The fantasy genre often makes people think of magical fairy tales or heroic adventures. But fantasy isn’t always like that. It can be just as dark and scary as any other genre. Many people enjoy dark fantasy, which mixes fantasy with horror.
There are already many stories and games that combine these genres. From monster movies to creepy RPGs to stylish games set in dark, magical worlds, there are lots of video games that explore dark fantasy. Here are some of the best choices for fans who love both fantasy and horror.
5. Lies Of P
“Lies of P” is a new game that is similar to the “Alice” series because they both take inspiration from classic stories. “Lies of P” is based on the story of Pinocchio, the puppet who wants to be a real boy and whose nose grows when he lies.
The game is Soulslike, which means it has challenging gameplay and creepy puppet enemies. The setting and story are dark and spooky, mixing well with the tough gameplay.
“Lies of P” also has some special features that come from the Pinocchio story. It’s a good game to try out, especially since you can play it on Xbox Game Pass.
4. Castlevania
Since werewolves were mentioned, their popular fantasy counterpart, vampires, should also be included. The Castlevania series is a great choice for this. If you enjoy Gothic fantasy, this series is perfect for you.
Gothic stories are known for mixing fantasy and horror, and Castlevania does this well. Castlevania is a Gothic horror game about vampires and is so popular that it even has its show on Netflix. It’s worth checking out if you like Gothic fantasy and horror.
3. Bramble: The Mountain King
Bramble: The Mountain King is an indie horror game that looks and feels a lot like the popular Little Nightmares series. It is based on Swedish myths. The game starts with a young boy named Olle, who goes into the woods at night with his older sister, Lillemor. The forest is beautifully magical, and players will meet some charming creatures.
But don’t be fooled. This is a horror game, and it can be very scary. You will soon meet dangerous creatures that want to hurt Olle. Also, the gnomes that Olle makes friends with might end up in terrible situations.
2. Elden Ring
Elden Ring, like other famous games from FromSoftware, is a beautiful and massive fantasy adventure. However, it’s also very scary.
FromSoftware is famous for mixing fantasy with lots of dark, creepy elements. This shows in the terrifying monsters players have to defeat, ruined places like Caelid, and the gloomy stories in the game. If you want to experience dark fantasy, Elden Ring and other games from FromSoftware are perfect choices.
1. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Senua’s Sacrifice is a powerful story that aims to show what it’s like to live with psychosis. The game was made with help from doctors and people who have psychosis. Even though Hellblade has a serious purpose and is scary, it happens in a fantasy world inspired by Norse mythology.
The game is about a young woman’s journey through Helheim. Players shouldn’t expect a nice fantasy adventure. Senua will face terrifying enemies, impossible challenges, and her mind. The fantasy setting doesn’t make the game any less scary or the experience any less deep.