Square Enix is one of the biggest video game companies around, housing multiple different IPs and churning out many great games. The company's track record might be slightly mixed, but there's no denying the massive impact they've had on the gaming industry. The characters that have appeared in these games have been quite iconic in their own right, with many people recognizing the many heroes that have appeared across many of Square Enix's titles.
Of course, it would be impossible to speak about the vast majority of Square Enix's characters without mentioning the many villains that have appeared in their games. Some of these evil figures have caused a ton of damage and destruction in their respective games, and the most messed-up individuals in this context are featured on this list.
7 Kefka Palazzo – Final Fantasy 6
Kefka is one of the greatest villains in video game history. He's one of the biggest reasons why Final Fantasy 6 is such a memorable title, with this jester capturing everyone's attention with his immense charisma time and time again. However, while Kefka might be one of the most liked villains in the entire series, there's no denying that he's a heinous madman who brought untold death and destruction upon the land.
The mere fact that Kefka messed around with the Warring Triad and changed the entire world into a nightmarish hellscape is proof enough of just how diabolical this villain really is. Taking him down at the end of Final Fantasy 6 is immensely satisfying, with his boss fight being spectacular in every sense of the word.
6 Lavos – Chrono Trigger
A parasite who leeches itself onto the Earth and slowly sucks the life out of it is bound to be a pretty horrible and destructive antagonist. This is precisely what Lavos does, making him the ultimate threat that players need to deal with in Chrono Trigger.
Fighting this boss is no easy feat, and Lavos can easily stomp players into submission if they aren't careful about when they decide to tackle this boss. However, it's integral for the plot to fight this powerful foe so that they can save the Earth from its destructive presence once and for all.
5 Dark Samsara – I Am Setsuna
-Cropped.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
It seems that the majority of this list will be populated by a massive form of evil that can potentially spell the end of the entire world. This is the case with the Dark Samsara, who serves as the final antagonist of I Am Setsuna.
The story of this malignant being is pretty sad, once being an innocent child who had such vast reserves of magic that he was experimented upon relentlessly and brutally, before finally losing his cool and becoming a magical being of pure rage. Regardless, his anger incites the demons around the world to attack innocent humans, and the party needs to band together to fight this abomination instead of sacrificing innocent maidens to cease his wrath time and time again.
4 Ardyn Izunia/Ardyn Lucis Caelum – Final Fantasy 15
Final Fantasy 15 might have a bit of a messy plot, but there's no denying that Ardyn is one of its consistent highlights. This character's charisma is seemingly limitless, and players realize that there's something wrong with this character from the very moment they interact with him for the first time in the game.
It turned out that Ardyn is actually part of the royal bloodline who absorbed the darkness in many enemies, only to succumb to this evil and declare war on his bloodline. He plunges the world into a state of despair, and Noctis has to sacrifice his own life to take care of this threat once and for all.
3 Mordegon – Dragon Quest 11
Dragon Quest 11 is one of the best games in the entire series. It serves as a great way for players to get into this legendary JRPG franchise, which had been a bit challenging to get into for the longest time.
The first two acts see the player deal with the evil of Mordegon, who wishes to take over the world of Erdrea for himself. The fact that he already destroyed the kingdoms of Dundrasil and Zwaardsrust long before the story began shows just how diabolical this villain really is.
2 Eve – Parasite Eve
In terms of sheer destruction, the scale of Eve's evil actions is pretty low in comparison to the other baddies on this list. However, it's the scope of her plan and the brutal manner in which she destroys a sizeable section of the population in New York City that makes her a fitting pick for this list.
Eve and Aya Brea's connection lasts for the entire game, with the player having to climb all the way to the top of the Chrysler Building to finally uncover the truth of what happened in this underrated RPG. Parasite Eve is easily one of the most unique games on the original PlayStation that any fan should check out.
1 Sin – Final Fantasy 10
The sheer level of destruction caused by Sin in Final Fantasy 10 is simply mind-boggling. This hateful entity has laid waste to many humans and forced the people through a constant cycle of sadness where people were forced to sacrifice innocents to secure their own life and satiate this hateful being.
Beating this powerful foe in Final Fantasy 10 is one of the most satisfying moments in the entire series. The cycle of death and destruction is finally ended with the death of this being, although the ending is still bittersweet since Tidus ends up disappearing for good.