After seven years of superhero goodness, The boys has finally come to an end, and while there may be some spin-off shows in the works, at least for now, the bloodshed has been put on hold. But whether fans liked or disliked how things ended, they'll almost certainly still be hungry for more anti-hero cuteness, and what better way to satisfy that desire than by taking on the role of a powerful, suped-up character in the game world.
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There are tons of different video game interpretations of what it means to be an anti-hero, some more grounded and others that lean heavily into a world of mutations, murder, and sheer carnage. The latter certainly fits The Boys much better, because throughout the show it feels like some other scene is blowing up, or a superhero fight is breaking out, even among those on the same side. So for those looking for fast-paced, high-octane action, they won't have to look far for the perfect game to fill the Homelander-shaped void.
We're primarily talking about power fantasies, so not just games that let you be “evil”. The latter will take priority, but we'll include a Batman-style exception.
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Start
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Light (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
Prototype
Morality is optional
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Shapeshifting abilities turn people into resources
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Open world chaos reflects the lack of barriers
Prototype is entirely built around the idea of a gun-toting anti-hero who operates outside of any moral framework and destroys anyone or anything that gets in his way. Alex Mercer's abilities allow him to transform his entire body into a demolition tool, able to leap over skyscrapers and slam into the streets below, and no matter how many bullets are thrown his way, there's virtually nothing that can keep him down forever.
But more important than power, the anti-hero concept comes through the overwhelming sense of indifference you exude as you hop through the world. I would regularly encounter dozens of military troops and civilians, but instead of exercising any caution, I would just blast through them and go about my day. In many ways, that mentality is very similar to many soups in The boysbecause, rather than being pushed into a corner, they can effectively do whatever they want, unchecked and unlimited in their power and influence.
notorious
Heroism of a different kind
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Moral alignments directly change abilities and world reactions
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Few characters can compete with the player
notorious shows exactly how to incorporate two very different sides of morality into a single experience. Playing as Cole MacGrath, every single action players take, from subduing enemies to harming civilians, has an impact on their Karma score, pushing them towards either the good or bad side over time. But even when you choose to follow a righteous arc, it always feels like some events are much more gray than black and white.
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After playing through the game on the good side, I went back and did it again, in reverse, and was amazed at how much of an impact the morality switch has on both gameplay and story. Your powers change, cutscenes play out differently, and the entire world reacts accordingly to whether you're a threat or a hero, entering the game into murky waters where no choice is ever easy to make. Towards the end, it is clear that no matter which path one chooses, sacrifices must be made; it's just a matter of whether you prefer to lean into that inner rage or fight it.
Saints Row 4
Parody heroic fantasies
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Superpowers become satirical
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Movement and combat break apart all levels of balance
If there was one game that represents superhero madness more than any other, this has to be it Saints Row 4. The game strips away any remaining grounding in the series by turning the player into an absurdly overpowered hero who can sprint across cities and blast enemies with ease, regardless of the consequences.
Instead of criticizing the dark side of heroism, it embraces excess and strips away any remaining seriousness, leaving only sheer absurdity. After watching a few seasons of The boysI went back and replayed it and was genuinely surprised at how similar the two IPs are, from the over the top abilities to the comedy that runs all the way through the story and surrounding characters.
Batman: Arkham Knight (Special Mention)
The Nightmare Villain's Fear
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Intimidation and fear of superhuman abilities
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Gadgets and tricks used to fight more powerful enemies
Batman has long been the poster child for anti-heroes, and Arkham Knight explores that territory to its absolute fullest. Your control of Gotham relies on strategy and psychological pressure rather than superhuman abilities, meaning that even when you're faced with charged enemies with borderline unnatural powers, there's always a tactical way to overcome them, similar to how Butcher manages to overcome and take out multiple supes without needing any innate or granted powers.
The Boys: 5 Video Game “Heroes” Who Make Homelander Seem Like an Amateur Villain
The Boys' Homelander is the definition of an evil superhero, but video games also have their share of heroes who cause more harm than good.
I always thought this game was the best in the series, and when I watched The boysI saw so much of Batman and how he approaches the villains of Arkham in the group and their fight against the supes. At the end of the day, the game also provides a commentary on violence and heroism itself, debating whether it would ever be possible to achieve freedom and security without inflicting excessive violence on those who threaten to disrupt it.
While Batman is very different from Homelander, they are both creatures that in their respective worlds are feared to the point of being almost mythical. In Gotham, Batman is the monster that stalks the night.
Injustice 2
A level playing field for everyone
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Hero vs Hero action
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Iconic battles possible in PvP
Lots of action in The boys revolves around two superheroes battling it out, and that's exactly what it is Injustice 2 is about. There's Superman, The Joker, Swamp Thing and just about every other DC hero and villain you could ever want, all in a single fighter that lets players fully embody the role of their favorite character.
I'm not normally into fighting games, but I find myself constantly wanting more, playing primarily as Green Arrow and Bane against both friends and online opponents. Although it is true that Mortal Kombat 1 actually has Homelander as a playable DLC character I'd argue Injustice delivers more on the superhero-infused fighting dream that many players will have had, and with rumors of a third installment in the works, now is as good a time as any to jump in and master some moves.
10 role-playing games where you are the anti-hero
If you're done being a noble, good-hearted folk hero, these RPGs with morally questionable protagonists are for you.
