He murdered to further political gain, I agree that made him the villain of the game, but it's not something completely unheard of in real life. It's not like he was Sephiroth and needlessly butchered a town, or Kefka and poisoned an entire city. He killed all of those who were in his way for power, not much unlike Roman Emperors. Sure he's a villain, but a political villain, which was a different direction than the series has ever taken.