The world of video games is full of heroes and villains, with the latter often getting a bad rap. However, what if you could take on the role of the villain and experience the thrill of being the bad guy? Many games offer villainous game expansions that allow you to do just that, and we're here to highlight seven of the most intriguing ones.
What Makes a Good Villainous Game Expansion?
A good villainous game expansion should offer a fresh perspective on the original game, allowing players to experience the story from a different angle. It should also provide new mechanics, characters, and challenges that complement the existing gameplay. Most importantly, it should be fun and engaging, giving players a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment as they wreak havoc on the game world.
1. Star Wars: The Old Republic - Rise of the Hutt Cartel
The Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic allows players to take on the role of a powerful Hutt crime lord, seeking to dominate the galaxy through cunning and brute force. With new storylines, characters, and gameplay mechanics, this expansion offers a unique perspective on the Star Wars universe.
New Features and Gameplay Mechanics
- Play as a Hutt crime lord, making key decisions that impact the galaxy
- Recruit and manage a network of underworld operatives
- Engage in intense space battles and explore new planets
- Interact with other players in dynamic social encounters
2. Sid Meier's Civilization VI - Rise and Fall
The Rise and Fall expansion for Sid Meier's Civilization VI introduces a new "Loyalty" system, allowing players to manipulate and dominate other civilizations. With new leaders, wonders, and gameplay mechanics, this expansion offers a fresh take on the classic Civilization formula.
New Features and Gameplay Mechanics
- Use the Loyalty system to influence and control other civilizations
- Build and manage new Wonders, such as the Colosseum and the Hanging Gardens
- Recruit and command powerful new units, like the Varu and the War Cart
- Explore new natural wonders and city-states
3. Stellaris - Utopia
The Utopia expansion for Stellaris allows players to create and manage their own intergalactic empire, with a focus on utopian ideals. With new mechanics, such as the "Synthetics" system, players can create and control artificial intelligences to serve their empire.
New Features and Gameplay Mechanics
- Create and manage your own utopian empire, with a focus on happiness and welfare
- Develop and control artificial intelligences using the Synthetics system
- Explore new Megastructures, such as the Dyson Sphere and the Megastructure Habitat
- Interact with other empires and alien species in a more nuanced and complex way
4. XCOM 2 - War of the Chosen
The War of the Chosen expansion for XCOM 2 allows players to take on the role of a faction leader, seeking to dominate the world and eliminate the alien threat. With new mechanics, such as the "Chosen" system, players can create and control powerful new enemies to battle against.
New Features and Gameplay Mechanics
- Create and manage your own faction, with a focus on resources and recruitment
- Develop and control powerful new enemies using the Chosen system
- Explore new maps and environments, such as the Lost City and the Resistance Base
- Interact with other factions and allies in a more nuanced and complex way
5. Total War: Warhammer II - The Rise of the Tomb Kings
The Rise of the Tomb Kings expansion for Total War: Warhammer II allows players to take on the role of a powerful Tomb King, seeking to conquer and dominate the land of the living. With new mechanics, such as the "Liche Priests" system, players can create and control powerful new units to battle against.
New Features and Gameplay Mechanics
- Play as a Tomb King, with a focus on necromancy and undead warfare
- Develop and control powerful new units using the Liche Priests system
- Explore new maps and environments, such as the Land of the Dead and the Mountains of Mourkain
- Interact with other factions and allies in a more nuanced and complex way
6. Europa Universalis IV - The Cossacks
The Cossacks expansion for Europa Universalis IV allows players to take on the role of a powerful Cossack hetman, seeking to dominate and conquer the steppes of Eastern Europe. With new mechanics, such as the "Horde" system, players can create and control powerful new units to battle against.
New Features and Gameplay Mechanics
- Play as a Cossack hetman, with a focus on horsemanship and steppe warfare
- Develop and control powerful new units using the Horde system
- Explore new maps and environments, such as the Pontic Steppe and the Kuban Region
- Interact with other factions and allies in a more nuanced and complex way
7. Crusader Kings II - The Reaper's Due
The Reaper's Due expansion for Crusader Kings II allows players to take on the role of a powerful noble, seeking to dominate and conquer the medieval world. With new mechanics, such as the "Intrigue" system, players can create and control powerful new characters to manipulate and eliminate their rivals.
New Features and Gameplay Mechanics
- Play as a noble, with a focus on intrigue and court politics
- Develop and control powerful new characters using the Intrigue system
- Explore new maps and environments, such as the Papal States and the Holy Roman Empire
- Interact with other factions and allies in a more nuanced and complex way
Conclusion: Become the Villain You've Always Wanted to Be
These seven villainous game expansions offer a unique and exciting way to experience your favorite games from a new perspective. Whether you're seeking to dominate the galaxy, conquer the land of the living, or manipulate and eliminate your rivals, there's an expansion on this list that's sure to satisfy your inner villain.
So why not give one of these expansions a try? Take on the role of a powerful Hutt crime lord, a utopian empire leader, or a Cossack hetman, and experience the thrill of being the bad guy. With new mechanics, characters, and challenges, these expansions offer a fresh and exciting take on the original games.
What is a villainous game expansion?
+A villainous game expansion is a downloadable content (DLC) package that adds new gameplay mechanics, characters, and storylines to an existing game, often from the perspective of a villain or antagonist.
What makes a good villainous game expansion?
+A good villainous game expansion should offer a fresh perspective on the original game, new mechanics and characters, and a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment as the player takes on the role of the villain.
Can I play these expansions as a hero?
+While some expansions may offer a heroic playstyle, the focus of these seven expansions is on playing as a villain or antagonist. However, some games may offer a heroic playstyle as an alternative or additional option.