There has been no shortage of excellent video game villains throughout the decades. FromFar Cry 3’s unhinged yet captivating Vaas to the charismatic ruthlessness ofBorderlands 2’s Handsome Jack, the list of memorable gaming antagonists is lengthy. Sometimes, even big-time actors provide the voice of some truly memorable foes.
While plenty of these villainous roles from prominent names are well-known throughout the gaming landscape, some fly under the radar. Whether it be from their role not being heavily marketed or the vast differences between actor and character, these A-listers provided the voices for these compelling antagonists.
10Emperor Doviculus - Brutal Legend
Tim Curry
Double Fine Production’s Brütal Legend is a fondly remembered cult classic from 2009. A hybrid real-time strategy action game, Brütal Legend’s most well-known characteristic is its suite of heavy metal songs and its voice cast, which includes actor Jack Black and musician Ozzy Osbourne.
Another noticeable name featured in the game is actor Tim Curry. While Curry has voiced countless characters, including in video games, his role in Brütal Legend is often overshadowed by the myriad of other noteworthy elements seen in Brütal Legend.
9General Shepard - Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Lance Henriksen
While theCall of Dutyseries has become increasingly multiplayer and e-sport-focused, there was a time when the most recognized video game IP used to excel at creatingmemorable characters. The series definitely hit its stride in that regard during the 2000s and early 2010s.
2009’s Modern Warfare 2 might be most renowned for its amazing multiplayer, but the campaign was also splendid. One of the story’s most iconic moments is when you’re betrayed by General Shepard, voiced brilliantly by sci-fi movie legend Lance Henriksen.
8Alex Yu - Prey (2017)
Benedict Wong
Preyremains one of the most underrated games of the 2010s. As superb as the gameplay, world-building, and storytelling are, the voice acting is just as masterful. From the crewmates who appear in audio logs to the few survivors,everyone is fantastic.
The main foil for the player character, Morgan Yu, is his brother, Alex. Alex Yu is played excellently by actor Benedict Wong. While most know him for his role as Wong in Marvel Cinematic Universe, his long filmography has been full of outstanding performances.
7Officer Tenpenny - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Samuel L. Jackson
Few actors have had as extensive and diverse a career as Samuel L. Jackson. From his critically acclaimed work in Pulp Fiction and The Hateful Eight to his time as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jackson has been in many different projects, including video games.
Regarding Jackson’s voice work, his performance as Officer Tenpenny inGrand Theft Auto: San Andreasstands above the rest. You’d be forgiven for not recognizing Jackson, but indeed, that is the Oscar-nominated legend voicing the game’smain antagonist.
6Tanya Winters - Saints Row (2006)
Mila Kunis
TheSaints Rowgame features plenty of names in the voice cast, including actors like Keith David and Burt Reynolds playing themselves. However, the celebrity cameos didn’t start until Saints Row: The Third. Nevertheless, the previous two games had big stars as well.
Saints Row’s voice cast has lots of talent, but in the middle of them is actress Mila Kunis. Playing the criminal Tanya Winters, Kunis' role in Saints Row came straight off the heels of the beloved That ’70s Show, which surprised many.
5Rasputin “Rocky” Kuznetsov - True Crime: Streets Of L.A.
Gary Oldman
Before being overshadowed by Rockstar’sGrand Theft Autoseries, Luxoflux’s True Crime games struggled to stay afloat. As a result, Luxoflux pulled out all the stops with 2003’s True Crime: Streets of LA, including a boasting a high-profile cast.
While True Crime: Streets of LA features several big names, most performances have been buried with time. Gary Oldman’s turn as Rasputin “Rocky” Kuznetsov is the biggest casualty. The Oscar-winning actor is no stranger to video game voicework, but his role as Kuznetsov is generally forgotten.
4Ketheric Thorm - Baldur’s Gate 3
J.K. Simmons
Larian Studio’sBaldur’s Gate 3is a showcase of masterful voice acting. From theprimary set of companionsto the myriad of side characters you’ll encounter throughout the Forgotten Realms, there’s plenty of exceptional voice work on full display.
As expected, Baldur’s Gate 3’s villains are also exceptionally well-voiced. In fact, one of the primary antagonists is voiced by Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons. Providing the voice of the tragic yet menacing Ketheric Throm, Simmons brings all his acting chops to this phenomenal performance.
3Mortimer Ramsey - Dishonored 2
Sam Rockwell
TheDishonoredseries is awash with high-quality voice actors and some legit big-name stars. The likes of Carrie Fisher, Michael Madsen, Lena Headey, Pedro Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Vincent D’Onofrio have provided their voices to the Dishonored world.
InDishonored 2, one actor didn’t get as much screen time as his fellow high-profile co-workers. Mortimer Ramsey is a minor antagonist in the campaign, but surprisingly, he’s voiced Oscar-winning actor Sam Rockwell, best known for films Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Moon.
2Logan - Fable 3
Michael Fassbender
TheFablegames used to be one of Xbox’s flagship IPs. While fans still fondly remember Lionhead Studio’s fantasy series, many point towards the middling Fable 3 as the beginning of the series' downfall. Despite Fable 3’s issues, it still boasts an impressive voice cast.
The game’s highlight performance comes from the main antagonist, Logan, voiced by actor Michael Fassbender. When Fable 3 launched, Fassbender was starting to rise to Hollywood stardom, and his role as Logan is an excellent flaunt of his talents.
1The Illusive Man - Mass Effect 2 & 3
Martin Sheen
It wouldn’t be fair to classifyMass Effect’s mysterious Illusive Man as an underrated villain. Serving as the secondary antagonist behind the Reapers, the Illusive Man is shrewd, cunning, and always one step ahead of Commander Shepard and his crew.
What most people may not know about the Illusive Man is he’s voiced by Martin Sheen. Known for his outstanding leading roles in the critically acclaimed film Apocalypse Now and the hit series The West Wing, Sheen also provides the voice of Cerberus' enigmatic leader.
