I mean, it works if you’re able to detach yourself somewhat. I mean it’s a game, and no one said you have to be a VILLAIN villain. I think people forget this cool alignment called “Rogue”. Does wonders for headcannon, well at least for me. I dunno for others, though.
without getting too far off topic and weird about, I think vill side is being seen as for some arcs, an introspective look( again, only for those who can’t fully detach themselves) and they don’t like it.
CO made me HATE Hero-only thinking/play. It’s cookie cutter and turns boring fast. Preshutdown CoH had more interesting and dynamic splits between hero/villain with more varied depth and intrigue. It’s what I was looking forward to most upon return, I’m a bit sad to see that’s not the case.