Summary
Some villains are so memorable that it may come as a surprise to find out that they only appeared on one console. As one of the best-selling consoles of all time, the PlayStation 3 is still fondly remembered by fans, even two console generations later. Fittingly,many of the PlayStation 3’s most popular gameshave been ported to the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, but some have yet to receive this treatment, leaving many of the best PS3 exclusives (and their best villains) still only playable on the older hardware.
In the future, these games may receive ports of their own, but currently, the only way to see these great villains in action is on the PlayStation 3.
10The Diviner - Lair
Metascore: 53
AlthoughLairreceivedpoor reviews upon its releaseand has become a mostly forgotten title, this 2007 fantasy epic’s main strengths were its world-building and mid-point twist. These strengths are perfectly embodied by the game’s primary antagonist, The Diviner. As the zealous leader of the Asylians, the Diviner’s hatred of the Mokai people initially aligns with the feelings of the player’s character.
As the story progresses, however, the player learns of the Diviner’s attempts to delay peace and maintain power through murder, lies, and subterfuge. Only through the Diviner’s defeat can the two tribes have a chance at reconciling their differences.
Metascore: 77
Starhawk
Welcome To The New FrontierIn the future, humanity’s last hope lies in the lawless frontier of space where factions battle over the universe’s most precious resource, Rift Energy. But as with all sources of power, there is a price to be paid for their use and abuse. Close contact with Rift Energy can be physically dangerous, and has created a powerful class of mutants, know as Outcasts. Caught in the middle the power struggle for this resource is Emmett Graves, an Outcast gunslinger who is drawn back to the planet that abandoned him, to face a fierce outlaw and his warband of followers.Experience intense frenetic combat on foot, in vehicles, or in the air and discover a new type of shooter gameplay with the new “Build & Battle” system. Gain the tactical advantage by calling upon an arsenal of weapons, vehicles, and fortifications, violently delivered from an orbiting drop ship to help turn the tide of battle.Varied Multiplayer OptionsEngage in epic 32 player online battles and see maps dynamically change depending completely on each player’s strategy or team up with friends and protect your claim against waves of AI opponents in online and offline Co-op modes.Key Game Features•PlayStation 3 Exclusive Outer World Adventure- Starhawk is a brand-new PlayStation 3 exclusive Third-Person Shooter adventure, in which players bring justice to the lawless frontier of space in a brutal new sci-fi universe.•Intense Air, Ground, and Vehicular Combat- Experience action-packed run and gun gameplay on foot, or pilot vehicles for an incredible range of combat situations.•New Build & Battle System- Change the battlefield to your advantage and call down equipment, vehicles and fortifications instantly from an orbiting drop ship.•Full Single Player Campaign and Co-op Modes- Bring justice to the lawless frontier of space as an outcast gunslinger, or team up with friends 1-4 player co-op mode.•Epic 32 Player Online Multiplayer Battles- Engage opponents via multiple maps spanning five unique worlds.•Offline and Online Co-op Modes- Team up with friends by yourself, or in two-player split-screen to defend your claim against waves of enemies in 1-4 player co-op mode.•Rich Online Community Features- Easy to use tournament and clan support with additional Quick Match and Friends List features. Keep up to date with the Community Events Calendar, Ticker Tape updates, or the Starhawk Android App.
The revelation thatStarhawk’sbig bad was the main character’s brother all alongmight not be that surprising, but the Outlaw (aka Logan Graves) still poses a major threat throughout the game.
Leading an army of ‘scabs’, former humans infected by Rift energy, the Outlaw is a force to be reckoned with, but his familial ties add another level of intrigue. In his final throes, the Outlaw is transformed into a Rift entity, the final boss of the game. Once the Outlaw is defeated, the player is left to wonder; did Logan die that day or was he killed long ago?
Heavenly Sword
Heavenly Sword takes PLAYSTATION 3 to dramatic heights.Emotionally charged, stunningly beautiful and delivering unprecedented character performances, Heavenly Sword truly showcases the awesome power of PLAYSTATION 3.A dramatic tale of revenge sees Nariko, a fiery red-haired heroine embark on a quest for vengeance against an invading King and his army. The story builds around the ancient Heavenly Sword which once belonged to a powerful deity. It can never be wielded by a mortal without it draining their life-force, killing them within hours. When the invading King (played by Andy Serkis of Lord of the Rings and King Kong) destroys the warrior clan that guards the Heavenly Sword, the clan leader’s daughter, Nariko, takes up the sword in a desperate fight for survival. Nariko must now pay the ultimate price as she embarks on one last mission of vengeance against the King and his army before her life is finally drawn to a close…Heavenly Sword combines the visceral action and visuals of the best action movies with a ground-breaking, free-style combat system. You can freely switch between multiple sword types and a wide range of weapons on-the-fly. The latest physics technology has been integrated into the combat, resulting in destruction on an epic scale as you destroy opponents and the environment alike. Battle through lush environments with operatic grace and style taking your fight to the clouds, over water, through tree-tops and more. Enemies employ complex squad-based fight choreography and can attack one-on-one, in groups of several dozen, or even in battalions of thousands, pushing real-time AI to levels unseen before.• Three distinct fighting stances – Switch on the fly allowing you to create your own fighting styles• Physics-based Combat – Use debris against opponents; kick tables to halt an oncoming surge of fighters; smash the enemy into the scenery or throw bodies into other enemies using aftertouch controls• Featuring the acting talents of Andy Serkis, Steven Berkoff and more• Wide range of objects and weaponry including multi-skewering spears and devastatingly explosive bazookas.
