10 Awesome Video Game Villains That Only Appeared ONCE
9. Darth Malak - Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Though few Star Wars villains can match Darth Vader's complexity and badassery, Darth Malak comes pretty close. Serving as the central antagonist of Knights of the Old Republic, the former apprentice of the malevolent Darth Revan is initially depicted as a one-dimensional baddie.
Over time, it's evident that Malak is so much more than he seems. Around the halfway point, the diabolical Sith divulges how he tried to take Revan's, causing his master to lose all memories. After that, Malak reveals the protagonist is Revan, which they were oblivious to up until this moment.
In that moment, our "hero" realises they are responsible for molding Malak into what he is, instantly making the diabolical force-wielder far more compelling.
After the penny drops, Revan has more motivation to stop Malak than ever, since they must be redeemed for unleashing this great evil upon the cosmos. Alternatively, players can allow Malak to manipulate Revan back to the Dark Side, plunging the galaxy into a new era of chaos.
Though KOTOR is superb from start-to-finish, nothing packs the same wallop as the moment when Darth Malak's past is finally unveiled.