get the picture. But what if I told you there’s a whole treasure trove of games where you don’t have to play the goody-two-shoes hero? Instead, you get to embrace your dark side and conquer the world—or burn it to ashes. Sounds intriguing, right?

In this article, we're diving straight into fantasy worlds where morality takes a back seat, and villainy takes the wheel. So, whether you’re ruling over minions, making morally questionable decisions, or just getting drunk on power, these games are here to scratch that devilish itch.

Why Playing as the Villain Feels So Satisfying

Before we jump into the games, let’s talk about why being bad is so good. Playing the villain lets you break the rules without consequence. It’s that guilty pleasure of thinking, "What if I could just take over this kingdom instead of saving it?"

In real life, most of us follow the straight and narrow, but in gaming? All bets are off. Playing the villain means power, control, and often, complete chaos. It’s like getting to drive the Ferrari of life without worrying about traffic laws.

And let’s not forget: villains often have some of the coolest storylines. Heroes might save the day, but villains shape the world in their image. Now, let’s look at some games that let you revel in your inner evil.

1. Overlord Series

If playing as an evil overlord with an army of mischievous minions sounds like a good time, then Overlord and its sequels should be at the top of your list. In this game, you’re literally called the "Overlord." Subtle, right?

You control hordes of minions (think chaotic, goblin-esque creatures) to do your dirty work—pillaging, destroying villages, and terrorizing the locals. You’ll get to decide which path of evil you want to walk, whether it’s "slightly bad" or "outright monstrous." And the best part? The game's humor takes the edge off your villainy, making it wildly entertaining.

Key Villain Appeal: You’re a straight-up tyrant, sitting on a dark throne, commanding armies. It’s peak villain fantasy.

2. Fable Series (When You Choose Evil)

Ah, Fable. This franchise is iconic for letting you shape your character’s destiny through your choices. And sure, you could be the radiant hero Albion needs, but where’s the fun in that? Why not become the horned tyrant everyone fears?

Every decision you make—be it stealing, killing, or betraying—pushes you closer to the dark side. Your appearance even changes to reflect your villainous deeds, with glowing red eyes and devilish horns to boot. Basically, you end up looking like a villain straight out of a fantasy horror movie.

Key Villain Appeal: Your choices matter, and your evilness literally transforms you into a walking nightmare.

3. Dungeon Keeper

Do you have what it takes to build an empire of darkness? In Dungeon Keeper, you step into the shoes (or claws) of an evil dungeon lord. Your mission? Create the ultimate lair of evil, filled with traps, monsters, and everything a villain would need to keep pesky heroes out.

The game flips the classic fantasy script on its head. Instead of dungeon crawling as a hero, you’re the one designing the labyrinth for heroes to fail miserably in. Plus, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as watching a hero fall victim to your well-laid traps.

Key Villain Appeal: You’re not just a villain—you’re an architect of evil genius.

4. Black & White

Playing god has never been so morally ambiguous. In Black & White, you’re a deity who rules over a population, and your actions determine whether you’re a benevolent god… or a terrifying one.

You can choose to bless your people and guide them gently, or unleash your wrath, demanding worship through fear and destruction. There’s something darkly satisfying about hurling villagers into the ocean because they didn’t offer you enough tribute.

Key Villain Appeal: You’re essentially a god. What could be more villainous than having the power to smite anyone who annoys you?

5. Evil Genius

Want to live out your supervillain dream in a secret lair? Evil Genius combines strategy and base-building with full-on diabolical fun. You play as (you guessed it) an evil genius, plotting world domination. It’s like James Bond, but instead of being the suave spy, you’re the mastermind hatching the evil plans.

You’ll design traps, recruit henchmen, and send your minions on missions to spread chaos. It’s all wrapped up in a campy, humorous tone that makes being evil ridiculously fun.

Key Villain Appeal: You’re literally trying to take over the world. Enough said.

6. Dark Brotherhood Questline (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)

Okay, technically Skyrim doesn’t let you play as a full-fledged villain for the entire game, but hear me out. Join the Dark Brotherhood—a shadowy guild of assassins—and you’ll get your fill of morally questionable tasks.

From cold-blooded murder to scheming contracts, this questline revels in the darker side of Skyrim. And the cherry on top? You even assassinate an emperor. If that doesn’t scream "villain," I don’t know what does.

Key Villain Appeal: You’re playing as a ruthless assassin, working your way through one of the most sinister storylines in gaming.

7. Tyranny

Here’s one for fans of deep RPG storytelling. In Tyranny, the world has already been conquered—not by you, but by a tyrannical overlord known as Kyros. You play as one of Kyros’s enforcers, carrying out their will and deciding how to maintain the harsh regime.

What makes Tyranny unique is its moral complexity. You can choose to be a pragmatic enforcer or an outright monster, and the choices you make ripple through the story in major ways. It’s a brilliant take on what it means to be part of an evil empire.

Key Villain Appeal: You’re not just a villain; you’re part of a larger, truly oppressive system. And you get to decide how far you’ll go.

8. Undertale (Genocide Route)

Undertale may look like a cute, quirky RPG, but it’s hiding some seriously dark secrets. If you choose the Genocide Route, you systematically hunt and kill every character in the game. It’s not just evil—it’s utterly heartbreaking.

What’s unique here is how the game reacts to your choices. Characters call you out, the world changes, and by the end, you’re left questioning your own actions. It’s a rare game that makes you feel the consequences of your villainy.

Key Villain Appeal: The emotional weight of your actions makes this one unforgettable.

9. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor/Shadow of War

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to wield Sauron-like power in Middle-earth, these games are for you. While you’re technically hunting down orcs, you’re also enslaving them with your mind. It’s dark, twisted, and entirely addicting.

The Nemesis system adds an extra layer of villainy. You can dominate enemy captains, making them betray their allies or even fight for you. It’s like playing a chess match where you control half the board.

Key Villain Appeal: You’re essentially assembling your own army of mind-controlled soldiers. Villain points = 1,000.

Why These Games Stand Out

What all these games have in common is their ability to make villainy fun, engaging, and sometimes even thought-provoking. Whether it’s commanding legions, building dungeons, or making morally grey decisions, these titles let you explore sides of yourself that you’d never touch in real life.

And honestly? Sometimes it’s good to be bad. Just remember—it’s still just a game. Maybe don’t try world domination at home, okay?