Double crossing is a common practice in video games. Watching a trusted ally turn its coat and suddenly declare their mission to destroy the hero is a fun cliché that injects drama. Less commonly, some characters who formerly committed dark deeds have a change of heart and join up with the good guys. Here are some of our favorite enemies who had a change of heart.
Spoiler warning: We touch on plot twists in story focused games like Dragon Age: Origins, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Chrono Trigger, and Portal 2.
10. King Dedede - Kirby Series
The story of HAL Lab's Kirby series isn't deep. Essentially,
Kirby is a pink creampuff thing that frequently battles King Dedede, the dopey
faced, self-righteous king of Dreamland. For many of the early Kirby games,
Dedede is the big kahuna, either facing off with the little guy in a wrestling
ring or racing him to devour treats. Starting with Kirby 64: The Crystal Shard,
King Dedede reluctantly offers his pudgy might and powerful hammer in Kirby's
quest as a playable character. He's also one of four playable characters in
Kirby's Return to Dreamland, swinging and tossing his hammer at the enemies.
Unfortunately for this formerly feared nemesis, Dedede has fallen into the
realm of comic relief.
9. Loghain Mac Tir - Dragon Age Series
Loghain is one of those bad guys who's willing to do
anything - anything - if he thinks it's in the best interest of his realm. He abandoned the king
mid-battle, allowed elves to be sold into slavery, and ordered the
assassination of the Wardens. In Loghain's slimy mind he did it all because he
didn't trust anyone but him to save Ferelden from the darkspawn. However, the
commander's power is challenged during a duel with the player's party. If the
player wins, they have options like whether to execute the traitor or allow him
into the party. With his questionable leadership stint behind him, Loghain
battles the Blight under the service of his once-enemy, the Grey Wardens. He
can even sacrifice himself to deliver the killing blow against the Archdemon,
helping to simultaneously save the world and redeem his tainted name.
8. Cecil Harvey - Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV (FF II in the U.S.) kicks off with an early travesty.
Cecil is a Dark Knight and captain of the Red Wings of Baron, following orders
from his king to firebomb the town of Mist. The flames consume the village,
orphaning the summoner child Rydia in the process, who would go on to later
join Cecil. Unlike other bad guys on the list, Cecil's evil streak is extremely
short, and his sharp turn towards good afterwards makes it even more impactful.
As Cecil begins questioning the King of Baron, he drops his Dark Knight role
and becomes a holy paladin to help save the land.
7. Revan - Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Unlike many of the other bad guys on this list, Revan didn't
exactly make a conscious decision to switch sides. Formerly a Sith Lord, Revan (pictures to the left) was knocked out during battle with the Jedi and consequently lost his memory. When he
comes to, he's nursed back to health by the good-willed Republic, joins its
cause, and eventually becomes an adept Jedi. The truth of his dark past bubbles
up over the course of the adventure, coming to a head when he confronts his
former apprentice, Darth Malak. As a final test of his new life as a Jedi,
Revan strikes down Malak and becomes the Prodigal Knight of the Jedi order.
6. Magus - Chrono Trigger
This cloaked, bad-ass sorcerer is initially believed to be
the villain responsible for the destruction of the world. Crono and the gang travel
through time to stop him from summoning the
gigantic, world-eating demon turtle Lavos. After an intense battle, they defeat
Magus but everyone is hurtled backwards in time. Magus and his former enemies
eventually realize that they all share a common goal: destroying Lavos in order
to save the world. The team is so united in their goal that Frog even finds it
in himself to put aside the fact that Magus transformed him into his namesake amphibian years ago.
Coming up: Nintendo legends and a jewelry thief.