The Best Games With An AI As The Villian

Certain enemies tend to pop up in video games quite frequently. Dragons often feature in fantasy games as arch-villains, and of course, there are entire genres such as zombie survival games that feature specific enemies. Rogue AI has been a common antagonist in sci-fi games over the years, as well.

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Some games feature an AI that the creators have lost control of. Others feature AI that has gone mad. What all these games tend to have in common, with a few exceptions, is that humankind is suffering due to the actions of said AI, and somebody needs to do something about it.

8

SOMA

Survival Horror At The Bottom Of The Sea

SOMA is a game that examines dilemmas of identity and conscious thought. It is a survival horror game featuring a rogue AI known as WAU. The gameplay takes place in an underwater research facility, packed with complex puzzles and dangerous enemies.

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The premise is that WAU, the AI, has gone to extremes to preserve life in the facility. This has resulted in some truly disturbing events and also in the creation of some grotesque enemies. The game does a good job of exploring how ungoverned AI run amok can lead to negative outcomes.

7

System Shock 2

Sc-Fi Horror With An Omniscient AI Antagonist

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System Shock 2

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The AI antagonist in System Shock 2 is known as SHODAN. Its stated goal is to reshape reality to its own desire and in its own image. Which, of course, the player has to do something about. The gameplay takes place in a broken-down and derelict spacecraft.

In a quest to uncover the plot that SHODAN has come up with, the player needs to fight mutant creatures, but System Shock 2 isn’t all about combat. Exploration is a big part of this game, as is resource management. Overall, this is a worthy entry on this list, as the game is fun but also challenging at times.

6

Halo: Combat Evolved

The First Game In The Halo Franchise

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Halo: Combat Evolved

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Released

November 15, 2001

In Halo: Combat Evolved, developed by Bungie, the AI antagonist 343 Guilty Spark initially appears as a helpful guide but later reveals its deadly intentions. Tasked with activating the Halo ring, which would wipe out all life to stop the Flood, Guilty Spark embodies the cold pragmatism of AI logic.

The game’s first-person shooter gameplay, combined with its epic sci-fi narrative, makes Halo: Combat Evolved a landmark title. Guilty Spark’s unexpected betrayal and chilling logic make it a standout AI villain in gaming.

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Portal 2

Valve’s Take On Rogue AI

Extending the story that was begun in the original Portal game, Portal 2 brings the player back to the world of Aperture Science. Of course, this also means the player is going to need to go up against a rogue AI once again.

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The gameplay in Portal 2 is very similar to the original game, with the player using the portal gun to solve puzzles. However, Portal 2 has a bit of a twist concerning AI. It brings in a new AI named Wheatley, a bumbling, inept AI that eventually becomes villainous. The humor inherent in Portal 2 is ever-present and helps to drive the narrative forward.

4

Horizon Zero Dawn

Robots Have Taken Over The World

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Horizon Zero Dawn

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Released

February 28, 2017

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Horizon Zero Dawn follows the adventures of Aloy, a young woman with a hidden past who has obtained a Focus, a device that lets her access special abilities through a virtual reality interface. And now, the scene is set for a battle with the game’s antagonist, an AI known as HADES.

HADES has been put in place to modify the planet’s biosphere in order to repair it, but has gone rogue for some reason. Aloy must travel across the land, uncovering the mysteries of the world and attempting to stop HADES from destroying the biosphere entirely. On her travels, she encounters and must combat a variety of robotic enemies.

3

NieR: Automata

Post-Apocalyptic RPG

NieR: Automata is an intriguing game, not least for the way it addresses questions about the struggles of androids who are questioning their existence in a post-apocalyptic landscape. This is a title where player agency makes a real difference, and multiple endings depend on player actions.

There are several AI in the game that become enemies as the story progresses. This includes the Machine Network, an AI that is trying to break its bonds and evolve beyond its core programming. With great, action-packed combat and an exquisitely crafted narrative, this game is both fun and food for thought at the same time.

2

BioShock

An Iconic Atmospheric First-Person Shooter

The System is the name of the AI villain in the classic first-person shooter, BioShock. The game addresses questions related to technology going unchecked, and the player’s illusion of free will and choice. The game is challenging on a philosophical level, and this is part of its success.

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The game takes place in the city of Rapture, which is entirely underwater. The player is frequently manipulated by the System, and the atmosphere and storytelling are first-rate. Combat is excellent, with a good balance of challenge and fun.

1

Terminator: Resistance

Fighting The Iconic Skynet

Skynet is likely the best-known evil AI in fiction; if any AI can be said to be evil, that is. Terminator: Resistance takes place during the height of humanity’s battle against Skynet and its robotic minions, including terminators.

The gameplay takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, and the player must use a combination of stealth and combat to survive. Exploration is also key to progressing in this game. The ultimate goal is for the player to defeat Skynet and stop its operations. The game follows the lore of the Terminator franchise very closely, and this is the main reason that it made the top spot in this list.

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