10 Video Game Villain Plot Holes EVERYONE Missed

What were these baddies trying to accomplish?

resident evil 4 saddler
Capcom

It's not just graphics in video games that have evolved over the years, but the story. In another time, narratives never got more complex than moving from A to B. But while looking at Skyrim or Mass Effect, the saga isn't just comprehensive, but overwhelming at times.

However, inconsistencies start to arise once a plot becomes too complex. And since a villain tends to kickstart the hero's adventure, many plot holes fall on their shoulders.

Now, we have to cut these baddies some slack. Even though their master plans usually don't make sense, that's often due to the limitations to how a story unfolds in the video game medium. (How many times have we seen these evildoers not kill the hero when they had the chance?)

But there are some plot holes that are so flagrant, they can't be ignored. When villains forget about their own super-weapons, help the good guys, or perform actions detrimental to their goal, gamers wonder if they're trying to sabotage themselves.

Although these monsters, terrorists, mad scientists, and deities are meant to be super-geniuses, their illogical schemes made them look pretty dumb.

10. Onaga's Army - Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance + Mortal Kombat: Deception

resident evil 4 saddler
Midway Games

Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance opens with Quan Chi discovering the skeletal army of Onaga the Dragon King. The KISS-inspired sorcerer allies with Shang Tsung, knowing he can use his soul-transferring powers to resurrect the Onaga's minions.

When Raiden gets wind of this, he alerts Earthrealm's champions, telling them they must stop the two insidious warlocks at once. Although the details behind the undead army are vague, Raiden emphasises they are unstoppable.

But in Mortal Kombat: Deception's opening, Raiden manages to... stop them. Weirder still, the thunder god has no trouble vanquishing the revenant warriors. So, why was Raiden worried about the malevolent horde, if he could obliterate them with a single energy blast?

If the army were this easy to dispose of, why did Shang Tsung and Quan Chi need them so badly? They already have thousands of Tarkatans, Zaterrans, and Outworlders at their command. How is a bunch of zombie samurais gonna help the devious duo take over, not just a world, but the entire multiverse?

This inconsistency is more apparent in hindsight, since Onaga's foot-soldiers haven't been seen or mentioned in 20 years, even though Shang Tsung and Quan Chi once regarded them as the ultimate weapon.

Contributor

James Egan has been with Whatculture for five years and prominently works on Horror, Film, and Video Games. He's written over 80 books including 1000 Facts about Horror Movies Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about The Greatest Films Ever Made Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Video Games Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts About James Bond 1000 Facts About TV Shows