BEST VILLAIN
Previous Winners
2016: Lusamine (Pokémon Sun and Moon)
2017: Jin (Xenoblade Chronicles 2)
2018: Baldur (God of War)
What is any proper game without a menacing villain? The types of villain can range the gamut from surprising to monstrous to completely irredeemable, with a lot of gray in between. But for Best Villain, our site had a challenging time narrowing it down. It’s an interesting group of baddies this time around, and just to be hip, we have two women! Okay that last part is a bad joke on my part, but honestly some of the best villains have been from the fairer sex, just look at Lusamine for our 2016 awards. This time, we have two beauties versus one hell of a beast.
Edelgard (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)
NA Release Date: July 26th, 2019
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Review
At first, you’d be forgiven for thinking Edelgard doesn’t much appear like a villain. Sure, she has some hard edges, but she’s also smart, loyal and occasionally kind. The problem is, she’s also the survivor of a lot of hidden pain and suffering, and that has done nothing but temper her strengths into horrifying new shapes. Her utter determination to accomplish her goals take this princess of the Adrestian Empire down a very dark and twisted path, and if you foolishly work at cross purposes from her, she’ll do everything in her power to annihilate you. Definitely one of the more tragic characters from the Fire Emblem series, and an obvious choice for Best Villain.
Mr. X (Resident Evil 2)
NA Release Date: January 25th, 2019
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Review
Now THIS is the sort of face I have in mind when I think about Best Villain! Mr. X has always been a horrifying creature in the Resident Evil series, and he only got worse when they remade Resident Evil 2. A hulking mass of hideous strength hidden behind a coat and fedora, Mr. X is a relentless killing machine. You’d do best to avoid him, but like any horror monster, he just keeps coming and coming. The question is, was his terrifying brute force and unchained rage enough to grab him the crown for Best Villain?
Rhea (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)
NA Release Date: July 26th, 2019
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Review
I know what you’re thinking – that isn’t the face of a monster. And it’s true, at first Rhea seems like one of the good guys. After all, she’s the Archbishop and leader of the Church of Seiros. She’s completely governed by the principles of the Church, and will do everything she can to help her flock. The problem only comes up when you’re in opposition to her or her faith. Then Rhea shows her dark side, and her willingness to label any who work against her as heretics, and has them treated accordingly. Though I have yet to confirm this in my playthroughs of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, I always sensed an evil lurking just behind Rhea’s compassionate facade. Something wicked and sinister. Which is why Rhea is one of the contenders for Best Villain, but is she truly the worst of the worst?
And the most monstrous Villain is…
All hail Empress Edelgard!
Edelgard’s iron will and utter lack of mercy earned her the top spot as oprainfall’s Best Villain of 2019! Sure, she starts out as a kind and good young woman, but is transformed by circumstance and ideology into a true monster. She embodies all the worst aspects of monarchy in one petite package, and you’d better watch out for her slashing axes and battalions of troops. Yet another reason Fire Emblem: Three Houses is so beloved by our writers this year.