Voiced by the ineffable Andy Serkis, King Bahon is a despotic ruler hell-bent on gaining the titular Heavenly Sword for himself. Although only appearing as an indirect antagonist throughout the game, the player does at last get to fight him in Chapter Six when the King takes on his final form as possessed by the Raven King.
Interestingly, Bahon is one of few villains who receives a redemptive arc when his life is spared, and he finally refers to his child, Roach, as his son. Bohan also features in the animated prequel series and the animated film, but for video game appearances, players can only find this villain on the PS3.
As the leader of the Go-Ryu Clan, Tetsuo Nikaido is the main bad guy inYakuza: Dead Souls, a non-canon game in theYakuzaseries as it takes the story in a different direction with the introduction of the chemical, ‘Thanatos’, which turns people into zombies.
Nikaido is a threatening presence throughout the game, killing Hiroshi Hayashi early on, simply for being rude and showing an apparent disregard for his own life. As is the fate of many video game villains, Nikaido transforms into a giant monster for hisfinal boss fight.
Metascore: 55
Haze
Twenty-five years in the future. Governments have outsourced military operations to private multinational corporations. As Jake Carpenter, a newly enlisted soldier in the Mantel army, you are seeking fulfillment and thrills by fighting for a good cause. Thanks to their high-tech arsenal of vehicles, deadly weaponry, and performance enhancing bio-medical support, the Mantel Corporation’s ruthlessly efficient soldiers are the most feared by terrorists, dictators, and the corporation’s political enemies. Your conflict begins in a war-torn country in South America, where you have been sent to fight a vicious rebel faction, The Promise Hand. At first glance, all is well, but things quickly begin to look a little strange… State of the art multiplayer modes. Fire up your console or PC for online battles on one of two carefully balanced sides. Choose from a variety of online modes including furious co-op action with your friends!
Like the game he appears in, Duvall may be more notable for what he’s not rather than what he is. Dubbed, ‘The Halo Killer’ before launch,Hazefailed to live up to expectationsand was met with middling reviews upon release. Similarly, Duvall is initially on the side of the game’s protagonist, but once the player realizes the Mantel Corporation is evil, Duvall becomes the primary antagonist of the game.
Although a threat throughout the story, the player’s final image is of a pathetic, beaten man, enhancingHaze’score theme of the impotence of war.
Puppeteer
STEP INTO THE THEATRE OF FANTASYKutaro’s in trouble - the evil Moon Bear King has stolen his soul and turned him into a wooden puppet. Now Kutaro must defeat the Moon Realm’s 12 fearsome generals plus the tyrant himself to find a way home.• Explore the 21 strange lands without ever leaving the stage.• Find over 100 unique puppet heads and unlock their special powers.• Wield the magical scissors to cut your way through obstacles and enemies.
Like many characters inPuppeteer, the Moon Bear King gets his name from a constellation, in this case ‘the Little Bear’, his original name. However, after stealing the Moon Goddess’s moonstone and magic scissors, he declares himself the Moon Bear King and spreads chaos across the world, including devouring the soul of Kutaro and setting the events of the game into motion.
Despite being evil, the Moon Bear King has a levity to his characterization, making him a unique and memorable villain from the PS3 era.
4Scarecrow - Folklore
Metascore: 75
Appearing only inFolklore, Scarecrow has a unique arc, beginning initially as the player’s guide into the Netherworld but ending as the game’s final boss. This effectively captures the clash between his views on death and life.
As revealed at the end of the game, Scarecrow was created to make people value life more. Like wishing on a monkey-paw, the unwanted consequence is that Scarecrow spreads death throughout the world. Scarecrow absorbs all the malice and hate and takes on a frightening and challenging final form. This twist, coupled with his surprising origin, makes for a truly memorable villain.
Metascore: 85
inFAMOUS
A massive explosion rips through six square blocks of Empire City, leveling everything and killing everyone in its path… everyone, except you! In inFAMOUS, an open-world action-adventure title exclusively for the PlayStation 3 system, players will feel what it’s like to be granted incredible powers… how you use them is up to you. The consequences of your actions will affect you, the citizens, and the city around you. You’ll develop and grow your powers, and eventually uncover the purpose of it all.
Kessler is a remarkable villain, displaying all the ruthlessness and ambition players want to see in a ‘big bad’. As the leader of the First Sons and the very person who killed Cole’s girlfriend, it would appear that Kessler is irredeemable.
Kessler’s enhanced electricity powers, however, hint at a secret connection to the player character, and it is eventually revealed that Kessler is in factCole from the future. Kessler traveled back to ensure that Cole stayed and fought the Beast rather than fleeing as Kessler did in his timeline.
Despite theMetal Gearseries havinga huge roster of characters, many of whom appear in multiple games, Screaming Mantis and the other members of the Beauty and Beast Unit, which Mantis leads, only feature inMGS4.
All members are tributes to previousMetal Gearbosses and Screaming Mantis takes her name from Psycho Mantis but with an altered moniker as she is still haunted by the screams of the tortured villagers of her childhood. Screaming Mantis' unique abilities include telekinesis, psychic abilities, and fourth-wall-breaking, making her a formidable boss.
Metascore: 91
Killzone 2
In and out within a month, they said. Their weapons no match for our military might. Predicted moderate to low resistance. Enemy morale at an all-time low.They couldn’t have been more wrong.Welcome to Helghan.
Probably one ofthe most memorable villains in gaming, not just PS3 games. Colonel Radec is the secondary antagonist ofKillzone 2, acting as bodyguard to Scolar Visari (who appears on other platforms), but Radec shines all on his own, becoming a memorable villain for fans of the series.
From his initial Arc Tower ambush at the beginning of the game to his relentless pursuit of the protagonist, Radec is unforgettable as an unstoppable villain so dedicated to his cause that he would rather die than lose to the ISA.
