On topic, I really liked Petrovski. I found his monologue more interesting that most.
Indeed.
Interest in a character stems from having respect for or at least understanding of motivation, goals or vision. Or maybe even the character themselves.
As per usual I will now give a Gundam Antagonist overview in comparison to what I mean.
Anavel Gato, nicknamed the "Nightmare of Solomon", is one of the most fearsome soldiers in Zeon history. He fights to uphold Zeon's ideals, and is so unrelenting in his pursuits that his power of will alone makes opponents shake in their normal suits. He's also a peerless mobile suit pilot, and his abilities are no better demonstrated than when he wreaks havoc with the stolen Gundam Physalis or GP02. He wipes out an entire Federation fleet with the Gundam's atomic bazooka, and whips protagonist Kou Uraki around with just a beam saber and head vulcans. With or without a mobile weapon, he was a force to be reckoned with.
His final moments were particularly memorable for me. The way he fought to the bitter end with that burning fearlessness in his eyes, and the way he chose to go out on his own terms made me develop a deep sense of respect for his character. There weren't many redeeming qualities to him, but they grant understanding, they reveal this is a character who stands by what he believes, speaks what he believes, kills for what he believes, and dies for what he believes ultimately. He is a implacable antagonist, he will either succeed or die.
Bioware could do worse then going by the model of Gato who is: I will kill whoever gets in my way to accomplish my goal but at the same time I have ideals and belief and ultimately I do nothing for myself but those ideals. He is nothing but his mission, his obsession, anything human was purged by strife and war. He is not just martial skill but conviction and ultimately antagonists of his caliber are rare, he is no super villain bent on world domination or personal power and wealth, he is principled, in someways even noble.
But at the end of the day he is someone you will either be killed by or kill.