Top 30 Final Fantasy Villains - #28

#28 - Rufus Shinra

(Final Fantasy VII)

The Shinra Electric Company generates power and subsequently profit by harnessing the life of the planet itself. The resulting form of energy, known as Mako Energy, is so powerful that Shinra became a monopoly that may as well be an evil empire, essentially making its president the most powerful man on the planet. When its president is murdered by a certain katana-wielding lunatic who may or may not be on this list later on, his son, Rufus Shinra, takes charge.

What makes Rufus such an effective villain is his constantly calm, casual, and collected demeanor. He is unfazed by pretty much everything that happens, and is very good about adapting his plans to fit the situation. He always comes across as being in control, which is helped by his design- not terribly complex, but giving him an air of casual authority that makes him pretty intimidating nonetheless.

At one point, Rufus explains to the heroes that while his father controlled people with money and empty promises, Rufus controls people with fear. We see that at play when he manipulates people by playing on their fear of larger threats, like that meteor about to kill the planet, or that eco-terrorist group trying to take the company down, or the aforementioned lunatic with a sword.

Rufus is efficient, resourceful, and ruthless, though you kind of have to be in order to control a company like Shinra. He thinks nothing of making sacrifices for the sake of maintaining control. And he has a certain presence that can be felt anytime Shinra’s actions are the focus of a scene, which is a lot of the time. Every action he takes is deliberate and part of a much grander whole.

Really, the main thing holding him back from being higher on the list is his lack of screen time. Even when he is first introduced into the story there are bigger fish to fry. Also, while I get he was never really meant to be much of a fighter, the one fight against him is pretty lackluster. In another game, Rufus definitely could have been main villain material. But even here, where he is second banana to a much better villain, he is still a force to be reckoned with.