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5 Compelling BioWare Villains Who Blur the Line Between Good and Evil

Exploring BioWare's tradition of crafting complex villains who could easily be heroes in an alternate narrative.
5 Compelling BioWare Villains Who Blur the Line Between Good and Evil

Highlights

  • BioWare's games feature multifaceted villains like Saren, delving into deeper motivations beyond mere evilness for players to uncover.
  • Characters such as Solas and Loghain challenge the conventional hero-villain dichotomy, showcasing shades of gray in morality.
  • The Illusive Man's misguided quest to save humanity at any cost demonstrates the repercussions of prioritizing one group over others.

BioWare has experienced its fair share of highs and lows, with a reputation for creating exceptional Western RPGs that was somewhat diminished as the company aimed for broader appeal, resulting in titles that faced criticism. While Mass Effect: Legendary Edition showed promise, fans remain cautious about the company's direction until the release of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.

The prevalence of morally ambiguous villains in BioWare games has not gone unnoticed by fans, allowing the developers to shape unique antagonists who defy typical notions of pure evil. In fact, many of these characters could have easily switched sides under different circumstances.

5 Saren Arterius

Indoctrination Clouded His Mind, But He Can Be Made To See Reason Near The End

Saren stands out as one of the most intriguing villains in Mass Effect. Operating as a rogue Spectre, he poses a significant threat to the galaxy by manipulating the Geth for his own sinister agenda. However, players gradually uncover the reasons behind Saren's descent into villainy.

Under the influence of Sovereign, Saren's mind succumbs to corruption and indoctrination, turning him into a puppet for the Reapers, forsaking his own intentions. Towards the conclusion of Mass Effect, players can appeal to his remaining shreds of reason, compelling him to resist the indoctrination and fight back.

4 Solas

An Elven Mage Intrigued By The Fade Who Assumes The Role Of Dread Wolf

Solas emerges as a captivating figure in Dragon Age, portraying an elven mage fascinated by the Fade and its significance. Despite aiding the Inquisitor in combating threats and defeating Corypheus, Solas conceals a profound secret until the game's conclusion.

Revealed to be Fen'Harel, the Dread Wolf, Solas harbors ambitious motives explored in the DLC Dragon Age: Inquisition – Trespasser. The title of the upcoming game, Dreadwolf, hints at Solas' return as a central antagonist, promising further exploration of his motivations and backstory.

3 Loghain Mac Tir

Well-Intentioned Yet Resorted To Extreme Measures To Achieve His Ends

Dragon Age: Origins stood out as a remarkable RPG, praised for BioWare's meticulous development and diverse character origins enhancing replay value. The game's central antagonist, Loghain, a power-hungry individual, prioritizes Ferelden's safety at any cost.

Despite his noble intentions, Loghain's actions, such as ordering the Grey Wardens' massacre and betraying the king he swore to protect, paint a grim picture. While his liege's recklessness may justify some of his decisions, Loghain's extremism reaches a tipping point during the Landsmeet, where his fate is determined—either facing deserved consequences or reluctantly joining the Wardens, much to Alistair's disdain.

2 The Illusive Man

Advocating For Humanity's Interests, But Not Without Sacrifices

Many perceive The Illusive Man as a champion of humanity, facilitating Shepard's revival and leveraging Cerberus' resources for missions, assembling a formidable squad, and safeguarding the galaxy against the Reapers. However, his true intentions only surface towards the narrative's conclusion.

Contrary to the assumption of eradicating the Reapers, The Illusive Man seeks to harness their power for humanity's ascension as the dominant cosmic force. This audacious scheme unravels when he falls victim to Reaper indoctrination, compelling Shepard to urge him to resist their influence before he succumbs, paving the way for Shepard to vanquish the Reapers.

1 Meredith Stannard

Lured Into Paranoia By Lyrium's Influence

Dragon Age 2 is often viewed as the franchise's outlier, criticized for its brevity and simplified mechanics compared to its predecessor. Nonetheless, the series' exceptional storytelling shines through characters like Meredith Stannard.

Despite her disdain for mages, Meredith initially demonstrates pragmatism in her decisions. However, forging a lyrium-infused sword triggers a descent into madness, transforming her into a tyrannical figure. Even her closest allies recoil at her tyranny, casting her as a formidable adversary. Only after her defeat do her actions prompt introspection, culminating in her petrification in lyrium.

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