Top 10 Acts Of Revenge In Video Games

“Metal Gear Rising Revengeance” (2013) When a game’s title literally makes a portmanteau word of revenge and vengeance, the two are all but guaranteed. In this new story, which centers on everyone’s favorite cyborg ninja, Raiden, (Rye-den) our protagonist’s client is slaughtered during a mission. The encounter leaves Raiden’s body torn up and his pride destroyed - talk about a tough afternoon. From here, Raiden works with his comrades to find and take down the PMC that nearly killed him, going down the list of all their leaders, cutting each one into hundreds of bloody cyborg chunks. With a kickass soundtrack to help, killing these jerks is oh so satisfying.

“Borderlands 2” (2012) So there you are, minding your own business as you arrive on a distant planet looking for treasure, when some asshole with a handsome face declares you “the bad guys”. Nearly killing you and leaving you for dead ain’t gonna stop a Vault Hunting badass like you though - especially with Jack taunting you along the way. Things between you and Handsome Jack get even more personal however, when he takes your friend Lilith hostage -torturing her, and forcing her to open up a new Vault so he can rule over Pandora. After defeating literally everything Jack can throw at you, he stands there bloody and defeated, waiting for you to take the final shot, but ultimately, it’s Lilith’s involvement that makes it the most satisfying.

#8: The Revenge Ending

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“Grand Theft Auto IV” (2008) Nico moved to America to start life over and get away from the war and violence, but maybe Liberty City wasn’t the best choice. In this metropolis already brimming with violence and criminal organizations, Nico inevitably gets dragged into many unfavorable situations. When he finally has the option to end it all, should the player choose; he sets out to finish one of the last obstacles in his life - successfully killing Dimitri. Of course, Dimitri’s partner Pegorino doesn’t take this lightly, killing Nico’s girlfriend on Nico’s cousin’s wedding day. Tired and frustrated beyond belief, he works with Roman to track down Pegorino, chasing him by boat to Happiness Island where he executes him. Now that’s a happy ending!

“Dishonored” (2012) Being a bodyguard to royalty is never easy, but Corvo has it especially rough. He’s set-up by the Empress’ own Spymaster to take the fall for her assassination and the kidnapping of her daughter, Emily. And so Corvo sets out to find Emily, help her reclaim her throne, and take down the man who not only killed his beloved Empress, but (spoiler alert!) dared to hurt his only daughter. Through several assassinations and neutralizations, Corvo manages to take down the Spymaster’s empire, leaving him with no allies. Infiltrating his compound, Corvo is given two options, kill him, or reveal him to the public as the scum he truly is. Either way, the spymaster pays and Corvo gets even.

#6: Max Kills Horne

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“Max Payne” (2001) Apparently being a cop in a noir setting is a recipe for heartache and misery. Max Payne comes home one day to find his wife and baby daughter brutally murdered by junkies on the Valkyr drug. Seeking payback, Max joins the DEA, working to uncover the Valkyr drug operation and shut it down for good. Working the cold streets, Max fights his way through corruption, drug lords, and even former friends. With help from the Inner Circle, he discovers Nicole Horne, the one responsible for the family murders, the drugs… everything! After a brutal assault, Max ends Nicole Horne’s life in spectacular fashion, not only ending the drug production, but avenging his family too.

#5: Killing Paulie

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“The Darkness” (2007) Dying is a total bummer, especially if you happen to die right before your 21st birthday! Of course, for Jackie, death is just the start of his new life, awakening an ancient and powerful evil in him known simply as “The Darkness.” With this new power, Jackie sets out to kill Uncle Paulie and dismantle his criminal organization. The mafia isn’t the sort of group to quietly close shop however, and Paulie kidnaps Jackie’s girlfriend, jenny, executing her in front of him. With nothing left to lose, Jackie sets out to kill Paulie once and for all. In the end, we see Paulie as the squirming coward he is, begging and trying to compromise with Jackie, only to be gunned down.

“Assassin’s Creed 2” (2009) Being the son of a noble Italian family certainly comes with perks - women, riches and elegant parties. For Ezio, however, all of this disappeared when his father and two brothers were hung for crimes they didn’t commit. And after becoming an assassin, Ezio discovers that Rodrigo Borgia (aka Pope Alexander VI) was the one behind it all. Ezio makes his way through Borgia’s underlings, finally managing to get ahold of the main man himself. A fierce battle ensues, but ultimately Ezio decides to spare Rodrigo in the end. Although this may seem an odd choice for an assassin, Ezio recognizes that for Rodrigo Borgia, lying there battered and defeated, a man who tried to gain everything only to lose everything... killing him is pointless.

“Shenmue” (2000) A low ranking member of the Chi You Men though he may be, Chai sure knows how to cause a world of the trouble. This minor antagonist manages to interrupt Ryo’s attempt to chase after Lan Di on several occasions. Stealing the Phoenix Mirror is bad enough, but kidnapping Ryo’s love interest? Now that’s going one step too far Chai! And when you make it personal, you pay the price. After serving as proverbial thorn in Ryo’s side for much of the story, Chai sees his final scheme thwarted by Guizhang. Forced into a fair fight, Chai finds himself no match for Ryo, who sends him flying into the sea with a powerful counterattack. Talk about a satisfying conclusion!

#2: Hunting Micah Bell

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“Red Dead Redemption 2” (2018) Revenge is a major theme that spans the series as a whole. Jack seeking revenge on Edger Ross for killing his father in the first game, Sadie seeking revenge on the O'Driscoll Boys for killing her husband, there’s plenty to choose from. Yet what takes this spot is seeking the man responsible for killing Arthur AND breaking apart Dutch’s gang. In the finale of the game’s epilogue John Marston, Sadie & Charles are tracking down Micah’s gang, which ends up leading to a 3 way standoff between John, Micah and the old gang leader Dutch. Surprisingly it’s Dutch that shoots Micah before John finishes the deed himself. It’s a bittersweet end to the tale considering what’s in store for John later.

#1: Killing Ares, Numerous Gods, Then Everyone, Then Zeus

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“God of War” series (2005-) The Greek Gods have a long history of toying with humanity for their entertainment. Kratos is just one of the few being to really do something about it. After being used by Ares to kill his family and burn his village, Kratos ascends to the heavens and kills Ares, becoming the new God of War. The gods, fearful of Kratos, drain him of his godly powers. Of course, Kratos, being the vengeful Spartan he is, doesn’t take this lightly. Killing god after god and bringing chaos to the world with every god he slays. He finally makes it to Olympus, where he again defeats Zeus, this time beating him to death with his bare fists. And thus the vengeful Kratos brought an end to the reign of the Greek Gods. Although they’re actions that he will forever regret.