Imagine this: somewhere out there lives a good lad or lass. Through a set of epic adventures, our hero defeats the baddies and the big Evil, gets their glory, wins over the girl (or the boy) and saves their city/country/planet/galaxy in the process. A classic story, right? One quite represented in games, books, movies and other media for consumption. But also… kind of boring. How about a role reversal? Say, our lad or lass loses to the big Evil despite their best efforts or decides to join it! Or maybe has been a loyal follower or even evil reincarnate from the very beginning! How’s that for a twist?
Check out our list of 15+ PC games where evil might have lost a battle but won the war. Coincidentally, evil has a bigger chance to win if you have been a baddie since the beginning!
Beware, the very fact of being on this list could be a potential spoiler for some of the games below! A number of titles from the list offer the “bad side winning” as the only choice, while others would require some specific actions by the player to unlock that option or feature this possibility as one of multiple endings.
Diablo
Blizzard’s legendary ARPG series invites players to take on a role of a brave hero to save Sanctuary, a world ravaged by the eternal conflict between angels and demons.
From the Tristram Cathedral to snowy peaks of mount Arreat to the shining halls of Heaven, take fight to the demonic and undead hordes. But remember… Evil is always one step ahead.
Tyranny
Tyranny is a story-driven cRPG by Obsidian. In the world of Tyranny, Terratus, evil has already won. Kyros the Overlord has the entire world under their thumb – except for a single region known as the Tiers that still manages to struggle. As a Fatebinder in the Overlord’s army, you wield a vast amount of power in the occupied lands of the Tiers.
However, never forget that the true power belongs to Kyros, and even if you rise the Tiers to rebel against the Overlord, it is but a single dot of opposition in already subjugated world.
Divinity: Ego Draconis
Creation of Larian Studios, Divinity: Ego Draconis is a third-person RPG that takes you to Rivellon in the role of a fledgling Dragon Hunter who runs into the last of Dragon Knights by the will of fate.
The game lets you in on an ancient secret, allowing your character to inherit the dragon powers, spread your wings and take to the skies to save Rivellon from Damian… or so it seems.
Dead Space 3 – Awakened
In Dead Space 3, journey across space to the icy planet of Tau Volantis with Isaac Clarke and Sgt. John Carver to discover and destroy the source of the Necromorph outbreak on your mission to save mankind from the impending apocalypse.
Awakened is a story-driven DLC to the game, showing the events that happened after the ending of Dead Space 3. As madness takes hold, they will find they can’t trust their eyes or each other. The trek leads to the ship Terra Nova, now home to a sadistic cult of Unitologists. The horror continues as the Dead Space saga enters its darkest chapter.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
XCOM: Enemy Unknown will place you in control of a secret paramilitary organization called XCOM. As the XCOM commander, you will defend against a terrifying global alien invasion by managing resources, advancing technologies, and overseeing combat strategies and individual unit tactics.
You will control the fate of the human race through researching alien technologies, creating and managing a fully operational base, planning combat missions and controlling soldier movement in battle.
But will it be enough to stop the alien invasion? Check XCOM 2 to find out!
Fable
For every choice, there is a consequence. Forge a hero based on your actions: age and evolve a hero or villain through the actions you choose and the path you follow-be it for good, evil, or in-between.
Build your living legend: Through deeds and actions, build a name for yourself across the land. Recruit allies and followers. Gain glory or notoriety. Who will you be?
While in the Albion mood, check out the announcement of Fable 2020!
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
Set in the Might & Magic world of Ashan, Dark Messiah of Might & Magic is a first-person RPG by Ubisoft. Players can experience ferocious combat in a dark and immersive fantasy environment. Swords, Stealth, Sorcery. Choose your way to kill.
Your decisions will also affect the outcome of your tale. What kind of hero will you be?.. Or do you prefer another role, more fitting for your birthright?
The Bard’s Tale
Created by inXile Entertainment, The Bard’s Tale is a classic RPG about a selfish rogue weary of pointless sub-quests and rat-infested cellars.
Sardonic opportunistic adventurer, The Bard gets roped into helping to free a princess named Caleigh. But everything is not as simple as it seems, and one way or another, the fate of the world might be resting in the musician’s hands.
Overlord
Overlord 2 and its prequel take place in a bright fantasy world where you, yes, you, are the darkness. With incredible power at your disposal and a team of evil-minded minions to do your evil bidding, how will you resist the temptation to be incredibly despotic?
Dungeons
Descendant of the classic Dungeon Keeper, Dungeons series The Dungeon Lord has finally united his forces of evil. With his dark empire stable, he launches onto the next step of his plan. What can it possibly be? Expansion, of course!
Prey
In Prey, you awaken aboard Talos I, a space station orbiting the moon in the year 2032. You are the key subject of an experiment meant to alter humanity forever – but things have gone terribly wrong. The space station has been overrun by hostile aliens and you are now being hunted.
Outlast
In the remote mountains of Colorado, horrors wait inside Mount Massive Asylum. A long-abandoned home for the mentally ill, recently re-opened by the “research and charity” branch of the transnational Murkoff Corporation, the asylum has been operating in strict secrecy… until now.
Acting on a tip from an anonymous source, independent journalist Miles Upshur breaks into the facility, and what he discovers walks a terrifying line between science and religion, nature and something else entirely. Once inside, his only hope of escape lies with the terrible truth at the heart of Mount Massive.
Prince of Persia (2008)
The Prince returns in Prince of Persia 2008 to save a princess named Elika from her corrupted father, seal a malevolent being known as Ahriman, heal the land from the dark Corruption and restore the light.
Master the acrobatics, strategy and fighting tactics of the most agile warrior of all time. Grip fall down the face of a building, perform perfectly timed acrobatic combinations, and swing over canyons, buildings and anything that is reachable.
Hunted: The Demon’s Forge
Taking control of either E’lara, a ranged weapon expert, or Caddoc, a master swordsman, you and your partner will descend into a dark and foreboding world for an unforgettable cooperative experience. As you travel deep within the world of Kala Moor, you will use a variety of deadly weapons, powerful spells, and cover tactics to face down wave after wave of vicious enemies. It will take the combined efforts of two great warriors to explore menacing dungeons, overgrown ruins, and downtrodden towns … and discover the secrets of the Demon’s Forge.
Warcraft 3
Blizzard’s classic RTS, Warcraft 3 gave birth to many of the legendary characters of the franchise. Among them, the story of light-worshipping prince Arthas Menethil who would go to any length to protect the kingdom of his father – even if it involves damning his own soul by searching for a cursed runeblade.
Warcraft 3 has been recently remastered as Warcraft 3: Reforged, allowing players to experience the classic stories in HD.
Do you know other games that let the other side win? If so, let us know in the comments below!
