Top 5 Lovable Forgivable Bad Guys

3. Glados (Portal)

From the minute Glados entered the stage in the first Portal, more of the focus was on the automaton and not the duller blank slate portrayed by Chell. That alternate side is taken on by the player, but the real personality stands with the witch that is the robotic voice leading gamers through their trial.

It's this instant hit with the community that had Glados skyrocket to a fan favorite, so much so that it was brought back for Portal 2, despite being dead. It turns out that killing someone can leave them to be quite salty, more so than before. And the more the sneers get packed on, the more people idolize this machine set to kill us all. It's blissful madness.

Eventually, the second game turns around a bit more for Glados, but the true goal is still to rescue the player, not the aggressor. There is, however, a glimmer of hope for this wretched entity that denies it the top spot. If anything, the mere mention of Glados is simply because there's no other that is so cruel and yet gets forgiven each time. Every misdeed fades with a timely one-liner. Laughter really can heal all wounds.

There is a time and a place for The Joker to have a few victories here or there, but games certainly are on the lesser platform. Worst yet, some recent title has turned dire for this iconic figure. Despite coming up with elaborate plans each time and being fairly successful at them, it's usually back to square one by the time the credits roll.

Adversity doesn't stop the maniac from trying though, far from it. In over a dozen titles now, The Joker has stolen the show with a larger than life presence that is just too titillating to condemn. Whether it's through devilish plans or snappy quips, whatever the clown says or does always feels like the most important thing going on. Whether it's good or bad doesn't even matter with such charm.

Since The Joker is such a lovable fiend, there have actually been some smaller successes in the past. In outsider titles, the character of the madman shines true, leading to some well-deserved spotlights. Gotham City Impostors and DC Universe Online both cherish the sociopath. Some may even call the appearance in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe a full-on win, even if it's not the proudest achievement to hold.

Posted: 9th Apr 2014 by Daav
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