Final Fantasy: 25 Greatest Villains 

Final Fantasy IX is cited by many diehard fans of the series as their favourite entry. Returning back to a medieval fantasy theme after two games with futuristic sci-fi elements, it put off more than a few with its graphical style, but those who committed to it were rewarded with a gameplay experience that was almost endlessly enjoyable from beginning to end.

The villain of the piece, Kuja, is masterfully written. He rarely appears across the first two discs, but his brief appearances, such as his examination of the party after they are downed by Beatrix in Burmecia, craft a mysterious aura around his theatrical persona.

As his motivations and brotherly relationship to Zidane become more apparent, Kuja becomes a much deeper character, with defining moments like his manipulation and ultimate murder of Garnet’s adoptive mother Brahne, his creation and abandonment of Vivi’s fellow black mages, his turning on his creator Garland and his destruction of Terra all striking moments in a game packed to the rafters with them.

These are all topped by the iconic Bahamut vs. Alexander fight, with Kuja controlling the former after previously shrugging off an attack from the King of Dragons. His destruction of Alexandria fuels the fire for his ultimate demise, with every character having a meaningful reason to take a stand against him.

Ignoring the eleventh hour reveal of Necron, Kuja is a near perfect villain. Complex and inspiring both hatred and sympathy, he epitomises the best of Final Fantasy.