Top 7: Repeat offenders

Goblins
We blame Tolkien. If it weren't for The Lord of the Rings, we likely wouldn't have orcs, elves and goblins running around our screens. We'll admit, somehow they seem less threatening than the majority of gaming foes, but can be pretty nasty when they want to be. The winged goblins of Oblivion spring to mind, with their magic attacks and flappy, 'bat in your hair' scare factor.

Then there are all the MMORPGS like World of Warcraft. If it weren't for goblins, orcs and the like, the servers would just be full of bellydancers and nothing else. We all know a lot of the appeal is in shaking your virtual booty in the hub areas, but we reckon a lack of fantasy beings would soon have everyone feeling Orcward. Geddit? Oh, please yourself.

Above: The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Kameo: Elements of Power, World of Warcraft, Ultimate Ghosts 'n' Goblins and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Justin Towell

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.