10 JRPGs That Let You Play as the Villain
There is no denying that JRPGs are famous for their iconic villains. Sometimes, the white knight trope gets stale, and you just want to submit the world to your rule or terrorize a group of naive heroes. If you are looking to embrace your inner antagonist, here are 10 JRPGs that let you play as the villain.
10 JRPGs Where You Can Embrace Your Dark Side
- Live A Live (2023): In the King of Demons chapter, you play as Oersted. After a series of tragic betrayals, he is corrupted and transforms into Odio, the Demon King and the game's primary antagonist.
- Tactics Ogre: Reborn (2022): While you start as a rebel, the game's "Law Route" allows you to commit war crimes and act as a morally grey villain in a civil war.
- Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest (2015): You play as Corrin, a war-conquering aggressor. While the story struggles to lean fully into her villainy, she acts as a monster to the kingdoms she invades.
- Soul Nomad & The World Eaters (2007): By taking the "Demon Path," your character Revya can devour the demon Gig to become "The Devourlord," committing atrocities across the world.
- Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (2003): You play as Laharl, a narcissistic demon king seeking to re-establish a ring of terror over the Netherworld.
- Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne (2004): One of the game's endings sees you allying with Lucifer to destroy God’s world and enslave humanity under demon rule.
- Chrono Cross (2000): Mid-game body-swapping mechanics force you to inhabit the body of the villain, Lynx, for a significant portion of your playthrough.
- Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince (2023): This spin-off explores the backstory of Psaro, detailing his descent into a villain who seeks to destroy all of humanity.
- Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (2003): As Marche, you effectively destroy a fantasy world and the happiness of your friends to force them back into a harsh reality, making you the villain of the story.
- Tales of Berseria (2017): You play as Velvet Crowe, a demon-like Therion driven by revenge. For the first half of the game, you openly embrace your role as a villain to the outside world.
Whether you are looking for a true "evil" ending or a character arc centered on vengeance, these titles offer a refreshing break from the traditional heroic journey.