10 Video Games Where You Play As The Villain

Intended to be the final game in the Batman: Arkham series, 2015’s Arkham Knight had plenty of tricks up its sleeve to make it feel like the biggest and boldest entry to date.

Whilst the Arkham games are about Batman first and foremost of course, like with most media about the hero, The Joker had been a massive part of the series. The key antagonist for the first two games; even the prequel had specifically explored his rise to significance. After his death, he still had an impact on the Arkham world by clouding Bruce Wayne’s vision with hallucinations.

In the Arkham Knight’s final moments, Batman and Joker vie for control of Bruce’s mind and for a moment players take control of Joker inside of Batman's head. In a surprising shift to first person, and armed with a gun, we are treated to a truly interesting and poignant take on the codependent relationship of the Caped Crusader and the Clown Prince of Crime. As Joker, players are hunted by Batman in something more akin to a horror game than anything else.

It was a brilliant way to end things with both of these characters and their history throughout the Arkham games, by allowing us to see through the eyes of the villain who had been at the forefront of it all.