Summary
Dark fantasytypicallyrefers to a genre of video games that combines elements offantasy and horror. TakeThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, for example, a game set in a universe where magic and fantastical creatures exist, but one that is also hardened by the grim reality of war and the often horrific nature of humans and monsters alike.
Often, despite still being very present, horror takes a backseat to the fantastical elements of these games when, sometimes, players are looking for the inverse. The list below compiles some of thebest dark fantasy games that are defined by their horror elements.
Genre
Horror, Dungeon Crawler
Although it has yet to be released, J.R. Hudepohl’sLabyrinth of the Demon Kingis already shaping up to be an excellent addition to the dark fantasy catalog based on what players have seenin its demo.
Set in feudal Japan, players assume the role of a lone foot soldier as they embark on a questto avenge theirLord by slaying the Demon King who murdered him. Chasing the demon into his titular labyrinth, players will find themselves lost in a fog-choked reflection of reality that, visually, looks to be a blend of the best parts of theSilent Hillfranchise and the horror short film,My house walk-through.
FromSoftware has an entire catalog of video games. Each one, in the shadow of their crown jewel,Dark Souls, comes with a fanbase that would argue the title is overlooked.
Kuonis one such game, although it’s a bit niche even among FromSoftware fans. Inspired by Kaiden ghost stories, the gamefollows three protagonistsin an overlappingResident Evil 2-style narrative where they must survive the cursed and monster-ridden Fujiwara Manor. Compared to today’s standards, the game’s combat feels somewhat clunky and tedious, but it’s still worth revisiting for its engaging story and eerie setting. That is, if one can get their hands on a copy without forking over their life savings.
Alisa
Alisasees the player taking control of its titular protagonist, who, being a Royal agent, is pursuing a wanted criminal. After chasing him into the woods behind a village, Alisa, in a twisted perversion ofAlice in Wonderland,is dragged underground by doll-like creatures.
Waking up in the Dollhouse, a subterranean mansion filled with similar doll-like monsters, the player must find a way out. The survival horror gameplay featured inAlisais heavily inspired by both the visual and mechanical aspects of classic PS1-era horror titles. The game slots into the dark fantasy genre as it feels like a twisted fairy tale throughout its runtime, regularly making use of imagery that subverts the old tales players are already familiar with.
Dropping players into the Great Well, a subterranean world of chaos and misery,Lunacidtakes a page out of classic ARPGs likeKing’s Fieldwith its gloomydungeon-crawling gameplay.
Wondrous as it is horrible, there are moments where players will be equal parts awed and terrified byLunacid. Its strange, idyllic scenes of underground forests and mysterious ruins can quickly devolve into dark crypts infested with horrors. Part of the beauty ofLunacidlies in exploring its world for the first time, allowing oneself to get caught upin the undulating nature of its setting. For that reason, providing any more information about the game would risk treading into the realm of spoilers.
Releasing not long afterFatal Frameand the GameCube remake ofResident Evil, it is no wonder thatEternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiemwent overlooked in the horror world. Though it has since garnered a cult following, with no talk of bringing the IP back,Eternal Darknesswill likely only remain relevant in the minds of its most dedicated fans.
That’s a shame, because the game is a gem. After the protagonist, Alexandra Roiva, finds the Tome of Eternal Darkness in the home of her recently murdered grandfather, players are sent on a journey into the past. Jumping between 12 playable characters, including Alexandra, players follow a centuries-spanning effort to prevent the summoning of dark gods. This time-hopping, character-swapping narrative structure ofEternal Darkness, along with its fourth-wall-breaking moments and sanity mechanic, makes the game feel truly unique within the survival horror genre.
Overshadowed by Capcom’s other horror franchise,Resident Evil,Onimusha: Warlordsis another somewhat underappreciated game. Set in a demon-infested versionof Sengoku, Japan, players assume the role of samurai Samanosuke Akechi as he attempts to save the princess Yuki.
Though still borrowing some aspects of the sub-genre,Onimushais closer to a hack-and-slash game than a traditional survival horror. Yet its creepy, dark fantasy setting, monstrous enemies, and, of course, its fixed camera angles still earn it a spot next to its sibling Capcom franchise.
Dimfrosts’Bramble: The Mountain Kingis another game that feels likea dark fairy tale. Playing as Olle, a young boy in search of his sister, players will delve into the depths of a forest that is not what it seems. Taking advantage of the player’s expectations, the game re-imagines a number of iconic folk creatures as nightmarish entities.
What makes these creatures even more frightening is the game’s sense of scale. Similar to titles likeLittle Nightmares, players roam a land of giants, leaving them feeling small and vulnerable in a hostile world.
Fear & Hungeris a game that thrives in the pits of degeneracy. Though perhaps not scary in the traditional sense of the word, the game will cross every line and inflict torment on its players like no other on this list.
Blending survival horror and JRPG mechanics,Fear & Hungersees players controlling a party of adventurers as they descend into dungeons where gods struggle for power. Players looking to check outFear & Hungershould come prepared, as the titleemphasizes the “dark"in dark fantasy.
Sorry We’re Closedis unique compared to other entries on this list, as it translates its dark fantasy elements into an urban environment. Players assume the role of Michelle, a woman working a dead-end job in a convenience store and still grieving a nasty break-up from three years ago. When she is cursed by the Duchess, a demon with some questionable ideas about love, Michelle delves into a world of angels and demons in order to save her own life.
While its punk neon aesthetic seems inviting at first, the game’s initial color palette is soon contrasted with rusted-over and grimy locations reminiscent ofSilent Hill’s signature visual style. It’s a design choice that works to express both the electricity and horror of love.
