The 50 Greatest Video Game Villains Of All Time
By Matt Becker
Greatest Video Game Villains – #49 Darth Malak
Game(s): Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Background: The former Jedi Knight turned Sith Lord, Darth Malak, is the primary antagonist of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic RPG. After years of apprenticeship under Darth Revan, Malak betrayed Revan when their ship was under assault by Jedi forces and took claim as the Sith Lord. He then unleashed an aggressive attack against the Republic, scattering the Jedi forces and even swaying some of them to turn to the Dark Side of the Force. The player takes control of a Jedi of unknown origin who fights against the forces of Darth Malak. It is later revealed the player is actually the former Darth Revan, who was captured and brainwashed by the Jedi. No matter the player’s choice of alignment, you eventually face Malak in an epic final battle.
Why He’s One Of The Greatest Video Game Villains: Darth Malak is a classic case of both good turned evil and the apprentice overtaking the master. Malak’s descent to the Dark Side was a slippery one. Not only did he renounce the ways of the Jedi, but double-crossed his own master and took control of the Sith for himself. The reveal that the player is actually the former Darth Revan only makes Malak’s role in the game all the more engaging. Regardless of which side of the Force the player chooses to align with, you must face Malak in a challenging final showdown. Mid-fight, Malak will drain the life from a captive Jedi, regaining all of his lost life. This gives the player a moral dilemma: fight Malak honorably or kill all of the captive Jedi to prevent him from refilling his health. Malak is filled with cunning deceitfulness and a thirst for destruction, earning him a place as a truly memorable Star Wars villain.
Next: 48- Mecha-Hitler