This is a difficult question, with difficulty in explaining the base concepts.
There are people who go through life like a mouse. Afraid to stand up for themselves, afraid to step on the toe of an ant. Afraid to make any noise should they be noticed.
Dr. Peterson talks about how a person who cannot do violence is not good. A person who is capable of violence, and withholds that violence is doing good.
So, the question you ask above depends on the player's starting point.
Are they a man, or are they a mouse?
If they are a man, then their character is usually shown in their character.
But, if they are a mouse, then game is often an escape. Where they are powerful. Where they can pretend to be someone important and do harmful, violent, evil things. Things that they are almost incapable of in the real world.
And often times, being able to play out these roles allows for built up pressure to be worked through. However, the real answer is for these people to stop being a mouse. But that takes real effort, and really looking into the depths of your soul.
Indeed, escapism to let loose and unleash their dark desires...