8 Video Game Heroes Who Turned Evil In The Sequel - Commenters' Edition
6. Richter Belmont - Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night (1997)
The protagonist of 1993's Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and a member of the legendary Belmont family, Richter Belmont is shown in the opening of Symphony of the Night to have defeated Count Dracula in the past and rid the world of a great evil.
When Dracula's son, Alucard, makes his way through the castle, he runs into Richter several times before finally confronting him in the throne room. The man proclaims himself the lord of the castle, and announces his intention of bringing Dracula back to life, as, without him, the Belmonts have no purpose.
If the player isn't in possession of the Holy Glasses, they may fight Richter and end him there and then, triggering an early end of the game. If they are, however, they will notice that Richter is merely being controlled by Dracula's servant, Shaft, with no memory of his actions after snapping out of it.
Unless you've explored the castle inside-out, you may never know Richter Belmont's tragic story, and, like me, mistakingly believe him to have just fallen from grace on your first playthrough.