10 Gaming Villains With The Best Motivations

Following the epic introduction of one of video game's best sequels, Commander Shepard awakens from a two-year slumber to discover his duties as an Alliance Spectre are the least of his concerns.

Resurrected and rebuilt by Cerberus, a human-centred paramilitary group focused entirely on the survival, and eventual betterment, of humanity, Commander Shepard spends the majority of the game at the mercy of an organisation he once believed to be unjust.

Cerberus work outside the parameters of Alliance jurisdiction, and strongly believe that the advancement of humanity is entirely justified, no matter the cost to get there - even if that price is the downfall of other races.

In truth, Cerberus constantly seem to skate a thin line between valiantly looking out for their own kind and straight-up galactic xenophobia. The Illusive Man will manipulate others (including Shepard by luring the Collectors to Horizon) to get what he wants, yet throughout Mass Effect 2's campaign it's hard to think his motivations aren't well-founded. That said, his questionable methods are surely a worry, and the lack of Turians on his Christmas card list is almost certainly concerning.