Superhero games allow players to take on the role of beloved characters with extraordinary abilities and use them to save the world or fight against evil. These games often feature fast-paced action, epic battles, and morality systems that allow players to make decisions that affect the game's outcome. Examples of popular superhero games include the "Spider-Man" series, "Marvel Avengers,” etc.
On the other hand, anti-hero games offer a different type of experience, allowing players to control superheroes who are not traditional but rather complex, flawed individuals. These games often focus on the darker aspects of human nature and may feature violence, moral ambiguity, and tough choices. Here's a look at a few anti-hero games that do not feature iconic superheroes.
10 Assassin's Creed
Assassin's Creed is a popular action-adventure video game franchise that follows the story of the centuries-old struggle between the Assassins and the Templars. The first game in the series, set in the Third Crusade, features Altair as the main protagonist. Altair is an anti-hero, a complex character who is both a killer and a hero.
A strong sense of justice drives him, but his methods are often brutal and ruthless. Despite this, players can't help but root for him as they navigate through the game's open world, performing assassination missions and solving puzzles. Altair's inner turmoil, combined with his badass fighting skills and stealth abilities, make him a truly memorable and captivating character.
9 Wanted: Weapons of Fate
Wanted: Weapons of Fate is a video game based on a movie of the same name. It follows the story of Wesley Gibson, a mild-mannered account who discovers he is the son of a legendary assassin and is drawn into the world of the Fraternity, a secret society of assassins. Wesley's transformation from a timid office worker to a confident assassin makes him a great anti-hero, as he balances his inner turmoil with his newfound power and deadly skills.
Despite his initial reluctance, he embraces his destiny and becomes a force to be reckoned with, using his wit, agility, and marksmanship to take down his enemies. The game combines fast-paced action and tactical shooting, allowing players to experience the thrill of being an unstoppable assassin, making Wesley Gibson a beloved character among fans of the franchise.
8 Guardians Of The Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy is a popular action-adventure video game that follows the journey of Star-Lord, a great anti-hero without any superpowers. He is a charismatic leader and a skilled pilot known for his quick wit and humorous personality. Despite his lack of supernatural abilities, Star-Lord is an expert in hand-to-hand combat and is equipped with an array of high-tech weapons and gadgets that he uses to defend the galaxy from various threats.
Star-Lord is joined by a team of misfits, each with unique skills and abilities, and together they embark on a series of thrilling missions and battles. Star-Lord's bravery, humor, and resourcefulness make him a fan-favorite character and a standout hero in the Guardians of the Galaxy universe.
7 Hotline Miami
Hotline Miami is a top-down shooter video game released in 2012. It features fast-paced, ultraviolent gameplay combined with a stylish and neon-lit 80s aesthetic. In the game, players control a mysterious anti-hero tasked with completing violent missions given to him via cryptic phone calls.
Hotline Miami's challenge is punishing difficulty, where one mistake can lead to instant death. The story of Hotline Miami is thought-provoking, as it explores themes of violence, identity, and psychological turmoil. The game's strong anti-hero protagonist and the brutal and surreal world make Hotline Miami a standout experience.
6 Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry is an action-adventure hack-and-slash video game series. Dante, the main protagonist, is a demon hunter who is a part of a long line of demon hunters known as the Sparda family. He is known for his cocky and sarcastic demeanor, as well as his mastery of firearms and sword fighting.
Dante's character is a great anti-hero, driven by personal demons and a thirst for vengeance, yet possesses a strong moral code and fights for justice. Dante’s unique blend of wit, skill, and compassion makes him one of the most beloved characters in video game history.
5 Witcher 3
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an action role-playing game set in a rich open world filled with political intrigue, mythical creatures, and ancient legends. The protagonist, Geralt of Rivia, is a monster hunter who is often hired to solve complex problems.
Despite his fearsome reputation and exceptional combat skills, Geralt is not a typical hero. He is a morally ambiguous character with a troubled past and a gruff demeanor. He struggles with his own demons and often finds himself at odds with the people he is trying to help.
4 Duke Nukem
Duke Nukem is a legendary first-person shooter character who first appeared in 1991. Duke is a quintessential anti-hero, a tough-as-nails action hero who never backs down from a fight. He's quick with one-liners and never afraid to get his hands dirty.
Duke's irreverent attitude, combined with his macho swagger, make him a fan-favorite character. He's a symbol of the 1990s, a time when first-person shooters were starting to come into their own and when action movies were at the peak of their popularity.
3 God of War
God of War is an action-adventure video game series that follows the journey of the character Kratos, a former Greek God of War. Kratos is known for his brutal, relentless fighting style and desires for vengeance against the gods who have wronged him. Despite his violent actions, Kratos is a complex and flawed character who elicits sympathy from players due to his tragic past and personal struggles.
He is considered a great anti-hero because of his morally ambiguous nature, as well as his humanizing character development throughout the series. Kratos' story is one of redemption, and his evolution from a wrathful deity to a more compassionate and understanding person makes him a compelling protagonist.
2 Hitman
Hitman is a popular action-adventure stealth video game franchise that features the elusive and skilled assassin Agent 47. Known for his barcode tattoo and signature suit, Agent 47 is considered one of the greatest anti-heroes in video game history. Despite his lethal profession, players can't help but root for him as he navigates through missions with a cool and collected demeanor.
Agent 47's exceptional skills, cunning intellect, and deadly precision have made him a fan favorite. The game's storyline, combined with its open-ended gameplay, allows players to approach each mission uniquely, further adding to the appeal of the anti-heroic assassin.
1 Mass Effect
Mass Effect is a science fiction action role-playing video game series developed by BioWare. The protagonist, Commander Shepard, is a great anti-hero, embodying the complexities and contradictions that define humanity. Throughout the series, Shepard must make difficult choices in a universe filled with danger and uncertainty, and their actions determine the fate of entire civilizations.
Despite being a military leader, Shepard is a flawed individual, capable of both selflessness and selfishness, and this makes them a relatable and compelling character. Whether the players make Paragon (good) or Renegade (bad) Shepard, their choices shape the story's outcome, making Mass Effect a unique and thrilling experience for players.