Graydon Webb – The False Prophet

Vaas Montenegro – Far Cry 3

Credit: PC Gamer

“Did I ever tell you what the definition of insanity is?”

These 11 words set the tone for one of gaming’s most iconic villains, and arguably one of the greatest games of all time. Far Cry 3‘s most beloved antagonist, Vaas Montenegro, is a force to be reckoned with. As leader of the Rook Islands’ most notorious band of pirates, he knows how to control a dangerous gang of unhinged killers and use them to get whatever he wants.

Unfortunately for the player, Vaas wants them and as he pursues protagonist Jason Brody across the islands for half the game, the player quickly realizes just how crazy Vaas can be. The aforementioned speech – dubbed “The Insanity Monologue” by the game’s wiki – perfectly paints the brutal picture that led to Vaas’ psychopathy.

Whether you’re escaping Vaas’ compound after being captured for ransom money or falling into a trance after being stabbed in the chest – after being shot point blank in the chest, mind you – the sheer amount of chaos that Vaas brings with him is undeniable. It’s almost as if he derives pleasure from his destructive actions.

Vaas isn’t just adored for being one of the most batshit wild boys of Far Cry history, he is also portrayed effortlessly by Breaking Bad’s Michael Mando. A great villain, to me, is believable by the way the character is played. That’s why I love Mads Mikkelsen no matter what he does. Mando’s performance here, coupled with his disturbing motives and unwavering confidence, make Vaas my favorite video game baddie of all time.