Illusions can be used in games in a variety of ways, from creating a new challenge to making the villain look even more intimidating. In this article, we take a look at six characters in games that are masters of illusion and how they use them to their advantage. From the Mad Hatter from Batman: Arkham to Hunter O'Dimm from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, we'll look at how these characters manipulate the environment and minds of their opponents with illusions.
One - God Of War: Ragnarok
The Norse-era God of War series tries to subvert many expectations, including that King of the Gods Esir achieves his goals through subterfuge rather than force. In God of War: Ragnarok, Odin assumes the guise of the Norse god of war, Tyr, to infiltrate the inner circle of Kratos, Atreus, Mimir, and their dwarf friends. Through disguise, he manages to learn all of the group's plans and how to counteract them. He hopes that by doing so, he can prevent Ragnarok and, in turn, save himself from destruction.
Zexion - Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories
The cunning Zexion of Organization 13 battles Riku in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. His goal is to turn Riku into one of his puppets, for which he takes the form of Sora, Riku's best friend, and tries to make him doubt his own identity. He speaks in a pseudo-Shakespearean manner, which should have served as a signal that he is not Sora. Despite the deception, Rick eventually manages to break free and defeat Zexion.
Mad Hatter - Batman: Arkham
The Mad Hatter is the most prolific master illusionist in the Arkham series. He is modeled after the character from Alice in Wonderland and tries to share his madness with the Dark Knight. He traps Batman in a variety of arenas, from the giant clock in Arkham City to the pop-up book in Arkham Knight. Players never know what to expect from the Mad Hatter, but they can be sure it will be a visual treat.
Mysterio - the Spider-Man
Mysterio is a supervillain who uses illusions to stand a chance against Spider-Man. He transforms his living space into a labyrinth, which the protagonist must navigate, yet a single strike can readily vanquish him. In the 2000 Spider-Man game, Mysterio goes further by impersonating Spider-Man and setting him up to rob a science fair.
Contessa - Sly 2: Band Of Thieves
Contessa is an Interpol agent who uses hypnosis to reeducate criminals into obedient members of society. She forces Murray of Sly Cooper's Band of Thieves to participate in a seance and turns him into a quivering figure. Later, she enhances her gift with the mythical eyes of the Watcher, which she uses in her battle with Sly. She turns his vision into a psychedelic spiral, and it takes a strong mind to keep him from turning into a vegetable.
Gounter O'Dimm - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Gaunter O'Dimm is an omnipotent being who enjoys playing with mortals in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. He is the devil incarnate, using contracts and curses to manipulate people. He is also capable of transporting people to desolate forests and castles of deceptive mirrors. Eventually, Geralt confronts him, but O'Dimm's endless barrage of twisted games is enough to drive anyone mad.
Conclusion
These six-game heroes are masters of illusion and use them to their advantage. From Odin in God of War: Ragnarok to Hunter O'Dimm in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, these characters use a variety of tactics to manipulate the environment and minds of their opponents. Whether it's the Mad Hatter in Batman: Arkham or Mysterio in Spider-Man, these characters are sure to confuse and frustrate their opponents.
