15 Disturbing Video Game Achievements You Should Be Ashamed Of

The Xbox 360 was an excellent machine; powerful, versatile, reliable (well... mostly), Microsoft’s console revolutionised gaming upon its release in 2005. But for everything the console got right, its implementation of Achievements is probably considered the biggest crowning glory.

There’s something about hitting a certain milestone, hearing that distinctive tone and being filled with a deep sense of satisfaction with yourself. Achievements don’t really do anything practical, but they don't have to - they just feel so good, for whatever reason (maybe that little noise?). However, the feeling is so intoxicating that players will do just about everything to get them. Things they’re probably not proud of, come to think of it.

Every player has their own regrettable achievements, the most terrible acts they’ve performed in games that they’d never be willing to admit in public, but which they'll wear proudly on their gamercard. Although most players aren’t sadistic at heart, they’ll do just about anything to get each and every trophy in a game - even if that means going out of their way to do something unspeakably heinous in the process.

Whether it’s over the top acts of violence, the killing of cute, innocent animals or just leering at NPCs passing by, there are some video game achievements that everyone has unlocked, but would prefer to never have them mentioned if you happen to be scrolling through their Gamerscore...

In fairness to this achievement, in the Overlord games the entire point of the title is to go around spreading cartoon evil and doing dastardly things to undeserving people. So although most of the game indulges in funny little acts of over the top evil, it's all fair game. After all, the title itself puts you in control of a ruthless comic book bad guy. But even then, the second entry into the series’ achievement for killing 100 baby seals is just inexcusable.

Although the entire game has you spreading your evil minions over every level of the title’s map, when you encounter a troop of baby seals, you don’t have to be the bearer of their extinction - it's only a side quest. Even the worst fictional bad guys like Darth Vader had a human side, and probably wouldn’t ever even consider murdering a bunch of harmless seals, virtual or not.

So while this achievement is gained from just “doing your job” as the game’s muahaha'ing villain, that doesn’t mean it excuses you from the guilt you should so rightly feel afterwards.