10 PlayStation Games with the Most Iconic Antagonists

The best games on PlayStation have earned their reputation by offering solid gameplay, a unique world, and a compelling story. But most of the single-player games that have done well have one common factor: a strong antagonist, or multiple antagonists!

Giving a villain layers and motivation can help elevate the experience of a story, and we have gathered a list of 10 PlayStation antagonists who have left their mark on gaming!

10. Sly Raccoon – Clockwerk

Our thieving rodent faces many bosses on his first journey in Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, but all of them are being controlled by the ma-er bird at the top. Clockwerk’s hate for the Cooper family extends far beyond Sly’s lifespan, and that is evident in his appearance.

According to himself, he’s kept his body alive for hundreds of years, steadily replacing the decaying body parts with mechanical substitutes until he looks more machine than bird. You can face off against him by getting the game from the PS Store, but even his defeat doesn’t erase his shadow from the Coopers’ history.

9. Crash Bandicoot – Neo Cortex

Another rodent that has to deal with a megalomaniac is Crash. While Cortex may have created Crash, it seems he has little to no control over his experiment as the bandicoot constantly foils his plans of world domination.

That doesn’t seem to discourage the mad scientist, however, as he returns as an antagonist in several titles in the franchise. While his relevance in recent times has dropped off, Cortex was one of the most well-known bosses among PlayStation games during the 2000s.

8. Metal Gear Solid – Psycho Mantis

Few bosses can claim to do what Psycho Mantis does towards the end of the very first Metal Gear Solid title. As a mind reader and telekinetic, this boss can predict your movements and also read your memory card to know what your gaming habits are like!

Defeating the boss required the player to work for it by changing the controller ports and also changing the controller layout used to confuse the mind reader. While he is one of the many bosses in the game, Psycho Mantis will go down as one of the most innovative bosses in gaming history.

7. God of War 3 – Zeus

Ares may have been the first god killed by Kratos, but the true boss of the entire franchise was Zeus from the very start. The king of the gods and father to Kratos believed his actions were above reproach, a fact that his son was happy to disprove.

God of War 3 is the final outlet of all of Kratos’ rage, and while the first boss fights against Poseidon is brutal, the final clash with Zeus allows the player to release all of their frustration. By constantly mashing the O button, players can keep pummeling away at the god until they get bored or their finger gets tired.

6. Final Fantasy VII – Sephiroth

Everything from Sephiroth’s motivations to his character design is iconic to Final Fantasy lore. Even without filling in the details, simply seeing his silhouette with a single wing and a ridiculously long sword will be enough of a hint for players to know who’s on screen.

As the major antagonist against Cloud and his gang, Sephiroth’s plan to attain godhood spells disaster for humanity. He is considered one of the best villains in the franchise and also one of the best in the entirety of gaming.

5. Ghost of Tsushima – Khotun Khan

Jin’s battle against Khotun Khan and the Mongol horde goes far beyond simply protecting his home island of Tsushima. Having kidnapped Jin’s uncle, the samurai must now reclaim his family, homeland, and honor by taking down the leader.

Khotun Khan proves to be a strong villain, unleashing the full strength of the Mongols against Jin. He is also a ruthless leader, ready to spill blood whenever needed, be it for combat or to just send a message. The sequel to the game might not feature the same enemies again, but Sucker Punch will need to create an enemy that trumps this leader.

4. The Last of Us – David

The biggest antagonist in the game may be the infection itself, but David stood out from all the other challenges Joel and Ellie face on their journey. What starts as a cooperative equation soon devolves into bloodshed and mayhem as Ellie tries to save herself and Joel.

While everyone in the apocalypse is looking out for themselves, David appears to be especially ruthless. He’s even willing to resort to cannibalism, with the full intention of quartering Ellie into food for himself and his gang. The sequel to the game had a more concrete antagonist, but David filled the role in the first one very well.

3. Uncharted 4 – Rafe

Naughty Dog seems to have a knack for writing psychopathic villains. Nathan Drake encounters many monsters on his journeys, but few can match the sadistic and calculated nature of Rafe Adler.

As a businessman, Rafe learned early on that wealth and power were the two most important tools of his trade. He’s ready to turn on anyone who comes in the way of his goals and appears to derive a certain thrill when it comes to eliminating hurdles in his path, including humans.

2. Metal Gear Solid 3 – The End

The Metal Gear Solid franchise has a slew of memorable antagonists, but The End has a special place in every fan’s heart. Despite being advanced in age, this legendary sniper can push Snake past his limits in a battle of patience and skill—that is, if players decide against taking the easy way out.

Spread out across three massive maps in a dense jungle, facing off against The End requires careful movement and close observation of the environment. He’s not the last boss in the game, but he’s one of the most memorable battles in the entire franchise.

1. Bloodborne – Gehrman

Warden of the nightmare and your tutor for the hunt, Gehrman may not even come across as an antagonist until the very end. If you choose to simply wake up from the hunter’s dream, you never have to face him at all.

However, if you choose to remain, the moment you see this man stand up is when you know its serious. As the final boss of the base game, Gerhman is no pushover and has some rapid strikes and attacks that will take you out easily. Remember to be light on your feet and look for parry shot openings.

Which antagonist would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!